Edwin C. Clouse, Jr.

Edwin "Ed" C. Clouse Jr., age 68, of Albia passed away Saturday, October 30, 2010, at his home in rural Albia. Ed was born on June 20, 1942 at Copley Hospital, Aurora, Ill to Edwin C. Sr. and Edith (Terrell) Clouse. He lived in Aurora till age of 5 when they moved to Albia. He attended grade school in Albia then moved to California for 4 years where he attended his 7th through 10th grades. He was an accomplished Boy Scout and received the Order of the Arrow. Moved back to Albia for his Jr. Year then back to Aurora where he graduated high school at West Aurora High, in 1960. He met Gail Parker and they were married on June 23, 1962 at Grace Lutheran Church in Aurora. They were blessed with 48 years of marriage and two children, Chuck and Phillip Clouse. He worked for his father-in-law in cement and masonry and All Steel Equipment before moving to Albia in 1968. In Albia he worked for Northern Propane and Murray Rouse Const. before going into his own cement and masonry business. He started work at John Deere Ottumwa Works in 1972 and retired from there July 31, 2002. He was very active in his boys' lives. Helped with cub scouts and later coached Little League and was instrumental in getting Babe Ruth sanctioned so they could play other towns. He then enjoyed the boys playing high school ball and many other sports. He began trapping as a young boy and continues the sport after moving to Albia. Ed was a lifetime member of the Iowa Trappers Association, where he served as Director of District 4. Ed was inducted to the Iowa Trappers Hall of Fame in 2010. He was also a lifetime member of the National Trappers Association. Ed coached little league baseball and Babe Ruth baseball for a total of 13 years. He was a member of the Masons Astro Lodge 505 of Albia. Ed enjoyed woodworking, hunting, fishing, watching sports, and spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Ed is survived by his wife Gail Clouse of Albia; his children, Chuck (Sheela) Clouse of Albia and Phillip (Laura) Clouse of Albia; 7 grandchildren, Latisha (Nick) Buss, Tyler (Nikki) Clouse, Wesley Clouse, Louie Clouse, Craig Sherman, Drew Sherman, and Alyssa Sherman; 5 great grandchildren, Preston, Alexyss, and Parker Buss, Jenna Clouse, and Morgan Sherman. Ed is also survived by one brother, John (Nancy) Clouse of Albia; 4 sisters, Mary (Edward) Datschefski of Clark Summit, PA, Geraldine (Jay) Rockwell of Sioux Falls, SD, Barbara Glasford of Newton, and Shirley Patrick of Freemont, NE; and several nieces and nephews. Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Edith; and 2 brother-in-laws, Phil Patrick and Bob Glasford.

Edwin C. Clouse, Jr.

June 20, 1942 - October 30, 2010