Floyd Bean, 1904 - 1974

BEAN, SIMMONS, JOHNSON, SCHANKLE, SWANSON

Posted By: Ava Simmons (email)
Date: 2/26/2005 at 15:42:37

Obituary taken from Pioneer-Republican of Marengo, Iowa Co., IA, dated March 14, 1974:
"LADORA NATIVE FLOYD BEAN DIES

Floyd Bean, nationally known jazz pianist, who was born at Ladora, died at a Cedar Rapids hospital Saturday after a short illness. He had resided in Cedar Rapids the last ten years.

Bean was a nephew of Mrs. Lloyd Simmons, Marengo.

The deceased played with the Bob Crosby band, Muggsy Panier and Bob Scobey bands and other name orchestras. He recorded numerous songs and was an arranger and composer also. His best known compositions may have been "Lazy Piano Man" and "I Never Thought I'd Sing the Blues". For a number of years he resided in Chicago.

He was born Aug. 30, 1904 at Ladora the son of Ira and Lena Johnson Bean. He graduated from Grinnell high school and continued his education toward a musical career. He married Florence Schankle Sept. 7, 1937 at Davenport.

Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Patricia Swanson, Elk Grove Village, Ill.; one brother, Ronald Bean, Deerefield, Ill.; two grandchildren.

Services were held at Turner chapel east, Cedar Rapids, at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 12