Sept. 2, 1926 – Nov. 26, 2017

John B. Vance, 91, of Dowagiac, passed away at 11:35 p.m. Sunday Nov. 26, 2017, at Lakeland Regional Health Systems, St Joseph, Michigan.

He was born on Sept. 2, 1926, to William Harvey and Lola Iealea (Shores) Vance in Des Arc, Arkansas.

He was a U.S. Navy veteran serving more than 20 years and receiving the rank of Chief Petty Officer (E7). After his military career, he worked for St. Joseph Hospital and The Strand, both of Michigan.

He has lived in Michigan for 50 years. He married Mildred Minnix and she has preceded him in death.

John loved to hunt and was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed gardening.

He is survived by his daughter in law, Linda Minnix of Niles; two granddaughters, Valerie Minnix of Wichita, Kansas, and Daniel Minnix Jr. of Niles; three greatchildren, Brain Pompa, Serra Minnix and Ethan Pompa; also survived by several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, 2017, then a funeral service will follow the visitation at 2 p.m. at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw, Indiana. Reverend Ken Chupp will be officiating. Interment will be in Tippecanoe Cemetery, Tippecanoe, Indiana. The family is requesting that the memorial contributions be made to the Miller’s Vets Homeless Shelter, 747 S. Michigan St., South Bend, Indiana 46601.

To sign the guestbook or send a condolence, go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.