Paul Vander Weele dead at 81

Paul Adrian Vander Weele, 81, died October 13 in Libertyville, Illinois. He was born May 8, 1945, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He later managed a horse stable farm in Wauconda, Illinois, where riding lessons were offered to the public, before moving to the Libertyville area, where he remained a longtime resident.

Vander Weele was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Rochester, New York, receiving his master’s degree from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois. He served as organist for numerous churches throughout the years, including Glenview Community Church, Glenview, Illinois; Northminster Presbyterian Church, Evanston; Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Libertyville; and for more than fifty years at North Shore Congregation Israel, Glencoe, Illinois. He was also an accompanist for students at Libertyville High School, helping them prepare for competitions and musicals. Vander Weele produced his own CD, Music for Brass and Organ.

Paul Adrian Vander Weele is survived by his wife of 29 years Mary Price, his sister Beth Green, and two nephews. A funeral takes place November 7 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Libertyville. Burial was in Kalamazoo. Memorial gifts in his memory may be made to Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, Post Office Box 270032, Rochester, New York 14627, or to Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 1151 North Saint Mary’s Road, Libertyville, Illinois 60048.