Earl W. Henry

Earl W. Henry, 79 of Winterset, died Saturday, July 19, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. A visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 23, at Ochiltree Funeral Service in Winterset where the family will be present to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 24 at Ochiltree’s with burial to immediately follow in the Winterset Cemetery. Memorials to the family will be appreciated. Earl Wallace Henry was born June 27, 1935 in Winterset, the son of Orville and Ethel (Johnson) Henry. He grew up around Earlham and graduated from Earlham High School in 1954. He went on to attend Buena Vista University in Storm Lake and later enlisted in the United States Army serving his country during the Korean Conflict. His marriage to Patti Orr took place on December 3, 1975 in Hidalgo County, Texas. For most of his working career, Earl was a heavy equipment operator working for several construction companies as well as being self-employed. He also worked for a year in Liberia, Africa where he helped supply water and sewer development for an African village on the coast. He also served as Deputy Sherriff of Warren County. Earl loved to travel and fish, especially for catfish. He also loved to fly his airplane and was a crop duster at a time in his younger days. He was a proud member of the Dexter American Legion Post #419 in Dexter. Earl is survived by his wife, Patti Henry of Winterset; his three daughters, Shelly Henry of Iowa City, Ellen (Mark) Henry-Miraldi of Scottsdale, AZ, and Hiedi (Jason) Scoles of Winterset; and six grandchildren, Russell, Dowlin, Virginia and Phyllis Johnson and Jacob and Danielle Miradli. He is also survived by a sister, Goldie Ruppert of Waukee; a brother, Don (Nancy) Henry of Earlham; his mother-in-law, Vivian Orr of Winterset; several nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and a host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter and a sister, Ruth Stork.