Leland A. Vance, 91, of Coldwater, died Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at Drew’s Place of Coldwater.


The funeral service will be Monday, July 18, 2011 at 12:00 Noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater with Pastor Curt Adams officiating. Interment will follow at California Corners Cemetery in California Twp. Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 17, 2011 from 4:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.


Lee was born April 9, 1920 in California Twp., to Arlin M. and Lylla (Adams) Vance and graduated from Coldwater High School in 1937. He served honorably in the U.S. Army and was in Chemical Warfare Services. He was 1 of 22 chosen to represent them in the Army War Show which presented actual battle scenes at 18 different football stadiums, including the Cotton Bowl and Soldier Field. He then served with the 338th A.S.P. Dance Band, playing the trumpet, at Fort Sam Houston, TX until his release in 1945. He married Donna R. Donbrock on September 29, 1946 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater. She preceded him in death on November 5, 2010.


Mr. Vance was a resident of Branch County all of his life. He worked for Farm Bureau Services for 10 years and in 1955 he purchased the Mix-General Insurance Agency in Coldwater. He operated the agency until 1983 at which time he sold the business and retired.


Lee was a member of the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Coldwater. He was a past president of Coldwater Kiwanis, past Commander of the Coldwater American Legion Post# 52, Chairman of Michigan week in Coldwater and sponsored a Coldwater fast pitch softball team for many years.


Lee had a strong love of animals, especially dogs. He enjoyed boating, golfing, snowmobiling, traveling, and spending time on his farm land south of Coldwater. He was a skilled craftsman, building grandmother clocks for each of his children, which they will treasure forever.


Mr. Vance is survived by his daughters Cheryl (Dennis) Downs of Coldwater and Colleen (William Price) Vance of Ann Arbor, brother Norman Vance of Coldwater, grandchildren; Matthew (Heidi) Downs of Coldwater, Benjamin Downs of Manhattan Beach, CA and Graham Downs of Coldwater, great-grandchildren Hayden Matthew Downs and Calison Downs. In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, John Vance, in 1982.


The Vance family would like to thank the staff of Drews Place for the devoted, compassionate care they provided to Leland. They were, at first, caregivers, then friends, then, finally, family.