Darwin Gene Schlater

Darwin Gene Schlater, the son of Grover B. and E. Alleene (Peppers) Schlater, was born December 11, 1934, at his parent’s in Greeley Township, Audubon County, Iowa and died May 27, 2017, at the Exira Care Center in Exira, Iowa at the age of 82 years, 5 months, and 16 days.
Darwin was baptized at the Christian Church in Exira, Iowa. He attended Exira Community Schools and then later received his GED. Darwin helped operate the family farm.
On October 11, 1953, he was united in marriage to Shirley Wahlert at the Exira Christian Church. They were blessed with three children Connie, Mitchell, and Diane. On November 4, 1953, he was inducted into the United States Army. During his tour of duty he served in Japan and was a tractor scraper operator. Darwin was honorably discharged on October 27, 1955. He returned to Exira and was employed by Bengaard Masonry for a short time and then the Audubon Creamery. Darwin was hired by the Audubon County Secondary Road Department. He operated a road maintainer for many years until he retired in 1997. While he was working for the County, during his free time he worked at the T-Bone Club and the Sale Barn, and did seasonal work for Kommes Farms.
Darwin was a member of the Exira Christian Church and a member of Exira Post #332 American Legion. He was an avid reader, enjoyed playing cards, and watching TV especially when the Oakland Raiders were playing football.
Preceding him in death was his grandson Matthew G. Bevil; his great granddaughter Grace Schlater; his parents; his brother Ron Schlater; his mother-in-law and father-in-law George and Margery Wahlert; his sisters-in-law Barb Schlater and Mary Lomeland; and his brother-in-law Kenny Jessen.
Survivors include his wife Shirley Schlater of Exira, Iowa; his children Connie Bevil of Tempe, Arizona, Mitch and wife Becky Schlater of Council Bluffs, Iowa and Diane Schlater of Carroll, Iowa; his grandchildren Alex Bevil of Springdale, Arkansas, Rebecca Gibbons of Van Buren, Arkansas, Joshua and wife Andrea Bevil of Mesa, Arizona, Mike Furfaro of Tempe, Arizona, Skyler Schlater and fiance Jodie Hill both of Omaha, Nebraska, Emily Schlater and Molly and husband Jacob Setran all of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Abigail Schlater of Fairview, Texas, Christian Schlater of Miles City, Montana, Jacob and wife Elisabeth Schlater of Warner Robins, Georgia; 10 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; his brother Dean Schlater of Exira, Iowa; his sister Barb and husband Doug Schwaller of Atlantic, Iowa, his sister-in-law Ruth Jessen of Cushing, Minnesota; his brothers-in-law Robert and wife Raydell Wahlert of Walford, Iowa and Bob Lomeland of Vinton, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Graveside services will be conducted by Pastor Glen Meyers on Saturday morning, June 3, 2017, at the Exira Cemetery in Exira, Iowa. Friends may visit at their convenience Friday, June 2, 2017, from 8:00 A.M. until 9:00 P.M. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa