Obituary for Howard G. Farrington

Howard G. Farrington, 89 of Anamosa, formerly of Marion, died Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at the Monticello Nursing & Rehab Center. Graveside services are 11:00 am, Friday, January 9, 2009 at Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion, with Rev. William Harnish officiating. The families will greet friends following the graveside services at the American Legion Post 298 in Marion where military honors will be conducted. Howard was born July 29, 1919, the son of Samuel and Ida (Thomas) Farrington. After graduation from Martelle High School, he proudly served in the US Army in the Philippines during World War II with the 1st infantry out of Fort Leonard Wood, MO. On May 23, 1951, he married Geraldine Wright while in the Anamosa Hospital, after falling from a roofing construction job a few days prior. From this union a daughter Vickie was born. Geraldine died on April 16, 1991. He then married Donna L. Smith on July 11, 1992 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua and became the stepfather to Tom, Paul (Deceased), Jim, Jane and Dean. Howard had worked at Century Engineering until his retirement. He enjoyed camping, fishing, dancing, gambling, bingo, playing cards and seeing family members. He is survived by his wife, Donna of Monticello, daughter, Vickie (Gary) Dippel Jr., of Marion, grandchildren, Amy (Wade) Lancaster of Des Moines, Brian of Marion and Amber (Jason) Benson of Longview, Texas; four great grandchildren, Josh and baby Lancaster, Olivia Dippel and Madison Benson. Stepchildren, Tom (Caryl) of Grundy Center, Jim (Sherry) of Olin, Jane (John) Kowalski of Spring Valley, IL and Dean of Panama. Along with many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren on the Smith side. Also surviving are two sisters, Dorothy Waln of Cedar Rapids and Betty Coleman of Marshalltown, sisters-in-law, Virginia Ladehoff of Monticello, Joyce Farrington of Prairieburg, Engel Farrington of Anamosa and Nellie Farrington of Las Vegas and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the families'' request memorials may be directed to the Linn County Veterans Affairs, 825 3rd St. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 in Howard''s name. The Cremation Society of Eastern Iowa assisted the family.