HARTFORD, Ky. — Dale Vance, 50, of Hartford passed away early Saturday morning Jan. 25, 2025, at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, after many months of bravely fighting illness and injury.
Dale was born Aug. 15, 1974, in Owensboro, Kentucky, the son of the late Carl Vance and Rita Ashley Vance. He and his family lived in Georgia, Oklahoma, and Owensboro until he finally settled in Hartford. He graduated high school in Oklahoma in 1993.
When in Oklahoma, he worked as a farm laborer, at a meat-packing business, and as a delivery man. Locally, he worked his way up at McDonald’s restaurant over 28 years, beginning as a cook and retired as head maintenance Man. He earned two awards from McDonald’s for saving two patrons’ lives; one from choking and another collapsed in the lobby.
Dale loved anything outdoors; fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding, swimming, even lawnmowing. His favorite vacation was to help on the farm with relatives in Bardstown, Kentucky. He enjoyed watching NASCAR and UK Basketball. He treasured time with family and friends. Dale was a member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Beaver Dam, Kentucky.
Dale married the former Kim Hayes on Nov. 28, 1998. He and Kim had three children, McKayla, Aaron, and Emma-Lou Vance, all three current residents of Hartford. Dale and Kim have been blessed with a grandchild, Miss Lyla-Jean Blankenship. In addition to his wife, children and grandchild, Dale leaves behind to cherish his memory his mother, Rita Vance, of Hartford, his siblings, Carl Vance II, of Daviess County, Kentucky, Jeffrey (Sarah) Vance, of Owensboro, Kentucky, Jennifer Shelton, of Hartford, Samantha Vance, of Lafayette, Georgia, and many aunts and uncles and cousins.
Upon reaching heaven, Dale was undoubtedly greeted by his grandmothers, Shirley Ashley and Flo Vance; his father, Carl William Vance; uncle, James Copeland; and cousin Joe Ashley.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Beaver Dam, Kentucky with Fr. Ray Clark officiating. Family and friends may attend the visitation on Tuesday, Jan. 28 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. (Rosary at 6 p.m.) at Bevil Bros. Funeral Home in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, and Wednesday 9 a.m. until the time of service at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Hartford.
Online condolences may be made at bevilbrosfuneralhomes.com.
