Warren P. Stephenson
September 20, 1926 — June 2, 2015
Warren P. Stephenson, 88, passed away suddenly June 2, 2015, in his home. Funeral Services: 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 8, 2015, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion by Rev. Del Bear. Visitation will be from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial: Squires Cemetery in Toddville. Military Honors by Toddville American Legion Post No. 674.
Warren was born September 20, 1926, to Ira W. and Stella E. (Hagerman) on the Hagerman family farm NW of Toddville, Iowa. At the age of 10 ½, the family moved to the Stephenson homestead 1 mile west of Lafayette, Iowa, where he has resided ever since. After attending Hagerman #9 and Wilson #4 country schools, he attended Toddville High School and graduated in 1945. On the day of his graduation, a letter from Uncle Sam was in the mailbox.
After serving in the infantry of Army during World War II, Warren returned home to help on the farm. Warren attended Iowa State College a short time. On November 26, 1946, Warren enlisted in the Naval Reserve and after serving 20 years and taking correspondence courses in Navy Hospital work, Warren decided to retire from the reserve. Warren has 1 Army discharge and 4 U.S. Navy discharges.
Warren met his future wife at C.S.P.S. Dance Hall in Cedar Rapids, Mary L. Thomas formally of North English, Iowa. On June 3, 1951, Warren married Mary L. Thomas at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union was born one daughter, Dianna L. Mary passed away January 22, 1999, and Warren never remarried.
Warren was a member of Green’s Grove Community Church, Toddville American Legion Post 674, and the Cedar Valley Trail Riders Horseman Club of Toddville, Iowa.
Warren served in several capacities in the church. He was a member of Legion Post 674 and served as Command Service Officer and Adjunct for 59 years. On the county level, he held offices of First, Second and Third Vice Commander and was County Commander for 2 years. Warren also served as Treasurer of the Horse Club. He also served on the Linn County Extension for 2 years, and Linn County Veterans Commission for a short time.
Warren’s hobbies included riding horses, and driving his John Deere Tractors in parades. He still owns his Dad’s first 1941 John Deere Model A tractor that he bought new in July 1941. He loved to dance polka and old fashion waltz. Tuesday nights were spent in Walford dancing. On April 26, 2011, Warren was honored to go on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Warren and his brother James farmed in partnership until James retired in 1991, and Warren kept farming alone. His grandson took over farming in the spring of 2000. Warren continued to be active in farming helping his grandson, David Gilchrist with the farming until his death.
Surviving Warren is his one daughter Dianna Gilchrist of Cedar Rapids, three grandchildren Dee (Matt) Post of Walker, Dawn (Jonathan) Coy of Bondurant, and David (Brooke) Gilchrist of Toddville, and 12 great-grandchildren: Noah, Tobias, and Eden Coy, Luke, Nick, and Zach Post, Mya, Leia, Ella, Tate, James, and Pria Gilchrist. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Janice Stephenson of Center Point.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Stephenson, parents Ira and Stella Stephenson, and brother, James Stephenson.
Memorials may be directed to Toddville American Legion Post No. 674 or Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
Warren was born September 20, 1926, to Ira W. and Stella E. (Hagerman) on the Hagerman family farm NW of Toddville, Iowa. At the age of 10 ½, the family moved to the Stephenson homestead 1 mile west of Lafayette, Iowa, where he has resided ever since. After attending Hagerman #9 and Wilson #4 country schools, he attended Toddville High School and graduated in 1945. On the day of his graduation, a letter from Uncle Sam was in the mailbox.
After serving in the infantry of Army during World War II, Warren returned home to help on the farm. Warren attended Iowa State College a short time. On November 26, 1946, Warren enlisted in the Naval Reserve and after serving 20 years and taking correspondence courses in Navy Hospital work, Warren decided to retire from the reserve. Warren has 1 Army discharge and 4 U.S. Navy discharges.
Warren met his future wife at C.S.P.S. Dance Hall in Cedar Rapids, Mary L. Thomas formally of North English, Iowa. On June 3, 1951, Warren married Mary L. Thomas at Calvary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. To this union was born one daughter, Dianna L. Mary passed away January 22, 1999, and Warren never remarried.
Warren was a member of Green’s Grove Community Church, Toddville American Legion Post 674, and the Cedar Valley Trail Riders Horseman Club of Toddville, Iowa.
Warren served in several capacities in the church. He was a member of Legion Post 674 and served as Command Service Officer and Adjunct for 59 years. On the county level, he held offices of First, Second and Third Vice Commander and was County Commander for 2 years. Warren also served as Treasurer of the Horse Club. He also served on the Linn County Extension for 2 years, and Linn County Veterans Commission for a short time.
Warren’s hobbies included riding horses, and driving his John Deere Tractors in parades. He still owns his Dad’s first 1941 John Deere Model A tractor that he bought new in July 1941. He loved to dance polka and old fashion waltz. Tuesday nights were spent in Walford dancing. On April 26, 2011, Warren was honored to go on the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight to Washington D.C.
Warren and his brother James farmed in partnership until James retired in 1991, and Warren kept farming alone. His grandson took over farming in the spring of 2000. Warren continued to be active in farming helping his grandson, David Gilchrist with the farming until his death.
Surviving Warren is his one daughter Dianna Gilchrist of Cedar Rapids, three grandchildren Dee (Matt) Post of Walker, Dawn (Jonathan) Coy of Bondurant, and David (Brooke) Gilchrist of Toddville, and 12 great-grandchildren: Noah, Tobias, and Eden Coy, Luke, Nick, and Zach Post, Mya, Leia, Ella, Tate, James, and Pria Gilchrist. Also surviving is his sister-in-law Janice Stephenson of Center Point.
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Stephenson, parents Ira and Stella Stephenson, and brother, James Stephenson.
Memorials may be directed to Toddville American Legion Post No. 674 or Eastern Iowa Honor Flight.
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