Obit – Vance, Robert
SMITHVILLE — Robert Vance, age 76, of Smithville, died Friday, January 17, 2020, surrounded by his family, at Ohio’s Hospice LifeCare in Wooster, following a short illness.
Bob was born on August 3, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland, to the late John Robert and Laverne Francis (Bolt) Vance, attended Mt. Hope (WV) High School, and served in the United States Army, in Germany, during the Vietnam War. He married Brenda S. Morgan on November 6, 1965, in Mt. Hope, WV, and she survives.
He worked as a machinist and an assembler for BWX Technologies (B & W) in Barberton for 37 years, retiring in 2005.
He attended Grace Church in Wooster.
Bob could fix anything. He loved finding bargains at garage sales and flea markets. He enjoyed woodworking and had a special interest in making clocks. No one ever saw him wear a hat.
In addition to his wife, Brenda, he is survived by a son, Paul (Belinda) Vance of Orrville; three grandsons, Derek (fiancé Celina Petitte) Vance of Orrville, Justin Vance of Orrville, and Ryan (fiancé Cassie Schartiger) Vance of Wooster; five siblings, Dennis (Polly) Vance of Herndon, VA, Keith Vance of Parsons, WV, Charlotte (Bob – deceased) Martin of Morganton, NC, Shelby (Doug Stover) Rogers of Mt. Hope, WV, and Barbara (Ronnie) Clay of Mt. Hope, WV; two sisters-in-law, Barbara Vance of Mt. Hope, WV, and Kathy Vance of Mt. Hope, WV; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Ted and Larry Vance.
Friends may call on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, at Auble Funeral Home, 512 East Oak Street, Orrville, from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Services will follow at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, at Auble Funeral Home, with Pastor Randy Moomaw officiating. Burial will take place at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, where military rites will be observed.
The family wishes to thank the extended family, Dr. Ofori and the staff at Wooster Community Hospital, as well as Dr. Nicolozakes and the staff at LifeCare Hospice, for the love and care provided to Bob and his family during his last days.
Memorials may be made to Ohio’s Hospice Lifecare, 1900 Akron Road, Wooster, OH, 44691 www.lifecarehospice.org.
Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is handling the arrangements. Online registry and expressions of condolence may be made at the funeral home’s web site at www.aublefuneralhome.com.
