Obituaries : John Edward “Ed” Kibbie

John Edward “Ed” Kibbie

John Edward “Ed” Kibbie, 70, of Palo, died suddenly Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2015, of natural causes at home in peace. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sep. 15, at Phillips Funeral Home, Vinton, with the Rev. John Howerton officiating. Burial will be at the Palo Cemetery following services. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Monday at Phillips Funeral Home – 212 East Sixth Street in Vinton.  Condolences may be left at:  www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.

Ed was born Dec. 6, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Richard R. and Nellie M. (Spurgeon) Kibbie. He grew up in Shellsburg and graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1963.  He married his one true love Ruth L. Yates on June 6, 1965. The couple made their home in Shellsburg while Ed worked at Allis Chalmers for 6 years.  He worked at Harnischfeger for another year and began farming in Palo with his father-in-law, Howard, and grandfather-in-law, Guy. He felt he learned a lot from Grandad Guy. All said, Ed devoted his life to his passion of farming. He began working for Don Beatty in eighth grade and worked for Ron Beatty throughout high school where his passion was born. He eventually worked the home farm in Palo for 45 years.  He loved/ hated politics. He was a member of Benton City Masonic Lodge #81, where he served as Past Master; Order of the Eastern Star, where he was Past Patron of White Lily Chapter 427; El Kahir Shrine; and Palo Cemetery Board. He enjoyed watching old Western movies and going to farm auctions. He loved to visit with old friends and make new ones, and he read his Bible and tried to live by it.

Ed and Ruth celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this summer with family and friends by taking a trip to Chicago to see Shedd Aquarium.  He had also done a little world traveling with the encouragement of his wife.

Survivors include his loving wife, Ruth, his son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Janet Kibbie of Palo, his daughter, Juliana, of Traer; three grandchildren and five great grandchildren: Shelby Kibbie and Walter Loesch, Tristin Hamm, KaMaury and Scarletta Loesch; Augusta and Aaron Nelson, Madison and Gracie Nelson; and Jamison and Desirae Reisner.

He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Karolynn and Nate Roehr; mother-in-law Naomi Yates; sisters-in-law Anna Kibbie and Ellen Yates; aunt Tracy Spurgeon; and many nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Robert Kibbie; his father-in-law, Howard Yates; his brother-in-law Dale Yates; and step-mother, Kathleen Kibbie.

Memorials may be directed to the Salvation Army or charity of the donor’s choice.

He will be greatly missed by all of the family and friends whom he touched.