Morton Lee SCHMUCKER

SCHMUCKER, SWANSON, JONES, HALL

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 10/7/2006 at 18:18:28

Morton Lee Schmucker, 89, formerly of 609 E. Alta Vista, died Friday, September 22, 2006 at Ridgewood Nursing and Rehab Center. He was born March 18, 1917 in Eagle Grove, IA to Harry and Elizabeth Jones Schmucker. On June 23, 1946, he married Virginia Adele Swanson at Fort Dodge, IA. He graduated from Eagle Grove High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State College in 1940. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and honoraries Phi Lambda Upsilon, Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi. In 1947 he received his Master of Science degree from New York University. He taught chemistry, physics, biology and geometry at Pocahontas High School for one year and then moved to the Research & Development Lab of National Starch & Chemical Co. in New York City. In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Force Corps and after graduating from Meteorology Training at NYU was assigned as base weather officer at Lowry Field, Colorado, then as Staff Weather Officer of the 355th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, England. He remained in the Air Force Reserve and retired as a full Colonel. He received the Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation and Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two leaves and served as Liaison Officer for the Air Force Academy for over 20 years. He was employed by John Morrell & Co. in the new Research & Development Lab in Ottumwa, retiring after 25 years. He was in farm management for farms in Webster and Humboldt counties. He was a member of Farm Bureau, Ottumwa Rotary Club, Reserve Officers Association, American Legion, Order of the Knoll of Iowa State and the President‘s Club of the University of Iowa. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving three terms on Session and teaching Sunday School for over 20 years and served ten years on the Ballingall Trust.

He is survived by his wife of Ottumwa, relatives Donald and Marla Hall, Jessica and Lucas Hall of Johnston, IA and other relatives in South Dakota, Nebraska, Connecticut and California. Graveside services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at Eagle Grove Cemetery, Eagle Grove, IA. with Rev. Mary Green officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Presbyterian Church Music Department or Ottumwa Regional Health Care Center. Robertson-Jay Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Ottumwa Courier [IA]
25 September 2006