Ivan Asbury Tankesley, 82, of Higginsville, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, January 24, 2017 at John Knox Village Hospice, Lee’s Summit, MO. Interment will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, March 3rd at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville. A Celebration of Life will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 4th at Senior Citizen’s Center in Higginsville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to John Knox Village Hospice, 400 NW Murray Road, Lee’s Summit, MO 64081.
Ivan was born January 7, 1935, in Higginsville, Missouri, the son of Carl C. and Bertha Elizabeth (Weaver) Tankesley. After attending Higginsville Elementary School for two years, Ivan and his parents moved to Lexington, MO, where he attended grade school, high school, and Wentworth Military Academy. He attended CMSU in Warrensburg, MO. Ivan then volunteered for four years of service in the United States Army. After serving his county, Ivan returned to Lexington and began his career at the Division of Employment Security.
Two years later, he went to work for ten years with the Lexington Bank and Trust Company, and then secured a job with t the American Bank in Higginsville. Ivan was sent to the American Bank in Tarkio, MO, back to Higginsville, and on to Raytown, MO. After 30 years in the banking industry, he ended his career and retired to farming, where he and his wife lived on their farm until his death.
Ivan was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers & their wives: Jesse Clifton & Constance Jane (Beretta) Tankesley and Earl Adair & Doris Jean (Marchetti) Tankesley.
His survivors include his wife of 56 years, Wilma “JoAnn” (Raw) Tankesley of the home; son, Carl Clifton Tankesley of Buckeye, AZ; daughter, Sheryl Ann & husband, Dennis Eric Adams Sr, of Hartwell, GA; daughter, Cynthia Dian Shell of Hunnington, WV; and three grandsons: Dennis Eric Adams Jr. & wife Briana of Seattle, WA, James Riley Adams of Johnson, TN, and Camden Lee Shell of Hunnington, WV.
Arrangements: Royer Funeral Home, Oak Grove, MO 816-690-4441