Vance C. Garvey

Vance Garvey, age 66, passed away on Saturday, April 16, 2011, following a brief illness. Vance was born in Appleton on January 4, 1945, son of the late Vance and Delores (Hopfensperger) Garvey. He was a 1963 graduate of the Freedom High School, and as a young man he entered business with his father at Freedom Stove Company. He operated the company for about twenty years, and then opened Garvey Sporting Goods and Discount, also in Freedom. For the past seventeen years, he owned and operated VG Snacks, a vending route which he serviced every day. This past November, his health forced his retirement. One word could sum up Vance's life: SPORTS. He loved golf, fishing, and coached basketball in Freedom for many years. He played softball and in his younger years, bowled as many as four nights each week. In 2002, he was recognized with the Freedom Friendship Award for his contributions to the Freedom community. After his heart surgery, he slowed down a bit, and began to spend time following the sporting events of his grandchildren. Vance loved to play bingo at St. Thomas More Church, as well as his Tuesday card club.

Vance is survived by his wife: Pat Garvey, whom he married in 1997; and her children: Robert (Jackie) Breese of Appleton and Coreen Breese of Freedom and her special friend Mark Lerquin. There are also five grandchildren: Ashley, Jessie, and Ken Breese; and Aaron and Reeve Lambrecht; and a sister-in-law: Bernice (Jim) Van Asten of Appleton. Vance was preceded in death by his parents, by Pat's parents: Frank and Beatrice (Stoffel) Blazek, and by a sister-in-law: Joan Schuh.

The funeral liturgy for Vance will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at ST. THOMAS MORE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1825 N. McDonald Street in Appleton with Fr. Jim Lucas officiating. Inurnment will be at a later date at St. Joseph Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday (TODAY) from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM and again at the church on Tuesday morning from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service. Visiting hours will conclude on Monday with a parish prayer service at 8:00 PM.

Wichmann Funeral Home
537 N. Superior Street
Appleton, WI 54911
920-739-1231