Vanessa Marie Ives, 45 years, of St. Louis County, Mo. and formerly of Dallas City, Illinois, died on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at her home. She was born January 13, 1968, a daughter of Quinn and Nancy (Gilpin) Pence. She married Michael Ives and they had three sons. They later divorced.

She graduated from Dallas City High School, Dallas City, IL in 1986 and attended Western Illinois University and obtained an elementary teaching degree. She and her family have resided in St. Louis, MO for the past 16 years. She currently was substitute teaching at various schools in the St. Louis area. She loved to sing and enjoyed singing on the praise and worship team at her church. She enjoyed her family and being a mother of three sons.

She is survived by her parents, Quinn and Nancy Pence, of Dallas City, Illinois; three sons: Grant, Evan and Drake Ives, of St. Louis, Missouri; a companion and friend, Abe Keil, of St. Louis, Missouri; three sisters: Twila (Jeff) Peitz of Fort Madison, Iowa, Gwen (Bill) Scanlan of Fort Madison, Iowa and Amy (John) Curran of Manchester, MO, numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and one nephew.

Visitation at BAUMANN COLONIAL CHAPEL, 2504 Woodson Road, Overland, MO on Sunday, January 27 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Also, visitation at St. Paul's Evangelical Free Church, 9801 Olive Boulevard, Creve Coeur, MO on Monday, January 28 from 10:00 am until the Funeral Service at 11:00 am.
A memorial service will be held locally at 2:00 pm Saturday February 2, 2013 at the Pontoosuc Community Church, Pontoosuc, Illinois, with Reverend Aaron Ferguson officiating. A memorial has been established for her children's college education, and contributions may be made at the Pontoosuc church on the day of the service or at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, Iowa.