Local merchant and longtime Kiwanis member Jack D. Vantine, 90, Bismarck, died Wednesday at his home. Arrangements are pending with Perry Funeral Home, Mandan.

The Noon Kiwanis Club of Bismarck hopes to dedicate a playground in Kiwanis Park to Vantine's memory.

The plan will be reviewed by the Bismarck Parks and Recreation District Park Board next week.

Vantine's close friend E. Duane Holly and Bismarck Kiwanis member Bill Willis are coordinating the dedication.

The 13.6-acre Kiwanis Park is bordered by south Washington Street, West Sweet Avenue, Andreson Street and Bowen Avenue in Bismarck.

"We wanted to leave something in his honor that would be permanent," Holly said.

In 2004, the Noon Kiwanis Club of Bismarck honored Vantine and his late wife, Thelma, by contributing $10,000 to the Minnesota-Dakotas Education Foundation. Vantine was president of the foundation for 20 years.

He worked to provide scholarships for numerous deserving high school seniors.

"He was directly responsible for guiding the Minnesota-Dakotas (Kiwanis) scholarship fund," Holly said.

Vantine was an active Kiwanis member for 71 years.

"He was unique in that he joined (Kiwanis) at the age of 19," Willis said.

In 1950, Vantine was elected to the Bismarck Kiwanis board of directors. Three years later, he was named president, and in 1956 he was elected governor of the Minnesota-Dakotas District of Kiwanis International.

By 1966, he was president of the Minnesota-Dakotas and in 2000, he was honored as President Emeritus.

"I think it's safe to say (Vantine) leaves a legacy of dedication to youth, the principle of Kiwanis International," Holly said.

Vantine was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 15, 1917. He spent three years as a meteorologist for the Army Air Corps and was discharged in 1946.

He served as president of the Bismarck-Mandan Executive Club and a member of the Salvation Army Board.

"He was a very personable man, and he dealt easily with all people," Holly said.

Vantine was a Bismarck Park Board member from 1952 to 1970, serving as president twice.

He was also an active member of the eldership of First Presbyterian church in Mandan and a member of the Bismarck Jaycees.

He was in the paint and glass business with his family.

His hobbies included photography, golf, travel and fishing.

(Reach reporter Alyssa Schafer at 250-8264 or alyssa.schafer@;bismarcktribune.com.)