Vanderwall Funeral Home

02/16/2026

Happy Presidents' Day! Did you know that Presidents' Day was first established in 1885 as George Washington Day? It wasn't until 1971 that it gained its current name.

02/15/2026

Carlene Leona Rathert, age 86 of Dayton, passed away at home on Saturday, February 15, 2026. She was born in Oklahoma on August 31, 1939, the daughter of the late Joseph and Leona (Rhodes) Haskins. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Richard Lee Rathert.

Carlene was a high school graduate and was formerly the owner and operator of Richar LLC, business and office supplies in Pleasanton, California.

Carlene is survived by her grandchildren, Nikki (Aaron) Barstow, Rachelle (Howard) Dalmonte, Jason (Alexandra) Rathert, and Candice (Tate) Schrimpsher; and her sisters, Rosalyn Fernandez and Sylvia Abraham, both of Fremont, California.

There will be no services for Carlene at this time.

Please share your memories and photos of Carlene on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.

02/15/2026

Thomas Eugene “Tom” Way, age 78 of Dayton, passed away at his home on Friday, February 13, 2026. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan, on April 18, 1947, the son of the late Harold and Muriel (Mitchell) Way. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Grace Way, and his daughter, Alicia Way.

A Dayton resident since 1980, Tom dedicated his life to service. After graduating from high school, he honorably served in both the US Army and National Guard before retirement. He also spent years as a mail carrier before retiring from that career as well. In his leisure time, Tom found joy tending to his garden.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Charmaine Van Heyn of Foot Hill, California; his son, James Way of Battle Creek, Michigan; his sisters, Janice (Larry) Travis and Bonnie (Gary) Louallen, both of Dayton; his brother, Robert (Cheryl) Way of Battle Creek, Michigan; his grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services with full US Army military honors for Tom will be at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.

Please share your memories and photos of Tom on his online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.

02/15/2026

Are there people in your life who need to know that you love them? Consider using this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to share how you feel and how much they mean to you. Whether it’s your spouse, parents, children, or friends, we all need to know we’re loved.

02/14/2026

Shirley Ann Arnold, age 77 of Dayton, passed away at Small Town Senior Living at Deer Ridge on Friday, February 13, 2026. She was born in Rockwood on May 4, 1948, the daughter of the late T.A. and Lozenia (Tollett) Swafford. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Gus Kennedy; her second husband, Rev. Donald Ray Arnold; and her siblings, Ted Swafford, Mable (Luther Ray) Pendergrass, Wanda Kennedy Travis, Edith (Harris) Green, D.P. Kennedy, Helen Lindsey, Franky Dowden, Thelma Shelton, Walter Arnold, and Nancy Brady.

Shirley lived in Pikeville and Dayton throughout her life. She graduated from Bledsoe County High School and retired as a factory worker from IEC (formerly Oyster). She enjoyed going to yard sales, going to camp meeting with her friends, spending time with her grandkids, and being with family. She was a life-long member of North Dayton Church of God and served alongside her husband as he pastored churches in the area.

Shirley is survived by her children, Sheila Scott and Del Kennedy, both of Dayton, Missy (Stacey) Smith of Ooltewah, and Scott Arnold of Dayton; her grandchildren, Austin Smith, Bailey Andreson, Kayla Smith, Hunter Kennedy, Becca (Peter) Geenen, Andrew Smith, Isabella Scott, and Marcus Corbin; her great-grandchildren, Annalise Geenen and Liliana Geenen; her sisters, Linda Long of Dunlap, Irene Swafford of Crossville, and Kathy Childs of Crossville; and her dear friends, Barbara Brady, Sue Guthie York, Langston Duncan, and Judy McMillon.

Funeral services for Shirley will be in the funeral home chapel on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. with Rev. Leroy Smith and Rev. Stacey Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest next to her husband at Rhea Memory Gardens in Dayton after the service.

Please share your memories and photos of Shirley on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

02/14/2026

This Valentine's Day, we wish you a beautiful day filled with the people and activities you love. May you enjoy every piece of chocolate and make memories that will last a lifetime.

02/13/2026

Helen Maxine Hicks, age 86 of Dayton Mountain, passed away at her home on Thursday, February 12, 2026. She was born in Dayton on March 20, 1939, the daughter of the late Willis and Nora (Williams) Montgomery. She was also preceded in death by her sisters, Almeda “Mickey” Davis and Mattie Jane Montgomery and her brothers, James Farris Montgomery, Murl Lee Montgomery, William Howard “Peck” Montgomery, Euclid Agnew “John” Montgomery, James Ross Montgomery, Billy Gene Montgomery, and Jerry Lee Montgomery.

Helen was a lifelong Dayton resident who graduated from Rhea Central High School and studied at Bryan College. She worked as a bookkeeper for a grocery store in North Carolina and had a passion for sewing. A devoted member of Cranmore Cove Baptist Church, she remained connected to the congregation throughout her life.

Helen is survived by her husband of 64 years, Billy Hicks of Dayton Mountain; her son, Michael Hicks of Dayton; her daughter, JoCarole (Robert) Knapp of Riner, Virginia; her grandchildren, Nathaniel Hicks of Spring City, Julien Hicks of Nashville, Cannon Knapp of Shortpump, Virginia, and Isabella Hicks of Chattanooga; her great-granddaughter, Harper; and her sisters, Minnie (Larry) Hill of Trinity, North Carolina, and Charlene (Michael) Calhoun of High Point, North Carolina.

