Self, Alvin G. 1922-2003

SELF, DUKE, FREEMAN

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, volunteer (email)
Date: 2/28/2009 at 19:07:58

LE MARS, Iowa -- Alvin G. Self, 81, of Le Mars, formerly of Marcus, Iowa, passed away Friday, July 18, 2003, at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.

Services will be 11 a.m. Monday at First Baptist Church in Le Mars, with the Rev. Jon Meredith officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Cemetery in Fonda, Iowa. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the church. There will also be one hour of visitation Monday at the church prior to the service. Arrangements are being handled by Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars.

Alvin Glen Self was born May 10, 1922, at Norman, Ark., the son of Rube and Caroline (Duke) Self. He received his education at Norman prior to his enlistment in the U.S. Navy on Aug. 21, 1942. Alvin served aboard the USS Griffin in the Pacific Theater. He attained the rank of seaman second class prior to his honorable discharge on Oct. 8, 1945. He was currently a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Alvin and Shirley Ethel Freeman met in Oakland, Calif., during World War II while Alvin was in the service and Shirley worked in a parachute factory. The couple wed on Feb. 28, 1944, in Oakland. They made their home in Fonda, Iowa, where Alvin was employed with Illinois Central Railroad. During his working years, the family lived in various places in Iowa prior to his retirement in 1987, while living in Marcus, Iowa.

Alvin sang and played guitar in his younger years with his brothers in a group called "The Self Boys." He loved music, especially older hymns and country music. He liked to communicate on the CB radio, using the handle, "Anchorman." He also enjoyed gardening, bowling and annual trips to Arkansas to visit family. He volunteered his time for events like Special Olympics and RAGBRAI.

He will be lovingly remembered by his two daughters, Wanda Geringer, and Donna Becker and her husband, Wally, all of Le Mars; a son, James Self of Le Mars; a grandson adopted as a son, Jason Self of Cherokee, Iowa; eight grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Altha Vann of Norman, Ark., and Ruby Dutton of Glenwood, Ark.; and a brother, Edward and his wife, Eloise of Topeka, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley on July 29, 1977; an infant daughter, Jeana Lee; a sister, Margie Mullin; and a brother, Bruston.

~Source: The Sioux City Journal, July 20, 2003
~Part of the Darrell E. Obituary Collection