Funeral services for Armand De Cook, 86, of Newton and formerly of Sully, were held Monday, Jan. 19, 2015, at Sully First Reformed Church. Interment was in the Sully Cemetery with military honors. Memorials have been designated for The Gideons International. He passed away Thursday morning, Jan. 15, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
Armand Floyd De Cook was the youngest of four children born to Arie Frederick and Jennie (Huyser) De Cook. He was born Feb. 9, 1928, south of Sully. At the age of five years, his family moved to a farm near Sully where he resided for the next 80 years. Armand attended the Sully Grade School and Sully High School in Sully.
Armand was skating with friends at the Oskaloosa skating rink when he met Frances Alberta Brand. On Dec. 14, 1950, they were united in marriage at the New Sharon Presbyterian Church. Soon after their marriage during the Korean War, Armand was drafted into the United States Army in July 1951 and did his basic training in Fort Leonard, MO. He was then stationed in Germany for 14 months as a cook and was discharged in June 1953.
In September 1953, he and Frances were reunited and worked together on their farm. In June 1954, their daughter Ruth Ann was born; in July 1957, their son Arvin Floyd was born; and in July 1962, their son Mark Alan was born.
Armand was a hard-working man but always still had time for his family and their respective activities. For 60 years, he attended the Iowa State Fair, 30 of them showing his draft ponies, and enjoyed three days of family fun with all of his children and grandchildren. He served as a volunteer at the fair for 10 years. He was a member of the Lynnville Saddle Club and in 2007 was named into the Iowa Draft Pony Hall of Fame. For 30 years, he served on the Jasper County Fair Board. Armand enjoyed ponies and attended the Waverly Horse Sales in the spring and fall, where he sold his restored horse-drawn manure spreaders. Armand enjoyed riding his Farmall 350 in the WHO Iowa Tractor Ride until he became immobilized eight years ago. He and Frances enjoyed going to Branson, MO, and Montana.
It was truly a blessing that Armand was able to live on the same farmstead for 80 years until their health necessitated a move from their farm. In 2013, they became residents at Heritage Manor in Newton where they shared a room together and recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.
Those who will cherish his memory are his wife, Frances, of Newton; his daughter, Ruth Ann (Douglas) Dop of Monroe; his daughter-in-law, Lenis De Cook of Sully; his son, Mark (Karla) De Cook of Sully; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and his sister, Anna Mae Nikkel of Sully.
Armand was preceded in death by his son, Arvin F. De Cook, on June 7, 2009, at the age of 51; his parents; his parents-in-law, John and Cato C. (Wanders) Brand; his sister, Gertrude and her husband, Pete Goodyk; his brother, Walton De Cook and his wife, Nellie Fay; his brother-in-law, James Nikkel; and a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Clarence and Vera Brand.
Armand was active with The Gideons International. He was baptized and a member of Sully First Reformed Church his entire life where he had served as a deacon.
Armand will be remembered as a good and faithful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.
