Feb. 7, 1958 — Jan. 21, 2015

Susan Marie Vandenburg, age 56 of Dowagiac, Michigan died with her family gathered around at 9:55 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, at her home following an extended illness.

She was born on Feb. 7, 1958, in Niles, Michigan to John L. and Evelyn J. (Woltman) Phillips. She attended Niles Community Schools, and has lived in Dowagiac since 1981. She was employed for many years in quality control at JMS Engineered Plastics, Inc. in South Bend, Indiana.

Sue enjoyed for many years the fellowship of playing cards with family and friends, but her greatest interest was caring for her children and grandchildren.

On Nov. 19, 1983, at the Pokagon Fire Station she married Roy O. Vandenburg with whom she celebrated two months ago the Thirty-first anniversary of their wedding.

Surviving family includes her husband, Roy Vandenburg and her children, Ron (Cheryl Gruber) Phillips of Niles, Kevin (Samantha Lemon) Vandenburg of Dowagiac, and Justin (Ashley) Vandenburg of Niles; grandchildren Jayden Vandenburg, Alexandria “Lexie” Lemon, Melissa Vandenburg, Kaleb Vandenburg, and Emma Rose Vandenburg; Susan’s brothers, James Phillips of Boulder City, Nevada, Ricky J. (Deb) Phillips of Cassopolis, Michigan, John P. (& Sue Ferrier) Phillips of South Bend, and Scott J. Phillips of Niles; and many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by a mother-in-law Opal Vandenburg of Pokagon and two sisters-in-law, Marcia (Ken) Reed and Linda (& David) Kramb both of Dowagiac.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and by a brother, Gregory A. Phillips in 2012.

The family of Susan Vandenburg is gathering privately on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, for funeral services at the Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles with Mr. Johnny Groda, Chaplain of Great Lakes Caring Hospice officiating. Committal will be at Calvary Cemetery in Niles

Contributions in memory of Susan may be made to Cass County Cancer Services. www.halbritterfunerals.com