LAST UPDATED: 27 April 2024 WRM

Son of John Vanya (17 Nov 1844 from LA.),​ Josephine "Ella" Doucett (9 Oct 1846-18 Jan 1932 from LA.), both parents died in Moss Hill, Liberty County, Texas.

Joe first married Martha A Strahan (2 Aug 1853-3 Feb 1892) on Thursday June 15th 1882 in Liberty County, Texas. From this union four children were born:

- Cecile Josephine Vanya (2 Jul 1883-9 Mar 1907)

- Mary Ann Vanya (20 Oct 1884-22 Dec 1951)

- Martha Ann Vanya (20 Jul 1890-29 Jun 1926)

- Dell Vanya (15 Oct 1891-1 Oct 1960) Name Dennie in 1900 census

Six years after the death of Martha, Joe then married her sister, Mary Ann Strahan (15 Jan 1865-26 Feb 1927) on Thursday March 24th 1898 in Liberty County, Texas. From this union came three additional children:

- Nora Jordan "Ida" Vanya (10 Nov 1898-22 Dec 1967)

- John "the Baptist" Vanya (6 Jan 1901-28 Dec 1953)

- Lucy Vanya (30 Jul 1903-9 Sep 1972).

Mary Ann had been married to William Riley Story (July 1857 - 1931) of IL, and had five to seven children from that union:

- William Riley Story (20 April 1883 - 11 December 1950)

- Jane Story (Apr 1887- Unknown)

- Alice Story (Mar 1888 - Unknown)

- John Benjamin Story (15 Sep 1890 - 3 July 1960)

- Joseph Story (Nov 1892 - 6 January 1939)

The Houston Post, Houston, Texas, Tuesday, July 5, 1910, Page 15 of 18.

FUGUA, Texas, July 2. - Joe Vanya and some friends killed a she bear near his home, twelve miles from Fugua, this spring. It was the first bear found on Little Pine Island in nearly ten years and bear were supposed to be extinct in that locality. The meat was sold at twenty-five cents a pound, besides a good, big price for the bearskin.

After the death of Mary in 1927, Joe then married Jane Lou Reeves (2 Mar 1869-31 Oct 1956). Joe died from old age (83 yrs) in Evergreen, Harris County, Texas where he had lived for the last 8 years.

AGED EVERGREEN MAN DIES IN SLEEP

John Vanya, 84, found dying by his wife at 3:30 a.m. today, apparently suffered a heart attack while asleep. Justice of the Peace R. R. Zierlein said after "holding an inquest".

The aged Evergreen man had worked at gardening and odd jobs near his home all day Wednesday, and apparently was feeling well when he retired, his wife said. Mrs. Vanya awoke to find him gasping for breath and he died before medical assistance could be given, she told Zierlein.

Vanya moved to Evergreen from Louisiana about eight years ago. Three years ago, he suffered a stroke and was under a doctor's care for a few weeks.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Mrs. Mary Cessna of Liberty, Mrs. Nora Jordan of Tomball, Mrs. Lucy Cellers of Honey Island and Mrs. Dell Swanner of Garden City, Kansas; and a son, John Vanya of Liberty.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by Harrison Logan Funeral home.

The Daily Sun (Baytown Texas), Thursday, March 25, 1948.

VANYA SERVICES TO BE SUNDAY

Funeral services for Joseph Vanya, 83, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Hill of Rest cemetery under directions of Harrison-Logan Funeral home.

Vanya died of a heart attack early Thursday at his home at Evergreen.

Survivors are his wife, Mrs. Joseph (Jane) Vanya, of Evergreen; four daughters, Mrs. Mary Cessna of Hardin, Mrs. Belle/Dell Spriggs of Garden City, Kansas; Mrs. Nora Jordan of Cleveland and Mrs. Lucy Sellers of Honey Island and a son, John Vanya of Hardin; three sisters, Mrs. Clementine Williamson of Hardin; Mrs. Josephine Miller of Orange; Mrs. Nancy Smith of Clark; three brothers, Josh, Rudd and Jim Vanya of Batson; 35 grandchildren, 56 great - grandchildren; six great - great - grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons, Vernon and Perry Cessna; Willie and Jeff Vanya, Arlen and Orby Swanner.

The Daily Sun (Baytown Texas), Saturday, March 27, 1948.