Foster, Arch (1882-1970)

FOSTER, MCNAUGHT, RODNEY, MOENCK

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 2/26/2015 at 12:46:09

Daily Freeman Journal, Monday, February 23, 1970

Arch Foster, longtime civic leader here, dies at age 88

Arch Foster, 88, a prominent Webster City businessman and civic leader here for the past 62 years, died Sunday noon at the Hamilton County hospital where he had been a patient the past three weeks.

In accordance with Mr. Foster's wishes, private funeral services will be held at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the Foster Funeral home. The Rev. S. W. Cunningham and Father B. G. Collins will officiate with burial to be made in St. John's cemetery at Independence, Iowa.

Friends may call at the funeral home until 10 o'clock Tuesday evening.

Arch Foster, son of John Allen and Jessie McNaught Foster, was born Feb. 15, 1882 in Fayette county, Iowa. He was educated in the public schools of Arlington, Iowa, and as a boy was active in the work on his father's farm.

He remained on the farm until 1900 and then spent a year in the lumber business in Elkader, Clinton county, Iowa. In 1901, he moved to Independence, Iowa, and worked as a clerk in a furniture store there for six years.

He was united in marriage Aug. 29, 1907, to Evelyn Frances Rodney at Independence. In 1908, Mr. and Mrs. Foster moved to Webster City where Mr. Foster purchased the furniture concern of J.W. Allington, and went into partnership with T.S. Curtis, establishing the business under the firm name of Foster and Curtis. In 1909, his brother, William A. Foster, purchased the stock belonging to Mr. Curtis, and the firm was recognized. In 1916, his brother moved to Algona, and Mr. Foster purchased his brother's interest in the business.

Mr. Foster continued in the furniture and funeral business on Second St. until 1927. In 1927, he purchased property from the Harold Mason estate and moved the funeral business to the present location, corner of Willson Ave. and First St. In 1932, he closed out the furniture business and continued exclusively in the funeral work.

In 1952, Mr. Foster incorporated the funeral business, at which time Gene Noller, Mrs. Gertrude Ermels and R. Eugene Town purchased an interest. In 1967, Merle Finer and Robert Erickson purchased an interest in the business. Mr. Foster continued to serve as president of the corporation.

He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Foster of Webster City; four grandchildren, Mrs. John (Karen) Moenck of West Liberty, Iowa, Chris Foster, who attends St. Olaf college, Northfield, Minn., Paul Foster and Caroline Foster, both of Webster City, one brother, Dr. J.W. Foster of Long Beach, Calif., and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jan. 21, 1944; by one daughter, Elizabeth Frances, who died in infancy; by his parents, three sisters and five brothers.

Mr. Foster was a member of the Asbury United Methodist church; a charter member of the Webster City Rotary club; a member of the Birthday club and an honorary member of the Hamilton County Girls' 4-H organization. He was former parole officer for 20 years and was a former Hamilton county coroner for 18 years.