Vance H. 'Champ' Champion

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Vance H. "Champ" Champion, 89, Genoa, Ohio, died Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010, in St. Charles-Mercy Hospital, Oregon, Ohio.

A lifelong resident of Genoa, he 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, the Rev. Paul H. (Margaret) Champion of Greencastle, David (Kathy) Champion of Holland, Ohio and Douglas Champion.

Mr. Champ 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 Feb. 26, 2006; his son, Douglas; and sister Elsie Schmitt.

He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II 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. He 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. He 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 No. 433.

For his involvement with the Masons, he was nationally recognized with the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter award. Since 1968, he 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 from 2 to 8 p.m. Sunday in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home & Crematory, 501 West St., Genoa. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday.

The funeral service will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday in the Genoa Christian Church, 5th and Main streets, 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. Online condolences may be shared at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.