Carl Wayne Vandevender, 85, of rural Frankfort, passed away May 6, 2026 at Mulberry Health. He was born on February 25, 1941 in Frankfort, IN to WK Vandevender and Eileen (Shore) Vandevender. Eileen died when Carl was young and WK married Cleo Myers, who adopted and raised Carl. Carl was previously married to Carolyn Hendrickson Abbott and they later divorced.
Carl was a 1959 graduate and the last class to graduate from Kirklin High School. He was active in 4-H, and FFA at a young age and was active in Young Farmers in Kirklin. Carl was born into farming and remained a farmer in Clinton County until he retired. He could always be found in the shed working on something, which lead to his love for restoring and showing antique farm equipment.
He was a member of the Chapter #7 Indiana International Harvester Collectors Club. He was also a longtime member of the I & I Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Club Chapter 10. The club was able to purchase the Penfield grounds where Historic Farm Days is held. Prior to that, Historic Farm Days was held at Middlefork Forest Preserve. The club bought the school adjacent to the show grounds and kept adding land for the show to the point that it now owns more than 100 acres. Carl was active in the annual Historic Farms Days in Penfield, holding several offices. They created a trail extending back into the woods for golf carts and tractors to travel.
He was among the founding members of the Half Century of Progress Show. This show in Rantoul, IL, is the premier working vintage farm show in the United States. It is held the weekend before the Decatur Farm Progress Show. The Half Century of Progress allows visitors to experience what farming and agriculture was like 50 years ago and beyond with live demonstrations, attractions and fellowship. The family went to the 1206 Round Up in 2025.
Carl is survived by his Companion, Jackie Williman of Mulberry, IN, Daughters, Carla Kaelin of Waveland, IN, Beth Walker of Fort Myers, FL, Son, Todd Vandevender of Ashland, KY, grandchildren, William Kaelin, Nathan (Hayley) Kaelin, LeAnn (Josh) Predolich, Clayton Walker and Michael Burke, great-grandchildren, Liberty Owens, Kellan Kaelin, Jackson Kaelin and Autumn Kaelin, cousins, Jerry Shore and Joyce Jordan and extended family.
He was preceded in death by: parents, son-in-law: William Kaelin and cousin, Karen Larimore
Visitation will be held 11 a.m.-1p.m. Saturday, May 16, 2026 at Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main St., Frankfort. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Green Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to I & I Antique Tractor Club, 309 Busey St., Penfield, IL 61862. Please visit goodwinfuneralhome.com to leave a condolence.