Joseph Vance

Joseph Henning "Joe" Vance, 78, of Lucas, died Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. Born June 21, 1931 in McClure, Virginia, he was the son of Hogue and Winnie Stanley Vance. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany during the Korean War. Joe retired from Artesian after 34 years of service. He was a member of the Zions Refuge Baptist Church where he served as an adult Sunday School teacher. His passion in life was singing gospel music with his family's group, The Vance Family singers and his family was his life. He enjoyed spending time outdoors and especially loved to fish at Lake Erie and Mifflin Lake. Joe also enjoyed classic cars, attending garage sales, and the McDonald's Breakfast Group.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Frances Riddick Vance; five daughters and sons-in-law, Joan and David Parsons, Nancy and Tom Stevens, Ruth and Tim Hall, all of Mansfield, Patricia and Bob Newport of Indiana, and Pamela and Peter Poirier of Ashland; ten grandsons, Scott McGinnis, Jeremy and Justin Brown, Andy, Todd, Timothy and Matt Parsons, Nehemiah and Caleb Hall, and Nathan Deaton; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister and brother-in-law, Polly and Lee Stevens. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters, Les, Evis, McKinley, Arland, Eda, and Bessie.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Mansfield. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at the funeral home conducted by Pastor David Parsons, Assistant Pastor Tim Hall, Youth Pastor Tim Parsons, and Elder Tom Stevens. Military graveside services will follow conducted by the Richland County Joint Veteran's Burial Detail.