Born in Auburn, New York, Lyman Slade Van Doren (“Van”) passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at the age of 95. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 62 years, Ann Van Doren, and his son, Keith Van Doren. He was the son of the late Frances and John Van Doren. Formerly of Webster, New York, Lyman had been a resident of The Village of Rio Grande in The Villages, Lady Lake, FL since 1994.
Raised on the family farm in Cato, New York, Lyman began his education in a one-room country school, where he was the only student in his first-grade class. He graduated from Meridian-Cato High School in 1949 and proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from November 1950 to June 1954. One of the happiest periods of his life was his assignment in Hawaii, where he enjoyed many adventures with friends.
Following his military service, Lyman earned an Associate Degree in Mechanical Technology from Mohawk Valley Technical Institute (now Mohawk Valley Community College). He met the love of his life, Ann, through a mutual friend, and they were married on December 26, 1955. Lyman began his career as a design draftsman in the Syracuse area before joining Xerox in 1967, prompting a move with the family to Webster, New York. He retired after 26 years with Xerox, and in 1994 they moved to The Villages.
Lyman often said the greatest chapter of his life was raising a family with Ann. Together they enjoyed camping in the Adirondacks and later hosting family reunions for their children and grandchildren in the Poconos, Williamsburg, the Adirondacks, the Finger Lakes, and The Villages.
Retirement suited Lyman well. He enjoyed golf, square dancing, travel, and regular coffee gatherings with friends at Panera. An accomplished woodworker and painter, he created furniture, lamp stands, jewelry boxes, and paintings that will be treasured by his family for years to come. While he and Ann stayed close with friends in New York, he never missed the upstate winters and was happy to leave snow shoveling behind.
He is survived by his daughter, Julia Mullins (Robert) of Montgomery, TX; sons Edward Van Doren (Carol) of Andover, MA; Brian Van Doren of Pasadena, MD; David Van Doren of Lady Lake, FL;, and Paul Van Doren of Glen Burnie, MD; his grandchildren, Christopher Van Doren, Kristine Mullins Riggs, Molly Van Doren Tolson, Benjamin Van Doren, Kelley Mullins Fluty, and Kenneth Van Doren; six great-grandchildren, Levi Riggs, Toby Fluty, Jordy Riggs, Gabriel Fluty, Cora Van Doren, and Eleanor Tolson; his sister, Shirley Valerio; and his nieces and nephew.
The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided to Lyman by Compassionate Care Hospice and the staff at Watercrest Senior Living at Spanish Springs.
Visitation will be held at Beyers Funeral Home, 134 N US Highway 441, Lady Lake, FL 32159, on Monday, July 20, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Timothy Catholic Church on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m., followed by burial with military honors at Florida National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Lyman’s memory may be made to St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1351 Paige Place, Lady Lake, FL 32159, or Compassionate Care Hospice, Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.