Carmon J. VanOverbake, 93, of North Port, Florida, passed away at home on November 23rd, 2022. Carmon was born on February 24th, 1929 in Chicago, Illinois, where he spent most of his early life and attended Lane Tech High School. Carmon also spent time in Indiana on his grandparents' farm. At 17 years of age, Carmon joined the 82nd Airborne and became a paratrooper while stationed in Italy.

 

Carmon (or "Van" as he was also known as) was one of the first underwater divers in the United States, and helped establish the first dive club in Chicago. In 1958, he married Shirley Jordan-the love of his life-and a year later welcomed a daughter, Deborah. Carmon & Shirley purchased a Shell station near their home in Chicago, and operated the station until they decided to purchase a resort in Northeastern Wisconsin.  They operated the Wild Rose Resort on Roberts Lake from 1972 to 1978.  Carmon then worked as a teacher for the Job Corp in Blackwell, Wisconsin until his retirement.

 

In retirement, Carmon discovered a new passion ... writing.  Working with his wife Shirley, daughter Deborah, and son-in-law Joe, Carmon successfully authored and published a series of three books: Blue Planets, Hidden Planet, and Noah - Lost and Found. Initially, they retired to North Port, Florida and after several moves, recently returned to North Port.  Carmon enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, camping, snowmobiling, playing cards, and spending time with his family and Chihuahua, Little Dude.

 

Carmon is survived by his wife Shirley VanOverbake, daughter Deborah Harter (Joe), two grandsons Christopher Harter and Phillip Harter (Jamie), and five great grandchildren. Survivors also include his sister Jeanie Mushtaq, and his two sons from a previous marriage, Christopher and James.

 

Carmon was preceded in death by his father Jacob VanOverbake, mother Blanche Wood, and sister Gloria VanOverbake.

 

A private family gathering in honor of Carmon will be held at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to honor Carmon is asked to consider making a contribution to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in his name.

Click here to view slide show remembering Carmon:
https://scf.instructuremedia.com/embed/8751fbcc-3aa5-4dde-960a-8ab0b5c2b860