VANCE, Kenny
Kenny Vance
Thanks to Dave Fullenwider and the "Waveland Facebook Page"
Business 1975-1984 and it was called Vance's Cookie Jar Cafe - he had over 500 cookie jars.
He was born April 3, 1939 to Melvin and Mamie (Taylor) Vance in Tippecanoe County and learned to cook at home. In 1955, he moved to Parke County with his sister and her family and was in the first graduating class from Turkey Run HS. He worked at the Raccoon Lake Restaurant. He had a restaurant in Russellville and milked cows. Then he went to work at the Indianapolis Zoo managing the concession stands for six year. He ran the Rolling Pin Restaurant in Rockville for one year and in 1975 purchased a restaurant in Waveland naming it the Cookie Jar Cafe because of his 500 cookie jars he had collected. In 1983 he began catering and loved it thus sold the Cookie Jar in 1985, continuing with the catering until health forced him to retire.
He exhibited and won many prizes for is baked goods all over (Parke, Vigo, Warren, Indiana State and Paris, Ill fairs).
Kenny and Phyllis (Morgan) Vance ran Vance's Cafe in Waveland in the early 1970s.
Famous for his pies and wedding cakes. Always fun to see his super large collection of cookie jars. Made delicious Tomato Swiss Steak and Chicken and noodles and they decorated with fun and loving care at Christmas time.
Some of their workers were: Marge Perry; Kelly Stultz; Joanna Rewerts; Wanda Simpson; Sabrina Sommerville and other local folks. He was particularly fun!