VanDament, David L. - Putnam

Source: Greencastle Herald, Putnam County, Indiana 15 June 1928 p 2

David E. Vandament, only son of Rev. BWS and Sarah Matchett Vandament was born in Rush County, Indiana Aug 29, 1855, and passed away after a severe illness of seven weeks duration at the Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis at 3:30 am Friday June 8, 1928 aged 72 years 9 months 21 days. He had been a resident of Greencastle for more than 25 years where he and his family had come to educate his children after having lived at Bainbridge for about 20 years. In his early childhood, he with his parents moved from his birthplace of Madison County, Indiana, and later to Spencer where he was graduated from the Spencer HS. The family then moved to Bloomington where he was graduated from Indiana University with the class of 1880.  He was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi and Masonic fraternities. Jan 1, 1880 he married Sarah Lillian Perry of Putnamville, Indiana and to them were born six children: Viola, Mrs. RE Richards, Greencastle; Flora, Greencastle; Raymond, who died at the age of one year; Bethena, Mrs. AA Abbott, Indianapolis; Perry, who died at the age of 9; and Leslie of Chicago.  After his graduation from Indiana University he engaged in teaching for a few years until he entered the ministry in which field of service he was very active for the major portion of his life, and although having held but few regular pastorates in the last few year she was often recalled to preach at churches, he had formerly attended.  On Easter Sunday, just a short time before being taken sick, he conducted all day services at Hamrick Station.  He was one of the dominant figures in the Christian Union for many years and did much for its advancement, having formed many organizations and helped built many churches in various parts of the state. He was very active in the state Councils of the church, both in this and adjoining states and served as Secretary of the Indiana Council of The Christian Union for a long period of years, later becoming the President.  He also served as Sec to the General Council of the Christian Union for several years. In his service for the church he was zealous, self-sacrificing, sincere and efficient and those qualities won for him not only the honor and respect of those with whom he was associate but their love as well.  He accepted the responsibilities of editing and publishing the church paper, The Christian Union Messenger, when the way was set with many grave difficulties and willingly and cheerfully carried the burden for many years. This enlarged his field of influence and service to many parts of the United States. When he finally retired from active connection with the Messenger, he became affiliated with the Farmer’s Guide as field representative, and those qualities which endeared him to his church people won him friends wherever he went, and his annual visits to the homes of the people in his territory were highly anticipated and many hearts and lives were made richer by these contacts.  While he was never actively identified with any organization in Greencastle, his life in the community where he has lived for more than 25 years has not failed to make its impress, as he has gone quietly about and he has won there, as every where the highest regard and esteem of all who knew him. – kbz