The public is invited to attend these services for Jody Custer, 77, of Jefferson. A Masonic Service will be held 6:30pm Sunday August 20, 2006 followed by a Memorial Service at 7:30pm Sunday, both at Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home in Jefferson. Private burial of his cremains will be at a later date in the Jefferson Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family from 4:00 - 6:00pm Sunday at the home of Roger and Carole Custer, 1115 McDuffie Drive, Jefferson, Iowa.

Jotham Edwin (Jody) Custer, 77, a longtime Jefferson area farmer and photographer, died Wednesday, August 16, 2006, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa.

Jody was born in Jefferson on March 30, 1929, to William Custer and Mabel (Wolf) Custer.  He graduated from Jefferson High School in 1946 and served in the U.S. Air Force, receiving an honorable discharge in 1953. He farmed many years in Greene County’s Bristol and Greenbrier townships.  Jody also was a professional photographer, specializing in baby and wedding photos.  He operated Custer Studios in rural Jefferson for many years.

He also was a noted horticulturist in Iowa and a lover of chrysanthemums.  He served as the first vice-president of the Iowa Chrysanthemum Society in 1964 and headed the chrysanthemum exhibition at the society’s 1966 convention.  He received the Iowa Horticulture Society’s 1973 Certificate of Merit Award in recognition of his efforts, and in 1982 was honored for his outstanding contribution to Iowa horticulture with the society’s Honor Award.

He also played a key role in the creation and development of the Iowa Arboretum near Luther, Iowa, contributing land, developmental funds and volunteer time.  Charles Hall, retired horticulture department chair at Iowa State University and horticulture historian said,  “Today the Iowa Arboretum as a central Iowa showplace is a tribute to Jody’s continuing support.”

Jody was also known for opening his decorative gardens and ponds at his rural home for public tours, especially during holidays.

He was a 50-year member of Morning Star Lodge #159 A.F. & A.M., Jefferson, York Rite Bodies, and Za-Ga-Zig Shrine. 

Over his lifetime, Jody was active in the Farlin Christian Church, Jefferson Central Christian Church and Jefferson First United Methodist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Jacob E. Custer; sister in-law Lorada Custer; and brother in-law William Dodson.  He is survived by his sister, Mary Catherine (Custer) Dodson, Fort Worth, Texas; nephews Billy Dodson and wife Christy of Fort Worth, Texas; Roger Custer and wife Carole, and Tom Custer and wife Laine, all of Jefferson; niece Karen (Dodson) Greene and husband David Crow, Dallas, Texas; and great nieces and nephews: Leslie, Grant, Whitney, Sheryle, Michael, Kelly, Mark, Ryan, and Wendi.