Funeral services for Calvin Ferris, 81, of Jefferson, will be 11:00 am Friday at First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.  Cremation will follow the service, with burial of cremains at Newton Union Cemetery at a later date. 

Friends may call at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, in Jefferson after 11:00 am Thursday.  A Masonic Service will be held at 6:30pm Thursday, followed by visitation with the family until 8:30pm at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson.

 

Calvin Maynard Ferris was born March 10, 1924, in Ord, Nebraska.  He was the son of Arthur James Ferris and Nellie Loraine Clark Ferris.  Cal graduated from high school in Ord, Nebraska, and became a graduate of Iowa State University.  On May 21, 1943, he entered the United States Army.  He received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.  Corporal Calvin Ferris was honorably discharged on November 9, 1945.

Cal was united in marriage to Nona Karreman on March 26, 1945 in Newton, Iowa.  They became the parents of three daughters.

Cal was an agriculture education teacher in Mingo for 2 years and in Adel for 4 years.  In 1955, Cal and his family moved to Jefferson.  Cal was an insurance and real estate salesman for several years.  Later, Cal and Nona were H & R Block tax consultants in Jefferson, retiring in 1993. 

Cal was a 50-year member of the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.  He sang in the church choir, served in every capacity in the local church, and served as a state officer for the Presbyterian Mariners.  He also belonged to the Mayflower Society and served as their governor for 6 years.  He belonged to the Jefferson Genealogy Society, the American Legion, the VFW, and the DAV.  He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge.

Calvin Ferris died January 24, 2006 at the Veterans Hospital in Des Moines.  He was 81 years of age.  Preceding him in death were his parents; two half-brothers, and one brother.

Survivors include his wife, Nona of Jefferson; three daughters: Shirley (Mrs. Don) Thornton of Bonita Springs, Florida; Karen (Mrs. John) Eveland of Fort Dodge, IA; and Beth (Mrs. Dick) Evans of Mason City, IA; a sister, Dorothy Axthelm of Santa Rosa, CA; six grandchildren;  five great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.