RALPH H. VANCE

1932 - 2018

RALPH H. VANCE, 86, of Hanover, PA, formerly Carroll County and Catonsville, MD, son of Riley and Martha (Curry) Vance, was born in Lincoln County, West Virginia in April, 1932 and died at Dove House on September 18, 2018. He was an army private at Fort Meade, where he met and married his loving wife of 67 years, Patricia Dawn (Laib) and became family to Mary Marlyn Creamer and Frances Place, his devoted sisters-in-law. Father of Rita Terri and husband Don Ebaugh of Westminster, MD, Sandra Lynne and husband Mark Townsend of Stewartstown, PA, predeceased son Mark Wayne and wife Kathy Vance, and son-in-law Fred Hentzman and companion Ana Arredondo, he is grandfather of Bethany and husband Omar Smith, of Chestertown, VA, Fred Hentzman IV and wife Lauren, of Westminster, MD, Rebecca and husband Joel Fradiska, and six other biological and blended grandchildren, as well as great-grandfather to 14. Ralph enjoyed flying airplanes, riding motorcycles, cheering the Orioles and being a well-known Baltimore Colts fan. He was a salesman for Schmidt's Baking Company, Schaefer & Strohminger car dealers, Classic and 40 West Volkswagon, Baltimore Institute, and ultimately Knights of Columbus Insurance. He was a fourth degree knight and choir member at St. Benedict's in Baltimore. The family honored his wish to donate his body to the Maryland Anatomy Board for research into diabetes and kidney disease for the benefit of others. A Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 44 Frederick St, Taneytown, MD 21787 on Saturday, October 13 at 11 a.m. with Fr. John F. Lesnick officiating. Memorial donations may be made to Dove House Hospice, 292 Stoner Ave, Westminster, MD 21157, where he felt blessed to spend his final hours of life.