Allen Paul Vance Sr., 84, of Hanna, Ind., passed away Sunday, May 16, 2021, at Golden Living Center in La Porte, Ind.
He was born Sept. 2, 1936, in Starke County, Ind., the son of Donald, Sr., and Audrey (Hathaway) Vance.
A lifelong resident of the area, Allen graduated from Union Mills High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He went on to serve in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a specialist third class in 1956. He worked as an operating engineer, retiring from Walsh and Kelly Construction in 2001. Allen was a 50-year member of Operating Engineers Local 150 in Merrillville, Ind., and a member of the DAV and Wanatah American Legion. A “country boy,” Allen loved gardening with his family, at one time having a one-acre vegetable garden.
On Sept. 11, 1965, in La Porte, Allen married JoAnn Emery Vance, who survives.
He is also survived by three sons, Allen Paul (Kathy) Vance, Jr., of Wanatah, Ind., Billy J. (Melissa) Vance of Union Mills, Ind., and Micky D. Vance of Hanna; and five grandchildren, Marcus Vance, Ashlie (Brett) Walters, Katelyn Vance, Samantha Vance and Nikki Vance.
Allen was preceded in death by his son, Ricky Vance; brother, Donald Vance, Jr.; two sisters, Ruth Donna McCarty and Mary Tonagel; and grandchild, Baby Briane.
Services will be private at the request of the family. Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, La Porte, is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions in Allen’s honor may be made to the family or the Disabled American Veterans, 2301 Ohio St., Michigan City, Ind. 46360.
Messages of condolence may be posted below.