HOUCK, Deral "Slim"

HOUCK, FLATNESS, EVANS, BOYD, REYNOLDS, MCCLURE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/7/2014 at 06:34:20

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
September, 2005

DERAL “SLIM” HOUCK, Grand River

Services for DERAL “SLIM” HOUCK, 78, will be 2 p. m. Sunday, September 11, 2005 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon. Visitation will be open all day Saturday, with the Family present from 6 to 8 p. m. Burial will be in Grand River Cemetery.

SLIM served as Decatur County Sheriff in Leon from 1968 – 1978 and was the first sheriff in Iowa to implement the concept of county-wide law enforcement. SLIM later worked as a jail inspector for the State of Iowa. SLIM served in the U. S. Army during World War II.

Surviving are wife, BONNIE (EVANS) HOUCK of Grand River; daughters, CHERYL FLATNESS and husband MIKE of Rockwell, Iowa, and JEANNE BOYD and husband TERRY of Leon; his grandchildren and great grandchildren; sister, PHYLLIS REYNOLDS of Decatur, Iowa; and brother, BILL HOUCK of Bettendorf, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to Grand River American Legion, Post #215 or Grand River First Responders.

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FORMER SHERIFF “SLIM” HUCK DIES

DERAL “SLIM” HOUCK, former Decatur County Sheriff from 1968 through 1978, died Wednesday, Sept. 7. SLIM was one of the most revered law enforcement officers in the area as he first served as Deputy Sheriff under then Sheriff GALE MCCLURE and then was elected sheriff in 1968 and served until he retired in 1978 and then took a job as a state jail inspector.

SLIM was the first sheriff in Iowa to institute the “county-wide” form of law enforcement. Which continued for many years. He was known throughout the state for his courtesy and law enforcement decision making.

Services were held at the Slade – O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon last Sunday, Sept. 11. He is survived by wife BONNIE of Grand River and daughters CHERYL FLATNESS and husband MIKE of Rockwell, Iowa and JJEANNE BOYD and husband TERRY of Leon; sister, PHYLLIS REYNOLDS of Decatur and brother, BILL HOUCK of Benttendorf.

Submission by Sara Rose Joan LeFleur for Decatur County Historical Society
March 02, 2014