Vance William Diggins, 84, of Empire, formerly of East Lansing, died early Monday morning, Apr 24, 2006, at Munson Medical Center, following a sudden illness.
Vance was born May 6, 1921, to Harold H and Ruth (Needham) Diggins in Wolcottville, IN, where he began his lifelong love of hunting, fishing, and tramping over hill and dale.
On Nov 9, 1946, in Detroit, he married the light of his life, the former Alice G Coppens.
A veteran, Vance served with the 76th Infantry Division in Europe, participated in the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of a concentration camp.
He was awarded the Bronze Star medal for heroic action. He was proud of his achievement on the Indiana University Rife Team and his Infantryman's Badge received from the U.S. Army during WWII. He continued in the Army Reserve with advancement in rank to captain before honorably retiring in 1965.
Completing war-interrupted studies at Indiana University, he graduated in 1947 with a degree in business and began his career as an insurance adjuster, with continuing education opportunities taken to finally retire from Home Mutual Insurance Company as Michigan claims manager in 1979.
He was respected for his special expertise developed in arson investigation. Vance found time, both before retirement and especially after, for community service on the East Lansing Election Board, as King Lion of the Empire Lions Club, Empire planning commissioner, helping the United Way and continued his participation with his IU ROTC Group. He also served as president of the Lansing Area Insurance Adjuster's Association.
A loving and involved father, he enjoyed watching his sons, grandsons, and granddaughters in sports. He was always ready with a helping hand, strong back and winning smile for family and friends.
As an outdoors man, he recognized the birds and their songs and felt when it's time to go, go with a song in your heart. His family lovingly knows that as he went less than quietly into the night, he was whistling "Pack up your Troubles in your old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile."
Vance is survived by his loving and caring family; wife, Alice of Empire; children, Sally Shepard and Martha Gerlach both of Albuquerque, NM, Nancy (Robert) Gleffe of Grand Rapids, Vance W. (Jane) Diggins Jr of Berthoud, CO, and John (Karen) Diggins of Fair Hills, NJ; as well as a sister, Joyce Diggins of Kendallville, IN.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Diggins.
Friends may call Fri, Apr 28, from 6 to 8 pm at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire. A funeral Mass will be held at the church on Sat, Apr 29, at 11 am. Burial with full Military Honors will follow at St. Philip Neri Catholic Cemetery.
In remembrance of Vance, memorials may be directed to the Glen Lake Fire Department or St. Philip Neri Catholic Church.
Arrangements were made with the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Fuenral Home.