Robert M. Bob' Vance Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mr. Robert M. 'Bob' Vance, 83, of McPherson, Kansas, died of natural causes at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 peacefully at his home. Robert Miner “Bob” Vance, the son of Paul Henry and Genevie (Murray) Vance, was born November 20, 1924 at Grand Rapids, Michigan. He was one of eleven children born to this union, five sons and six daughters. Bob attended several country schools near Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was during these years that he won several singing talent contests and actually had several recordings and was on the radio. He and his friends also collected cans for cash to earn money to go to the movies. Following his education, Bob began working for a local milling company as a milling machine operator. On April 8, 1943 Bob joined the United States Army at Ft. Custer, Michigan. Like so many men, Bob too wanted to do his part for the war effort for his Country during W.W.II. Bob was a member of the Company A. 53rd CML MORT BN where he was a Radio Operator. On a weekend pass he and some buddies went to Noel, Missouri where he met his future wife, who was just visiting her cousin in Noel. Six weeks later, on December 12, 1943 while on leave, Bob was united in marriage to Ida Mae Olson at McPherson, Kansas. Following a short honeymoon Bob returned to his company. Bob was honorably discharged on March 30, 1946 at Fort Sheridan, Illinois and he received the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and Good Conduct Medal. He was able to return home to his bride, Ida Mae where they established their first home together in McPherson, Kansas. This union was blessed with the birth of four children, two sons and two daughters: Robert, Daniel, Patricia, and Susan. Bob worked as a tile layer for Green’s Furniture and Appliance. He later became a Federal Employee working for the McPherson United States Post Office as a mail carrier in 1952. He retired in 1981 after 27 years of service. Bob and Ida Mae were members of the Freemount Lutheran Church, rural Marquette, Kansas. He was also a member of the United States Civil Service Commission, National Association of Retired Federal Employees; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 Men’s Auxiliary and American Legion Post 24 both of McPherson, Kansas; life member of the Kansas AMVETS; and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #982 of Hutchinson, Kansas. Bob was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. His wise counsel, gentle guidance, gracious smile, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. He was very proud of his children and always wanted the best for them. He was especially fond of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren always looking forward to their visits and times they would share together. He was always their biggest fan during their sporting and extra curricular activities. He enjoyed sports all his life and loved to play baseball with his sons and later with his grandchildren. He loved to watch TV. His TV was always on; tuned to a western or a KSU or Detroit game. Bob spent a lot of time fishing and enjoyed woodworking until his accident where he lost a couple of fingers. Bob was known to be a bit stubborn and a little opinionated and really disliked being bossed around. Bob loved to dance and was not afraid to dance with anyone, anywhere, or anytime, and his friends affectionately called him “Buffalo”. In 1987 Bob went back to school where he received his G.E.D. The family was deeply saddened on June 4, 1991 by the unexpected death of Ida Mae. Almost one year later Bob and his family were again deeply saddened by the death of his daughter Patricia Donaldson on May 11, 1992. He was also preceded in death by his parents; three brothers and four sisters. Mr. Robert M. “Bob” Vance, 83, of McPherson, Kansas, died of natural causes at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th, 2008 peacefully at his home. Surviving members of his family include his children: Robert Vance and his wife Mary, of Rio Linda, California, Daniel “Danny” Vance and his best friend Serena Davidson, of McPherson, Kansas, and Susan Ek and her husband Brad, of Galva, Kansas; his sisters, Delores McNett and her husband Clinton of Brooklyn, Michigan and Phyllis Warner of Nampa, Idaho; his brother, Don Vance and his wife Irene, of Belleville, Michigan; his 10 grandchildren: Angie McDonald and husband Mark, Tucky Allen and wife Cinnamon, Gary Vance, Mike Vance, Jason Vance, Jon Vance and wife Gayla, Danica Fitzmorris and husband Doug, Bobby Vance, Missy Reves and husband Bruce, and Seth Ek and wife Laurie; his 14 great-grandchildren: Addie Mae, Jase, and Josie Fitzmorris, Skyler and CeAnna Allen, Austin Bickford, Ian Bruntz, Tate Vance, Tucker, Ashtyn, Cooper Bell, Cooper Reves, Sierra and Tyler Vance, and one on the way; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and a host of friends. Friends are invited to call on Sunday, June 15th 2008 from 1 to 5 p.m. with the family present from 3 to 5 p.m. at Glidden - Ediger Chapel, McPherson, Kansas. The funeral service will be conducted by Dr. John Gran at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, June 16, 2008 at the First Christian Church, McPherson, Kansas. Special music “In The Garden“ and “The Old Rugged Cross“ will be sung and accompanied by Rita Gribble. Prelude “Good Hearted Woman” and Postlude ”All My Ex’s Live In Texas” will be music presented by Jon Vance. In the video presentation, Jon Vance sings “Bless the Broken Road” and “Home Sick”. The final resting place will be the Freemount Lutheran Church Cemetery, rural Marquette, Kansas. Military honors will be presented by members of the American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2715 both of McPherson, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to McPherson County Food Bank or McPherson Humane Society in memory of Bob and can be sent to Glidden-Ediger Funeral Home; 222 West Euclid Street; McPherson, Kansas.

Robert M. Bob' Vance

June 11, 2008