Hughes, Eddie George 1926 - 2018
HUGHES, WATTS, COLLINS
Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 7/23/2018 at 09:52:42
Eddie G. Hughes, 92, of Lime Springs, Iowa, passed away on July 12, 2018, at the Evans Memorial Home in Cresco, IA.
Eddie George Hughes, born June 21, 1926, at his mother’s family farm west of Preston, MN, in Carimona township. Eddie’s parents, Ruth Elizabeth (Watts) and George Thomas Hughes, were married in 1925 and lived in Lime Springs with George’s parents, Steve and Hannah Hughes. Eddie attended the Lime Springs public school and graduated from Lime Springs High School as valedictorian of his senior class in 1944. After graduation, he joined the Navy program called Naval Aviation Ordinance, where he was taught to load planes with bombs and ammunition and then would fly as a gunner on a bomber. After completing Advanced Gunnery School in Purcell, OK, Eddie was asked to stay on as an instructor, which he did. He was stationed at Jacksonville, FL; Norman and Purcell, OK; Melbourne, FL; and Minneapolis, MN, where he received his honorable discharge in April 1946. He returned home and worked as a mechanic at Fries Implement, where he had worked while in high school.
On June 8th, 1949, Eddie was united in marriage to Gertrude Anne Collins, daughter of Claude and Florence Collins, at the United Methodist Church in Lime Springs, Iowa. To this union six boys were born: James, Wayne, Jarold, Donald, David and Robert.
The Lime Springs United Methodist Church was an important part of Eddie’s life, from childhood on. Eddie and Gertrude were life-long, active members of the church. Eddie served on many committees and volunteered his time for many church projects. Eddie always shared that he had many fond memories of his church and the past pastors.
In April 1950, Eddie began his postal service career when he was appointed as a rural mail carrier on Route ‘2’ Lime Springs, IA. When Eddie retired in December 1987, his route was 106 miles with 240 patrons. While being a rural mail carrier, Eddie continued working for Fries Implement, and VanDerBie Hardware, which was later owned by Jarry Ross and Arnold DeRuiter.
In later years, Eddie and Gertrude enjoyed wintering in Phoenix, AZ and Las Vegas, NV with friends and family.
Eddie enjoyed woodworking and was always willing to help his boys with many projects. Having bought a new car every year for the mail route, Eddie was interested in cars and helping his boys with their cars. Eddie especially enjoyed a game of cards or cribbage with friends or family.
Eddie was a devoted and loving husband and father, who will be missed by many.
Eddie is survived by sons: James (Penny) of Cresco, IA, Jarold (Ronda) of Lime Springs, IA, Donald (Cathy) of Aitkin, MN, David (Trishia) of Baxter, MN, and Robert (Julie) of Fort Dodge, IA, daughter-in-law Julianne Hughes of Phoenix, AZ; 17 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, and many extended family members.
Eddie was preceded in death by his wife Gertrude, son Wayne, his parents and grandparents, brother Stephen, and sister Nancy.
Memorials may be directed to the United Methodist Church, Lime Springs, IA.
Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database
Pleasant Hill Cemetery
Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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