Submitted by: Dan Rich

Charles R. VanZant

July 21, 1914 - July 14, 2002

South Bend Tribune 7/17/2002

Charles R. VanZant, 87, of East Bowman Street, South Bend, Ind., known by most everyone as "John," passed away following a lengthy illness at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 14th, in Southfield Village. He was born July 21, 1914, in Pontiac, Mich., to Anna and Arthur VanZant, who preceded him in death.

On Sept. 12, 1941, he married the former Carol L. Collier, who passed away on Aug. 20, 1994. John had three sisters, Geraldine VanZant, Jeanette Ward and Kathryn Lee; and two brothers, Carlos VanZant and Fred VanZant, all of whom have preceded him in death. John is survived by two sons, John A. (Patricia) VanZant of Gilbert, Ariz., and James E. VanZant of South Bend; two nephews and a niece; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and by a family friend, Drew Leach.

John had been employed by General Sheet Metal and Axelberg Brothers Sheetmetal. He had always supplemented his income by selling used cars, and after retiring from the sheet metal business he founded VanZant Auto Sales in 1963 and retired in 1992. Mr. VanZant was a veteran of the armed services during World War II, and was a 40-year member of the Pulaski Post 357 American Legion.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. today, July 17, in the Palmer Funeral Home, River Park, 2528 Mishawaka Avenue, South Bend. Friends visited with the family from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, in the funeral home. John's final resting place will be next to his loving wife Carol in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to Southfield Village, 6450 Miami Circle, South Bend, IN 46614.