Vern R. Vance RIP

Marie LaFreniere · Post by **Marie LaFreniere** » Thu May 24, 2012 8:00 am

TRAVERSE CITY ---Vernon Vance died at home on May 18, 2012, with his family nearby. Vern was born in Kenosha, Wis., in 1930, to Ralph and Minnie Vance.

He grew up in Belding, where he was active in sports and scouting, attaining the rank of Eagle Scout before graduating from Belding High School. He attended Central and Western Michigan University and received a B.S. in Education.

He accepted a teaching position at Ionia High School, where he was instrumental in developing the boy's gymnastics program, winning a state championship in 1962.

It was in Ionia that he met Sharon Hoy, and they were married in 1957. The next year they had a son, Blake and a daughter, Lisa arrived two years later.

They moved to Lansing in 1965, and Vern taught at Waverly Schools, where he coached many sports. He later received a master's degree from M.S.U., making him a Spartan for life.

In 1974 the family bought a cottage on Beaver Island and moved there every summer. Vern enjoyed the beautiful sunsets (grading each one). It was on the island that he raised monarch butterflies, helped protect the piping plovers and taught drivers training.

After retiring from teaching Vern and Sharon moved to Traverse City to help raise their grandkids. They spent many winters on the Gulf of Mexico in Orange Beach, Ala., with their snowbird friends.

Vern's hobbies included cycling, tennis, swimming, shooting pool, playing cards, watching sports and cooking for his family.

Vern is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sharon; his brother, Keith; son, Blake (Susan); daughter, Lisa Gillespie (Robert); and grandkids, Brady, Mackenzie and Lily Vance and Cody Gillespie.

A memorial gathering is being planned for later in June.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like friends to consider donating blood or making memorial contributions to Michigan Blood.

Please share thoughts with the family at Vern's online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .

The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.