Joseph C. Dawson Obituary
Joseph (Joe) C. Dawson
Des Moines
Joseph (Joe) Clair Dawson, age 94, of Des Moines passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on January 24, 2012.
Joe was born to Vilas Earl and Lillie (Pearson) Dawson on February 6, 1917 in Le Grand, Marshall County, Iowa. Joe served his country in the United States Navy from 1943 to 1945, in action aboard the USS Whitman and the USS Cape Gloucester during World War II. Joe earned three battle stars for his World War II service. Joe was engaged in farming in Albia, Iowa, and then moved to Des Moines where he retired from Hoxie Fruit Company. After his retirement, Joe began his own firewood business. Joe enjoyed fishing, working his wood, socializing with his family and friends, playing the harmonica, and attending church activities. Joe was a member of the Berean Assembly of God Church since 1964 and a member of Teamsters Local 394.
Joe will be dearly missed by his wife, Dorothy Mae (Rutan) Dawson of 65 years, and his loving family and many friends. Joe is survived by his children, William Dawson of Hubbard Lake, Michigan; Ruth Reazin of Bull Shoals, Arkansas; Joe Dawson of Eagan, Minnesota; Carol Wiksell (Wayne) of Altoona, Iowa; Floyd Dawson (Barbara) of Gallatin, Tennessee; Ray Dawson (Anita) of Lebanon, Missouri; Rena Legan (Jerry) of Prole, Iowa; Gary Dawson of Des Moines, Iowa; Walt Dawson of Lebanon, Missouri; and a special friend of the family, Amy Turner Tong (Nan) of Waukesha, Wisconsin. Joe had 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
Joe is also survived by his brother, Virgil Dawson of Princeton, Iowa; sisters, Gladys Conn (Cliff) of Tyngsdoro, Massachusetts; Violet Flaugh of Des Moines, Iowa; and Lillie Matlage of Beaconsfield, Iowa. Joe was preceded in death by a daughter, Marie New of Georgia; a son, Warren Dawson of Oregon; a grandson, John Reazin of Oregon; his parents; five brothers; and two sisters.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, January 30, at Iles Funeral Homes-Grandview Park Chapel. A celebration of Joe’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, at Berean Assembly of God Church in Pleasant Hill. Burial will follow services at Rising Sun Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Berean Assembly of God Church in Pleasant Hill or to HCI Care Services (formerly Hospice of Central Iowa).