Leo Dwyer

Leo Dwyer, 85, of Marshalltown, Iowa, formerly of Salinas, California, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Leo was born June 24, 1923 in Adair County, Iowa, the 2nd child of Grace and Lloyd Dwyer. He graduated from Richland Consolidated High School in Iowa where he was well-known as an athlete and prankster.

He was a veteran of World War II. Exposure to repeated artillery fire affected his hearing. There were many interesting conversations due to hearing aid issues. Sometimes he counted this as a blessing because he could turn people off.

After serving in the U.S. Army, he traveled from Iowa to the West working at a variety of jobs until shortly after he married his wife, Barbara, and they settled in Spreckels, CA. He retired from Spreckels Sugar Company when the factory closed, then moved to Salinas.

He was actively involved with the veteran community. He was well-known for his Sunday breakfasts and Thanksgiving dinners at VFW Post 7895 in Salinas. He served as Past Post Commander and Past District 12 Commander and was a member of the American Legion and the International Order of the Cooties.

He is survived by his sons Albert Meharg and his wife Lorrie of Arizona, Robert Meharg and his wife Sandy; grandson Chris Meharg, granddaughter Erika Meharg; great-grandsons Anthony, Jonathan, and Jeremy Meharg, all of Salinas, CA; four sisters, Jean Eblan and Connie (Pat) Brady, Des Moines, IA, Ruth Ford, Yakima, WA, and Mary Lou (Ed) Williams, Bridgewater, IA. He is further survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara in 2001, his brother Lyle, and two nephews.

Graveside memorial service with full military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2009, at the Old Union Cemetery, south of Fontanelle, Iowa. No visitation is scheduled.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be made to a veteran's organization which can be found at www.vfw.org.

The family extends special thanks to all of Leo's "ladies" (and gentlemen) who offered their friendship along with their care at the Marshalltown Veterans Home and the VA hospital in Des Moines.

Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic is assisting Leo's family with the arrangements.

Condolences may be left at www.hockenberryfamilycare.com