Jimmy E Vandiver

Jimmy Edward Vandiver passed away March 30, 2025, in Naples, FL. He was born in Kansas City, MO on July 20, 1936, the son of Lloyd and Mary Emma (Wheeler) Vandiver. He graduated from Park Hill High School, Kansas City, MO in 1954 and University of Central Missouri in 1958 with a degree in Economics and Chemistry. He married Patricia (Strider) Vandiver August 29, 1964.

He worked for Ford Motor Company, and then Betty Rose Coats and Suits which brought Jimmy and Pat to Illinois. He then worked for The Coat Connection, and designed, owned, and operated Valley Self Storage with his wife for 24 years until his retirement.

Jimmy was a member of Classic Car Club of America, Antique Automobile Club of America, Cadillac-Lasalle Club, and The Packard Club. He had a lifelong love of cars and enjoyed spending his retirement going on car tours, road trips, spending time at his "garage mahal" and spending winters in Naples, FL enjoying his favorite restaurants, and spring training baseball games. Jimmy had a big personality, always appreciated a good joke, and loved to talk to people, making friends everywhere he went.

Jimmy is predeceased by his parents Mary Emma and Lloyd G. Vandiver, as well as his wife of 54 years Pat.

He is survived by his daughters, Kelly (Troy) Evans, Kimberly (Jon) Wesolowski, his 5 grandchildren - Clara, Jack, and Erin McCarty, Matthew and Emma Wesolowski, and also his companion, Patti Werckle.

A time of visitation for Jimmy will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, 1860 S. Mulford Road, Rockford, Illinois 61108. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to be made to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, 300 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL 60523. To send condolences online or share memories, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com