Larry James Vance

Larry James Vance, 66, of New Philadelphia died peacefully in his residence, surrounded by his family and friends, Wednesday, November 26, 2003.Born September 26, 1937 at his family home in Midvale, he was a son of the late Oliver Clyde and Thelma Mae Ervin Vance. Larry grew up attending school as part of the New Philadelphia High School Class of 1955. He then married his lifetime sweetheart, the late Carol J. Irvin, who died September 18, 2003.Larry and his wife thoroughly enjoyed classic cars, and regularly attended car shows across the country. He was instrumental in organizing and perpetuating the annual car show at New Philadelphia’s First Town Days Festival, and had served as a judge at the Atwood Classic Car Show. An active man, he was a social member of the VFW Post 1445 of New Philadelphia, and a former member of the New Philadelphia Moose, and he usually had a role in planning his class reunions. Larry was the owner and operator of the former Larry’s Body Shop in New Philadelphia, and had worked for thirty years for the City of New Philadelphia. He retired in 1999 as assistant superintendent of the general services division. Survivors include a son Dave (Karen) Vance of New Philadelphia, two daughters, Brenda (Ted) Polka of New Philadelphia and Becky (Jamie) Miller of Dover; grandchildren Brian (Trisha) Polka, Stacie (Mike) Quillin, Leslie Polka, Adam Miller, Abby Miller, Alix Miller, Stephanie Vance, and Matthew (Yvonne) Vance; great-grandchildren Blake and Kayla Polka, Carter Quillin, Triston Hunter, and Madison Vance; a sister, Connie (Bill) West of New Philadelphia; a brother, Tom (Delma) Vance of Dover; a sister-in-law Nancy (Doug) Maier of Massillon; an especially close neighbor and caregiver, Tom and Pat Vermeire of New Philadelphia; and his companion dogs Penny and Patches. In addition to his wife and parents, he was also preceded in death by a great-grandson Logan J. Broome; brothers Paul and William Vance; a sister Sue Troyer and an infant sister, Patty Vance. Friends are invited to call Sunday, November 30, 2003 from 1 to 3 PM and 6 to 8 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia.Rev. Glen R. Shedlock will officiate a funeral celebration of Larry’s life Monday, December 1, 2003 at 1:30 in the funeral home’s chapel. Burial will follow at Evergreen Burial Park. Family and friends are invited to a reception in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home, following the committal service. In gratitude for their exemplary care, the Vance family encourages memorial contributions to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622.