Funeral services for Helen will be in the funeral home chapel on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Steve Reid officiating. She will be laid to rest in Cove Cemetery after the service.

Please share your memories and photos of Helen on her online guestbook at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

02/13/2026

Valentine's Day can be difficult no matter what's going on in your life, but when you're grieving, it can be even more so. Check out this article for 5 self-care tips that will help you make the most of the day!

Valentine's Day can brings deep emotions if you are missing someone you love, but you can turn it into a good day with these self-care tips.

02/12/2026

Jean Elizabeth Booth, age 88 of Dayton, passed away on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, in Dayton. She was born on August 24, 1937, in Rockwood, the daughter of the late Thomas and Mary (Revis) Booth. She was also preceded by her brother, Bo Booth; her sisters, Brenda Gates and Bessie Cunningham; and her infant daughter, Ginger Benson.

An accomplished pianist and prodigy, Jean devoted her life to the piano and lived in Dayton for most of her years.

She is survived by her daughters, Charlene (Nate) Schwenk of Spring City and Rosemary Sue Hunt of Dayton; her brother, Freddy Booth, and her three sisters, Dora Harrison, Eva Blackburn and Jeanette Hill, all of Dayton; her grandchildren, Trevor (Cheri) Mitchell of Tacoma, Washington, Ben (Jenna) Schwenk of Cincinnati, Ohio, John (Maria Teresa) Schwenk of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Whitney (Christopher) Whitaker of Chickamauga, Georgia; her great-grandchildren, and her great-great-granddaughter.

A funeral service for Jean will be held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. She will be laid to read at Rhea Memory Gardens.

Please share your memories of Jean on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

Memorial contributions in Jean’s honor can be made to the RCHS Choir for a new rehearsal piano.

The family is being cared for by the Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. until the service.

02/12/2026

Gwendolyn “Gwyn” Guinn Jacobsen Housley, age 71 of Dayton, passed away at her home on Tuesday, February 11, 2026. She was born in Ocala, Florida, on December 9, 1954, the daughter of the late Roy and Thelma (Godwin) Guinn. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Pete Housley and her brother, Roy “Trent” Guinn, Jr.

Gwyn made Dayton her home for more than three decades, where she built a career serving her community at Old Dayton Bank and later as an assistant manager at Sav-A-Lot. A devoted caregiver to her family members, she found joy in hiking, exploring new places, and treasuring moments with loved ones. She was a member of Dayton First Baptist Church.

She is survived by her daughters, Whitney (Stephen) Hodges of Morristown and Jackie (Dallas) Hutto of Jefferson City; her stepsons, Anthony (Cayci) Swafford of LaFayette, GA, and Kyle Housley of Soddy-Daisy; her brothers, Crail (Bobbie) Guinn of Ft. McCoy, Florida, Wally (Becky) Guinn of Dayton, and Stanley Guinn of Pikeville; her six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A Gathering Time for Gwyn will be held in the funeral home parlor on Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. with Rev. Milton Knox officiating the closing.

Please share your memories and photos of Gwyn on her online guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, TN.

02/11/2026

Connie Jean Thompson, age 71 of Spring City, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at her residence after a brief illness. She was born in Rockwood on March 29, 1954, the daughter of the late Charles Gordon Smith and Minnie (Pendergrass) Smith. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Jerry Gill; an infant brother; her brothers, Wayne Smith and Luke Smith; her in-laws, Kermit and Bessie Thompson; and her sister-in-law, Pat Smith.

Connie lived in Spring City most of her life and was retired from La-Z-Boy. She enjoyed crafting, loved to decorate, kept an immaculate home, enjoyed working outside in her yard, but most of all she loved the Lord Jesus Christ. Her children and grandchildren held a special place in her heart, and she was joyfully anticipating her first great-granddaughter in March. Connie was a member of New Hope Independent Baptist Church where her church family was very dear to her heart.

Connie is survived by her loving husband of 41 years, Jerry Thompson; her children, Derrick (Lisa) Gill of Lancaster, Ohio, and Belinda (Chris) Hill of Spring City; her grandchildren, Chase Creasman of Spring City, Kaitlyn (Elijah) Waldroup of Decatur, Grant Gill, Eva Gill, and Hallie Gill of Lancaster, Ohio; and Wren Nicole Waldroup, her first great-granddaughter coming in March.

She is also survived by her brothers, Donnie (Cathy) Smith, Larry Smith, and Mike (Cathy) Smith; her sisters Cathy (Joe) Keltch and Teresa (Chuck) Gunther; her sisters-in-law, Nada Smith and Shonnie (Ricky) Jordan, all of Spring City and Ann (Mark) Dvorak of Richland Hills, Texas; several nieces, nephews, and extended family that she loved very much.

Connie will be deeply missed by all who loved her, especially her precious family. Her love and compassion will continue to inspire those left behind.

Funeral services for Connie will be in the funeral home chapel on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. with Pastor Mark Ward and Brother Norman Huskey officiating. She will be laid to rest at Chattanooga National Cemetery on Friday, February 13, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, Connie kindly requested that donations be made to the New Hope Independent Baptist Church, 2219 Watts Bar Highway, Spring City, TN 37381.

The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee, where they will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

02/09/2026

Vanderwall Funeral Home services exceeded my expectations. My loved one's services were preplanned, having a prepaid funeral in place made this difficult time a little easier on my family and me. Darla Smith