Douglas Vanderwater

Douglas Vanderwater, 53, of Springfield, died at 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Memorial Medical Center. Douglas was born September 7, 1955 in Springfield, the son of Orell Richard and Lorraine Hattenhaus Vanderwater. He married Julie Anne Havenar on July 28, 1984 at Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield. Douglas was a graduate of Southeast High School. He received his Associates Degree in Culinary Arts from Johnson and Wales College in Providence, RI. He was most recently employed as a food sales representative for Robert's Foods. He had previously worked as a culinary arts instructor at Lincoln Land Community College and Capital Area Career Center as well as a chef at Crow's Mill School and Sangamon State University. While in college he was employed as an intern at the German Pavilion at Epcot Center, and as a teenager he worked at Metal Dcor. Douglas was a big kid at heart. He loved life and he liked others to be treated right. He loved Walt Disney World, food and cooking. He collected Disney memorabilia and enjoyed woodworking. He was a member of the Chatham Dog Training Center and he raised and trained Alaskan Malamutes. He belonged to the Black Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, the Central Illinois Culinary Arts Association, the Illinois Education Association, the Southfork Archery League and was a member of Chatham Presbyterian Church. Above all, he was a wonderful family man and his children's biggest fan. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents. He is survived by his wife, Julie Vanderwater of Springfield; son, Kyle Douglas Vanderwater of Springfield; daughter, Kelsey Anne Vanderwater of Springfield; two sisters, Bonnie (husband, Steve) Kniery of Scottsdale, AZ and Elizabeth Finley of Bluefield, WV; and his special furry friends, Nici, Jazi and Chloe. Family will receive friends from 5:00 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Rev. Joe Eby officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Always and Forever Memorial and Honor Program, 2580 Federal Dr., Ste. 403, Decatur, IL 62526.