08/03/2004
Funeral services for Clyde McGraw Core, 97, of Jacksonville, Fla, formerly of Pleasantville,
who died Aug. 3 at Harbor Chase in Jacksonville, Fla., were held Saturday at St.
Paul's United Methodist Church in Pleasantville.
Rev. Jeff Flagg officiated at the
services. Midge Brooks was organist. Gwen and Gary Miller and Mary Lowe were vocalists.
Interment was at the Pleasantville Cemetery. Casketbearers were Mark Core, Mike
Core, Peter McBride, John McBride, Lt. David Dolbier and Freddy Rodriguez.
Core was born on July 2, 1907, in Cordova, the son of Clarence and Gertrude (McGraw)
Core. He graduated from Knoxville High School in 1925. On March 11, 1931, he married
Wilma Ethel Maddy in Marshalltown.
The couple farmed east of Pleasantville on Stringtown Road, until moving to a farm
near Red Rock in the spring of 1934. In the spring of 1941 they moved a farm south
of Pleasantville and remained there until moving to town in 1967.
In addition to farming, Clyde worked at the Pleasantville State Bank, where he served
as president for eight years and was on the Board of Directors for 25 years.
Core and his wife began wintering in Texas and Florida in the 1970's. In 1996 they
left Florida and moved back to Pleasantville. Following his wife's death in 1999,
Clyde moved to Jacksonville, Fla. under the care of his daughter, Nancy.
Core had many interests. He was an avid rose gardener, and was a contestant as well
as a judge in many competitions, and was a former chairman of the Iowa Rose Society.
He was also a former chairman of the Iowa Dairy Industry Commission and was named
a Master Farmer in 1950.
He was a pioneer in soil conservation and served as a grain inspector for several
years for southeast Iowa.
Through the years he served on several boards, including St. Paul's United Methodist
Church and the Pleasantville Schools. He was also active in founding the Senior
Citizens Center, Pleasant Care Nursing Center and the Pleasantville Country Club.
He was a devoted member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Forrest and William; great-granddaughter,
Aubrey Vereen and his wife, Wilma.
He is survived by two sons, Richard of Rowlett, Texas and Ronald of Altoona and Ft. Meade, Ha.; daughter, Nancy Underwood of Jacksonville, Fla.; sister, Alberta
Van Zee of Colorado Springs, Colo.; seven grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren
and many other family members and friends.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul's United Methodist Church. Service by Mason Funeral
Home.