Leo “Van” Vangjel, 96, passed away on October 27, 2026. 

Van was born on April 1, 1930, in Concord, New Hampshire. He enlisted in the United States Air Force at age 18 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. 

While stationed at an air force base near Norwich, England, he met Betty Lilian Wells. They were married in 1953 and shared 73 years of marriage.

During his military career, Van was stationed at several air bases in the United States and Europe, including Germany, Spain, Florida, and California. He retired after 20 years of service with the rank of Master Sergeant (E-7). 

Following his military retirement, Van worked another 20 years in civil service at the Veterans Administration in San Antonio, Texas. 

Van enjoyed golf and bowling and was a multiple-time bowling league champion. 

He was one of ten children, with eight sisters and one brother, Pete. He was preceded in death by eight of his siblings. Van is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty Lilian Vangjel; his daughters, Betty “Lily” Kathleen Spining of Dallas, Texas, and Zelda Irene Chamberlin and her husband, Billy, of San Antonio, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Brett Colleen Underwood, Tiffany Constantino, and Billy Van Chamberlin; and his great-grandchildren, Cohen and Shepp Underwood, Zoe and Emma Constantino, and Everett Chamberlin. 

Van will be laid to rest at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, with military honors, including the playing of Taps.