Olin David Vanaman

Olin David Vanaman, born on September 15, 1952, in Milford, Delaware, passed away at his home in Milton, Delaware, on January 27, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He lived an impactful life as a business owner in sports collectibles and was a gifted athlete in his younger years, known for his love of baseball.

At the age of eighteen, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served with distinction for four years in Vietnam and was later stationed in Korea. Olin returned to Delaware and became a Rehoboth Beach police officer after graduating from the Delaware State Police Training Academy. Some of his fondest memories as a police officer were of having breakfast with Senator John J. Williams and ending his shifts at the original Nicola Pizza. 

Olin met his wife of 43 years, LuAnn, while living in Philadelphia and they moved to Delaware to attend the University of Delaware and Wilmington University. Olin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and was the first in his family to graduate from college. Olin and LuAnn were together from their very first meeting and married in 1982, building a life around family and friends. Olin's happiest moment was the birth of their daughter, Megan. He was the most attentive and caring father.  

Olin worked at mutiple retail businesses, including the National 5 and 10, and Ames department store. Olin and LuAnn lived in Glenside, PA where he started a sport collectibles business called The Infield. The store was a local hangout for collectors, many of whom became close friends. He was an avid fan of Philadelphia sports, especially the Phillies, and cherished memories throughout his life of interacting with the baseball community.

Olin is survived by his beloved wife, LuAnn (Kopenhaver) Vanaman; his daughter, Megan Vanaman; and his siblings, Patsy Bennett, Donna Johnson, Charles Vanaman, Ronna Cobb (Jesse), Marylee Blair, and Robert Vanaman III (Lynn). He was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma Doris (Monks) and Robert Vanaman Jr., as well as nieces Michelle Wilkins, Madison Peterman and nephew Larry Bennett.

Visitation and memorial services will be held at Short Funeral Services, 416 Federal Street, Milton, DE 19968, on Monday, February 2, 2026. The visitation will start at 11:00 AM, followed by the memorial service at 12:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Milton Fire Department, 116 Front St. Milton, DE 19968; or Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963. 

Olin's legacy will be remembered through the lives of those he loved.