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“Outstanding Service, at an Affordable Price ”

Tom Vanderwall and his son Alex work closely together every day to continue Tom’s traditional focus on the essence of what makes life worth living. After all, the joy of living can be found in the small moments of loving interaction with family and friends. It's these small things that make life rich, and help create memories to last a lifetime.

Alex joined his father in 2007, after completing his degree in Mortuary Science at Jefferson State in Birmingham, Alabama that same year, as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Both father and son work closely with families, to help them celebrate memories and honor the caring relationship shared with their loved ones.

The focus on celebrating the essence of a worth-while life began at home, where Tom and his wife Jan raised five children: Adam, Aaron, Alex, Kaley, and Andy. Since the beginning, he approached his business with the same essential level of commitment and enthusiasm that he brought to the challenges of parenting.

His attention to detail in serving his clients mirrors the attention it took to maintain a happy, healthy and balanced family. He and Jan realized that family is a haven in an often heartless world, and both did their utmost to remember the small details that make a home.

That focus on “home and hearth” means that families who come to Vanderwall Funeral Home know they will be welcomed with Tom’s homemade cookies, and free soft drinks or coffee. Just like home, you’ll be free to refresh while you tend to the details which begin to heal the heart. Be it baking the cookies that he is so famous for offering at the visitations or attending to the special needs of your family, Tom will look after all the details in creating a funeral or memorial service for your loved one that you will always remember.

The Vanderwall family focus on traditional family values long included involving Tom's parents in the day-to-day activities of the funeral home. Donna, his mother, has passed away, but you can still see Elmer –Tom’s father– who at 91, still chooses to spend his time caring for the families of Dayton.

“Alex, my dad, and I are passionate about serving our community, and work hard every day to be the best funeral home in Dayton,” remarks Tom. “Each family who comes to us gets the full attention of the Vanderwall family; and our personal commitment to professional service. All this, and the knowledge that our business practices are ethical and our prices are fair.”

Tom Vanderwall
Tom was born in Muskegon, Michigan and graduated from Muskegon College before earning his Mortuary Degree in 1974 from the Indiana College of Mortuary Science.

He owned and operated a funeral home in Charlevoix County, Michigan, until moving to Dayton in 1986. Choosing to make Dayton his lifelong home, he transferred his funeral director and embalmer licenses from Michigan to Tennessee.

This same community commitment led him to join and actively participate in the Rotary Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and Grace Bible Church. He and his wife, Jan, have truly settled into Dayton to raise their children, and built a successful business. His son Alex graduated from Mortuary College in 2007, and later joined his father in the family business, thereby extending the family's dedication to service in the Dayton area.

Jan Vanderwall
Jan and Tom have raised five youngsters: Adam, Aaron, Alex, Kaley, and Andy. They are firm believers in traditional family values, and Jan is very proud to be living their commitment everyday as a full-time mother. She made the decision years ago to remain at home after the birth of their oldest son, Adam, and continues in this all-important, fully-engaging task to this day. The family home will be just a bit emptier now, as Andy, their youngest, leaves for college in the fall of 2010. However, Jan’s deep commitment to supporting the members of her immediate family as they pursue their goals and dreams continues to mean a great deal to each of them, wherever they may be living.

Alex J. Vanderwall
Alex is a 2002 graduate of Rhea County High School and a 2005 Graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, AL. where he received his degree in Business Administration. He completed his degree in Mortuary Science at Jefferson State in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2007, and came into the firm shortly afterwards, as a licensed funeral director and embalmer. Alex is a lifelong resident of Dayton, where he and his wife Lisa are members of First United Methodist Church. He is an avid outdoorsman.

Elmer Vanderwall
Elmer, who was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan, is a former 1st Lieutenant of the US Army from WWII. He married Donna DeGroot in 1942, and they were happily married for 66 years, until her passing in 2008. Even though Elmer retired from Sears after managing their hardware department for 37 years, he has "worked" for his son, Tom, as a funeral director's assistant for over 30 years. He is a member of Grace Bible Church and enjoys working outdoors. In addition to Tom, Elmer has another son, David, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.

Bobby Doss
Bobby is a lifelong resident of Dayton, where he lives with his wife, the former Cindy Rothwell, and their son, Holden. He graduated from RCHS in 1978. He is a member of Smyrna Baptist Church where he is a Trustee. Bobby is well known for his love of sports, especially football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He has been with Vanderwall Funeral Home since 1988, and currently serves as city councilman and vice mayor.