Otis E. Vance

Otis E. Vance, 97, of Connersville died Friday, January 19, 2024 at Reid Health in Richmond. Otis was born in Henderson, Kentucky to Ernest and Betty King Vance on January 13, 1927. In 1945, he enlisted in the United States Army where he was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and the WWII Victory Medal. He proudly served his county until he was honorably discharged in December of 1948. Otis married the former F. Janet Neal in 1948; together they shared forty-one years prior to her death on March 6, 1989. He was employed at Ford from which he retired in 1988 after forty-two years. Otis later married Mary A. Busan Caruso on August 5, 1990. He was a member of St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church and the American Legion Post #1. Otis had a sweet tooth especially for his Carmel filled Werther’s original. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and traveling with his wife. Most importantly, Otis loved spending time with his family, and they will miss him dearly. Otis is survived by his children and their spouses: Brenda K. Stanton and Rick, Gale A. Reece and Denie, Mark Vance and Robin, all of Union County; Bruce Vance and Brenda J. of Cambridge City; step daughters: Mary Cecilia Caruso Vetterl of North Carolina, Antoinette “Toni” Hanson of Connersville, Josephine M. “Jo” Patton of Okeana Ohio; sister: Beverly McCowan; fifteen grandchildren; thirty-six great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife Janet and parents, Otis is preceded in death by his second wife of twenty-nine years: Mary; daughter: Vicki Davidson and her husband Jim; brother: Gwinn C. Vance; sister-in-law: Vera Vance; brother in-law: Gail McCowan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church. Friends may visit at the Church from 10:00 a.m., until the time of service. Showalter Blackwell Long, Myers Chapel, Connersville has been entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be made to The Fayette County Cancer Society in Otis’ honor.