Earl Morrison
Earl Morrison
Oskaloosa. Earl J. Morrison, 85, of Oskaloosa, died Tuesday, January 4, 2011, at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa. He was born January 23, 1925, in Oskaloosa, the son of Milton L. and Flossie Flo Harlow Morrison. Earl served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and served in the South Pacific and saw action in Guam and Iwo Jima. On September 7, 1946, he was united in marriage to Donna Griffis at Troy, Kansas, and Donna died April 24, 1993. On July 9, 1994, Earl was united in marriage to Phyllis McMains in Mahaska County. Following Earl’s discharge from the Marines, he used his money from the G.I. Bill to learn auto body repair. Upon completing his training he worked at several car dealerships in Oskaloosa. He opened Morrison Body Shop in Oskaloosa, a business he owned and operated for over 30 years. While running his shop he was always very generous of his time and took great pride in mentoring and training young people. He retired from the body shop in 1983. Earl enjoyed hunting; fishing; gardening; dancing; mushroom hunting; and woodworking. Later in life, Earl was always up for a long car ride. He was a member of the Oskaloosa American Legion.
His family includes his wife, Phyllis Morrison of Oskaloosa; two sons: Stevan (& Judy) Morrison of Davenport and Michael Morrison of Manhattan, Kansas; five grandchildren: Sherri, Jodi, Andy, Alex and Alissa; ten great grandchildren; a step daughter: Diann Vermeer of Oskaloosa; two step sons and their wives: Mark and Tammy McMains and Brent and Gina McMains all of Oskaloosa; five step grandchildren: Adam, Amy, John, Markie, and Alexis; his twin brother and his wife: Burl and Shirley Morrison of Oskaloosa; a sister: Bertha “Bert” Holmes of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his first wife Donna, Earl was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Tom Morrison; five sisters: Wilda Kelley, Lena Toll, Lola Brewer, Anna Huffman, and Mary Boonstra.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 8, 2011, at 11 a.m. in the Bates Funeral Chapel in Oskaloosa with Reverend Liz Colton officiating. Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa. Graveside military rites will be given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion, V.F.W. and D.A.V. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will begin Friday morning after 11 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel Friday evening from 6 – 8 to greet friends and relatives. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Military Honor Guard.
Source: Bates Funeral Chapel
