Wentworth Darcy Vedder, Jr.

Wentworth Darcy Vedder, 80, of Anna Maria Island, Florida, formerly of York died Thursday, November 19, 2009, at his home. He was born on July 19, 1929 in York to the late Wentworth D. Vedder and Thyrza Merkert Vedder. He was the husband of Barbara S. (Leiby) Vedder to whom he was married for 22 years. He was married previously to Kathryn Williamson. Mr. Vedder graduated from Staunton Military Academy in 1947, Dickinson College in 1951 and Dickinson School of Law in 1953. He founded the law firm of Morris & Vedder with his law and business partner, Elmer M. Morris, in 1954 and practiced law at 32 N. Duke Street in York for over 50 years. Mr. Vedder was a past president of the York County Bar Association, the Country Club of York and the Lafayette Club. He was a founding partner of Susquehanna Memorial Gardens and numerous other memorial parks. He was President of the York Gazette Company, after buying the York Gazette and Daily with his partners in 1970. They then changed its name to the York Daily Record. He was a member of both The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist and St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbia, PA, serving on both vestries and a current active member of the Church of the Annunciation, Holmes Beach, Fl. He is survived by eight children, Paula V. Martin of Fort Worth, Texas, Wentworth D. Vedder and his wife, Carol, of Bala Cynwyd, PA, Clyde W. Vedder and his wife, Beth, of York, Christopher M. Vedder and his wife, Alison, of York, Peter E. Vedder and his wife, Dr. Evanthia Speliotis, of Louisville, Kentucky, Josephine V. Heidke and her husband, David Kircher of York, Williamson Vedder of New York City and Jocelyn V. Greene and her husband, David, of Holmes Beach, Florida, and a sister, Gretchen V. Blakey of York. He was preceded in death by his sister, Christina V. Lohr. He is also survived by twenty grandchildren, Brenna Parthemore, Emily Bryant, Reagan Martin, Jr., Williamson Vedder, Thomas Vedder, Leah Vedder, Emma Vedder, Christopher Vedder, Jr., Alisa Vedder, Adam Vedder, Ophelia Vedder, Ismene Vedder, Kathryn Heidke, Christopher Heidke, William Heidke, David Heidke, Chloe Vedder, Luke Vedder, Juliet Greene and Gabrielle Greene and three great-grandchildren. He spent many happy times on his sailboat sailing on the Chesapeake with family and friends and enjoyed a long-time hobby of bird watching. A funeral celebration will be held on Monday, November 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 140 N. Beaver St., York, PA with The Reverend Canon David W. Lovelace officiant. Private burial will be in Susquehanna Memorial Gardens. There will be no viewing. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to The Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, 140 N. Beaver St., York, PA 17403 or the Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Dr., Holmes Beach, FL 34217. Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 1551 Kenneth Rd., York is in charge of arrangements.