Obituary of Eldon G. Vance

Eldon Gayle Vance, 85, of Girard, IL passed away at 8:17am on Sunday, September 24, 2023, after courageously fighting cancer with strength and grace. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 (which would have been his 86th birthday) at Grace Southern Baptist Church, 302 W. Wright St. Virden, IL. The family will receive friends from 9-11am. The Celebration of Life service will begin at 11am with Pastor Rodney Ruberg, Jr. and Pastor Joe Ruberg officiating. Eldon was born September 30, 1937, in Palmyra, IL to Vernon James and Golda “Goldie” Fern Miller Vance. He married Sherron Lynne Ruberg on November 25, 1962, in Chesterfield, IL. He is survived by his wife Sherron, daughter Gayle (Bill) Fornshell of Arthur, IL, and son Scott (Christine) Vance of Virden, IL. Grandchildren; Zach (Heather) Smith of Mattoon, IL, Caleb (Whitney) Smith of Sullivan, IL, Abbey (Nolan) Bone of Shelbyville, IL, Chelsea Vance of Chatham, IL, Hunter Vance of Charleston, IL, Haily Vance of Mt. Vernon, IL, and Bryan Vance of Girard, IL., great grandchildren; Owen, Olivia, Ethan, Sophia, and Cooper Smith, Blaine Bone, and Elijah Vance. Brothers-in-law; Rev. Rodney (Marilyn) Ruberg, Jr., Rev. Joe (Pam) Ruberg, and sisters-in-law; Dee Plunket and Carol Vance, as well as many loved nieces and nephews and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Gerald and Loren Vance, sisters-in-law Kay Vance and Dorothy Vance, niece Vicki Vance, and father and mother-in-law Rev. Rodney Ruberg and Evelyn Ruberg. Eldon attended Northwestern High School and graduated with the class of 1957. After graduation, Eldon was always fascinated by small engines. He started repairing lawnmowers in their basement, even passing them in and out of the basement window. He had such a gift for repair that he decided to open his own business - Eldon’s Lawnmower Shop. This small dream of a business expanded throughout the years and grew into a business that drew people from all over Central Illinois. His customer service and talent for repair kept people coming back for all purchases of their lawn and garden implements. After retirement, he started Eldon and Friends Bus tours. He loved sharing his love of travel and took many trips until his health started to decline. Not able to keep a good man down paired with an amazing talent to work with wood, he began making birdhouses which quickly took off into a much-requested item and Eldon’s Birdhouses began. Not only were these loved by people locally - Eldon had customers in several other states. As his health continued to deteriorate, he was forced to end a hobby he dearly loved. His greatest loves were serving God in many capacities over the years and his family. He will be greatly missed by many. Per his wishes, cremation has been completed. Memorials are suggested to Grace Southern Baptist Church, 302 W. Wright St. Virden, IL. Davis Anderson Funeral Home in Girard is assisting the family.