Gary Darwin Calfee was born April 1, 1942 in Blanchard, Iowa, the son of Willis Edmond and Alma Irene (Andrews) Calfee. He passed away on Saturday evening, Feb. 27, 2010 at the Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda, Iowa at the age of 67 years, 10 months and 26 days.
Gary grew up in the Blanchard area and attended school in Elmo, graduating with the last graduating class from Elmo High School in 1960. Following High School, Gary joined the U.S. Army and served for 20 years. On June 14, 1963, he was united in marriage to Gladys Elaine Stiverson in Clarinda, Iowa. This union was blessed with three children: Carl T., Kellie Sue and Cindy Anne.
After Gary retired from the Army, he worked as a jailer at the Page County Jail. He then went to work at the Clarinda Post Office, where he worked until November of 2002. Gary was a very active member of the Glenn Miller V.F.W. Post #9230, he was a past member of the College Springs Fire & Rescue, where he served as a firefighter and first responder, and he worked with the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society and the R.S.V.P. program after his retirement. Gary enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed anything to do with the military and watching old western movies. While in the military, Gary was an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts and youth sports. The true love of his life was his grandchildren. Gary has lived every little boys dream, he was a soldier, a firefighter, a police officer and a postman.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers-in-law, James Spire and Donald Stiverson; and a sister-in-law, Ann Stiverson.
Survivors include his wife Galdys Calfee of Clarinda, Iowa; his children, Carl Calfee and his wife Leigh of Nebraska City, Neb., Kellie Calfee of Clarinda, Iowa, Cindy Darrah and her husband Matt of Clarinda, Iowa; six grandchildren: Trent Calfee, Megan Calfee, Maicy Darrah, Luke Calfee, Lindsay Darrah, Katelyn Darrah; a sister, Austina Spire of Parnell, Mo.; five brothers-in-law: Ronald Stiverson and his wife Sandy of LaVista, Neb., Larry Stiverson and his wife Rosemary of Bellevue, Neb., Marvin Stiverson of Portland, Ore., Glen Stiverson and his wife Doris of Keokuk, Iowa, David Stiverson of Parksburg, Penn.; nieces and nephews: Twilla Stiens and her husband Bill of Skidmore, Mo., Paul Spire and his wife Dee of Graham, N.C., Virginia Burns and her husband Terry of Parnell, Mo., Harold Spire and his wife Diane of Maryville, Mo., Willis Spire and his wife Martha of Parnell, Ronald Spire and his wife Pam of Parnell; a special nephew, Eldon Stiverson and his wife Betty of Clarinda, Iowa; along with many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 at the Hillside Missionary Church in Clarinda, Iowa with Rev. Jack Baumgardner officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Lamar Cemetery at Elmo, Mo. Visitation with the family present will be held Tuesday evening, March 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Hillside Missionary Church in Clarinda. Memorials are suggested to the Glenn Miller V.F.W. Post 9230 or the Reformed Presbyterian Church both of Clarinda. To leave online remembrances or condolences with the family, go to www.kirschfuneral.com. The Kirsch Funeral Chapel of Shenandoah is in charge of arrangements.
Blanchard, Iowa —
