Ralph "Spud" Warren Vandiver

Ralph "Spud" Warren Vandiver, 81 of Dawson Springs went to be with the Lord on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville.  Born April 23, 1944, to the late Jesse Robert and Artie Justine (Smith) Vandiver of St. Charles.  Ralph attended New Hope General Baptist Church in Slaughters with his family.  He proudly worked as a coal miner throughout his life.  He worked for his brothers, Buck & Lewis Vandiver, at their coal mines for approximately 20 years, but he finally retired after being with Ken America for about 14 years.  Ralph enjoyed spending time fishing for catfish and he was a true blue Kentucky Wildcats basketball fan.  Most of all Ralph was a family man, he tried to be the best husband, father, grandfather, and brother that he could be to them all.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by wife, Ardean (Little) Vandiver; son, Jim Winningham; great-grandson, Zachariah Suttle; and siblings, Carmon Franklin, Houston Vandiver, Clifton Vandiver, Lewis Vandiver, Hilda Camplin, Gerriel Vandiver, Janice Love, Stephen Vandiver and Shelia Burns.

Survived by his wife, Brenda Terrell Vandiver; children, Linda Caraway of Madisonville, Pam Bloodworth of Dawson Springs, Jeff (Melissa) Vandiver of Dawson Springs and Robyn Frailey of Dawson Springs; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Sharon Hugo of SC, and Jack (Carolyn) Vandiver of TX; and many nieces and nephews.

Service will be held Thursday at 1:00pm at Bandy Funeral Home in Nortonville with Bro. Eddy Rodgers officiating.  Burial to follow at Gilland Ridge Cemetery in St. Charles.  Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00pm - 7:00pm and Thursday from 11:00am - 1:00pm at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Joe Vandiver, JD Rose, Daniel Frankel, Rich Richardson, Tommy Vandiver and Lewis Brooks.  Honorary Pallbearers are Jerry Vandiver and Barry Franklin.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph "Spud" Warren Vandiver, please visit our floral store.