Truman John Vannatta

Truman John Vannatta, age 94, of Sarasota, Florida and Springboro, Ohio, formerly of Lynchburg, Virginia, passed away at 9:40 a.m., Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at Bethany Village, Centerville, Ohio after an extended illness. He was an active member of Siesta Key Chapel (Presbyterian), Siesta Key, FL.

Truman was born January 9 ,1930 in Quincy, Illinois, to Elliott Robert and Anna Margaret (Schildt) Vannatta. He graduated from Withrow High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), in 1947 and then went on to graduate from the University of Cincinnati, in 1952, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Later in his career (1976), he attended a six-week program at Emory University Graduate School of Business Administration and received a Certificate in Executive Development.

Shortly after College graduation, Truman met and began dating his future wife of 67 years, a “Cincinnati Girl”, Joyce Ann Scheiffele. In September of 1952, he was drafted and proudly served in the United States Army Ordnance Corps and was stationed in Toledo, Ohio. Truman and Joyce were married on October 24, 1953 in Kennedy Heights, OH and lived in Toledo, until he was discharged in 1954. 

Truman’s professional career was spent in the Paper Industry, where he started working for Excello, in Cincinnati, Ohio. At that time, his father and older brother, Russell, worked at Excello and he felt fortunate to begin his career working with them. After Excello was acquired by The Mead Corporation, in 1967, he moved his family to Dayton, OH and held various Management Positions in the Paperboard Products and Packaging Division and ended his career shortly after Rock Tenn acquired Mead’s Paperboard Products Division, where he was serving as VP of Operations for Mead's Paperboard Products Division. He retired in 1993 after working 42 years in the Paper Industry. 

One of Truman’s greatest passions was History. While living in Lynchburg, VA in the mid 1980’s, he had the opportunity to work with the Corporation for Jefferson's Poplar Forest, shortly after its founding, and helped in raising funds to acquire surrounding property, do the Archeological Exploration of the property and start the initial restoration of the home. Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest Home was first opened for regular visitors on July 4, 1986 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971. He was always proud of his involvement in this historic project. 

 After retiring, he joined Joyce giving back and supporting the local community, as a volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels to those in need. 

Traveling was another passion. Truman and his “Cincinnati Girl” had the opportunity to travel all over the world. So many Cruises, including numerous Caribbean ports of call, the Mississippi River and Alaska and then land based trips to the United Kingdom, Hawaii, France, Lebanon, Spain, Morocco, Canary Islands, Portugal, New Zealand, and more. He loved talking about their many trips together and could provide such accurate descriptions of the places they explored on each and every trip. 

Truman was a wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was so proud and always so supportive of all his grandkids and never missed an opportunity to brag on each of them. Forever memories of the 2 Family trips to Disney, the fun on the Big Red Boat, his love of Colonial Williamsburg, his knowledge of the Civil War, and his love of reading about history, his Archery lessons in Lynchburg, building huge leaf piles for the grandkids to jump in, hiking in the backyard, finding deer tracks and making plaster molds out of them, shooting the BB gun, just listening to all his stories, his daily emailing of funny jokes, his desire to be at so many sporting events and taking the best photos, his love of ice cream, especially Big Olaf’s, homemade brownies and turtle pie, his amazing bear hugs and endless memories at Siesta Key. 

He truly loved Joyce’s cookies the best and he loved her reaction when he would ask for them. He always said it was a big deal when you were taller than his belt buckle because that meant you were “tall”. He was such a presence in our family and a steadfast leader and patriarch that loved us all deeply and endlessly. His memory of history and all his travels was incredible and he shared that at every opportunity. It was always true joy and admiration in his eyes and face whenever he saw you, whether it was in person or on the phone. He absolutely loved when he learned how to FaceTime everyone. 

Truman had endless love for his 12 great grandchildren. If you thought his face lit up seeing his grandkids, his face lit up even more with his great grandkids. He had the biggest heart and was always so invested in each grandchild and each great grandchild. And he dearly loved every single spouse his grandchildren married. He loved his family and he loved the history of the Vannatta Family and most importantly he cared so much about the future of his beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Truman’s greatest lesson to his family is his everlasting love and adoration for Joyce, a timeless love for 67 years. Watching them waltz to their favorite song “Somewhere My Love” is a favorite memory for the whole family. 

Truman was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his Parents, his brother, Russel Elliot Vannatta and Russel’s wife, Idalee (Fox) Vannatta.

He is survived by three sons, Jeff (Suzette) Vannatta, of Springboro, OH; Greg (Mary Jo) Vannatta of Kettering, OH and Don (Bill Creasey – Deceased) Vannatta of Loveland, OH and by 7 grandchildren: Ryan (Shailja), Kelli (Kyle), Erin (Kyle) Stephanie (Luke), Scott (Ashley), Kristina (Meg), Connor (Maria) and 12 Great Grand Children: Safia, Sahen, Madi, Kenzi, Charlotte, Juliette, Audrey, Lucy, Jack, George, Logan and Lance, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. 

Immediate family and close friends will be invited to attend a celebration of life event, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Cincinnati, OH, where he will be reunited with his Loving Wife, Joyce. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable contribution to: 

Siesta Key Chapel, In Memory of Truman & Joyce Vannatta

4615 Gleason Ave.

Sarasota, FL 34242

Or 

The Corporation for Jefferson’s Poplar Forest

In Memory of Truman & Joyce Vannatta P.O. Box 419 

Forest, VA 24551

https://www.poplarforest.org/support/donate/