CENTERVILLE —
Paul Davenport, 86, died Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012 at the Centerville Nursing and Rehab Center in Centerville.
He was born in 1926 to Reuben and Lorah (Johnston) Davenport in Mineral Wells, Texas. He lived in Texas until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1944. Paul served 20 months sea duty as a Gunner’s Mate in the Asiatic-Pacific area during World War II. After his discharge in 1946, he held a variety of jobs in the Merchant Marines, logging camps and mining.
Paul decided to continue his education by enrolling at Phillips University in Enid, Okla. There he developed an interest in the ministry which led to his ordination in the Disciples of Christ Church. Paul also met a fellow student and his future wife, Jewell Geist, and they married in 1950.
After several years of preaching in small churches in western Kansas, Paul returned to college to further his education. He received a B.S. in Education degree from Kansas State Teachers college in 1957 and a Master’s of Science degree in Education from the University of Kansas in 1964. Paul received a post-graduate degree in Guidance and Counseling from Oklahoma State University in 1965.
Paul was a guidance counselor in Wichita, Kan. for several years before accepting a position as a school psychologist for AEA 11 in the Southeast Polk Community School District near Altoona. He later transferred to AEA 15, which included Wayne, Davis and Van Buren counties. After moving to southern Iowa, he became more active in the ministry and served in many local churches including Moulton, Hilltown, Plano, Cincinnati, Leon, Lacona, Lamoni, Melcher, Centerville and Glenwood, Mo.
Shortly after retirement, Paul was injured in a farm accident in 1992 that left him with one arm. He was always grateful for the support from the local churches during this difficult time. Unable to return to his farming activities, he embarked on several short-term missionary projects in Russia, China, Vietnam, India and Guatemala. He later enjoyed speaking about his experiences and raising funds for the missions.
All his life Paul loved walking in the woods and fields and he spent many happy hours hunting for arrowheads, mushrooms, and deer. His other hobbies included writing poetry and prose, playing guitar and singing, fishing, organic gardening, and spending time with his family and friends.
Paul was preceded in death by his beloved wife Jewell; his cherished daughter Rebecca; his parents Reuben and Lorah; his brother Charles; his sister Sarah Hodge; and his brother Barry.
He is survived by his sister Mary Stephenson; children Esther, Elisabeth McKeehan (William), Stephen (Gayle), Mark, and John (Lori); his grandchildren Matthew McKeehan (Anita), Amy Devore (Scott), Joshua (Tara), Amy Iblings (Jordan), Molly, Alicia, Brittany, Coleman, and Becky; ten great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.
Paul was an avid reader and a frequent patron of the Drake Public Library.
Funeral services were held 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Pastor Josh Davenport officiating. A visitation was held on Saturday at the funeral home from 1-3 p.m. A private burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to either the Friends of the Drake Public Library, 115 Drake Ave., Centerville, IA 52544 or to a church or charity of choice and may be given to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Obituaries
November 25, 2012
Paul Davenport
- Obituaries
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- Earl Eugene Arnold Earl Eugene Arnold, 68, of Live Oak, Fla. died Feb. 8, 2013. No services are planned. Interment of his cremains was in Hillcrest Cemetery in Moravia. Lange Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
- Elizabeth Moore Elizabeth Moore, 88, passed away Thursday, May 23, 2013 at the Westview Acres Care Center in Leon. Funeral services will be held Saturday, May 25 at 1:30 p.m. at Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour with Al McClatchey officiating. Visitation will be held
- Kelly Leigh Morlan Kelly Leigh Morlan, 55, of Centerville, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was born on May 3, 1958 in Unionville, Mo., the son of Gene "Keith" and Joyce (Kessler) Morlan. Kelly graduated from Moulton High Schoo
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Christopher Michael Boughner
Christopher Michael Boughner, a native of Appanoose County, passed away at his house in Arizona on May 16, 2013. He was born in Fairfield, on Sept. 20, 1979 to Mike and Carol Boughner. Chris was employed as a correctional officer by MTC State Prison
- Mary Margaret Adams 'Clinkenbeard' Mary Margaret Adams "Clinkenbeard," 79, of Unionville, Mo., passed away Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at her home in Unionville, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 6 bp.m. Friday May 24 at Thomas Funeral Home. Interment ail be Saturday, May 25 in York, N
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Ella Evelyn Johnson
Ella Evelyn Johnson, 93, of St. Peter, Minn., and formerly of Aurelia and Storm Lake, was born on Sept. 9, 1919, the daughter of Iver and Gerda (Jonsson) Johnson near Pierson. Her parents were both immigrants from Sweden. Church and family was their
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Dylon Ward Hinojosa
On May18, 2013, Dylon Ward Hinojosa was granted his angel wings and went to his heavenly home. His final days were spent surrounded by the family and friends that Dylon had touched throughout his short, yet very memorable life. Dylon's life may seem
- Kelly Morlan Kelly Morlan, 55, of Centerville, passed away Monday, May 20, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Chris Boughner Chris Boughner, 33, of Kingman, Ariz., formerly of Centerville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 25 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville with Pastor Brad Dittmer officiating. Bu
- Dylon Hinojosa Dylon Hinojosa, 23 months, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 22 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville. Burial will follow in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville. A visitation will
- Dylon Hinojosa Dylon Hinojosa, 23 months, passed away Saturday, May 18, 2013. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Chris Boughner Chris Boughner, 33, of Kingman, Ariz., formerly of Centerville, passed away Thursday, May 16, 2013. Funeral services are pending at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Earl Eugene Arnold Earl Eugene Arnold, 68, of Live Oak, Fla. died Feb. 8, 2013 at his home. Services are pending at the Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville.
- Dale Bennett Dale Bennett, 58, of Centerville, Iowa passed away Sunday, May 12, 2013 at his residence. At his family's request, Dale has been cremated. A memorial service will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established to the Dale Bennett Memorial F
- Brian 'B.J.' Davis Brian "B.J." Davis, 51, of Centerville passed away Monday, May 13, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Funeral services will held at 11 a.m., Friday, May 17 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Centerville with the Rev. Jeremy McElvain off
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