Ms. Dawn Irene Vance (nee Gill), age 76, passed away surrounded by loved ones on March 21, 2025, in Anderson, Ohio. Born on September 9, 1948, in Napoleon, Indiana.
Dawn lived a life filled with warmth, resilience, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys of everyday moments. Dawn’s spirit was nurturing and generous. She had a unique ability to uplift those around her with kind words and heartfelt encouragement. Her signature phrase-“You are beautiful!” -was more than a saying; it reflected her genuine belief in the goodness and potential of others. She found happiness in life’s quiet pleasures: preparing homemade noodles for loved ones, gardening, watching hummingbirds from the porch and filling her home with music and laughter. Singing brought her joy as did sharing meals with family- moments that were the heart of her world.
Dawn is lovingly remembered by her husband, Larry “Pete” Vance and their fur babies Sampson & Delilah; daughters Brenda (David) James, Tina (Travis) Barkey; son Brian Scudder; grandchildren Ashley Kraus, Lydia and Mitchell James; sister Debra Schreider; many nieces and nephews; stepfamily Jenn (Susie), John (Lori), Joe (Lindsey) & Gracin Vance.
She is preceded in death by mother Grace Barhorst, stepfather Norbert Barhorst her father Raymond Gill Sr., and brothers Tim Gill, Larry Gill, and Raymond Gill Jr.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Immaculate Conception Cemetery, 2801 East County Rd 820 South in Millhousen, Indiana. The service will begin at 12:30 PM. Father Binu Mathew of Immaculate Conception Church will officiate. Arrangements are entrusted to Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville, Indiana.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dawn’s honor to the Alzheimer’s Association or The American Cancer Society. Dawn’s legacy endures in the lives and creatures she touched with kindness and encouragement. May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her— and may we each carry forward the seed of her message: “You are beautiful.”