Herbert Joseph ‘Joe’ Buell, Jr. was born Aug. 8, 1916 to Herbert Joseph (Sr.) and Mary Rood Buell. He died Apr. 19, 2003 in Webster City, IA.
Lt. Buell served with the U.S. Navy in World War II aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Case (DD-370) in the South Pacific.
His Obituary: Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - Apr. 21, 2003
Herbert Joseph Buell Jr., 86, Webster City, died Saturday, April 19 at Crestview Manor. His body has been donated to the Mayo Foundation. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the First Congregational Church in Webster City.
Herbert Joseph ‘Joe’ Buell, Jr., son of Herbert Joseph Buell and Mary Rood Buell, was born in Webster City, Iowa on August 8, 1916. He attended school in Webster City, graduated from Webster City High School, and received his engineering degree from Iowa State College in 1939. He became manager of the Star Laundry and Dry Cleaning in Webster City in 1939. In December of 1942, he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving until 1946 as a lieutenant on the destroyer U.S.S. Case DD370 in the south Pacific. He returned to Webster City after World War II and continued as the manager of Star Laundry and Dry Cleaning until 1952 when he purchased the Oldsmobile dealership in Webster City. In subsequent years, he added the Studebaker and Chevrolet franchises and an auto leasing operation. In 1964, he sold out and became a wholesale tree distributor. In 1969 he became a licensed real estate broker. He remained active in this profession until 1982 when he devoted his time to real estate appraisals, retiring in 1996 at the age of 80.
He married Bethel Pollock of Garner, Iowa, on June 4 1947. They had one daughter, Nancy.
Mr. Buell was actively committed to the welfare of Webster City and its people. He served as president of the Webster City Chamber of Commerce, president of the Webster City Rotary Club (and 50-year member), president of the Webster City Country Club, president of the Webster City Community Schools Board of Directors, president of the Wright-Hamilton Board of Realtors, and Chairman of the Hamilton County Hospital Board of Trustees. While he was in the automobile business, he served as director of the Iowa Automobile Dealers Association,, president of the Iowa-Nebraska Oldsmobile Dealer Council, and a member of the Oldsmobile National Dealer Council.
He was a lifetime member of the First Congregational Church in Webster City, where he sang in the choir. He was a 25-year member of the Webster City Men’s Chorus.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dr. Robert Rood Buell, his sister, Mary Buell Isensee, and grandson, Nathan Ray Reasland.
He is survived by his wife, Bethel (Polly) Buell, Webster City, daughter Nancy (Ray) Reasland, Mr. Vernon, Iowa, grandsons, Aaron and Neal Reasland, both of Mt. Vernon.
He will be remembered for his absolute integrity, quick wit and dedication to his church and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kendall Young Library.
Source: ancestry.com
