Ethan James Vandervort

Ethan James VanDervort, 29, of 11581 State Hwy. 98, Meadville, passed away Saturday, May 19th, 2012, at UPMC-Hamot Medical Center, Erie.
Ethan was born in Meadville, on November 30, 1982, a son of Dr. Jack K. and Maureen E. (Rio) VanDervort.
He attended Trinity United Methodist Church, Conneaut Lake.
Ethan was a 2001 graduate of Meadville Area Senior High School. He matriculated at Allegheny College, Meadville and Life Chiropractic College in Marietta, Georgia. Ethan was gifted intellectually and had native ability. He was well liked by his teachers. Ethan was an exceptional proponent of chiropractic healthcare and had an extraordinary gift for referring folks to the natural benefits of its care, even at a young age. A consummate nature lover, he loved the outdoors, snowboarding and mountaineering. He summited Mount Rainer and Mt. Adams in Washington state as well as peaks in British Columbia, Canada and the Alinhorn in Switzerland. His traveling took him throughout the world to places such as Egypt and Kenya Africa, throughout Europe, the British Isles, Switzerland, Central and South America. After one of the first eco-expeditions to the Amazonian rainforest in Peru, Ethan was asked to return as a personal assistant to Dr. Lundie Spense of the Sea Grant Program of North Carolina. Ethan was expressive artistically and enjoyed creating art in all mediums. He always credited Amara Geffen and Richard Schindler of Allegheny College for their artistic influence in his life. Working at the Casbah Restaurant in Pittsburgh, under the tutelage of executive chef, Eli Wahl, Ethans enthusiasm for cooking was cultivated and he always felt right at home being in the kitchen. While growing up, Ethan enjoyed volunteer service at the Humane Society and he had a strong love for his dog, Rambo.
Ethans home was the world and he was at home in the world. His easy nature made him a friend to all and his friends were many and diverse. Ethan was a Lover and he came to know Jesus Christ as his personal savior. That will always be his greatest gift to us all and he will be forever missed.
In addition to his parents, Dr. Jack K. and Maureen E. VanDervort of Meadville, Ethan is survived by a sister Sarah E. Hunter and her husband Shawn of Richmond, VA, maternal grandfather William Rio, paternal grandfather, J.Kenneth VanDervort of Meadville and his childhood nanny, who helped to raise him, Ada Coblentz, now of North Carolina. His surviving aunts, uncles, cousins and many close family friends grieve his loss.
Ethan was preceded in death by maternal grandmother Olga Rio, paternal grandmother Harriet June VanDervort and a cousin Brian Rio.
Family and friends are invited to call on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 from 4-8 PM at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at Trinity United Methodist Church, N. Third St., Conneaut Lake, with Pastors Dave Brumagin and Jay Sterling officiating.
Interment will take place in Greendale Cemetery, West Mead Twp.
Memorial contributions in Ethans memory may be made to Humane Society of Crawford County, 11012 Kennedy Hill Road, Meadville, PA 16335.
Share your condolences at www.miznerfuneralhome.com