John Daniel Van Gerpen

John Daniel Van Gerpen, 90, of Marion, formerly of Center Point, Dows, and Buffalo Center, Iowa, passed away Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Mercy Hospice in Cedar Rapids after a short illness. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, November 17, 2025, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Center Point, Iowa, with Christopher Boyd officiating. A luncheon will follow. Inurnment will take place at a later date at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa.

John Daniel Van Gerpen was born March 13, 1935, in Buffalo Center, Iowa, the son of Reinhard and Katie (Burma) Van Gerpen.

He met Edna Heginger before entering the Navy, and on June 20, 1959, they married at the Presbyterian Church in Dows, Iowa. Center Point became their home, where they raised their family. They moved to Marion, Iowa, where they have resided since 1995.

He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Center Point, Iowa.

John is survived by his children; daughter, Rene Van Gerpen, of Marion, Iowa, daughter, Paula (Dan) Pollock of Titusville, Florida, children of Paula are, Joseph (Andrea) Pollock, Amber (Cody) Short, children of Amber Short are Brandi Witt, Aubrey Linvell, Hunter Short, and Izzy Short, daughter, Penny Hensley, son of Penny, Mitchell Calvert (girlfriend Taylor Hudson), son Ryan (Stacy) Van Gerpen, daughter of Ryan, Crystal Wheeler, children of Crystal, Wyatt and Wylan Wheeler; sister, June Christensen; brother, Larry Van Gerpen; sister-in-law, Gervaise (Donald) Van Gerpen; special nieces, Katie and Theresa, as well as many other nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna Van Gerpen; son-in-law, Kenneth Hensley; grandson, Brandon Calvert; sister, Freda (Arlon) Lein; brother, Jasper “Bud” Van Gerpen; brother, Richard (Velma) Van Gerpen; brother, Donald Van Gerpen; brother, Peter (Patricia) Van Gerpen; brother, Jerry (Marian) Van Gerpen; brother-in-law, Allyn Christensen; brother, Russel Van Gerpen; and sister-in-law, Sandra (Larry).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Center Point, Iowa.