Howard E. Vanderslice of Bethel passed away on Dec. 22, 2023 at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional. Howard was born on Nov. 18, 1943, to the late Howard B. Vanderslice and Jennie Shiles Vanderslice. He retired as a Director of Research and Development in the agriculture industry.
After retiring, he volunteered with the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance conducting creek water checks and was a beloved substitute teacher for the Laurel School District for over 10 years, where the students called him Mr. “V”. He greatly enjoyed gardening, cooking, dancing with his wife, traveling, decorating the outside of his house for Christmas with his scenes and lights and cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies with his family, but his most favorite pastime was spending time working out with his grandson and best friend Cade.
Howard is survived by his loving wife, Donna Jean Vanderslice; sons, Patrick Vanderslice and his wife Susan, and Donald Vanderslice; granddaughter, Brendyn Vanderslice, grandson, Cade Vanderslice; aunt, MaryAnn Williams; nieces, Suzanne Glaspey and Julie Vanderslice-Schmidt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by their infant son, and his brother, Robert “Bob” Vanderslice.
A visitation was held on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, at the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home Inc. in Laurel with a funeral service following. Pastor Dean Perdue officiated. Interment was held privately. Contributions may be sent in honor of Howard Vanderslice to the Bethel Historical Society, P.O. Box 224, Bethel, Delaware 19931 or the Nanticoke Watershed Alliance, 113 Old Ocean City Gateway, Vienna, Maryland 21869. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.hsdfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.