Gary L. VanAuken

February 28, 1950 - February 13, 2021

Gary L. VanAuken, age 70, of Vermilion, passed away on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph, Lorain. He was born on February 28, 1950 in Berwick, PA and moved to this area in 1957. After high school, he served his country during the Vietnam War while enlisted in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge from the Army, he began his career at Ford Motor Company where he worked on the assembly line for 29 years, before retiring in 2006. Gary was proudly the person in the family that everyone turned to for advice or help if they needed something. He truly enjoyed helping anyone who needed help. He also enjoyed tinkering around in his garage and home, and could be found building things or fixing whatever needed to be fixed. He really enjoyed fishing, boating, and motorcycles as well. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Betty Jane (nee Cinci), his daughter, Jennifer (Wes) Frampton, of Kingwood, TX, his son, Gary, Jr. (Chante)VanAuken, of Amherst, his 2 grandchildren; Brandon & Piper Frampton, and his siblings; Sharon Miller, of Lorain, David (Sharon) VanAuken, of Marblehead, Melanie (Tom) Butti, of Lorain, Barbara Wyman, of Lorain, Pamela (Ron) Phillips, of Vermilion, Dale, Jr. (Kimberly) VanAuken, of Vermilion, Darlene (Greg) Lawson, of Amherst, and Karen (Pat) Costello, of Amherst, He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Gary was preceded in death by his parents; Dale, Sr. and Josephine (nee Silvetti) VanAuken. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 22, 2021 from 3 – 7 pm, in the Dovin and Reber Jones Funeral & Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst. His funeral service will be on Tuesday, also in the funeral center, at 11:00 am. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. To send an online condolence, please go to www.dovinreberjones.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the funeral home will be following specific guidelines to ensure the safety of all visitors. We ask that you enter through our main entrance of the funeral center, please pay your respects to the family, and exit through our gathering center door. Face coverings are required, limited seating will be provided for the service to ensure that a six feet separation is maintained.