Merrill Vansice

Merrill Donald Vansice, JR, 62 of Alden, Iowa passed away Monday, March 21, 2016 at the Hansen Family Hospital in Iowa Falls, Iowa. Memorial services for Merrill Vansice will be 2:00 pm, Thursday, March 31, 2016 at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery Chapel in Van Meter, Iowa. Burial will follow, also at the Iowa Veteran’s Cemetery. Online condolences may be left at linnsfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to: Merrill Vansice Memorial; c/o Linn’s Funeral Home; 1521 Washington Ave.; Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126.

Merrill Donald ‘Donny’ Vansice JR was born on April 27, 1953 in Des Moines, Iowa to Merrill Donald Vansice SR and Mary Olive [Wax] Vansice. He attended Zearing Community Schools, graduating in 1972. He Married Shelly Niederjohn in Rhodes, Iowa on June 26, 1991. To this union 1 daughter was born: Amanda Vansice. They later divorced in 1994. On April 13, 2001 he was married to Diane Ruddy in Ames, Iowa. During most of his life he worked as a laborer and in factories, including Electrolux and a meat packing plant. Merrill Vansice Jr. served in the United States Army for three years until 1978. He later became a member of the American Legion in Alden.

Merrill Donald Vansice JR. is survived by his wife: Diane Vansice of Alden Iowa, his daughter: Amanda Vansice of Neveda, Iowa, two sisters: Rosemary Vansice of Marshalltown, Iowa, Shirley [Dave] Smith of Mingo, Iowa; a brother: David [Charlotte] Vansice of Mineola, Texas, his previous wife: Shelly Vansice; and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents: Merrill Donald Vansice Sr. and Mary Olive Vansice; and many aunts and uncles.