Darrell R. Morris Obituary (1925

Darrell R. Morris, 89, of rural Keosauqua died at 3:37 P.M. Saturday January 24, 2015 at Jefferson County Health Center, Fairfield. He was born April 22, 1925 near Mt. Sterling to Melvin E. and Laural Belle Devor Morris and married Marie Louise Chapuis April 10, 1948 in First Christian Church, Fairfield. She died April 4, 1996. Darrell married Jessie Bartholomew Wiley Barrow July 21, 2000 at Pastor Earl Niederhuth's residence, rural Stockport. Darrell graduated from Bonaparte High School in 1942 and served in the U.S. Army 1944-1946 with the 35th Infantry Division, 3rd Army, 134th Regiment, Easy Company in Europe under General George Patton. He was involved in the battles of Bastogne, Ardennes, St. Vith, Rhineland, Luxembourg, Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Grand Cross of Homage including a lifetime membership in the Military Order of the Ardennes, Bronze Star with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster, American Campaign Medal, Europe-Africa Middle East Campaign medal with 3 bronze Battle Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honored to see Gen. Patton and to meet Gen. Dwight Eisenhower. Following his discharge he served in the Iowa Army National Guard. He farmed with his parents near Bentonsport before entering the service, with his brother, Donald Morris 1946-1947 and on his own and with his son, Keith for the rest of his active life. Darrell attended Cantril Christian Church and was very active in the Van Buren County community including serving as a Washington Township Trustee, 12 years as Van Buren County Supervisor and on the Shepherd Rural School Board. He had also served on the Van Buren County Fair Board, Extension Council, was a member and Past Master of Keosauqua Lodge No. 10, Ancient Free & Accepted Masons, Davenport Consistory, Beer-Barker Post 113, American Legion, Disabled American Veterans in Ottumwa and was a long-time member of the Republican Party, Pork Producers, Cattlemen's Assn., Van Buren Flying Club and Farmington Rod & Gun Club. In June of 2008 Darrell flew on an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. Surviving are his wife, a daughter, Juanita Ann Kingsbury (Gary) and a son, Keith LeRoy Morris all of Keosauqua, grandchildren Matt Kingsbury (Heather), Brian Kingsbury, and Ellen Lahr (Roger) and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Raymond Darrell Morris who was born February 19, 1950 and died November 28, 1950, two brothers, Donald and Leslie Morris, a sister, Avis Bohnenkamp and an infant great-grandson. Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday January 28, 2015 at the Cantril Christian Church with Rev. Jerry Caughron and Pastor John Griffiths officiating. Visitation will open at 4 P.M. Tuesday at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua with family present 5-7 P.M. Masonic rites by Keosauqua Lodge #10 will follow the visitation. Burial with military honors by Beer-Barker Post 113 and the Iowa Army National Guard will be in Bonaparte Cemetery. Darrell requested memorials to Cantril Christian Church or Bonaparte Cemetery rather than flowers be left at the funeral home, church or mailed to the family at P.O. Box 363, Keosauqua, IA 52565.