Gordon K. "Flash" Van Etten Obituary (1940 - 2021)

Gordon Kenneth (Flash) Van Etten, age 80, of Caton, NY passed away Monday, June 14, 2021 at Guthrie Corning Hospital in Corning. Flash was born July 26, 1940 in Corning. He is the son of Kenneth and Norma Van Etten. He was raised in Gibson and graduated from CFA. He married Patricia A. Kahn on November 1, 1959, and they celebrated 61 years of marriage and raised 3 children together. Along with being a loving husband and father, Flash worked as a school bus driver and mechanic, and he finished his 40-year career in the facilities maintenance department as a plumber for the Corning-Painted Post School District. Flash spent his free time working on projects including carpentry, auto restoration, and tinkering in his beloved garage. He enjoyed collecting antique pulleys and tools. His passion was restoring vintage cars but when finished he was shopping for his next restoration project. Flash was the first person to step up and help anyone that needed a hand; whether it was baling hay, plowing snow, cutting firewood, fixing a frozen septic line, or helping someone build a new house. His focus in life changed when his beloved wife suffered a stroke in August 2008, and he became a full-time caregiver for the next 13 years until her recent death. He is survived by his three children: daughter, Laurie (Don) Marsh; sons, Gordon (Debbie) Van Etten and Scott Van Etten; grandchildren: Janet Marsh, Taylor Marsh, Tori Van Etten, and Allen Van Etten; great grandsons, Landyn and Finley; brothers: Terry, Stanley and Kenny Van Etten; sisters, Penne Flynn and Margie Smith; very close cousin, Sharon Haring; very close friend, Jerry Schichtel. He was predeceased by his wife, Patricia A. Van Etten on June 1, 2021. Calling hours will be on Saturday, June 19th, from 10:00 AM - Noon at Haughey Funeral Home, Inc., 216 E. First Street, in Corning and a memorial service to follow at Noon with Father Patrick Connor officiating. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 21, 2021 at Elmwood Cemetery in Caton. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Gordon's name to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123; via phone at 1-800-227-2345, or online at https://www.cancer.org/donate3.cancer.org. Gordon's family entrusted his care to Haughey Funeral Home, Inc. >>(Do not delete this line. It does not print. Text that is to appear on web must be entered before this line)