John Franklin Vance (-2010)

VANCE, CESSNA, GETZ, STEPHENS, MERRILL

Posted By: Ames Tribune
Date: 7/12/2010 at 23:40:30

THE AMES TRIBUNE, Ames, Story County, Iowa, Thursday, July 8, 2010.

John Franklin Vance, 79, of Ames, died Tuesday, July 6, 2010, at Heartwood House in Ames of complications from Lewy Body Disease. A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 16, at First United Methodist Church, 516 Kellogg Ave., in Ames.

Frank was born to Thomas and Blythe (Cessna) Vance in Des Moines, but returned immediately to Ames. He was a 1949 graduate of Ames High School. In 1953, he received a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State College and married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Getz. For one year, he taught American history and coached wrestling in Ottawa, Ill., then he served two years in the U.S. Air Force in Wichita, Kan. In 1956, he returned to ISU to earn a master’s degree and work in the Student Counseling Service.

In 1958, he began his career in special education, serving the special needs children of Iowa for 36 years, first in the Charles City area then in Scott County. He moved to Des Moines in 1966, eventually becoming chief of the State Bureau of Special Education. The area education agencies were conceived and implemented during his tenure. He was a member of many professional organizations and received numerous honors and awards. Under his guidance, Iowa became a national leader in providing services to handicapped children. He retired in 1994.

He loved country living at “Granddad’s Farm,” his home north of Ames, and spending time at the family cottage on Deer Lake in northern Minnesota.

He is survived by his wife; one daughter, Deb Vance (John Rose), of Ames; one son, Scott Vance, of rural Ames; three grandchildren, Julia (Chris) Stephens, of Waterloo, and Nate and Natalie Vance, of rural Ames; and one sister, Virginia (Irving) Merrill, of Walnut Creek, Calif.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gerry and Paul Vance; and one daughter-in-law, Dawn Vance.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Special Olympics, the Story County Conservation Commission or Heartwood House.

Online condolences may be sent to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com.

Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care is assisting the family.

http://www.amestrib.com/
 

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