Richard L. Holley

Richard “Dick” L. Holley, 83, of Clarion passed away Friday, January 8, 2010 at Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa in Mason City, with his family by his side.

Funeral services for Dick Holley will be held on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion with Reverend Bill Kem officiating.  A private graveside service will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 12 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church. 

 Dick was born October 20, 1926 in Grinnell, Iowa to Sanford Eugene and Anna Olga (Pederson) Holley.  He was a 1944 graduate of Grinnell High School.  He enlisted in the Navy and served in WWII as an Electrician 3rd Class.

On September 11, 1949 he married Mary Louise Kunkel in Marshalltown, Iowa who was the love of his life.  This past September they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with friends and family.  They have 3 children, Joseph, Kathryn and James. 

Dick & Mary Lou lived in Marshalltown where he was employed by Iowa Electric Light & Power at the Sutherland Power Plant until retirement. 

After retirement Dick and Mary Lou moved to Lake Cornelia near Clarion, Iowa in 1984.  Dick belonged to and served as Commander of the American Legion Post 46 of Marshalltown and Post 370 of Goldfield as well as vice commander of the Marshall County 3rd District and a member of 40 & 8 unit.  Dick also belonged to the Elks club, was a member of the Southwest Dock Association and the Cornelia Campfire Park Cookers. Dick has been an active member of the First Presbyterian Church both in Marshalltown and in Clarion.

Dick Holley is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Holley; his 3 children: Joseph (Rhonda) Holley of Ottawa, Kansas, Kathryn Moore of Clarion, and James (Norma) Holley of Blue Springs, Missouri; 9 grandchildren: Jacob (Crystal) Holley, Kyla (Jason) Martinez, Drew Holley, Che (Lisa) Hanson, Kara (Joe) Stalzer, and Hethe (Becky) Hanson,  Emily (Derrick) Jones,  Benjamin (Katherine) Holley,  and Kathryn Holley; 18 great-grandchildren; special cousins Kelly (Les) Werner, Judy (Ray) Dalton, several nieces, nephews, cousins, many friends, his beloved dog, Zoey that he walked every day, and the new puppy, Bo.

Dick was preceded in death by his mother and father, one nephew and one niece.