Milton Edward Vance, 84, of North Vernon, passed away at 2:46 p.m., on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at home on the farm in Lovett.

There will be a funeral service conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service. Rev. Richard Burcham will officiate. Interment will be in Vernon Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with a Masonic Service being conducted at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the funeral home.

Born on December 23, 1938, in Lovett Township, Milton was the loving son of Ira and Muriel (Roseberry) Vance.

He graduated from Paris Crossing High School, spent a few years driving trucks for Hallie Coryea, then opened his own heating/air conditioning and electrical business in 1965 working on projects from single homes to large tool and die shops. He was a Master Mason, had his pilot's license and his own plane for years and loved to snow ski and play golf (and of course playing euchre). When his father passed away, he and Margie moved back to the farm, built a new house and rebuilt the barns. Milton's "hobbies" became restoring International and Farmall tractors and for a while a herd of Belgian draft horses. Milton was a member of the Masonic Lodge #59, North Vernon Shrine Club, the Scottish Rite, and the Moose Lodge.

Milton is survived by his sons, Jim (Angie) Vance of North Vernon, and Joseph (Kimberly) Vance of Brooklyn, NY; brothers, Thornton (Joanna) Vance of North Vernon, John (June) Vance of Columbus; grandchildren, Nicholas (Francesca) Vance of NY, Derik (Tasha) Vance of North Vernon, and Dustin (Kennedy) Vance of North Vernon; 6 great grandchildren; companion of 30 plus years, Margaret Kretsch of North Vernon, and her children, Karen (Wade) Hickam of FL, Rhonda (Danny) Raleigh of Sheridan, IN, Gaye Adams of TX, as well as Margaret's eight grandchildren, and several great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Muriel Vance.

Memorials can be made through the funeral home to Rescue 20 or Lovett Twp. Fire Department