J. Ivan Myers Obituary

Ivan Myers, 93, died on September 23, 2025, at Mill Pond in Ankeny. Visitation will be on Monday, September 29, 2025, 5:30-7:30 PM, at First Presbyterian Church, Dallas Center. Service at the church on Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 10:00 am.

J. Ivan Myers was born May 16, 1932, in Franklin County, PA, the son of John F. Myers and Edna M. Myers. After graduating from LeMaster High School in 1950, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp in 1951, served until 1954 during the Korean War, and attained the rank of sergeant. He was stationed with the 2nd Marine Division and various guard detachments. After his honorable discharge, Ivan moved to Dallas Center, IA, to work as a farmer with his older brother, Lawrence. While living with his brother’s family, he went to a church service at the First Presbyterian Church in 1955, where he met the choir director, Joyce Dougherty. They were married a year later and had three children. Ivan and Lawrence farmed together as Myers Brothers and were well known in Dallas County. Over the years, Ivan has been a member of the Dallas Center American Legion Post #49 for 70 years, a former board member of the Dallas Center Co-Op, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church for 67 years, where he faithfully served many positions. He was a prolific reader of politics, history and westerns. Ivan enjoyed traveling, achieving his bucket list goal of visiting all 50 states, with his children taking him to Hawaii at age 80 and Alaska at age 82. In the 1990’s he toured China, the Panama Canal, and the Greek Isles, specifically the Isle of Patmos, where he stood in the building where St. John the Divine wrote the book of Revelations.

Ivan is survived by his three children, Retired USAFR Colonel James (Sarah) of Colorado Springs, CO; Audrey (James) Kobus of Ankeny; Jeanette (Max) Bodermann of Granger; a sister, Marian (Joe) Keller of Dallas Center; three granddaughters, Sigrid Myers Kucera (Kyle) of Monument, CO; Jocelyn Sweet of Colorado Springs, CO; Madeleine Kobus of West Des Moines; three grandsons, Franklin Kobus of Des Moines; Evan (Becky) Bodermann of Granger and Alex (Jade) Bodermann of West Des Moines; four great-grandchildren, Rhys Brown, Victoria and Haylee Sweet and Lyla Bodermann; and many nieces and nephews whom Ivan dearly loved and appreciated. Ivan was preceded in death by his wife of 33 years, Joyce; his sister, June and her husband Harry Fritz; his brother, Lawrence and his wife Mary Lou Keller; his parents; an infant granddaughter, Miriam Kobus; and a long-time friend, Dorothy Howard.

The family would like to thank the staff of Mill Pond and Unity Point Hospice for taking good care of Ivan.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church of Dallas Center.

Online condolences can be left at www.ilescares.com

Arrangements by Iles Brandt Chapel.

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