Glen Richard "Rich" Cross Obituary (1930

Glen Richard "Rich" Cross passed away on June 10, 2013 at Skiff Medical Center in Newton with his loving family by his side. Visitation will be on Thursday, June 13, 2013 from 5-7 p.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Baxter. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 14, 2013 at the Congregational United Church of Christ. Burial will be at a later date in Union Chapel Cemetery in Baxter. Glen Richard "Rich" Cross was born on April 2, 1930, on the family farm near Ira, Iowa to Glennavere (Castor) and Denver Cross. He attended the Spring Hill School and the school at "Old Baxter". Rich married Beverly Gae Decker on June 5, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary. He joined the Navy on January 8, 1952, and was stationed in Puerto Rico where Beverly joined him until his discharge on February 10, 1954. After serving his country, he returned to his professions as a brick layer and radio and TV repairman. He spent the last seven years of his bricklaying career restoring the stone work on the state capitol building in Des Moines. He was well known for his ingenuity and ability fix almost anything, which he often did for others rarely accepting payment. Rich had several hobbies in his life. He loved to hunt morel mushrooms with his lifelong friend, Bud Allan. He enjoyed photography and developing his photos. He enjoyed metal detecting and blacksmithing. He was an active member of the local American Legion Post #493. He was also a member of several local and national Blacksmith Associations. He took joy in feeding the birds and chipmunks in the backyard. He was a Ham radio operator. He maintained his sense of humor to the very end and kept the family laughing. Rich is survived by his wife Beverly, daughter Joellen, son Steven (Kristine), five grandchildren, Racheal, Lindsey, Sara, Michael, Elena and 2 great-grandchildren, Thea and Astrid. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Velma, brothers Denver, Kenneth, and Bill, infant daughter Nancy and infant son John. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to the family.