Earl Dean Moss, 72, of West Union, Iowa passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at his rural home. Earl was born December 26, 1951 to Elmer and Harriet (Renes) Moss in Sioux Center, Iowa. He was baptized on February 10, 1952 at the Carmel Reformed Church of Rock Valley, Iowa. He lived in Sioux Center, Iowa in his early years, moving to West Union at the age of fifteen. Earl graduated from North High School with the Class of 1970. After graduation, Earl joined and served in the United States Army as Military Police from November 5, 1970 until March 1, 1972 in Vietnam. Earl received the following: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Stars and Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device.
On October 28, 1970, Earl was united in marriage with the love of his life, Joann Whitcher at the Wesleyan Church in West Union, Iowa. Two sons were born to this union. Throughout the years, Earl held many career hats. Earl was a partner at Moss Brother Mobile for two years, with his brother Jim. He then worked at Donaldson Company in Oelwein, before joining with his father, Elmer, and brother, Wayne, to form Moss Roofing. Besides opening the roofing company Earl was actively involved with the Conklin Company, and along with the help of his father and brothers (Wayne and Daryl) were able to create successful residential rental, housing companies in West Union and surrounding towns. Earl took much pride in being an entrepreneur. He was very good at building relationships with his customers, and the people he met and interacted with on a daily basis. Earl was not shy and was not afraid to share his opinion. These characteristics were valuable in getting people thinking and accomplishing goals.
While pursuing these careers, Earl had a love of farming and cattle which he was able to do on and off during his life’s journey. Some of his greatest joys were spending time with his grandchildren on the farm with the cattle and watching them show the cattle at the Fayette County Fair! Earl took a lot of pride talking about the grandkids and cattle with anyone that would listen. Earl was a member of the American Legion Post 0375 in Clermont, Iowa and the United Methodist Church in West Union, Iowa where he participated on many church committees. In his early adult life he enjoyed coon hunting, trapping and playing cards with the neighbors. As he got older, he enjoyed spending his winters in Mesa, AZ with Joann where his favorite activity was water volleyball. (And yes, he was very competitive!) He truly enjoyed the friends he made in Arizona and loved when his family came to visit. His greatest joy was spending time with his family and watching his children and grandchildren participate in their various school, athletic and fine arts activities. Earl “LOVED” when family would get together for holidays or stop by just to say “Hi.” (Just like his Dad, Elmer, He would say, “Come Again!’) Earl’s most memorable trait was his lively/exuberant LAUGH! Everyone always new where Earl (Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Son, Uncle & Friend) was at in a place because of his boisterous, familiar laugh!
Surviving Earl are his wife of fifty-four years, Joann Moss; sons, Craig (Pam) Moss and Chris (Laurie) Moss; grandchildren, Mallory Wiese, Nelson Wiese, Cassandra Moss, Ayla Moss and Kyson Moss; great-granddaughter, Elliana Howell; and his siblings, Jim (Joyce) Moss of Lansing, Iowa, Wayne (Gail) Moss of West Union, Iowa, Twyla (Dennis) McElree of West Union, Iowa, Sandy (Randy) Mullikin of Springdale, Arkansas, Paulette (Ken) Settje of Forest, Virginia, June (Roy) Edwards of Springdale, Arkansas and Daryl (Megan) Moss of West Union, Iowa. Multiple aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Harriet Moss; father-in-law, Marion Whitcher; mother-in-law, Genevieve Lammers; step-father-in-law, Herman Lammers; grandparents, Neal and Tillie Moss and Jake and Geraldine Renes; brother-in-law, Kenneth Sutton; nephew, Jonathan Gossman; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, November 11, 2024 at the United Methodist Church, West Union, Iowa. There will also be a one-hour visitation before the services at 9:30 am on Tuesday.
Funeral Service will be at 10:30 am on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at the United Methodist Church, West Union, Iowa with Rev. Hyeunmee Kang as the officiant. Burial will follow at West Union Cemetery, West Union, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family for beef industry related improvements at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
Burnham-Wood-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of West Union, Iowa is assisting the family with services.