Wyverne Leon Pence (Verne)

Wyverne Leon Pence (Verne)

Pleasant Plain

Wyverne Leon Pence (Verne) of Pleasant Plain, Iowa passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on April 7, 2025.

Verne was born April 22, 1947 in LaHarpe, Illinois to Earnest (Woody) and Helen Sherman Pence. He attended Lomax Elementary and graduated from DCHS in 1965. He served in the US Army from 1965-1975. He worked at Crane Company in Washington, Iowa for 32 years. Then at Cambridge Investment Research for 4 years. He later retired in 2014. He was the Mayor of Pleasant Plain for 6 years and served as City Clerk for 4 years. He volunteered many hours for the Boy Scouts and Little League.

Hobbies included crafting with his wife Nancy, woodworking, the Sunday paper crossword puzzles with Lori Johnson, Sunday drives and ice cream and he never missed an In the Heat of the Night Marathon and had to be home in time for Wheel of Fortune. His most important hobby was being the Best Poppy to Owen and Harrison. He always had McDonalds money.

He married Nancy Hadley August 31, 1974 at the Little Brown Church in Nasuha, Iowa.

Wyverne is survived by his wife Nancy Pence of Pleasant Plain, his daughter Megan Smith of North Liberty, his son Nicholaus Pence of Pleasant Plain and grandsons Owen Smith and Harrison Smith of North Liberty. Wyverne’s home and heart was always open to any child that was in need but a special place in his heart will always hold true for Ian Otto, Seattle, Washington, Amina Otto who is studying abroad, Desmond Otto, Fairfield, Iowa, and Ryan Otto, Portland, Oregon.

Those also left to honor his memory are brothers Larry Pence of Lomax, Illinois, Jimmy Pence (Edna) of Dallas City, Illinois, Joe Pence (Lou Ann) of Carthage, Illinois, Randy (Carol) of Niota, Illinois, one sister Deb Worley of Loma,x Illinois. Also including many nieces and nephews.

Verne is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Roger, David, Ronnie, Sheldon and sisters Anono Widner and Gwendolyn Schiedel.

A memorial service was held on Friday, April 11, 2025 starting at 11:00 AM at Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield. Memorials in honor of Verne to Hospice Compassus may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556. Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.