Evan Davies 1912 - 1987

DAVIES, SMITH, JORDAN, THOMSON

Posted By: Viv Reeves (email)
Date: 2/13/2014 at 14:08:31

Onawa Democrat, Onawa, (Monona), Iowa, 23 Apr 1987:

EVAN DAVIES

Evan Davies, 75, lifetime resident of Castana, Iowa, died April 16, 1987, at his home in Castana after an apparent heart attack.

He was born February 20, 1912, on the family farm, west of Castana to Benjamin G. and Inex (Smith) Davies. He graduated from Castana High School in 1928 and went on to study music at Morningside College and the Julliard School of Music in New York. On June 4, 1946, he married Clara Mae Jordan in Kansas City, Kansas. She died January 27, 1947. He married Honsen Phillips Thomson in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on January 17, 1949.

He was prominent in the activities of the Castana community and the Castana Community Church for sixty years. He became one of the best known farmers of western Iowa. His musical ability was widely known throughout the area and he carried on the tradition of his musical family on countless occasions, bringing comfort to many through his glorious tenor voice. His accompanist for many years was his wife, Honsen, and earlier, his sister. He sang for many funerals in the area and at the Omaha Methodist Church. He had also sung at Marble Collegiate Reformed Church in New York City where Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was pastor.

He was, for 27 years, a member of the Board of the Sioux City Production Credit Corporation and was a trustee for Kennebec Cemetery for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Honsen; one stepson, Dan Thomson of Chicago; one stepdaughter, Mrs. Stan (Kathy) Greigg of Bethesda, Md.; one sister, Mrs. Dave (Mary Ellen) West of Sidney, Ia.; 7 grandchildren; 4 grand grandchildren; 1 nephew and 2 nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Anne, and one brother, Benjamin and his first wife, Clara.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 20, 1987, at the Castana Community Church, Castana, Iowa, with Rev. Richard Hempenius officiating. The organist was Mrs. Paul Peterson, Jr., and Mrs. Brady Hanson and Mrs. Harvey Hanson sang, “Crossing the Bar” and “Beyond the Sunset”.

Casket bearers were Brady Hanson, James Jensen, Maurice Jensen, Lloyd Snow, Samuel Hall and Bob Zimmerman.

Interment was in the Center Cemetery, Castana, Iowa, with arrangements by Pearson Funeral Home, Onawa, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in Mr. Davies’ name with the Castana Community Church.