Virden, Rollo Francis

VIRDEN, HIGDAY, TANN, CAMPBELL, JACKSON, CREVELING, BECK, SLUSHER, SLEZAK

Posted By: Ken Baker (email)
Date: 7/29/2022 at 13:18:20

Mt. Ayr Record News, Mt. Ayr, Iowa September 1986

R. FRANCIS VIRDEN

R. Francis Virden, son of Rollie and Gladys (Creveling) Virden was born April 10, 1916, in Kellerton, Iowa, and passed away in Kellerton, Iowa, September 1, 1986, at the age of 70 years and 4 1/2 months.

Francis was united in marriage to Fornola Higday on October 3, 1937.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his wife Fornola, of Kellerton; and six children, Sandra and husband Larry Campbell of Kellerton; Linda and husband Harold Foland of Grand River; Vicki and husband Vincent Jackson of Winterset; Mitzi and husband Gaylen Tann, of Waterloo; Douglas Virden and wife Janette, of Kellerton; and Stephanie and husband Larry Beck of Glendale, Arizona. In addition, there are nine grandchildren and one great grandchild; one brother, Kenneth Virden of Everett, Washington; two sisters, Imogene Slezak of Carlisle, Iowa, and AnnaBelle Slusher, of Fort Collins, Colorado; and numerous relatives.

Francis graduated from Kellerton High School in 1934 and taught one year of country school at Cornstalk College. He then graduated from Iowa Barber College and returned to Kellerton to resume his trade, interrupted by two years' service with the U. S. Navy. Upon his return, he received appointment as a Rural Mail Carrier for the Kellerton area. This position he retained for 32 years, retiring in 1979. His barber vocation continued over a period of 50 years, up to the time of his death.

He lived the major part of his life in Kellerton. In addition to his many activities, he served in the Navy during World War II; was past President and Secretary of the Kellerton School Board; served as scoutmaster for Troop 144 in Kellerton; was an active member and officer in the American Legion, more recently being installed as Vice Commander of the Ringgold County American Legion; was a member for many years of the Rural Letter Carriers' Association; was an active member and officer of the Masonic Lodge for 43 years; was an active member and Officer of the Order of the Eastern Star for 43 years; was an active member of the Kellerton United Methodist Church Men; and was an active member of the Kellerton Community Betterment Committee.

Francis will be greatly missed by his family and friends for the love he displayed through his continue support in the community, his willingness to help and his endless amount of energy displayed in daily endeavors.

FRANCIS
Son, husband, father, brother - a good man
Mail carrier, barber, carpenter, handyman
All of these, he did his best;
And seldom took time out to rest.

He was a community helper in every sense;
The accomplishments of his are quite immense.
A "putter-outer of flags on Memorial Day;
One organizer and booster for Centennial Day.

Whatever he believed in he took an active part;
And gave it his fullest with all his heart.
He expected everyone to give more than they sometimes would;
'Cause he himself, did all he possibly could.

Because of this, his illness upset him a lot'
Not being able to do what he wanted - a patient man, he was not!
I'm sure God knew him best of all'
That's why He had him answer His call.

Francis couldn't have sat by and not taken a part;
God surely knew this would have broken his heart;
He'll be missed aby all who knew him best;
But now, he's getting that much needed rest.

May God bless him and all of us.
Imogene (Written by Imogene (Virden) Slezak, his sister"

Services were held September 4, 1986, from the United Methodist Church at Kellerton, Iowa, conducted by Rev Doug Harding.
Music was provided by Mike Greene, Mrs. Gary Bickers and Mrs. Roger Trullinger.

Casket bearers were Jim Hunt, Sam Merrill, Dean Jackson, Chester Gibson, Darrell Powers and Francis McDowell. Burial was in Maple Row Cemetery at Kellerton, Iowa.

Military graveside rites were by Kellerton American Legion Post #576. (?)