CATCOTT, Harold William

CATCOTT, STAGERS, WORKMAN, HUNSAKER

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/20/2020 at 22:02:22

1970?

Harold W. Catcott

Harold William Catcott, 60, well known Keosauqua funeral director, died at his home at 10:25 a.m. Thursday, June 28. He had been in failing health but had not been seriously ill.

He had been associated with funeral homes at Keosauqua and Birmingham since the late 1920's and was active in civic affairs in both communities.

The son of Samuel Valentine and Mertis Stagers Catcott, he was born Jan. 8, 1910 at Kilbourne. He graduated from Keosauqua High School in 1928 and attended Hohenschuh-Carpenter School of Embalming at St. Louis, Mo. His marriage to Katherine Workman took place Aug. 15, 1936 at Kilbourne.

During his high school years he worked for Harry A. Burnett in his funeral business, and after graduation was associated with him in the funeral home and furniture store.

In 1931 Mrs. Catcott and Burnett purchased the E.H. Alton Furniture Store at Birmingham. In 1936, Mr. and Mrs. Catcott started the first funeral home in Birmingham. They moved to Keosauqua in July, 1950 after purchasing a half-interest in the Burnett Funeral Home there. Mr. Catcott became full owner of the business about 10 years ago.

Mr. Catcott serves as Van Buren County coroner for 31 years until the Iowa law was changed requiring a medical doctor for the position of medical examiner.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church, past commander of the Beer-Barker American Legion Post, a member of the Workman Lodge, Af&AM in Stockport, Elks, Rotary, Keosauqua Businessmen's Association and Commercial Club, the Van Buren Recreation Area, and Odd Fellows.

During World War II he served two years in the United States Navy, with overseas duty in the Philippines. He was a prominent breeder of American saddle horses and show horses and actively participated in horse shows. He was also a boating enthusiast, and in his younger years played semi-professional baseball.

A memorial for Mr. Catcott has been established for a civic project in Keosauqua.

He is survived by his wife; his mother, Mrs. Mertis Catcott of Keosauqua; a daughter, Mrs. Julie Hunsaker of Cedar Rapids; a son, Fred, at home; a grandson, Dalton Linn Hunsaker; several uncles and aunts.

The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Keosauqua United Methodist Church, with the Rev. James M. Ford, assisted by the Rev. Millard Marshall, in charge. Burial was in Fellows Cemetery.

Source: "Slutts Book", Page 409, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA