Holmes, Burton Charles 1903-1972

HOLMES, ADAMS, HOKER, ILLINGSWORTH, JOHNSON

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 10/9/2014 at 11:27:05

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register
Oct. 26, 1972

BURTON HOLMES
DIES AT HOME

Burton C. Holmes, 69, of 1503 Main St., died suddenly early Thursday morning at his home of an apparent heart attack.

Mr. Holmes had been superintendent of schools here and, prior to his retirement in 1971, was vice president and secretary of Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Co.

The son of Charles P. and Ida G. Adams Holmes, he was born Jan. 6, 1903, at Lakefield, Minn. He was graduated from Alta High School and received his B.S. degree from Buena Vista College in 1927. He later received his master's degree from the University of Iowa and had received special training at Iowa State University, the University of Colorado, and Teachers College in Gunnison, Colo.

Mr. Holmes began his education career at Leon in 1926. He served as superintendent of schools in Pleasanton for two years, Truesdale for five years, Fonda for three years, and Humboldt for eight years before coming to Grinnell as superintendent for five years.

Following his retirement from the Grinnell schools, he was associated with Grinnell Mutual for 20 years. Mr. Holmes was a member of the United Church of Christ-Congregational and had served the church in a number of capacities. He was a trustee of the church at the time of his death. He was a past president of the Grinnell Kiwanis Club and was also active in the Iowa State Teachers Association and the Retired Teachers Association.

Mr. Holmes is survived by his wife, the former Gertrude M. Hoker, whom he married June 30, 1928, at Wheatland; his son, William B. Holmes of Scottsdale, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Krista Kay Holmes and Holly Ann Holmes of Scottsdale and Martha Ann Illingsworth, Scott Matthew Illingsworth, and Jay Illingsworth, all of Davenport; and two brothers, Emmit L. Holmes of Boise, Idaho, and Stanley D. Holmes of Richmond, Calif. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mrs. Ruthann Illingsworth in March of last year; two brothers, Clarence and Dayton Holmes; and one sister, Mrs. Ellen Johnson.

Funeral services for Mr. Holmes will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at the Grinnell United Church of Christ-Congregational, with burial in Hazelwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the Smith Funeral Home until Saturday morning, and thereafter at the church.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Grinnell General Hospital.