Ivan Dwight Lantz, age 93, of Bella Vista, AR, passed away September 12, 2025, peacefully in his home after an extended illness.

Ivan was born January 25, 1932, in rural Dickinson County, Kansas, to Ira V. and Florence Mae (Hostetler) Lantz. He grew up on a farm and attended a rural, one-room school through 8th grade and graduated from Dickinson County Community High School. He met Merle Wright in Abilene, KS, and they married on October 2, 1955. They farmed for the first five years and then moved to Topeka where he began his construction business. Ivan built many homes and businesses across Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas. While in Kansas, Ivan and Merle welcomed two sons, Curtis Alvin, born in 1957, and Gregory Louis, born in 1962. They moved to Bella Vista in 1975 where Ivan continued in construction until he retired. Ivan never met a stranger, and he loved to joke and tell stories about his life experiences. (There were many funny and fascinating stories!) He and Merle were charter members of the First United Methodist Church in Bella Vista where he was the building contractor for the current sanctuary. Ivan was involved in the Lions Club for many years and was District Governor in 1984. He loved to play golf, meet with his coffee group, and spend time with the family.

He was preceded in death by his son, Curtis and his brothers, Kenneth, James, and Harvey.

Those left to treasure his memory are Merle, his loving wife of almost 70 years, his daughter-in-law, Debbie Lantz of Branson, MO; son, Greg (Jan) of Pea Ridge, AR; seven grandchildren, Dominic of Branson, MO, Alexander (Amanda) of Rogers, AR, Nyssa (Lee) Berhorst of Branson, MO, Justin (Jaclyn) of Bella Vista, Jerrod (Jennifer) of Oldfield, MO, Ethan (Munkhtuya) of Sedalia, MO, and Adam (Monica) of Oklahoma City, OK; twelve great-grandchildren, Daniel, George, Maggie, Rhetlyn, and Evolette, Haylee, Ava, Wyatt, Weston, Judson, Peter, and Hadassah; his brother, Roy of Abilene, KS, his sister, Dorothy Tharpe of Overbrook, KS; and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Bella Vista Cemetery, 34 Buckstone Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72715, followed by a celebration of life at 11:00 a.m. at First United Methodist Church Bella Vista, 20 Boyce Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72715.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Circle of Life Hospice Foundation, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, AR 72762,  Bella Vista Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 5723, Bella Vista, AR 72714, or First United Methodist Church, 20 Boyce Dr., Bella Vista, AR 72715.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.