Terry Van

Terry Wayne Van, age 80, of Edwardsville, IL, passed on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Terry was born on May 3, 1946, in Granite City, IL, the son of the late Albert L. & Bertha F. (Welty) Van. Terry married Leilana L. (Etzkorn) Van on September 7, 1968, in Edwardsville, IL.

Besides his wife of 57 years, Terry is survived by his three children, Dawn Slechta & husband Steve, of Collinsville, IL, Damon Van & wife Sarah, of Edwardsville, IL, and Devon Van & wife Lindsay, of Santee, CA; four grandchildren, Barrett Van, of Edwardsville, IL, Kaeden Van, of Denver, CO, Raiden Van, Santee, CA, and Aspen Van, of Santee, CA; and a brother, Bruce Van & wife LaDon, of Trinity, FL.

Terry was a lifelong trombone player and band director for over 55 years. He taught music to grades preschool through junior college during his career. He had been a conductor of and musician for the Edwardsville Municipal Band. The last bands he played with were the Diz Strohman Band and The Original Knights of Swing.

He ended his career in the Collinsville School District as a substitute teacher. He was a Sousa Award winner and member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity. He was an arranger and writer of music for local bands and colleges.

He was an avid book reader as well as had a great passion for art, loving to draw and paint. At the age of 5 he became a passionate lover of anything to do with trains, especially model railroading. Terry loved food and spending time with his 3 kids and 4 grandkids.

A Celebration of Life will be held June 5th at the Cleaon Etzkorn Bandstand next to the Edwardsville Public Library from 1 to 5 PM. Condolences may be shared online at www.weberfuneralhome.com.