Vance Eugene Lewis, 76 of Springfield, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 in St. John's Hospital. He was born on April 2, 1934 in Benkelman, Neb. to Jerome Burton Lewis and Fern Marie (Ketler) Lewis. He was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. Hiram Nelson Lewis. He retired from the United States Army Provocy as Sgt. 1st Class having served over 9 years in the United States Marine Corps and over 12 years in the United States Army. He served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. He retired from the Missouri Division of Employment Security after more than 23 years of service. He was preceded in death by both his paternal and maternal grandparents, his father and mother, and infant granddaughter, Stephanie Marie Lewis. He was married to Ida May Heimlich on June 3, 1960 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is survived by Ida, his wife of 49 years, his daughters, Vanessa Lee Virtue, Nannette Marie Lewis of Springfield, Mo.; Darla Joy Butcher and son-in-law, James of Lebanon, Mo.; son Johnathan Jerome Lewis of Springfield, Mo. He is also survived by his dearly loved grandchildren, Emily Nicole Butcher, Jessica Marie Lewis, Jacob Ryan Butcher, and Noah Evan Butcher; and great-grandchildren, Stephanie Marie Dean, four years old, and Allyson Jade Batson, one year old. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 PM Thursday, December 23, 2010 in Missouri Veterans Cemetery under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.