July 27, 2015
TOPEKA- John Matthew Vanderblomen, Sr., 72, of Topeka, KS passed away Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at KU Medical Center in Kansas City. He was born November 30, 1942 in Topeka, the son of Jacob Sylvester and Marion Celeste (Seymour) Vanderblomen.
John attended Rossville High School until his sophomore year. He then joined and proudly served in the United States Army. John worked for Goodyear in Topeka and he later worked as a custodian for the Topeka Capital Journal and later retired from Haskell University as a custodian after many years.
He was a member of the Drum Religion and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
John married Ada Merle Wahquahboshkuk on May 10, 1965. She preceded him in death on December 17, 2008. He was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Judy Harrison and Janice Hendrickson and a brother, Jim Vanderblomen.
Survivors include a daughter, Theresa Bravo of Topeka, KS; 3 sons, John Vanderblomen, Jr., Jacob Vanderblomen and Christopher Vanderblomen all of Topeka, KS; a sister, Joyce Cox of Alvin, TX; a brother, Bill Wilbur of Topeka, KS; 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Drum services will be Monday evening, July 27, 2015 at the Danceground Building west of Mayetta. Burial will be Tuesday afternoon, July 28, 2015 in the Danceground Cemetery. John will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton beginning Friday, July 24, 2015. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.