Gordon Lewis, 87, of Lynnville, passed away peace-fully with his family by his side on Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022.
A funeral service was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 19, at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment was at Woodland Cemetery in Lynnville. Memorials may be designated to the Searsboro Fire Department or to Wagaman Mill and Museum and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Gordon Ray Lewis was born the son of Glenn and Margaret (Renaud) Lewis on Dec. 8, 1935, in rural Jasper County near Lynnville. He was raised on the family farm near Searsboro and was valedictorian of the 1953 Searsboro High School graduating class.
Gordon was united in marriage to Mattie Lou Stagg on Apr. 16, 1955, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. The couple farmed for many years, including near Kelley, Madrid, Solon, and Mt. Vernon. In 1973, they farmed near Searsboro prior to moving to Lynnville in 1997. Mattie was the love of his life.
Gordon enjoyed life on the farm and raising his family. He was a true Farmall tractor man, and he recently passed the first Farmall M tractor he purchased on to his grandchildren to continue the love of a red tractor. His grandchildren and great-grand-children were very important to him, and he enjoyed attending their activities. For over 40 years, Gordon and Mattie camped at the fairgrounds during the Iowa State Fair and developed many friendships while there. In 1984, while at the fair, Mattie won a cruise. Gordon and Mattie liked it so much they eventually went on three more cruises.
Gordon was mechanically gifted and enjoyed working on old cars. He was a member of the Model A Club. He served for 25 years as chief of the Searsboro Fire Department. He was a man of strength and toughness, but had the most calming and beautiful smile. Gordon will be remembered for always helping others, for his orneriness, and for the strong love of his family.
Gordon is survived by his daughter, Jean (Greg Blom) Lewis of Lynnville; two grandchildren, Crystal (Darren) Stein of Garrison and Trisha (Tim) Quinn of O’Fallon, MO; four great-grandchildren, Parker and Landen Stein and Connor and Delaney Quinn; sisters-in-law, Barb Lewis of Kansas City, MO, and Kay Lewis of Searsboro; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Mattie Lewis in 2018; son Gordon Lewis in 1996; grandson Devon Lewis in 2006; and brothers Bruce and Russ Lewis.
