PEDRICK, Clarence Edmunds: Died 1982

PEDRICK, EDMUNDS, SCOTT, HUMBLE, JACOBSON

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 8/20/2021 at 11:03:11

CLARENCE E. PEDRICK

Clarence Edmunds Pedrick, son of Harry C. and Annie Edmunds Pedrick, was born June 30, 1900 in Ottumwa and departed this life Wednesday, April 14, 1982 at Van Buren County Memorial Hospital in Keosauqua following a long illness.

The family moved to the Douds community in 1913.

On February 18, 1925, he married Beulah Scott of Birmingham in Fairfield. She survives with their son, Robert and his wife June of Douds, two grandchildren, Kathleen Humble and her husband Monte of Cantril, and James Pedrick, a student in Hanover, New Hampshire, and a great grandson, Adam Humble. Also surviving are a brother, Loren Pedrick of Phoenix, Arizona; a sister, Medelyn Jacobson and her husband Richard of Tucson, Arizona.

Clarence graduated from Douds High School and Worsham College of Mortuary Science in Chicago. He was licensed as an embalmer in 1925. From that time until ill health forced his retirement he operated H.C. Pedrick & Son, funeral home and hardware and furniture store in Douds, first with his father and brother, later individually and for a number of years with is son. They were joined in 1973 by a cousin, Allen Pedrick, at which time the funeral home in Keosauqua was acquired. Shortly thereafter, Clarence's health failed and he had been a resident of Van Buren Good Samaritan Center in Keosauqua the past eight years.

As a boy he and his brother accepted Christ in a tent meeting held in Ottumwa by the evangelist, Billy Sunday.

Clarence was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church so long as his health permitted.

He was a 50 year member of Celestial Lodge No. 413, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, a 50 year member and Past Chancellor of Starlight Lodge No. 350, Knights of Pythias, both of Douds and a 50 year member of Van Buren Lodge No. 350, Independence Order of Odd Fellows at Selma. He was a member of the Douds Community Club, Douds Field Day Association, and a former long-time volunteer fireman. He was one of the organizers and served as vice president of Douds Stone, Inc. when it was formed to pump the river water out of the Douds quarry following the flood of 1947 and re-established the mine as a going industry.

Clarence served as president of the Iowa Retail Hardware Association in 1940, was a member of the Iowa and National Funeral Directors Associations, and had served as president of the former Sixth District Iowa Funeral Directors Association.

Throughout his long and active career, his family life was intertwined with his business and professional activities. He was proud of the heritage handed to him by his parents and passed on to his decendents{sp} this creed: "He serves God best who serves his fellow man."

Funeral services were held Saturday, April 17, 1982, at 2 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Douds with Rev. Chris Daniel, pastor, officiating, assisted by Rev. Harold Harryman and Rev. Robert Parr. Rev. Helen Brown conducted the graveside services at Mount Moriah Cemetery north of Douds. A memorial was established for his church.

Source: "Scrapbook 1981 - 1985", Pg. 94,
Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, Van Buren Co., IA