BRANDON:  Earl Bearbower, 84, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009 at the Vinton Lutheran Home following an extended illness.
      Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, March 20, 2009 at the Brandon United Methodist Church with Rev. Collette Gould officiating.  Interment will be held at the Brandon Cemetery with Graveside Military Rites conducted by the Emil H. Dutler American Legion Post #177 of Mt. Auburn.  Friends may call at the Phillips Family Center, 605 2nd Ave in Vinton from 4 to 7 PM on Thursday.
       Earl was born August 28, 1924 at Brandon to William and Ethel (Gallaher) Bearbower.   He served his nation in the US Army in a Glider Division in Germany during World War II.   Earl was a member of the Emil H. Dutler American Legion Post #177 of Mt. Auburn.
      On August 9, 1946 he married Janice Lane at Brandon and she preceded him in death on April 19, 1988.  Earl and Lily Vogt were united in marriage on November 1, 1998 at Vinton.
       Earl is a member of the Brandon United Methodist Church.  He was a 50 year member of the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department and from 1973 to 1974 he served as President of the Iowa State Fireman's Association.  On June 19, 1976 he received the Governor's Award for his service on the Fire Department and to his community.  While visiting in Santa Clara, CA that city's Fire Department made March 22, 1978, Chief Earl Bearbower Day.  In 2000 Earl retired as a heavy equipment operator for Youngblut Construction.
         He is survived by his wife, Lily of Vinton; his mother, Ruby Bearbower of Brandon; his son, Gary (Bev) Bearbower of Brandon; his daughter, Jenise (Jerry) Rhode of Portland, OR; his brother, Bob (LaVon) Bearbower of Brandon; his grandchildren, Brandi Barber and friend, Kevin, Greg (Megan) Bearbower, and Sarah McDonald; his great-grandchildren, Patience and Ella Bearbower, Garron Barber, and Joslyn Mulligan; his stepson, Mark (Lisa) Vogt of Vinton; his step-daughters, Linda (Rusty) Thomsen of Vinton, Donna (John) Watson of Vinton, and Barb (Rich) Hill of Waterloo; and several step-grand and step-great grandchildren.
         In addition to his first wife, Janice he was preceded in death by his birth mother, Ethel; his father, William, and his twin brother, Harold J. Bearbower.