Carol Lee (Whitson) VanderVlucht went Home to be with her Lord on Saturday, August

9, 2025. She was lovingly held by her children, her grandchildren, and her great

grandchildren until she peacefully passed. Carol was 85 years old, born on June 14 (in

1940). She spent her childhood in Erie, MI, the only girl of four children. Her three

brothers – George "Jr." Whitson, Jimmy Whitson, and Doug Whitson – preceded her in

death. She was born to George and Loretta Whitson.

When she was in her early 20s, she traveled out West, traversing the West coast and

settling for several years in California. She came back to Erie, MI when she was 28 and

married Larry VanderVlucht. They had 6 beloved children – Jim (Shelly) VanderVlucht,

Laura Keller (Jasen), Susan (Dennis) Johnson, Joe (Lisa) VanderVlucht, Amy (Troy)

Travis, and Sarah (Justin) Centers. She always sided with her kids – they were always,

to her, golden. Carol and Larry ended up settling in Bedford, MI, in their dream house –

"The Big House."

Carol also helped raise countless other kids in the area at the daycare she owned for

30+ years – The Wonderplace. She was loved by so many little ones. She spent her

entire life as an Artist – painting beautiful pictures. And in her later years, she traveled

throughout the East coast, stopping in artist collectives in Maine and her much-loved

Vermont. Carol absolutely loved classical music – especially Vivaldi and Rachmaninoff.

She loved "current" music too – Bread, Frank Sinatra. She adored Art. And she was

always reading. She imparted her love for all these things onto her children. Music, art,

and books were a constant mainstay in the house, always around and beautifully

infiltrating their lives.

She leaves to cherish her memory, 5 of her children. Her precious Joe preceded her to

Heaven. She also leaves 15 grandchildren – Simon and Lily VanderVlucht, Emily (Nick)

Scott, Jack and Henry Keller, Steven (Kait) Brown, Ava and Hayden Fekete, Calen and

Lindey VanderVlucht, Daniel, Joey, and Sam Travis, Madison (Jeff) and Luke Centers.

Her grandbabies – Jebadiah and Matthew Fekete – have been anxiously waiting for her

in Heaven. She also has 4 great grandchildren – Nori and Zalira Fekete, and Jeffrey

and Justin Brushaber.

In lieu of flowers, donations are gratefully accepted to Hospice of Northweast Ohio. And

her family would like to give heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful hospices staff who so

kindly took care of Carol during her last months.

Carol's burial will be a private gathering.

Castillo Funeral Home has been entrusted with her arrangements.

We'll miss you, Mom/Nina. And we love you. Tell Joe, Dad, and Gram we said "hi."

We'll see you soon.