Obituary of Lyman Rex Emerson

Lyman Rex Emerson, age 90 , passed away on Sunday morning, January 23,2011, at the Monarch Wing of Skiff Medical Center in Newton. Funeral services for Rex will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2011, at the Pence~Reese Funeral Home in Newton. A visitation with the family will be held one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. In LIEU of flowers: Memorials in Rex's name are being designated to Hospice of Jasper County, Monarch Wing or Newton Village Good Samaritan Fund. Burial will be in the Peru, IA cemetery, 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Rex Emerson, the son of James Earl and Floda Pearl (Delong) Emerson, was born November 3, 1920, East of Peru, Iowa. He lived and farmed in Madison County, and attended school at East Peru, graduating from Winterset high school, class of 1939. On July 13, 1941, Rex was united in marriage with Marjorie May Holmes. They farmed for 14 years, prior to Rex being employed by Iowa D.N.R. in Law Enforcement, retiring as an office supervisor, after 26 years. They lived in Washington, IA for 20 years, moving to Newton in 1984. Rex devoted his life to his family, and was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Masonic Lodge. He enjoyed wood carving and fishing, and several volunteer jobs at Skiff Medical Center and the Neal Smith Preserve. Rex was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law Ronald Ross; and his only sister Irene Beverlin. Those left to honor Rex's memory include his wife Marjorie; his daughters: Linda Jean Ross-Guinn (Michael) of Newton and Constance Irene Shebeck (Gary) of Montezuma, IA, his four grandchildren: James (Trisha) Ross of Corallville, Sherry Ross of Pella, Neal (Kelly) Shebeck of Las Vegas, NV and Erin (Pete) Cavanagh of Kalona; two step-grandchildren: Suzanne Guinn (Michael Lange) and Michele Guinn (Richard Olson); his seven great-grandchildren; and his many friends. Calling hours will be Wednesday, One hour prior to services, with the family present at Pence ~ Reese Funeral Home, 310 N. 2nd Ave. E., Newton, IA. The funeral will be Wednesday at 11:00 at the funeral home. With Pastor Gary Marzolf and Chapliain Dennis Coe officiating. Burial will be in Peru Cemetery, Peru, Iowa on Wednesday at 2:30 pm.