Gerald Ralph Vance, 85, died Monday at Homewood Nursing Home. He was born July 11, 1929, in Washington.
Gerald was a 1947 graduate of Washington High school and proudly served in the U.S. Navy for four years. Gerald worked for 25 years as a manufacturing lab technician at Ingredion (National Starch) in Indianapolis. He was a proud member of the American Legion and VFW in Lebanon. He enjoyed reading, watching IU basketball and spending time with his friends, family and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Ruth (McCann) Vance; his sister-in-law Georgia Vance; and his ex-wife Dorothy Vance.
Survivors include three brothers, Kenneth Vance (Joyce) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Roy Vance of Washington, Jim Vance (MaryAnn) of Loogootee; his longtime companion and love of his life, Rosemary Mitchell, and her children Tyler Mitchell (Mandy) and Amy Mitchell of Lebanon; his nephew and caretaker, Michael (Mary) Vance of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Brittany and Morgan Vance of Greenwood, Mary Alexis and Donald Gene Mitchell of Lebanon; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Gill Funeral Home, 308 E. Walnut St., Washington, with military honors at the funeral home. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.