Vina Vanke

Vina M. Vanke, 83 of Copley passed away Wednesday, November 13, 2013.

Born May 5, 1930 in Akron, Mrs. Vanke was the daughter of James Davidson Bird and Gladys Cramer Bird.
Mrs. Vanke lived in Copley since 1953 and was active in countless ways within the community. She was an active member of the Copley Athletic Association for over 50 years. She was the coach of the first girls softball team in Copley. For many years, she was the treasurer of the association as well as the Registrar for all their sports teams and leagues.
Mrs. Vanke was a very passionate patriot and very active with the American Legion Auxiliary where she served in several leadership roles. Out of her devotion to and appreciation for U.S. veterans, she volunteered at the Brecksville VA Hospital and was the head volunteer for numerous years until the hospital closed and moved to Wade Park.
Survivors include her sons and their wives: Bill and Rebecca of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Ted and Emily of Sharon Center; grandchildren: Jeff Vanke of Roanoke, Virginia and his children Jonah and and Lilah, James Vanke of Dunwoody, Georgia and his wife Deanne and their children Caroline and Jackson, Ben Vanke of Sharon Center, and Katie Enger and her husband Jeff of Overland Park, Kansas and their children Emily and Olivia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Billie, and husband Victor R. Vanke who died in May of 1985.
Friends will be received Saturday, November 16, 2013 from 10:00-11:45 a.m. at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd, where an American Legion Auxiliary Service will take place at 10:30 a.m. and a meditation service will begin at 11:45 a.m. Private Burial will take place at Copley Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a Veteran's organization of one's choice.