Samuel Winfield Closser, Jr.'s Obituary
Samuel Winfield Closser Jr., age 92, passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025 at the Iowa Veteran's Home in Marshalltown.
Sam was born on January 24, 1932 in Wapello County, Iowa, the son of Samuel Winfield Closser Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth (Montgomery) Closser. On September 8, 1956, Sam was united in marriage to Shirley Weller. To this union, two children were born, Samuel and Brenda.
Sam joined the United States Army on October 23, 1952. He served his country faithfully and fought in the Korean War, earning a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars as well as United Nationals Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged as CPL on October 22, 1954.
Sam was a crop farmer throughout his life and dabbled in sheep farming. He also mowed and performed general maintenance for Lake Wapello, as well as custom farming as needed. He also helped build the Chillicothe light plant. In his free time, Sam enjoyed tinkering on old John Deere tractors, admiring Ford tractors, building an airplane, watching the geese on his pond, driving gravel roads, and talking to anyone-strangers included. He was a past member of the American Legion.
Left to honor Sam's memory are his children, Samuel Joseph (Donna) Closser and Brenda Closser; three grandchildren, Lincoln T. Closser, Adrian J. Muehe, and Leah E. Dineen; a great grandchild, Carter Dineen; two siblings, Marilyn (Gary) Lough and Richard Closser; as well as several extended family and friends.
Sam was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel Closser Sr. and Sarah Closser; his wife, Shirley in 2012; and his siblings, Lee Closser, Dorothy Beiser, Ruth Henderson, Juanita Bonner, Bob Closser, Katherine Buchanan, Geraldine Weaver and Betty Jo Albrecht.
Per wishes, cremation has been accorded. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00PM, Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the American Legion in Bloomfield. Private family burial will be held at a later date at Bear Cemetery. Memorials may be written to Heartland Humane Society, and may be mailed to Thomas Funeral Home, ATTN: Closser Family, 501 North 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.thomasfh.com or www.facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome.
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