Mr. David E Van Vechten Sr. Ilion - Mr. David E Van Vechten Sr., 58, of 641 Spinnerville Gulf Rd. passed away Tuesday, May 8, 2007 in St. Luke's Home. He was born in Herkimer on January 16, 1949, the son of the late Arthur and Theresa Scalise Van Vechten. He attended West Canada Valley Central Jr./Sr. High School and graduated with the class of 1967. David later attended and graduated with the first graduating class of Herkimer County Community College in 1969. He was at one time married to Collen Herkel. He was employed by the New York State Thruway Authority for the past 32 years and was most recently the Night Shift Supervisor. He was a communicant of St. Francis De Sales Church and a member of the Herkimer Elks BPOE Lodge #1439. David was an avid softball and basketball player. He was a good athlete in high school and continued with the town leagues. He set many records, both in high school and the town leagues and was actively playing last season. David is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Erin & Casey Ludwig and Kelly Van Vechten all of Herkimer; two sons and one daughter-in-law, CW3 David & Sonya Van Vechten serving with the US Army at Ft. Irwin, CA and Brian Van Vechten of Herkimer; his three grandchildren, David Van Vechten, III , Scout Ludwig and Pace Ludwig; one brother & sister in law, Arthur & Kathleen Van Vechten of Verona; two sisters & brothers in law, Ann & Michael Libritz and Mary & Scott Grogan all of Herkimer; his companion, Lany Wolfe of Ilion; his aunt & godmother, Aurora Daver Frank and his uncle & aunt, Edward & Eleanor Scalise all of Herkimer and several nieces, nephews, cousins and the many friends from work and the local ball teams with whom he was associated. His funeral will be held Friday morning at 10:15 am from the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi, & Burns Funeral Home, 329 S. Washington St. Herkimer and at 11:00 am in St. Francis De Sales Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated by the Rev. Mark Cunningham. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Calling Hours will be Thursday from 4-8 at the Petykiewicz, Iocovozzi, & Burns Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in David's memory may be made to the charity of one's choice. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Members of the Herkimer Elks will meet Thursday evening at 7:00 at the funeral home for services. Expressions of sympathy may be placed on David's online memorial page by going to www.iocovozzifuneralhomes.com