WANTAGE TWP., NJ: Chris N. VanderGroef, 59 years old passed away battling a short illness at Newton Medical Center on Friday, April 2, 2021. Born to Case and Evelyn VanderGroef in Sussex, NJ he has been a lifelong resident of Wantage.
Chris worked alongside his brother, mother, sister and son at Wantage Excavating Co. His parents started the business in 1964. Chris was a perfectionist when it came to his work and loved nothing more than "digging in the dirt." He was a Life member, past Chief and past President of the Beemerville Fire Dept. The dept and all the guys meant a lot to him. Chris was a member of the Beemerville Presbyterian Church, NJLICA (NJ Land Improvement Contractors Assoc.) and the Beemerville Sportsman and Landowners Assoc. His life was dedicated to his family, servicing his community and his work. He will be missed by his co-workers and fellow contractors. He loved spending time with his grandchildren more than ever. Chris was always the guy to lend a hand and help anyone who needed it. He loved his morning coffee time at Mountain View Deli with the guys.
Chris is the beloved husband of Sally VanderGroef (nee Dunn), devoted father of Justin Ted VanderGroef and his Wife Chelsea, and his daughter, Cayla Elizabeth VanderGroef. The lights of his Life were his grandchildren Paige Noelle VanderGroef, Adelyn Grace VanderGroef and Leo Christopher Harris. He was their "Pop". He is the cherished son of Evelyn VanderGroef, dear brother of Trudy Sutters and her husband Chip, Diana VanAlthuis and her husband Frank, Alice VandeWeert and her husband Scott, David VanderGroef and his wife Jennifer and Marie Haney and her husband Steve. He is also survived by his sister-in-law Jean Ann Jaeger, brothers-in-law Irish and Linda Dunn and Dutch and Mimi Dunn. He had many nephews, nieces, grandnieces and grandnephews. They loved their Uncle Chris.
The Family will receive their friends for a "Walk Through" Memorial Visitation on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Wantage Excavating, 137 Holland Road in Wantage NJ in the Back Shop, from 11 to 1 pm. A service will begin at 1 pm followed by a Fireman's Service and a Luncheon. Casual/Work Attire is requested. Social Distancing and Face Coverings are required. Private cremation services are by Ferguson Funeral Home, 27 Third St. Sussex, NJ. Memorial gifts in lieu of flowers to the Beemerville Fire Dept., 227 Rt. 519, Wantage NJ 07461 would be greatly appreciated.