Vern R. Vance

Vernon Vance died at home on May 18th, 2012 with his family nearby.

Vern was born in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1930 to Ralph and Minnie Vance. He grew up in Belding, Michigan where he was active in sports and scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating from Belding High School. He attended Central and Western Michigan University and received a B.S. in Education. He accepted a teaching position at Ionia High School where he was instrumental in developing the boy's gymnastics program winning a state championship in 1962. It was in Ionia that he met Sharon Hoy and they were married in 1957. The next year they had a son Blake and a daughter Lisa arrived two years later.

They moved to Lansing in 1965 where Vern taught at Waverly Schools where he coached many sports. He later received a Masters Degree from M.S.U. making him a Spartan for life. In 1974 the family bought a cottage on Beaver Island and moved there every summer where Vern enjoyed the beautiful sunsets (grading each one). It was on the island that he raised monarch butterflies, helped protect the piping plovers and taught drivers training. After retiring from teaching Vern and Sharon moved to Traverse City to help raise their grandkids. They spent many winters on the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach, Alabama with their snowbird friends.

Vern's hobbies included cycling, tennis, swimming, shooting pool, playing cards, watching sports and cooking for his family.
Vern is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon, his brother Keith, son Blake, (Susan), daughter Lisa Gillespie (Robert), grandkids Brady, Mackenzie and Lily Vance and Cody Gillespie.

A memorial gathering is being planned for later in June.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like friends to consider donating blood or making memorial contributions to Michigan Blood.

Please share thoughts with the family at Vern's online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.