Spurling, Ed (1921-2000)

SPURLING, GUTHRIE, HOKEL, COULONGE, SHOBERG

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 1/28/2023 at 13:32:39

Daily Freeman Journal
Webster City, Iowa
Friday, November 3, 2000

Ed Spurling, 79, Arlington, Minn., former Stratford area resident, died Oct. 21, 2000 at the Arlington Municipal Hospital. Honoring Mr. Spurling's wishes, there will be no memorial service.

Ed Spurling, son of Edward Sr., and Florence Guthrie Spurling, was born Jan. 11, 1921. He graduated from Stratford High School in 1939. He married Berneal (Bea) Hokel on Jan. 18, 1942. Soon after, he was inducted into the U.S. Army, serving in the European Theatre until May of 1945. He was then sent to the Pacific where he remained until Japan's surrender. He was recalled to duty at the outbreak of the Korean War, where he served from 1950 to 1953. He then worked as a chemical dependency specialist for the state of Missouri. After his retirement, the couple returned to Stratford and rekindled their band. With the help of friends and community members, they built the "804" dance hall. In 1997, failing health forced them to stop performing. They sold the operation and moved to Arlington, Minn.

Survivors are his wife, Bea; a son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Mary Spurling of Arlington, Minn., one granddaughter and her husband, Jennifer and Tien Coulonge of Sachse, Texas, and two grandsons, Brent and Michael of Arlington.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Allene Shoberg.