John Layne Vandell, ae 62, formerly of Bastian, VA and Hemphill, WV, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2017 at Commonwealth Senior Living, Cedar Bluff, VA following a lengthy illness. He was born March 8, 1954 at Williamson, WV, the son of the late James Lacy Vandell and Alice Bromfield Vandell. John grew up and lived much of his adult life at Hemphill, McDowell County, WV. He graduated from Welch High School and West Virginia University Institute of Technology. John worked for the McDowell County Health Department as a licensed sanitarian and retired from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as a Food Safety Specialist.  He was noted for his fairness and professionalism in dealing with his clients. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and was a lifelong Washington Redskins fan. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, James Ronald (Ron) and Emma Lou Vandell.

He is survived by a brother, Tom Vandell (Audrey) of Bastian, VA; sisters, Janice Laney (Bill) of Jefferson, NC and Trula Gray (David) of Buies Creek, NC. Also surviving are seven nephews, Alan Vandell (Catherine) of Harpers Ferry, WV, Eric Vandell (Thomasa) of Martinsburg, WV, Thomas Vandell (Laura) of Ladson, SC, Brian Vandell (Lori) of Chapel Hill, NC, Jim Laney (Carrie) of Seattle, WA, John Laney (Saria) of Sacramento, CA, Matt Laney (April) of Glendale Springs, NC, Chris Gray (Stacy) of Angier, NC; one niece, Olivia Gray of Durham, NC; also special friends, Ray Burks, Jimmy Hayes and Curtis Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Bland Chapel with the Reverend Alan Ashworth officiating.

Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery, Bastian, VA. The family will receive friends Wednesday one hour before service time at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to Rose Hill Cemetery Fund, c/o Jackie Ellison, P.O. Box 16, Draper, VA 24342.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and caregivers at Commonwealth Senior Living, Cedar Bluff, VA and Legacy Hospice, Richlands, VA for the kindness and high level of professional care extended to John during his illness.

Highland Bland Funeral Chapel, Bland, VA is serving the Vandell family.