Oral Eddy Osceola

Oral Leroy Eddy, son of Merlyn Wheeler Eddy and Lorena Blanche (Miller) Eddy, was born Dec. 17, 1925, in Clarke County and died Feb. 26, 2016, at Clarke County Hospital at the age of 90 years.

Oral attended the Leslie rural school in Clarke County and Osceola High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy on Aug. 3, 1943, and was stationed in Guam during World War II serving as a motor machinist mate third class until discharged April 17, 1946. He returned to Clarke County to farm.

Oral was united in marriage to Lois Louise Watson on Feb. 18, 1948, in Adel. They became parents of five children: Marlin, Janet, William, Brian and Lane.

A lifetime resident of Clarke County, Oral was a member of Osceola United Methodist Church, Osceola Eagles, Clarke County Farm Bureau and Osceola American Legion. In 1966, Oral started attending Alcoholics Anonymous in Des Moines, and in 1967, he started an AA group in Osceola with his brother-in-law, Merlin Newman.

Oral is survived by his sons, Marlin (Sandy), William (Shelly), Brian (Melanie) and Lane (Janeen Hall); grandchildren, Matthew Eddy (Carol), Susannah Miller (Joe), Carolyn White (Donald), Erin Bendickson (Jacob), Erik Eddy, Elysha Eddy, Jamie Porter (Chance), Emily Lampe (Jake), Kimberly Eddy (Walker Adams), Jake Cross (Allie) and Courtney Cross; great-grandchildren, Owen, Olivia, Isaac and Evelyn Eddy, Aylah, Cort and Lydia Miller, Levi and Addison White, Emerson and Burton Bendickson, Brynnley and Brecken Porter, Jayden Lampe and Addilyn Cross; brother J.D. Eddy; sisters, JoAnn Marvin and Aletha Newman; as well as, nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and neighbors.

Oral was preceded in death by his parents; wife Lois; infant daughter Janet; infant brother Harold; brother Olin; sister Roberta Touet; brothers- in-law, Merlin Newman, E.W. Touet, LaVerne Marvin and Lowell Watson; sisters-in-law, Twyla Eddy, Betty Eddy and Oveda Watson and nephews, Michael Marvin and Lonnie Eddy.

Services were held Tuesday, March 1, at Osceola United Methodist Church. Memorials may be directed to the family to be decided at a later date.

Today as a family, united as one, with broken hearts and tear filled eyes, we say our final goodbyes. This man was the root of our family tree, the start of our love for each other. He continued to live life, show love and uphold his values even after the death of his infant daughter Janet in 1954 and wife Lois on Sept. 29, 2009. He loved music, dancing and hosted a polka dance at the Eagles to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary for family and friends. He continued to raise cattle and enjoy drives down country roads. He said one of his biggest accomplishments was raising four boys.

We love you and will miss you forever.