Vaughn Bernard Faber

Vaughn Bernard Faber, age 100, of Blakesburg, IA, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at the Oskaloosa Care Center in Oskaloosa, IA, under the care of St. Croix Hospice. Vaughn was born on December 11, 1924, on the family farm to Richard and Inez (McAlister) Faber. He proudly graduated from Blakesburg High School in 1942. At the age of 17, Vaughn and his neighbor, Don Sandifer, hopped a freight train and went to Colby, KS where they joined the wheat harvest and made it to North Dakota before returning home to start his Senior year of high School. Vaughn faithfully served his country in the U.S. Army during WWII, spending time as a truck driver and Miliary Police in The Philippines and Japan. Upon his retirement from the military, Vaughn fell in love with Patricia Stevens and they wed in Troy, Kansas on May 28, 1947. Together they raised 10 children on the family farm southwest of Blakesburg. The couple shared 72 years of marriage prior to her passing. Vaughn and Patricia bought their first farm in the fall of 1947, raising swine, cattle, chickens, milking cows over the years as well as their row crop operation. In 1960, Vaughn and Patricia built their new home together. Vaughn owned and operated Faber Transportation, driving from coast to coast from 1982-1993. Vaughn and Patricia were active in Farm Bureau and were 4-H leaders who were very involved with the Monroe County Fair. He served on the first Monroe County Extension Council as well as the Monroe County Fair Board. Vaughn was a member of the American Legion as well as the Rathbun Rural Water Association. He was a township trustee for 30+ years. Vaughn and Patricia were inducted into the Monroe County Ag Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Monroe County 4-H Hall of Fame in 2010. Vaughn was also a member of the Midwest and Iowa Tractor Rodeo Association, winning first place at the Iowa State Fair tractor rodeo during the mid-fifties. Vaughn and Patricia enjoyed square dancing with the Lads and Lassies. Vaughn is survived by 8 children, Catherine (Larry) McCarty, Carolyn (Gene) Hunter, Dennis (Sandi) Faber, Cheryl (Jack) Martin, Cindy Shepherd, Rebecca (John) Engle, Patricia Tarbell, and Lisa (Ross) Boley; 27 grandchildren; 55 great grandchildren; 6 great-great grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Marilynn Faber. Vaughn is also survived by several nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; Richard and Inez Faber; a daughter, Jackie “Diann” Richmond; a son, Vaughn Douglas Faber; 3 brothers, Charles, Irvin, and Richard “Bruce”; a grandson, Staff Sergeant Jack Martin III; and sons-in-law, Tom Shepherd and Roy Tarbell. Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Vaughn’s family present to greet family and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Terry Chapman officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion of Unionville Post #407 will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the Trussell Cemetery on the first Faber farm Vaughn and Patricia purchased in 1947. A memorial has been established to Welcome Home Soldier and Blakesburg Historical Society.

Vaughn Bernard Faber

December 11, 1924 - May 27, 2025