Roger Dale Couchman's Obituary
Roger Dale Couchman of Allerton, Iowa, passed away on September 24th, 2024 at the age of 80 years.
Roger was born on April 16, 1944 to Audrey Ruth (Gillman) and Dale LeRoy Couchman in Corydon, Iowa. He was raised on a farm in rural Wayne County. Roger started school at the Center School in rural Wayne County before going to Lineville School in Lineville, Iowa, where he graduated in 1962. After graduating from high school, Roger moved to Des Moines to attend barber school. He graduated from the Iowa Barber School in 1964 and started working in a barbershop in downtown Des Moines. He joined the Army on 6/7/1965 and served until his discharge on 6/28/1970.
While still serving in the Iowa National Guard, Roger moved to Indianola and worked at Ray's Barber Shop on the square. It was there that he met Mary, his wife of 57 years. After a short courtship, the two were married in Aledo, Illinois on July 3, 1967. Roger and Mary moved to Allerton, Iowa the following year and settled into their current home on the edge of town. They were blessed with two children, Kristi and Tim. Roger opened a barbershop and spent several years barbering in Lineville, while also helping his father and brother on the family farm.
Roger eventually closed his barbershop in Lineville and went to work for McGahuey Implement in Leon, then Thatcher Implement in Corydon. In 1982, he took a position with the Iowa Department of Transportation in Corydon and retired 19 years later.
Roger loved farming and continued to farm in different capacities through his life. First on the family farm with his dad and brother, later on with his brother and in the last few years, he helped out at harvest time with his son and grandson as his health allowed.
Roger was always a cowboy at heart. He enjoyed the wild west and road trips with his wife Mary by his side. Roger and Mary drove to Las Vegas for their honeymoon in January of 1968; Loredo, Texas and Nuevo Loredo, Mexico in 1969; and took many road trips to South Dakota and Montana. He always enjoyed visiting Deadwood, SD and was not above taking the road less traveled if there was a casino at the other end.
Roger loved fishing, shooting, and mushroom hunting. He enjoyed spending time at the Bob White Lake looking for morels and throwing a line in local farm ponds in hopes of catching a big bass. On a nice day, you could often find him on the patio, throwing the ball for his dog Gus or tinkering around in the building. He loved spending time with his grandkids and was known for letting them do 'whatever' they wanted, including driving around the farm, gambling (scratch off tickets), target shooting, and picking out big bags of candy from the corner store.
Roger is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary; children Kristi (Tom) Walmsley, Tim Couchman (Amanda Cooper); brother Alan (Marilyn) Couchman; sisters-in-laws Connie Couchman, Caroline Heinze, Kathi Strand, Kay Fawcett, Sandi Coleson; grandchildren Olivia Hrubetz (Cole Reeder), J.T. Couchman, Elyse Walmsley, Weston Walmsley, Tayleigh Cooper, Charleigh Cooper; special nephews Eric (Jennifer) Couchman, Aaron (Laura) Couchman, Jared Sulser; great-nephews Dillon and Dalton Couchman; his dogs Gus and Annie; and many other close relatives and personal friends.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Audrey and Dale Couchman; in-laws, Russell and Irene Norris; sister-in-law Karen Norris; and niece Tina Sulser.
The family will be holding a private celebration of life to honor Roger. Memorials in honor of Roger made be left to The Family of Roger Couchman and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Couchman family, 303 East Jefferson, Corydon, Iowa 50060. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or on our funeral home Facebook page, www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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