EDWARDS, Gerald Thomas

RAMSEY, EDWARDS, HORTON, BEEMAN, EARLE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 4/23/2015 at 03:52:10

Obituary ~ Gerald Thomas Edwards
August 08, 1925 ~ February 06, 2004

Osceola Sentinel-Tribune
Osceola, Clarke County, Iowa
February, 2004

Gerald Thomas Edwards, son of Owen LeRoy Edwards and Amy Ramsey Edwards, was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Clarke County and died Feb. 6, 2004, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. He was 78.

Mr. Edwards was a lifetime resident of Clarke County, attending the Clarke County Schools and graduating from Osceola High School in 1943. He served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He married Nelda Ruth Horton on Dec. 2, 1949, in Osceola and they became the parents of two children, Jeff and Patrick.

Mr. Edwards was the owner of the Osceola and Knoxville Farm and Home Stores for many years. He was a member of the Osceola Rotary Club, Clarke County Development Corporation, and formerly served as Mayor of Osceola. He was the youngest mayor ever elected in Osceola during his tenure. He also served as an Osceola City Councilman.

Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1983; a brother, Carl Edwards and a sister, Catherine Randa.

He is survived by his sons, Jeff Edwards of Osceola and Patrick Edwards and his wife, Patricia Edwards, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Jonathon Edwards of Ann Arbor, Mich., Michael and David Edwards of Iowa City and Elizabeth Edwards of North Liberty; two sisters, Mary Beeman of Waterloo and Velma Earle of Des Moines; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.

Funeral services for Mr. Edwards were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Organist, Pennie Gonseth, accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Precious Memories and How Great Thou Art.

Casket bearers were Jonathon Edwards, David Edwards, Greg Flaherty, Michael Edwards, Bill Abbott and Lonny Reynolds. Honorary casket bearers were Dick Beeman, Dan Foster, George Neal, Bob Horton, Dave Gorsline and Si Hoffman.

Military rites were presented by Davis-Pence Post No. 69 American Legion. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Osceola Rotary Club for a scholarship to be established in Mr. Edwards’ name.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, April of 2015