Claude Everette VanGilder Jr

June 1, 1963 - July 18, 2018

Claude Everette VanGilder Jr, 55, of Bunner Ridge, the loving husband of Sharon VanGilder, passed away on July 18, 2018, at J.W. Ruby Memorial hospital. He was born on June 1, 1963, in Fairmont, to Marlene Robe Gasda (Bill), and the late Claude Everette VanGilder. Claude was a 1981 graduate of East Fairmont High School and a member of Mt. Sharon Free Methodist Church. Claude was currently employed with Cintas with 20 years of service. He previously worked at Martin’s Tree Farm in Fairmont, Wrangler Blue Jean Factory in Virginia, Handy Mart in Boothsville, and Winfield Mart in Bunner Ridge. Claude will be remembered as a Good Ole “Ridge Boy”, who could always bring a smile to your face on the worst day. He was a one-of-a-kind, his family’s “Teddy Bear”. The angels are rejoicing. We love you “Dew Man”. From an early age, he loved going to country music and bluegrass shows with his parents, sister, and family, and continued going with his wife, whom he married on August 12, 2006. He loved hunting, playing cards, cooking, collecting cookbooks, taking his nieces and nephews to sporting events, his little doggie Lady, yard sales, and baseball cards, but most of all, he loved his family. Claude is survived by his loving wife of 12 years, Sharon (Payne Gillespie) VanGilder. He is also survived by his very close sister, Brenda VanGilder Campbell and her companion, John Bratton, of Virginia; brother-in-law, Robert B. Starkey; niece Shelly Ashcraft and husband, Kevin, and nephews, Rob Dean and wife, JoHannah, and Brian Dean, whom he loved like his own children. Claude is also survived by great-nieces and nephews, Robert Dean III, Brittany Dean, Becca Dean, McKinley Ashcraft, Colby Ashcraft, Brandon Dean, Gage Dean, and Sammy Dean; Aunts, Cora (John) Morris, Collean (Jack) Fimple, Jeanette VanGilder, Marjorie Potesta, Dorothy Carpenter, Doris Carpenter, and Margaret Robe. Claude is survived by special cousins, Steve Fimple, Wes VanGilder, Gerri Priest, Joyce McCord, as well as many loving and caring friends. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by grandparents Samuel L and Nona VanGilder, and Denzil McKinley and Ota Pride Robe; a very special nephew, Justin Spencer Neel; sister-in-law, Clora Bell Starkey; uncles, Harry VanGilder, Bud VanGilder, Leonard VanGilder, Earl VanGilder, Eugene Robe, Bernard Robe, Blynn Robe, Wayman Carpenter, and Glenn Carpenter; and aunts, June Robe, Virginia VanGilder, and Wilda Fast.