Brian Jay Vanlandingham

Brian Jay Vanlandingham, 58, North Manchester, Indiana, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 20, 2022, at Timbercrest Healthcare Center in North Manchester. The son of Robert Eugene Vanlandingham and Phyllis Elaine (Robbins) Nice, Jay was born on April 3, 1964, in Wabash, Indiana.

After graduating from Wabash High School in 1982, Jay attended Ball State University in Muncie for two years. On June 7, 1986, he married his best friend and the love of his life, Kimberly B. Steele. A year later he began working for Marshall Electric where he was employed for ten years before going to work at Guardian Industries in Auburn, Indiana, until 2004. He then became a jail officer for the Wabash County Sheriff's Department and eventually retired in 2009.

Music was always a staple in Jay’s life. He participated in the Star of Indiana Drum Corp., assisted with the Manchester High School Marching Band from 2004-2012, and played in Manchester University Concert Band, Manchester University Pep Band, Huntington University Band, and the Wabash Valley Music Association.

Jay had many interests such as collecting and watching trains, collecting racing memorabilia, and driving his golf cart around. He loved playing bingo while camping, dirt track racing, fishing, hunting, boating, camping, and being an all-around outdoorsman. Jay also loved watching baseball, especially the Chicago Cubs. Jay also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball and baseball. During the wintertime he enjoyed watching the Chicago Blackhawks and Fort Wayne Komets hockey teams. Jay also relished his time watching wrestling. He also dabbled in painting and leatherwork. Jay had a profound interest in paranormal activity. He went to many different properties looking for activity with his instruments and spent countless hours researching cemeteries. He helped update the Find a Grave website that is used by many, including funeral homes.

The loving memory of Jay Vanlandingham will be forever cherished by his wife, Kim Vanlandingham, North Manchester; son, Aric (Mandi Poe) Vanlandingham, Van Buren; daughter, Amy (Nathan) Beal, Andrews; father and stepmother, Robert Eugene (Susan) Vanlandingham, Wabash; mother, Phyllis Elaine Nice, North Manchester; brother, Brett (Heather) Vanlandingham, Wabash; sister, Krista (Gabe Holmes) Vanlandingham, Indianapolis; one stepsister; three stepbrothers; and grandchildren, Gracie, Tayla, DeForest, Caleb, Waverly, Conner, Colton, and Kyra.

Family and friends may call Sunday, October 30, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana. Funeral services will begin at the conclusion of calling with Father John Robinette officiating. Burial will be at Oaklawn, Cemetery, 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, Indiana.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Jay Vanlandingham, memorials may be made to the Manchester High School Band, 404 West 9th Street, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 or Wabash County Cancer Society, P.O. Box 144, North Manchester, Indiana 46962.

The family of Jay Vanlandingham has entrusted McKee Mortuary with care and final arrangements.