Bernard Fay

Bernard E. Fay, 96, of Knoxville, Iowa, and formerly of Adair, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2014, at Unity Point Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.

Bernard E. Fay was born December 4, 1917, in Anita, Iowa, to Peter and Julia (Fagan) Fay. He attended several country schools and then the Adair High School.

On September 5, 1941, Bernard joined the United States Army. He served in the 18th Army Engineers Company C as a Truck Driver Heavy 931 and as a Rifle Marksman in the Aleutians Islands. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Theater Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with 1 Bronze Battle Star, 1 Service Stripe and 5 Overseas Service Bars. He was honorably discharged September 25, 1945.

Bernard married Evelyn Toft on September 23, 1951, in Exira, Iowa. They lived in the Adair and Anita areas their entire married lives.

Along with farming, Bernard ran the Bernard E. Fay Insurance business of Grinnell Mutual for 66 years. He also worked at the Massena and Guthrie Livestock Auction for years.

He was a member of the VFW Post #8877 in Adair, Iowa, the American Legion Post #210 in Anita, Iowa, and the First Presbyterian Church in Adair.

Bernard enjoyed reading, gardening, woodworking, going to livestock auctions and sales, helping his family, and attending his grandchildren's activities.

Preceding Bernard in death were his parents, Peter and Julia Fay; brother and sister-in-law, Speck and Lucile (Toft) Fay; and sister-in-law, Ila (Rochholz) Fay.

Surviving Bernard are his wife, Evelyn (Toft) Fay of Knoxville, IA; children, Susan (David) Leatherman and Carolyn Fay all of Des Moines, IA and Daniel (Sheila) Fay of Knoxville, IA; grandchildren, Ryan (Lisa) Leatherman of Honolulu, HI, John Leatherman of St. Paul, MN, Claire Fay and Anna Fay both of Knoxville, IA; great-grandchildren, Stephen, Abby, Bethany and Mia Leatherman of Honolulu, HI; brother, Mark Fay of Eau Claire, WI; nephew, Peter (DeElta) Fay and their daughter, Tiffany, of Adair, IA; as well as nieces and nephews from out of state.

Visitation will be from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m., Sunday, October 12, 2014, at Hockenberry Funeral Home in Adair, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m., Monday, October 13, 2014, at the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa, with burial in Sunnyhill Cemetery, Adair.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church in Adair, Iowa.