Van Champion, Sr.

Ernest Lavan “Van” Champion, Sr., a resident of Crestview, Florida and formerly, Talladega and Dothan, Alabama died Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at Silvercrest Health and Rehab. He was 88.

Memorial services for Mr. Champion  will be held at 11 AM Saturday, April 22, 2023 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Pastor Ray Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 10 AM to 10:45 AM prior to the services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to; Gideons International, PO Box 97251, Washington, D.C. 20090-7251 or Gideons.org.

Mr. Champion was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Handley Champion.

Mr. Champion was born December 13, 1934 in Douglas, Georgia to the late Ernest Green and Daisy Rowena Daniels Champion. He was a 1960 graduate of Auburn University with a degree in Metallurgical Engineering. He began his career with ITT Grinnell and later worked for Talladega Foundry and Machine retiring in 2002. Mr. Champion was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist where he served as a Deacon. He was a member of Gideons International, enjoyed playing golf and cheering his Auburn Tigers. War Eagle!

Survivors include a daughter, Celeste Champion, Montgomery, AL; sons, Van Champion, Jr. (Betsy), Tallahassee, FL, Bob Champion (Teresa), Crestview, FL, Chris Champion (Jana), Headland; grandchildren, Handley Mikec (Brad), Caroline Smith (Payson), Emily, Davis, Daniel, Grace, Devan and Carlan Champion; great grandchildren, Wallis and William Mikec and Christopher Blake Champion.

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