LaVern G. Leverington Sr. Obituary (1923

LaVern G. Leverington Sr., 88, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Thursday morning, August 2, 2012 at his home in Oelwein surrounded by his loving family. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M. on Monday, August 6, 2012 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Oelwein; Visitation: from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday at the funeral home and after 9:30 A.M. on Monday; Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery at Oelwein, Iowa with graveside military rites by Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 Honor Guard. Memorials may be given in his name to the Oelwein Veterans Park or to the Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 of Oelwein, Iowa. LaVern Gilbert Leverington Sr. was born on September 19, 1923 at Oelwein, Iowa, the son of Will & Carrie E. (Meska) Leverington. He received his education from the Oelwein Schools. LaVern then worked on the family farm until he moved to Waterloo to work at Rath Packing for several years. He served in the Army Air Force during W.W. II. His crew was formed at Tucson, Arizona and then took further training at Alamogordo, New Mexico. LaVern was a Radio Operator and a Waist Gunner on a B24 Liberator Bomber that was stationed in Italy. He flew over 40 combat missions over Italy and Germany. During his military service, LaVern was united in marriage to Lettie Faye Clawson on February 9, 1945 at Galveston, Texas. Following his military service, LaVern returned to Waterloo to work at Rath Packing. He later farmed west of Oelwein and then south of Fayette until he sold the farm in 1977. He and Faye then moved to Tucson, Arizona and later lived between Tucson and Oelwein until the passing of Faye. LaVern has lived in Oelwein since 1998. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at Fayette, the Oelwein American Legion Ross Reid Post #9 and was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans. LaVern is survived by his 3 Daughters: Charlene (Chad) Leverington-Yowell of Midway, Utah Marsha (Rick) Leverington-Johnson of Oelwein, Iowa & Rheanon (Todd) Leverington-Harlan of Appleton, Wisconsin 4 Sons: LaVern (Anita) Leverington, Jr. of Waterloo,Iowa Phillip (Annie) Leverington of Eldorado, Kansas, Robert (Muriel) Leverington of Austin, Minnesota & Jeffrey (Renee) Leverington of Oelwein, Iowa 15 Grandchildren 14 Great Grandchildren; 3 Siblings: Marvin (Martha) Leverington of Oelwein, Iowa Will (Rita) Leverington, Jr. of Tontitown, Arkansas & Wilma Walters of Sun City, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his Parents, Wife: Faye on September 3, 1998, Son: Mark, Grandson: Benjamin Yowell and 2 Brothers: Delbert & Kenneth Leverington.