Barry, Milton J. (1932 - 2020)

BARRY, GROSHONG, CHRISTENSEN, ROSONKE, MCLAUGHLIN-PIERCE, NIELSEN, SMITH

Posted By: Denise Wurner (email)
Date: 9/12/2020 at 19:54:58

Name of deceased: Milton J. Barry

Aged: 87 yrs, 11 mo, 10 days

Residence: Manilla Manor, Manilla, Crawford County, IA

Born: Sep. 10, 1932; rural Woodbine, Harrison County, IA

Died: Aug. 20, 2020; Manilla, Crawford County, IA

Funeral services: Monday, Aug. 24, 2020; United Methodist Church, Irwin, IA; burial was in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

Survived by: Children, Cyndi (spouse, Tony) Groshong of Cambridge, NE, Shelly (spouse, Lamont) Christensen of Irwin, IA, and Stacy (spouse, Terry) Rosonke of Norwalk, IA; 6 grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Marie McLaughlin-Pearce (spouse, Clay) of Harlan, IA; sister-in-law, Nadine Nielsen of Hendersen, NV; nieces; nephews; other family members and friends

Predeceased by: Parents, Ransome and Gertrude (nee Smith) Barry; wife, Ruth Ann (deceased June 30, 2020); brothers, Owen and Dwayne; sister, Dorothy

Education: Attended school at Greeley #1(Shelby County, IA) and graduated from Irwin (IA) High School, Class of 1950; while in high school, he was a member of the All-State chorus, and also played the trumpet.

Religious affiliation: Member, Irwin United Methodist Church, Irwin, Shelby County, IA, singing in the church choir.

Military service: U. S. Army; in 1953, Milton was stationed in Virginia. While there, a colonel heard the young soldier sing and requested a meeting with him, and Milton’s duty was changed to performing: at the Pentagon Playhouse, NCO, and officer clubs. Later, he went to Stuttgart, Germany with Army Special Services and his group travelled across Europe, performing in Germany, France, Austria, and Italy. He sang for many distinguished dignitaries and performed with Jim Eddy and Frank Gorshin before his honorable discharge.

Marriage: Ruth Ann Nielsen; July 10, 1955; Evangelical United Brethren Church, Defiance, IA

Employment: While still a senior in high school, he began playing trumpet for the Earl Russell Orchestra. He moved to California and continued performing while working for Sears Warehouse, including singing with Lawrence Welk. After his service was completed, he returned to Iowa, married, and began farming and raising livestock. As years passed, Milton and Ruth Ann continued proving their musical talents around the state of Iowa as they travelled from town to town, playing at more than 400 weddings, anniversaries, and funerals. Milton performed a self-written program entitled "What America Means to Me" with his wife, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, which was given throughout the state of Iowa in 1976. Milton continued to perform with the Earl Russell Orchestra at many ballrooms and dance halls as a trumpeter and singer for more than 30 years.

Hobbies/Interests: Musically talented, he sang and played the trumpet while in school; loved being outside to mow his yard, garden, and plant trees; served on the Farm Bureau Board, the Pork Producers board, the Farm Service Co-op Board, and Tall Corn Ethanol Board; was also a Worthy Patron for the Order of the Eastern Star; loved to travel

Sources: harlanonline.com; kjan.com; findagrave.com; pauleyjones.com