Van E. Milbrand, of Enola, PA passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24th, 2024 at his home with his wife by his side. Born on January 15, 1950, in Northumberland, PA, he was the son of the late Clairmont and Vilma (Ciotti) Milbrand.
Van is survived by his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 53 years, Patsy K. (Brogan) Milbrand. He is also survived by his daughter, Shelly Kay Milbrand-Smith (Travis), his son, Bradley Van Milbrand (Kendra Forsythe), and eight cherished grandchildren, Savhanna and Tristan Paul, Riley and Makenna Milbrand, and Rachel, Rebecca, Riva, and Raven Smith. He is further survived by his brother, Gary L. Milbrand, and his sister, Paula (Milbrand) Moyer. He was predeceased by his brother, William Milbrand.
Van and Patsy were married at Rushtown United Methodist Church in 1971 and were lifetime members of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. There, Van served as a Sunday School Teacher, a missionary, and as a chairperson for the Board of Trustees.
A proud graduate of Shikellamy High School, CEI of Philadelphia, and Harrisburg Area Community College, Van worked as a Systems Engineer for Kinney Shoes Corporation and Electronic Data Systems. Van was a true builder: he built computer programs for a living, he built houses for family and additions for friends, and he built relationships with everyone he encountered. Throughout his life, Van traveled the world through missions, work, and pleasure. Along with his wife, he shared God’s love with countless individuals, touching many hearts along the way.
Van deeply loved his family and the Lord, which were the most important aspects of his life and legacy. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A celebration of Van’s life will be held at Mount Zion United Methodist Church Saturday, Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11:00am. Van requested that this is to be a celebration, so the gathering will continue with visitation and a lunch at Enola Fire Company at 12:30pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Homeland at Home Hospice,
2300 Vartan Way, Suite 270, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
The Sullivan Funeral Home is honored to serve the Milbrand family.
6 comments on “Van E. Milbrand”
We have never known a man like Van, nor a couple as wonderfully matched as Van and Patsy! They loved the Lord with their whole hearts and they lived that love out loud, pouring it out on friends old and new. Van and his friends remodeled our kitchen for us. When they went on cruises, they befriended the staff they met and shared Christ with them–and in some cases, visited them in their home countries. There is not enough space here to tell everything Van was and did for people, but we are certain that Van has already heard the Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master.”
Van was a kind and generous person. I knew him because I worked with and for Patsy at Capital Blue Cross. They became friends with both my late husband and I. He was known for his kindness to family and friends. They were an exemplary couple. May he rest in peace with God, who will watch over his family.
I really enjoyed working with Van over the years at EDS. He was one of the caring and giving man that I have ever known. God bless the entire family during this time. I look forward to seeing Van again one day!
God’s blessing to the entire Milbrand family. I had the pleasure to be able to know Van and Gary and they both were very caring people. Van loved God and it is a blessing knowing that he is now completely healed and pain free.
I had the pleasure of working with Van many years ago at EDS. Van was always so helpful and friendly to his teammates. My condolences to Patsy and the rest of the family.
I consider Van and Patsy to be some of my dearest friends dating back 50+ years. They have been an encouragement to everyone who has had the privilege of knowing them. We are blessed to have the assurance that Van closed his eyes here and opened them in heaven completely healed.