Stanley W. VanVleet

Stanley W. VanVleet, age 98, a lifelong resident of Lodi, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025.

Stanley was born at home in Lodi on October 6, 1926, the son of the late Lawrence and Lovina (Woodman) VanVleet. He graduated from Ovid High School in 1944 and spent nearly his entire life on the family farm along the Ovid-Lodi Townline Road.

Deeply rooted in the agricultural community, Stanley was a lifelong member and former president of the Farm Bureau, served as a headmaster of the Grange, was a former member of the South Seneca School Board, and a member of the Ovid Federated Church. He devoted his life to farming (raising sheep and cash crops) and was still operating a tractor in his nineties. He especially loved viewing the beautiful sunsets from his home.

He is survived by his children: Lawrence (Cynde) VanVleet of California, James (Doreen) VanVleet of Ovid, Marian (Patrick) Schirmer of Ovid, Robert (Laura) VanVleet of Lodi, Beverly (Mark) Delong of Romulus, Daniel (Mary-Catherine French) VanVleet of Lodi, Christopher (Marcia) VanVleet of Massachusetts, and Melanie (Scott) Mansfield of Vestal; his sisters, Harriett Wagner and Ruth Wagner of Lodi; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife, Helene Shaner in 2018; by his first wife, Mary Louise Connelly, the mother of his 8 children, also in 2018; and by his brothers, John and David.

A graveside memorial service for family and friends will be held at 4:00 pm on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the West Lodi Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Stanley’s memory may be made to the Ovid Federated Church or the Lodi Historical Society.