Jack H. Vangets , age 95 of Lapel and formerly of Elwood, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at Ascension St. Vincent Anderson Hospital following a brief illness; but a long, full life.  He was born January 28, 1925 in Elwood, the son of Steve and Elizabeth (Cain) Vangets.  Jack attended Wendell L. Willkie High School in Elwood, and later served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.  He served from 1943 to 1946 on the U.S.S. Macaw and also Battleship U.S.S. Iowa BB-61 in the Pacific Theater.  Jack had very fond memories from attending numerous reunions with his shipmates, and he was honored to be part of the "Honor Flight" in 2017 to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C.

Jack married the love of his life, Lois R. Pennington, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1948, and they shared over 71 years of marriage together before her passing in 2019.  Jack worked for the Guide Lamp division of General Motors in Anderson for 30 years and retired in 1976.  He loved playing golf and was proud to get a "hole-in-one" at Yule Golf Course.  From this, Jack received the nickname, "Nice Shot Jack" from his golfing buddies.  He was also known to many as "The Pepper King" for his delicious stuffed peppers that he made from cultivating and growing unique peppers with seeds passed down from his father.  Jack was a member of the Lapel American Legion post 212, the Elwood V.F.W. post 5782, and the U.A.W. #663 in Anderson.  Jack nearly always had a smile on his face and never knew a stranger for long.  More than anything, he will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather by his family.

Jack's surviving legacy includes 3 children, Dana (wife Jan) Vangets of Muncie, Luanne (husband Dallas) Canfield of Anderson, and Tami (husband Daniel) Paddock of Lapel; 6 grandchildren, Amy (husband Chris) Smith, Todd (wife Chelle) Vangets, Traci (husband Greg) Robbins, Troy (wife Katrina) Canfield, Landon (wife Amanda) Paddock, and Cam (wife Jill) Paddock; 13 great-grandchildren, Holly Robbins, Shelby Robbins, Brevin Smith, Chaylee Smith, Ian Canfield, Silas Canfield, Isaac Vangets, Keaton Vangets, AJ Vangets, Cale Paddock, Maddie Paddock, Charli Paddock, and Ace Paddock; and several nieces and nephews including Ronnie Slick and Dan Cooper.  Jack was preceded in death by both his parents; wife, Lois Vangets; 3 sisters, Florence Slick, Jeanne Dickerson, and Patty Cooper.

Due to restrictions on public gatherings and health precautions, services will be held to celebrate Jack's life at a later date officiated by family member, Greg Robbins.  Burial will take place in the Elwood City Cemetery, and military honors will take place by the U.S. Navy and Lapel American Legion honor guard.  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood.  Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lapel American Legion Post #212 through the funeral home – P.O. Box 20, Elwood, IN 46036.  Online condolences and memories of Jack may be shared at copherfeslermay.com.