Gerald V. Vance, 88, of Girard, formerly of Palmyra, died Sunday, Aug. 16, 2020, at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
A public visitation will be held Thursday, Aug. 20, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Stults-Neece Chapel in Palmyra. Masks will be required for all attending and only a limited number of attendees will be allowed into the chapel at one time per CDC guidelines. A private family service will be held following the visitation. Burial will be held in Oak Hill Cemetery with graveside military rites conducted by the Carlinville American Legion Post.
Mr. Vance was born Oct. 31, 1931, near Girard, the son of the late James Vernon and Golda (Miller) Vance. He married Mary Kay Still on March 20, 1958, in Alton, and she survives.
A 1950 graduate of Northwestern High School, he worked for 30 years for Fiat-Allis in Springfield. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a member of the Carlinville American Legion. He was also a charter member of the Girard Lions Club, and a longtime deacon at the Girard Baptist Church.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by children, Michael Vance of Girard, Karen (Robert) Williamson of Virden, Daniel Vance of Auburn, Lori (George) Pritchett of Ann Arbor, MI, Dennis (Kim) Vance of House Springs, MO, and Judy (Merle) Shull of Girard; 16 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two brothers, Loren (Carol) Vance of Farmersville and Eldon (Sherron) Vance of Virden; a brother-in-law, Steve (Carolyn) Still of Hillard, OH; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association in c/o Stults-Neece Chapel, 349 Tanner St., Waverly, IL 62692.
Online condolences may be left at www.airsman-hires.com.
