Ivan Irvin

Ivan L. Irvin, 73, of Cape Girardeau passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at his home.

He was born Aug. 5, 1934, in Dunklin County, Mo., where he was raised by his paternal grandparents, Lena and Val Williams. He was the son of Othal and Ella May Johnson Irvin.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, the former Pat Donahue; sons Keith (wife Kathy) of St. Charles, Mo., and Todd (wife Sherry) of Cape Girardeau; and granddaughter Rachael, the light of his life. He is also survived by his father of Malden Mo.; brother, J.R. Irvin of Utah; sister, Shirley Gough of Malden.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother, two brothers, two sisters and granddaughter, Hanna Nicole Irvin.

Ivan attended Malden High School. He moved to Cape Girardeau in 1960 from Joplin, Mo. He was managing co-owner for Hahn's Shoe Store in Town Plaza five years. He handled real estate for Burton Gerhardt and in 1965 became a real estate broker until the present. He specialized in commercial real estate.

Ivan served on the Cape Girardeau City Council from 1967-1970 and was mayor pro tem and later was elected mayor of the city of Cape Girardeau. While mayor, Ivan was instrumental in bringing the Emergency 911 telephone service to Cape Girardeau, the first town in Missouri to put it into operation.

Ivan was appointed by Gov. John Ashcroft to serve on the Missouri Real Estate Commission five years from 1987 to 1992. He taught practical real estate courses in Cape Girardeau 12 years and sold commercial real estate for many years. He served on the Cape Girardeau Board of Adjustments 17 years, five of which as chairman.

He was a former member of the Lion's Club, the Elks, a scout leader and minor league baseball coach. Ivan and his family were members of Grace United Methodist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman, golfer and a member of Kimbeland Country Club. As a consummate golfer he had four holes-in-one.

He has many friends who will all miss him dearly.

Pallbearers are James W. Riley, Bob Hedden, Ray Shock, Tim Coad, Kenneth Story, Wayne Nesslein, Forrest Kidd and George Landry.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Scott Moon officiating. Entombment will follow at Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to Southeast Hospice, 10 Doctors Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63703.