Ivan Curtis Ivins

November 16, 1938 - April 13, 2015

Mr. Ivan Curtis Ivins, of Pomona, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015 while at home surrounded by love and family. He was born on Wednesday, November 16, 1938, at home in Marlton, New Jersey, to James G. and Alice (Foulk) Ivins. He was 76 years old when he lost his life after a hard fought battle with liver cancer. Ivan was the last of three sons born to Jim and Alice. He graduated from Riverside High School, Riverside, New Jersey, with the class of 1958. While in High School, he was a multi-sport, state-ranked, star athlete, but his real love was Rosalie Ann Marcelli, also in the class of 1958. On October 15, 1960, Ivan and Rosalie were married at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Riverside, New Jersey. To this union, four children were born. Ivan and Rosalie lived in Medford, then Riverside, and finally Marlton, New Jersey. Ivan was a carpenter during this time in their lives. In the late 1970s, after much family discussion and research, they decided to put their house up for sale and follow friends who had moved to Missouri. The family finally left New Jersey in the late summer of 1979. At first, they settled in Willow Springs where Ivan became a truck driver, a profession he continued until months before his death, driving for FMC Transport in Willow Springs for the last twelve years of his life. During this time he built a house in Pomona, where Rosalie currently resides and Ivan spent his last days. Ivan had many enjoyments in his life, such as morning coffee with friends, carpentry, watching sports, and most importantly his family. He loved the time he spent with his four children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Alice Ivins and his brothers, Jim and Lester Ivins. Ivan is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Rosalie Ivins of Pomona; his children, Karen M. Girdler of Pomona; Nancy A. Rothermich and her husband, Tom of Pomona; Debra A. Woodring and her husband, Mike of Willow Springs; and David J. Ivins and his wife, Kim of Willow Springs. Twelve grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren also survive, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. It was Ivan's wish to be cremated. He has requested that there be no funeral, but it is the family’s request that donations be made in his memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in lieu of flowers. The Rosary will be recited by Father Sherman Wall Friday at 5:30pm, April 17, 2015, at the Willow Funeral Home, located at 106 E. Third Street in Willow Springs. A family night will then be held from 6pm-8pm. Arrangements are under the direction of Willow Funeral Home.