James Leanord Vance, age 87, of West Milton, passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. He was born August 14, 1937 to James Creed & Gladys Blaine (Hoosier) Vance in Crites, West Virginia.

He is preceded in death by his parents; children Donna Lynne Vance and James Leanord Vance Jr.

He will be missed and remembered by his loving wife of 67 years, Shirley (Crabtree) Vance; children Karen (Tim) Yount of West Milton, Vicki (Cotton) Tarr of Galena; daughters-in-laws Lora Vance of Dayton and Nancy Vance of West Milton; grandchildren Heather (Kory) Siesel of Columbus, IN, Forest Vance of West Milton, Andrew (Lindsay) Yount of West Milton, Alexander Yount of Dayton, Gunnar Tarr of Westerville; 2 great grandchildren and 1 on the way.

James served his country proudly in the United States Army 101st Airborne Division. He regularly attended the West Milton Baptist Church. James loved going on fishing trips with his family, golfing, watching the Cincinnati Reds, sitting in the sun and tending to his vegetable garden. He loved his family most of all.

The family will receive friends from 12-1 PM on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 at Hale-Sarver Family Funeral Home, 284 N. Miami St, West Milton with a funeral service beginning at 1:00 PM. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, West Milton. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Miami County. Online memories of James may be left for the family at www.hale-sarver.com.