Vance H. Champion

Vance H. Champ Champion, 89, of Genoa, Ohio, died Wednesday afternoon, January 27, 2010, in St. Charles-Mercy Hospital, Oregon, Ohio. A lifelong resident of Genoa, Vance was born June 30, 1920, to Lloyd E. and Hazel Holland Champion. On May 22, 1948, in Genoa, he married Alberna M. Bringe, and they had three sons: Rev. Paul H. Margaret Champion of Greencastle, IN, David Kathy Champion of Holland, OH, and Douglas Champion. He is survived by sons, Paul and David, three grandchildren: James, Sarah and Chance; and sisters, Margaret Rogers of Perrysburg and Jean Fry of Gibsonburg. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Alberna, on February 26, 2006, his son, Douglas, and sister, Elsie Schmitt. Vance served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII as a surgical technician. After he returned from the service, he attended Toledo University night classes, which included woodworking, bookkeeping and barber seminars. He was a barber for many years starting barber school in 1940 and retired in 1985. Vance was a barber instructor for 23 years at the former Andrews Barber College, Superior Street in Toledo. He also worked in many shops in Toledo, Woodville and Genoa. Vance also worked at Woodville Lime and Chemical for a short time. After retirement he cut hair in nursing homes in Toledo and for 15 years cut hair at the Genoa Care Center when it first opened. His memberships and activities were many. Being a member of the Genoa Christian Church in Genoa, Vance taught Sunday School and served as Deacon, Elder, Trustee and Chairman of the Board. He was a life member of the American Legion Post #324 of Genoa, where he held many offices, and a member of the Genoa Masonic Lodge #433. For his involvement with the Masons, Vance was nationally recognized with the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter award. Since 1968, Vance had participated in scouting. He had been very active in the Boy Scouts of America Genoa Troop 310, served as committee chairman for 20 years and the Charter Organization representative. His leadership earned him several awards, including The Silver Beaver and Vigil Honor in The Order of the Arrow. Visitation will be 2-8 p.m. Sunday, January 31, 2010, in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. A Masonic service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Sunday evening. The funeral service will be conducted 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2010, in the Genoa Christian Church, 5th and Main Sts., Genoa. Interment will follow in Clay Township Cemetery with a military graveside service. The family has suggested memorials for Vance to the Genoa Christian Church, the Genoa American Legion, or the Boy Scouts.