Eugene Edwin McLaughlin

MCLAUGHLIN, BUTTLER, FITZGERALD, SIMMONS, WATTERS, CLAYTON, HOCKETT

Posted By: Pam (email)
Date: 7/18/2014 at 10:30:41

The Hawk Eye
July 17, 2014
Burlington, Iowa

Eugene Edwin McLaughlin

Eugene "Gene" Edwin McLaughlin, 86, of Des Moines, formerly of Dodgeville, died Wednesday, July 16, 2014, at his home.

Born Dec. 23, 1927, in Dodgeville, he was the son of Daniel and Marie McLaughlin. On Nov. 25, 1977, he married Christine "Chris" Buttler in Nashua.

Mr. McLaughlin lived 20 years in California, where he worked at Douglas Aircraft, running a stretch press. He tended bar for many years in Santa Monica, Calif., and tried his hand at boxing. He returned to Iowa in 1971 and worked as a union laborer, retiring in 1989. He and his wife made their home in Des Moines.

He attended grade school in Sperry and, in 1942, moved with his family to Burlington, where he attended St. Paul's and Burlington High School.

Mr. McLaughlin joined the Navy in 1945, was stationed three years in California and was honorably discharged.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, feeding and watching the birds and deer in his yard. He also enjoyed reading, working crosswords and entertaining his neighbor's children.

Survivors include his wife: two daughters, Debbie Simmons of Tacoma, Wash., and Marie Watters of Grand Forks, N.D.; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one brother, Patrick McLaughlin of Burlington; three sisters, Lorraine Hockett of Kansas and Rosemary Able and Linda Clayton, both of Burlington; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and two sisters.

A memorial service for Mr. McLaughlin will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Iles Dunn's Chapel, and burial will be at 11 a.m. in Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter.

A memorial is being established.

Iles Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.