Rev. Phillip Edward Vance

[Jesus said,] "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have to you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going."

Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus answered, "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

John 14:1-7

Reverend Phillip Edward Vance was born October 5, 1965 to Clarence and Joan Vance in Peoria, IL. Phillip grew up in Pekin, IL and attended high school at Pekin High, graduating in 1984. Upon graduation, Phillip entered the United States Air Force where he served for three years. While serving, Phillip earned his Bachelor's degree in Sociology from St. Leo University in Florida. In 1985, Phillip married Jeannette Pollitt, also of Pekin. In 1987, their daughter, Melissa was born. In 1988, Phillip was honorably discharged from the armed forces and entered the Lutheran Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN and concurrently served in the Air National Guard. From there he earned his Masters of Divinity and was ordained as a Pastor in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. Phillip served his vicarage year at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Moline, IL. His first call was St. John's in Pilger, NE. In December of 1994, Phillip and Jeannette welcomed a second daughter, Megan. In 1997, the Vance family relocated to Fremont, NE where Phillip served at Trinity Lutheran Church. In 2006, Phillip took another call to serve at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Orlando, FL. He served on the board of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and as a Circuit Councelor in the FL-GA District as well on several committees.

Phillip is preceeded in death by both parents and his brothers Junior and James. He is survived by his daughters Melissa Vance and Megan Vance, grandson Ayden Marchon, ex-wife Jeannette Vance, sisters Jean Welch, Helen Shoate, Bonny Parrott, Carol Fleming, Margaret Marsh, Jill Allen, one brother Ira Vance, and his uncle, Sam Calderone.

A funeral will be held at Prince of Peace Orlando on Thursday, June 21st with visitation beginning at 1pm, followed by a service at 2pm. There will be a additional viewing in Peoria, IL followed by internment at the family plot. Phillip will be laid to rest beside his father, Clarence Vance.

The family requests that if you would like to share a special memory that you have of Pastor Vance that you send it to:

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

Attn: Vance Family

1515 S. Semoran Blvd.

Orlando, FL 32807