Thomas Daniel Vance

Thomas Daniel Vance, age 67 of Dover, passed away suddenly Sunday evening in his home following a lengthy illness. Born at Mill Township, January 24, 1944, he was one of seven children born to the late Oliver Clive and Thelma Jane Ervin Vance. Best known as Tom or “Pappy” to his family and friends, he spent most of his life working as a painter and was known for the many bridges he painted as Interstate 77 took shape through the Tuscarawas Valley. Tom worked in auto body shops early in life and also painted the houses of family and friends. He’ll be best remembered as a loving father to his daughters, for his enjoyment of fishing and riding motorcycles. Texas Hold-em tournaments were regular weekend pastimes in the Vance household. Survivors include his wife, the former Delma Howard, whom he initially wed October 1, 1965. Together they reared a family that includes his four daughters; Connie (husband, Dave) Immel of Dover, Tammi Jones of New Philadelphia, Melisa Vance and her fiance Ron Bailey, both of Dover, and Jodi Vance of the home and her boyfriend Josh Lippencott. Tom was the grandfather to Daniel Immel and a great-grandfather to his children Isabella and Justin Immel. He was also the grandfather of Eva Jones, Michael Vance, Samuel Woodburn, Jr., Mercedez and Arian Woodburn, B.J. and Nathan Vickers, Connor Vance, Brady and Ryker Gambs. A sister, Connie (husband, Bill) West of New Philadelphia, as well as his father-in-law, Frances Howard of Cincinnati, sisters-in-law Pearl Vance of Dover, Debi Racicot of North Carolina, Dianne (Nick) Powers of Cincinnati, brother-in-law John Smith of Dover, a special niece Billie “Dee Dee” Fioretto of Las Vegas, NV, and many other nieces and nephews as well as a special friend Steve Philpot of Cincinnati who completes the family. In addition to his parents, Tom is preceded in death by his brothers Paul, Larry and Bill Vance, a sister Sue Troyer, an infant sister Patty Vance, and his mother-in-law, Thelma Howard is also deceased. Friends are invited to call Thursday afternoon from 2-4 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Lomas Shuman will lead a funeral for Tom Thursday at 4:00 in the funeral home’s chapel. Following the service, a meal for family and friends will be served in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home. Those unable to attend are invited to share memories and condolences with the family by visiting the funeral home’s website. Memorial contributions to the Vance Memorial Fund, in care of the Dover-Phila Federal Credit Union at 119 Fillmore Avenue, Dover OH 44622, are encouraged