ANDERSON — After spending more than three weeks in the hospital following being struck by a person driving a truck, Larry VanNess, known lovingly as "The Can Man" in Anderson has died, according to a social media post by his caregiver.
Landers posted to Facebook: "While we mourn the loss of our dear friend, we also must remember him as the happy and loving man that he became and celebrate the life he led, the difficulties he overcame and the accomplishments that he achieved right up to the time of his accident."
VanNess was hospitalized on October 2 after being hit by a truck. Anderson Police tell WRTV the investigation into the crash is complete and no charges will be filed.
The Can Man was known throughout Anderson and Madison County for his giving nature.
For 19 years, VanNess had been collecting pop tabs around Anderson. He donated nearly 27 million tabs to the Ronald McDonald House – raising nearly $12,500.
“He made the tabs his life mission,” Landers said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana shared the following statement on their Facebook page:
The staff and volunteers at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana are heartbroken at the news of the passing of Larry "The Can Man" VanNess. He was a good friend of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Indiana for nearly 20 years. He was our most well-known and beloved pop tab collector and advocate, having collected more than 27 million tabs, every single one of which he personally counted by hand. Larry may not have had children of his own, but he cared deeply about the mission of RMHCCIN and the people it served and often shared that collecting pop tabs gave him purpose. We are heartbroken over the loss of our very near and dear friend. Our team is working hard to find a way to properly memorialize his memory and will share more once those details are finalized.
Funeral arrangements will be announced on his Facebook page once they are made.
-
Stewart helps New York top Indiana again despite strong game from Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark had the best game of her young career. It still wasn’t enough for the Indiana Fever to come away with their first victory of the season.‘Carry The Load’ relay honors fallen veterans by walking across the country
The nonprofit honors fallen soldiers from the United States military by walking 20,000 miles over 28 days in different states.Indy Humane, Hensley Legal Group hosts ‘Pawpalooza’ adoption event
Some pets are now in their forever homes and families didn’t have to worry about a single cost thanks to the help of a local business.Indiana Peony Festival returned to Noblesville for 4th year
The festival featured over 120 vendors celebrating the state’s flower, as well as arts and crafts, food trucks and horticulture classes.