Dennis Van Vanek, 85, of Massillon, died on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the Hanover House.
He was born September 5, 1935 in Saginaw, MI to Norval and Leah Lorraine Dyer Vanek. On Feb. 5, 1955, he married Marlene Meier, she survives.
Van graduated from Berea High School and then from The University of Southern Mississippi in 1963. He had worked as the Marketing Manager at IBM, retiring in 1986, then went to work for Digital Communications and retiring from there in 1993. Van was an avid computer gamer until very recently and enjoyed hunting and archery.
Van served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and the Vietnam era. He was a member of the Apple Creek American Legion and the Sampson Air Force Base Veterans Association.
Along with his wife, Van is survived by his daughter Kim (Russell) Vanek Lilley of Massillon; grandsons Samuel (Alison) Gore and Nicholas Gore and two great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Pamela Evans and a brother Timothy Vanek.
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 1:00 PM at McIntire, Bradham & Sleek Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster with Pastor Dale Smith officiating. Interment will follow in Apple Creek Cemetery.
Masks are required and social distancing will be observed.
Contributions may be directed to Apple Creek American Legion, 8493 Hackett Rd., Apple Creek, OH 44606 or to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Ste. E, Uniontown, OH 44685.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.mcintirebradhamsleek.com
Memorial Contributions
Contributions may be directed to Apple Creek American Legion, 8493 Hackett Rd., Apple Creek, OH 44606 or to Crossroads Hospice, 3743 Boettler Oaks Dr., Ste. E, Uniontown, OH 44685.
Service
Memorial services will be held on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 1:00 PM at
Visitation
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Prayers for peace, comfort, and understanding.
Marlene, Kim and family, No words can express our thoughts as a gallant part of our “gang of eight” departs this earth for eternity. We shall always cherish our years of friendship, the fun times we shared and the support we gave each other through times both thick and thin. We made memories to last a lifetime. Our deepest sympathy to Van’s loved ones. Remember, love and friendship last forever. Stay strong and count on us. God’s blessings on you and yours.
The family gatherings seemed so rare but are some of the most indelible childhood memories I have. A lifelong family friend and doting godfather to me, I’ll always remember Van spending time playing with us kids; cannon balls off the high dive at Sunkist Country Club, renting a boat to go fishing, and so much more. I’m sure the country club didn’t appreciate it, but we had a blast! So glad for the cherished memories and the time our families spent together. Our sincerest condolences to Marlene, Kim and family.