of Saint Joe, AR

February 11, 1940 - April 30, 2024

Dan Ives passed away peacefully on the night of Tuesday, April 30, 2024. He was 84 years old. Dan is survived by his twin brother, Frank Ives and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eben and Nora Ives of Yellville, Arkansas and siblings, Alfred, Nelly, Annie, Harvey, Eben, Katie, John and Caroline.


Dan was a U.S. Navy veteran and served in the Vietnam war. For his Navy service he earned the National Defense Service Metal, Vietnam Service Metal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Metal, Navy Expeditionary Metal, and the Meritorious Unit Accommodation Ribbon. Dan suffered numerous health conditions that the military attributed to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. Despite this sacrifice, he was extraordinarily proud of his service to our country and we, his family, could not be more proud of Dan. Let us not forget that the old wrinkled and perhaps somewhat portly Uncle we all loved was once a brave and vigorous young man who stepped up to serve his country at just 17 years old.


Dan loved to crisscross the country visiting family and we were all fortunate to see his smiling face often throughout our youth and continuing on into adulthood. I am certain Dan was the only person in the family who could name each of the voluminous children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of all his brothers and sisters. Additionally, as the family historian, Dan wrote several books on the family history and would regale you for hours with stories of our ancestors (whether you wanted to hear them or not). Oh what wouldn't we give to hear one of those stories now.


Dan was of such a jovial nature that you couldn't help but smile when you saw him coming or heard his voice on the phone. A lifelong bachelor, Dan was never quite housebroken and you always felt like you wanted to fix his hair or tighten his belt or tie his shoes. Or perhaps wipe the gravy from his beard. But you see this was the endearing charm of our old Uncle Dan. He never carried quite the gravitas of our parents. Instead, he always seemed more like an old friend you could confide in and joke with. Oh but lest you think otherwise, Uncle Dan wasn't perfect. He could be short tempered and ill mannered on occasion. But if you really needed a lighthearted conversation to cheer you up Dan was the guy to call.


There are many things we could all learn from Uncle Dan. He didn't judge. He didn't criticize. He didn't trade in negative rumors or gossip about the family. He forgave those who wronged him.


His love for this family was enormous. Perhaps his purpose on this earth was to bounce from town to town, reminding us all of the importance of family. Although he never had children, he contributed as much or more to the growth of this family as anyone. There is not one among us who could not share a wonderful (and probably humorous) story about good old Uncle Dan. He touched our heart in ways we can't explain and we will dearly miss him.

Visitation for Dan will be 1:30 - 2:00 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Nanney Cemetery near Yellville.

Graveside service will be 2:00 pm Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Nanney Cemtery.

Arrangements are by Roller-Burns Funeral Home

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Burns Funeral Home
725 North Panther Ave.
Yellville, AR  72687
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com