Richard Fowler Milner (1902-1998)

MILNER, HATHAWAY, BUCK, ELGERSMA, SWALLEY, HIGGINS, POST

Posted By: jane austin (email)
Date: 6/12/2021 at 21:05:24

RICHARD MILNER 1902 — 1998

Richard Fowler Milner, the son of William B. and Emma (Pond) Milner, was bom near Westfield, Ia., in Plymouth County, on Feb. 12. 1902. He attended Sunnyside Township School through the 11 th grade and then graduated from Merrill High School. Except for the years he resided in Primghar, he lived in Plymouth County and all but eight of those years were spent in the some section in Sioux Township. At the age of 19, he accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was baptized and Joined Bethel Methodist Church.

He was united in marriage to Florence Mary Hathaway on Sept 5, 1923 at Westfield, Ia. In 1925, they transferred their membership from the Bethel Methodist Church to the Adaville United Brethren Church. Richard's lifetime was devoted to his farming vocation.

Florence died in 1946.

Richard married Anna Buck on July 6, 1948 and they continued to farm in Plymouth County until retiring and moving to Primghar, Ia. in Oct of 1990. Richard wrote his personal memoirs in 1991.

He died at the Baum-Harmon Memorial Hospital in Primghar, Ia. on Dec. 30,1998, at the age of 96 years, 10 months and 18 days.

He is survived by his wife: Anna of Primghar: his children: Priscilla Elgersma of Primghar, Audrey and Charles Swalley of Sanborn, Janet and Jerry Higgins of Okemos, Mich., Robert and Ronda Milner of Sioux City, and Patricia Milner of Sheldon: 11 grandchildren: 3 step-grandchildren: 16 greatgrandchildren and 3 step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents: his wife, Florence: one daughter Wilma: one granddaughter Jill Post; two sisters and three brothers.

He was a member of the Adaville Methodist Church and while residing in Primghar, he was active in the American Reformed Church. He was also a member of the Plymouth County Historical Association, the Farm Bureau, a former school board member, and had worked in the ASCS office. He was an avid reader and enjoyed talking about farming and related subjects.

*A personal note by Richard: "I love everybody and hope to see you all in Heaven. Also, I hope to get to Heaven one hour before the devil knows I died."
Funeral services were held January 4 at Adaville United Methodist Church of rural Merrill with Rev. Mark Volkers officiating. Casket bearers were Kerry Mllner, Mike Swalley. Jeff Hlgglns, Richard Irwin, Doug Mllner, Kevin Swalley, Randy Irwin, Greg Mllner, Mark Swalley and Ron Irwin. Mark Brown sang "Love of God" and "HowGreatThou Art" Mrs. Diane Brown was organist Burial was in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Merrill, with the Sanborn Funeral Home in charge.

Sanborn (Iowa) Pioneer, Jan 7, 1999, p5