Gary Franklin Vancena

Gary was born in Monroe, Mich. April 25, 1943. He graduated from Monroe High School in 1961. Gary served in the United States Army in Vietnam (1967-68), where he earned the Purple Heart.

He retired from the Delphi Corporation in Adrian, Michigan in 2001.

Gary was a member of VVA 142 and a life-long member of VFW Post 1138 in Monroe, Michigan. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Adrian, where he served as a deacon.

Gary was well known in the Adrian and Monroe areas as disc jockey “Daddy G Knight.” His energetic style of entertainment added joy to many an occasion. He also donated his talents and countless hours to charity events in the area. He made hundreds of friends in the Marquette area donating his time DJing the Vietnam Veterans of America dinner dance in Ishpeming.

Gary is survived by his wife, Cindy; sons Mitchell (& Kristin Goetz) and Jeffrey of Adrian; Rev. Aaron (& Amy) Jeffrey of Dallas, Texas, and Brian (& Alyse) Jeffrey of Atlanta, Ga.; daughter Tina Szczepanski of Adrian, and seven grandchildren: Keith, Isabelle, Griffin, Grahm, Payton, Sarah, and Caitlyn Jeffrey. He is also survived by his brothers, Ronald (& Diane) Vancena of Walbridge, Ohio and Raymond Rose of Erie, and Sister, Kathy Rose of Erie.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Roger Vancena, and his parents.

The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to the Monroe VFW Post #1138, 400 Jones Avenue, Monroe MI 48161.