Lois Elaine Vanderstelt

Lois Elaine Vanderstelt, 84, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of Lexington, SC, passed away peacefully at home with family members by her side early Wednesday morning, August 9, 2023, following a brief illness. Born in Muskegon, Michigan on January 26th, 1939, she was the daughter and only child of the late William and Bertha Gunn.

She met and began dating Ron Vanderstelt when they were teenagers attending separate local high schools. They were married on August 22, 1958 in Muskegon, where they set up housekeeping and started their family. They later resided in Fort Wayne, IN and Hicksville, OH. Along the way, they welcomed three beautiful children: Rodney, Vicki, and Eric. Their life’s journey together brought them to Lexington, SC in 1982, where they settled and happily made their home for the past 40+ years.

Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 65 years, Ronald H. Vanderstelt of Lexington, SC; daughter, Vicki Maass (Jim) of Ridgeway, SC; grandchildren, Andrew Maass (Karena) of Charleston, SC, Alexandra Yankey (David) of Atlanta, GA, Jasmine Vanderstelt, Britny Trammell (Chase), and Dalton Vanderstelt of Cleveland, GA; great-grandchildren, Kailyn Trammell and Jaxyn Vanderstelt of Cleveland, GA; Brother-In-Law and Sister-In-Law, John and Carol Schuitema of Spring Lake, MI; niece, Wendy Deur (Eric)of Hudsonville, MI; Nephews, Brian Schuitema (Jill) of Muskegon, MI and Scott Schuitema (Toni) of Spring Lake, MI. She was predeceased by sons, Eric Ryan Vanderstelt and Rodney Scott Vanderstelt.

Lois loved to read and had a passion for cooking and baking. She accumulated many cookbooks over the years and often clipped, saved, tried, and shared new recipes. She also found enjoyment searching local antique/consignment shops for treasures to bring home. She was a loving, true, and loyal Christian friend to so many who worshiped with her, sang with her, worked with her, or just knew and loved her. She had an unwavering love of her family, a strong faith, a quiet strength, a sweet disposition, a smile for everyone, and a sneaky sense of humor.

Lois’s love of music began at an early age, when she studied piano and music theory for 12 years while growing up. She was a gifted pianist, organist, and choral singer. Wherever she lived, she was involved in playing or singing in her church choir, community theatre productions, and community choral groups. She dearly loved her church family and choir, and was a member, organist, pianist, music/choir director at Shiloh United Methodist Church in Gilbert, SC for nearly 30 years. She served as a member of the Worship Team, President and Secretary of United Methodist Women, was an active member of United Women in Faith, and an active volunteer/participant in special events at Shiloh. She was a Charter Member of the Lexington County Choral Society (1996-1997), served on the LCCS Board of Directors for many years, and sang with LCCS until 2023.

Over the years, Lois held positions in insurance, real estate, and energy conservation consulting agencies in Ohio and South Carolina. For the past 20 years, she was honored to work with South Carolina Children’s Home and Family Services and Palmetto Association for Children and Families (PAFCAF).

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 PM, Thursday August 17, 2023 at Shiloh United Methodist Church, 1000 Spring Hill Road, Gilbert, SC 29054, followed by a graveside inurnment in the adjacent church cemetery, and visitation/reception in the church fellowship hall.

The service will be live-streamed on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/135257759863798 through Caughman-Harman Lexington Chapel.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Vanderstelt family may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com

The family would like to express their deep appreciation and thanks to MSA Hospice, specifically Nica Dowd, RN and Aretha Brown, LPN, and to Dr. James L. Wells and the staff of Lexington Oncology for their exceptional compassion and heartfelt care of Lois.

Memorials may be made to Shiloh United Methodist Church -Building Fund, 1000 Spring Hill Road, Gilbert, SC 29054.