Mary A. Caruso Vance

Mary A. Caruso Vance, 92, of Connersville, died Tuesday evening, November 12, 2019, at her residence. Mary was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on February 2, 1927, to John William and Mary Cecilia Bryant Busam. She graduated from St. Joseph High School in Owensboro and later attended college. Mary and her late husband Antonio M. Caruso owned and operated Tony’s Fruit Market in Connersville for over thirty five years. She was a dedicated member of St. Gabriel Church, St. Anne’s Altar Society and helped serve chicken at the festivals. Mary was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. In her leisure time, she enjoyed taking care of others, solving puzzles, card games, reading and cooking. Mary is survived by her husband, Otis E. Vance, whom she married August 5, 1990; her daughters: Mary Cecilia Caruso Vetterl of North Carolina, Antoinette “Toni” Hanson of Connersville, Josephine M. “Jo” Patton of Okeana Ohio; her step son: Joseph E. Caruso and his wife, Karen of Indianapolis; fifteen grandchildren, thirty-one great grandchildren, several step grandchildren; her sister in-laws: Vera Vance and Beverly McCowan both of Connersville; her step-children and their spouses: Brenda K. Stanton and Rick, Gale A. Reece and Denie, Mark Vance and Robin, all of Union County; Bruce Vance and Brenda J. of Cambridge City; nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her first husband: Antonio M. Caruso who died December 27, 1986; her brother: John W. Busam; her sisters: Emma Cecilia Busam and Eugenia Alvey; and her step-daughter: Vicki Davidson and her husband, Jim; and grandsons: Benjamin “Bo” Hanson and Jason A. Rose. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2019 by Rev. Dustin Boehm at St. Gabriel Church. Interment will follow in Dale Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Gabriel Church or to the Fayette County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 480, Connersville, IN 47331. Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Myers Chapel, Connersville is in charge of the arrangements. Go to www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com for additional information and features.