Kenneth A. Vance, 87, a retired Kenmore West High School math teacher and a semipro baseball player in his youth, died Monday (Dec. 18, 2000) in Buffalo General Hospital after a brief illness.  A Williamsville resident, Vance was a native of Yorkshire, was a graduate of Alfred University and earned a master's degree in education from the University of Buffal.  He taught in Great Valley, Newfane, South Dayton, Mayville and Oswego before moving to Williamsville in 1961. He taught in the Williamsville and Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda schools, finishing his career as a math teacher at Kenmore West High School.  In his youth, he was an outstanding baseball player and played on the "Steel Partition" semipro team in Jamestown in 1944-46.  He was particularly proud that his granddaughter Cindy's husband, Jeff Conine, played for the Florida Marlins when they won the World Series. He also savored being an honorary coach of the Legends Baseball Game and meeting Joe DiMaggio.
Vance was a member of the Buffalo Curling Club, Peacock Masonic Lodge 696 and Williamsville United Methodist Church.  Survivors include a daughter, Merrilee Doyle; a son, Phillip E.; and eight grandchildren.  Services will be held at noon Thursday in Beach-Tuyn Funeral Home, 5541 Main St., Williamsville. Burial will be in Curriers Cemetery, Java.