Vanderwall Funeral Home

“ Outstanding Service, an Affordable Price ”

Tom Vanderwall and his family have captured the essence of what makes life worth living and brought it into their family owned and operated funeral home. After all, the joy of living is in the small moments at home; quiet conversations after the children have gone to bed, holidays celebrated together, special Sunday morning breakfasts, and the laughter of children. It's these small things that make life rich, and help create memories to last a lifetime.

Tom and his wife Jan know a lot about the laughter of children, as they have raised five youngsters: Adam, Aaron, Alex, Kaley, and Andy. He approaches his business with the same essential level of commitment and enthusiasm that he brings to the challenges of parenting. Having purchased the Sawyer Funeral Home in 1986, he set about remodeling the facilities to bring them up-to-date, while keeping the down-home feeling.

His attention to detail in serving his clients mirrors the attention it takes to raise happy, healthy and well-adjusted children: the small details are never overlooked or neglected. 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 values includes involving Tom's parents in the day-to-day activities of the funeral home. From the very first contact you make with Vanderwall Funeral Home, and the members of the Vanderwall family, you're assured the best of care, at the very best prices.
“I'm passionate about serving my community, and work hard every day to be the best funeral home in Dayton,” remarks Tom. “Each family who comes to us gets the best of the Vanderwall family; our attention to detail, and our personal commitment to professional service. All this, and the knowledge that our business practices 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. His purchase of the Sawyer Funeral Home was just one more way Tom made his commitment to Dayton a reality.

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. Her deep commitment to supporting the members of her immediate family as they pursue their goals and dreams has meant a great deal to each of them.

	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. 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 three great grandchildren.

	Donna Vanderwall Donna’s compassion made her a wonderful asset to the funeral home where she assisted her son, first in Northern Michigan, then here in Dayton. She and her husband Elmer spent many hours in service to the families of Dayton, brightening the darker moments in their lives with her warm smile, and caring ways. Donna was born on March 13, 1923 in Muskegon, MI where she was raised, and later became a graduate of the North Muskegon High School Class of 1941. Donna remained in Muskegon until moving to northern Michigan in 1974 and then in 1987 she moved to Dayton, Tennessee. She was a charter member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church in North Muskegon and, at the time of her passing, was a member of Grace Bible Church in Dayton. Donna and her husband were married for 66 years. She was a wonderful homemaker and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, and working in her yard with her husband. Donna went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, April 27, 2008 at the age of 85. She was surrounded by loving family at her home, and we are all so thankful for that opportunity to be close to her at the end. Donna is dearly missed, and we think of her every day with joy and laughter.


	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 and also teaches Sunday school. 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.