Obituary of Della L. VanLoan

God reached down and guided one of his most remarkable children home on August 28. Della L. Van Loan, of Syracuse, NY passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in May 1933 in Renova, PA to the late Robert and Alice (Wilsoncroft) Eschenbach. She continued her life there until moving to North Tonawanda in her early 20s, to take care of her nephew who suffered from Multiple Sclerosis. This was the beginning of many that she would care for over her lifetime. Some of them family, some of the strangers in need. She always made herself available to help in any ways she possibly could.

Della faced many hardships of her own- including being stabbed, and pronounced dead three different times. However, nothing kept her down, or put fear into her. She befriended people everywhere she went, from all walks of life. Most remembered her for her great sense of humor, and that she would make you laugh even in the worst of situations. Della enjoyed playing practical jokes, especially on the patrons of the Eagle Café, and Gidari’s, where she tended bar. After years of employment there, she became a Denmother with the DELTA GAMMA Sorority. When she retired from there, she moved to Punta Gorda, FL to live with, and care for, her mother.

When her mother passed, Della bought her own home and was able to relax for the first time in her life! However, this was short lived, due to Hurricane Charley. Della lost everything, and was so scared that she moved back to Syracuse. This was the first time Della ever showed fear.

She is predeceased by: her parents; sister, Dorothy; brothers, Donny, Bobby, Kenny, Frank, and Jake. She is survived by: her daughters, Alice Kilbourn and Genevieve Lugo, both of Syracuse; seven grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; sister, Kathrine Duredetto of Franklin, NC, and Betty Romonyak of Elma, NY. Della also considered her son-in-law, John “Guddy” Kilbourn, and loved him as her own son. She adored her family and they will miss her greatly.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, September 3 from 4 pm to 6 pm, at Ballweg & Lunsford Funeral Home, 4612 S. Salina Street, Syracuse. A funeral service will follow at 6 pm. To have a memorial tree planted in an area of need in honor of Della, or to send flowers for services, please use the Send Flowers link to the left. To light a memorial candle or to leave online condolences for the family, please visit Della's Tribute Wall.