Daniel Vance, 94

Daniel Vance, 94, of Clarksville died on Monday, March 24, 2025, at the Waverly Health Center in Waverly.

Daniel Seymour Vance was born the son of Willie Floy and Tena DeVries (Meester) Vance on May 16, 1930, in Clarksville, Iowa. His parents divorced when he was three years old, and he was raised by his paternal grandparents Cyrus Seymour and Bessie Jane Vance in Clarksville. Daniel graduated from Clarksville High School in 1948 and entered the United States Navy, serving four years on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Wasp. He was proud to have been a plank owner on the Wasp, which was recommissioned after having been badly damaged during WWII.

On returning from military service, Daniel married the love of his life Florence Myra Yost on June 17, 1952, in Clarksville, Iowa. To this union three children were born. Ever the wanderer, Dan moved his family multiple times as he pursued a multitude of careers from Smith Machine Shop in Clarksville to many locations as an agent/operator for the Rock Island Railroad, to law enforcement in Waverly, Iowa, Stockton, California, and finally as Chief of Police in Clarksville, Iowa. In retirement, Dan and Flo followed their lifelong passion for fishing with cabins in Minnesota and Texas for many years before retiring to their home in Clarksville. Aside from fishing, Dan’s greatest love was for his wife, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 72 years, his children Russell (Sandy) Vance, Jane (Steve) Thorn, Dawn (Greg) Hicks, and his “other son” Dan (Bonnie) Forry; grandchildren Jennifer Ellerman, Ed (Jen) Vance, Laura (Josh) Featherston, Dave (Brooke) Vance, Jason Tudor, Kim (Zach) Wisell, and Ryan (Anna) Hicks; great grandchildren Jenalyn (Chase Erickson) Funte, Alanna (Samson Clark) Ellerman, Bodhi Ellerman, Aubrey Vance, Macy Vance, Wesley Featherston, Daniel Featherston, Nora Vance, Wade Vance, Jack Vance, Jackson Wisell, Isaac Wisell, Cobie Merklebach, Rosalyn Hicks and two great-great grandchildren Aiden James Hinders and Oliver Lee Erickson; brother Thomas Vance and paternal half-siblings Bernadine, Robert, William, Patrick, Mary Jo and maternal half-sister Sally.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Brian Ellerman, brothers Kenneth and Francis, paternal half-siblings Marion, Lyle, Nancy and Rhonda, maternal half-siblings Jerry, Nathan “Mickey,” and Betty.

A celebration of life will be held at the Clarksville Amvets Hall on Friday, March 28, 2025 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. with full military rites conducted at 5:00 p.m. Memorials can be directed to either Clarksville Amvets of Butler County Sheriff Department  and online condolences left at www.kaisercorson.com.

Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home is assisting the Vance family with arrangements.  319-352-1187