Albert Arthur McCormick 1923- 2010

MCCORMICK SCHELLINGA WEGNER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 11/2/2010 at 00:56:46

Sioux City Journal
7 July 2010

SIOUX CITY -- Albert Arthur McCormick, 87, of Sioux City passed away Sunday, July 4, 2010, at Touchstone Living Center following a lengthy illness.

Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel, with the Rev. Randy Rasmussen officiating. Burial will be in Logan Park Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Masonic service at 7 p.m. conducted by the Landmark Lodge 103 A.F. & A.M., at the funeral home. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com .

Albert was born May 2, 1923, in Dakota City to Albert A. and Elizabeth W. (Schellinga) Wegner. He was later adopted by Milton L. McCormick. He grew up on a vegetable track farm in Sioux City. He attended Crescent Park Elementary School and graduated from Central High School in 1941. His ability to be an entrepreneur goes back to his high school days, when he did things to earn money, including sleigh rides and hay rack rides. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on Jan. 27, 1943, and was a sergeant in an anti-aircraft unit serving in the European Theater. While waiting to be discharged from the service, he attended Shrivenham American University in England. He was honorably discharged from the service on March 12, 1946.

Following his discharge from the service, Al owned and operated a private school bus route to Bryant and Blessed Sacrament Schools. He also had a contract for his bus service with Plymouth County for students attending Crescent Park, North Junior and Central High Schools. During the summer months, he did custom hay bailing for farmers.

On June 20, 1948, he was united in marriage to Vivian Joyce Behrens at First United Methodist Church in Anthon, Iowa. To this marriage, two sons were born. In 1952, he and his parents started Speedy Auto Wash, the first car wash in Sioux City.

During his younger years, his major hobby was horses. He was an avid animal lover and enjoyed feeding stray animals and birds. He also enjoyed investing in the markets.

Albert was a 50-year member of Landmark Lodge and the Sioux City Consistory. He also was a member of the Abu Bekr Shrine, the Abu Bekr White Horse Mounted Patrol, the Hi Twelve Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 580.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Joyce; two sons, Scott McCormick and his wife, Kimberly and Rod McCormick, all of Sioux City; a granddaughter, Alicia McCormick of Sioux City; an aunt, Harriett Fischer of Dallas, Texas; numerous nieces, nephews and their families; relatives in the Netherlands; and last but not least, his feline buddy, Smokey.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his grandparents.

Pallbearers will be Jack Jolin, Jim Jolin, Richard Petersen, Mike Richard, Tim Frankl and Les Levine. Honorary pallbearers will be Vonley Hanson, Harry Boever, Dennis Bullock and Russ Gondek.

Al will be greatly missed by all those who knew him and loved him, especially Smokey.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Humane Society, Hospice of Siouxland or the Shrine Transportation Fund.