FARWELL, Walter M

FARWELL, LIGGETT

Posted By: Karyn
Date: 5/23/2021 at 19:47:48

Walter Farwell, 84, of Tipton and formerly of Sidney, passed on early Sunday morning, February 24, at the Prairie Hills Assisted Living Center in Tipton, Iowa following an extended illness. Graveside memorial services, following cremation, with military honors, will be held on Saturday, March 2, at 10:30 a.m. at the Sidney Iowa Cemetery. A memorial is being established. There is no scheduled visitation.

Local relatives include his brother, Rex Farwell of Red Oak, Iowa; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Walter Maurice Farwell was born on March 29, 1928 in Walnut Township, Fremont County, Iowa, the son of Clyde and Erma (Liggett) Farwell. Walter entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 24, 2013 in Tipton, Iowa.

In 1930, the family moved to Prairie Township, where he attended Mt. Hope and Sunnyside country schools. Beginning in the sixth grade, he enrolled in the Sidney Public Schools, graduating valedictorian of his Class of 1945. In the fall of 1945, Walter entered Tarkio College, but transferred to the Conservatory of Music in Kansas City the next year. While completing his senior year, he taught part-time at Weston, Missouri. He had just started full time teaching when in September of 1950 he was called up to the first draft quota from Fremont County, Iowa for the Korean War. After receiving basic training, his outfit, the 503rd Military Police Battalion, remained in Fort Bragg, NC as cadre in a Replacement Training Center. Besides his duties as military policeman, he organized a drum and bugle corps which performed at various military functions; served as chapel organist for the RTC Chapel; accompanied various USO performers and sang baritone in the "Coopers of Harmony", a barbershop quartette in the battalion.

After completing his master's degree in August 1953 at Iowa City, he taught six years at Fayette, Iowa. He also served as head voice teacher at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. He returned to the public schools, teaching 1961-1967 at Tipton and 1967-1990 at Davenport, Iowa. At Davenport, he was cited three times as an outstanding teacher. He retired in June of 1990.

Walter during his lifetime was an avid researcher of genealogy and local history. His genealogical research began with notes taken in 1941 from his Grandmother Farwell and widened through numerous genealogically oriented vacations throughout the United States. He was immersed in the English Public Record Office publications, which are elucidated only by his knowledge of Bracton's medieval law. His genealogical research has appeared in several publications. He was a member of the Methodist Church where grace is ever present. It is true that His cup overflows.

Side Note: Walter Farwell was a great historian. He added many of the notes, obituaries and other resources to IAGenWeb. He also wrote a pamphlet on French Village, and early settlement of Fremont County. He shared this with IAGenWeb, and it can be viewed at the link below.

http://iagenweb.org/fremont/history/french_village/french_village_farwell.htm
 

Fremont Obituaries maintained by Karyn Techau.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen