Gordon Jay Vance

Gordon Jay Vance, 88 of Aurora passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, April 11, 2013. He was born June 7, 1924 in Joliet to Floyd and Anna (Rippinger) Vance. He is survived by his wife, Jacqueline, of 60 years and his sister, Alice Zajac of Phoenix, Arizona. Six children; daughter, Mona Vance (Ramon), son, Gordon Vance (Mary), son, Scott Vance (Nancy), son, Kelly Vance (Kathryn), son, Timothy Vance (Marianne), and daughter Tracy Vance. 13 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren Preceded in death by his daughter Michelle (Samsern) Kongsuwan, great-grandson, Ramon Johnson, his parents and three brothers. Gordon was the baby brother to four (4) siblings, Floyd (“Schutz”), Alice (“Swede”), Frank (“Red), and Ed. As a young child, he developed polio. His sister and mother nursed him back to health, establishing a strong bond that would last a lifetime. In his youth, he got the nickname “Tuff” from joining in rough-housing with his bigger brothers. Gordon followed two of his brothers into the U.S. Navy, enlisting in 1943, and was stationed at the Naval Base in Virginia. He often came back home on weekends to see his mom, either driving a truck or catching a ride in an experimental plane. After winning the war, he worked with his best buddy, Bob Waite, at the Joliet Ammunitions Yard. When the boys came to Aurora to visit the DeKing family, he met his future wife, Jacqueline, a fresh graduate of nursing school. Their chance meeting that day started a lifelong love affair lasting 60 years. Moving to Aurora in 1959, they settled on the east side, purchasing the largest house available for their growing family. They raised seven children and developed many lifelong friends attending Park Place Baptist Church in Montgomery, Illinois. After retiring, Gordon spent his time puttering around the house enjoying his grandchildren and looking for his tools he swears “were just there yesterday.” Please bring back any tools with “GV” on them so he can finally rest in peace. Dad lived a long time on earth, giving and receiving great joy from family and friends. We hope the Lord will enjoy his company as much as we did, along with a fine cigar. In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Presence Hospice or a charity of your choice. Visitation will be Saturday, April 13, 2013 from 11:00 am until 4:00 pm at THE DALEIDEN MORTUARY, 220 N. Lake Street, Aurora, IL. 60506. 630-631-5500. In addition to the visitation on Saturday there will be a memorial visitation on Saturday, April 27, 2013 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at Park Place Baptist Church in Montgomery, IL

Gordon Jay Vance

June 7, 1924 - April 11, 2013