Albert W. Stewart
Albert W. Stewart
Albert W. Stewart
July 12, 1923 – May 24, 2013
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 89
Served with Honor ~ United States Military Veteran
Albert Stewart, 89, of Oskaloosa died Friday, May 24, 2013, at his home in Oskaloosa.
Albert was born July 12, 1923, at the Stewart Corner in Mahaska County the son of Charles Emory and Alice Marie Clayworth Stewart. As a boy Albert worked the family farm with horses. He attended school at the Spring Valley one room school house. He took a few years off from school and farmed while his father was campaigning for public office. Albert graduated from the What Cheer High School with the class of 1943. He was a gifted baseball player and pitcher, he led his team to the state tournament. He served in the United States Army Signal Corps. He continued to play ball while in the military, and upon his discharge he pursued a professional baseball career. He signed a major league deal with the Los Angeles Angels triple A team, and he finished his contract with the Des Moines Bruins. The Bruins were affiliated with the Chicago Cubs at the time. His career allowed him to meet and pitch to Mickey Mantle. “Fireball Al” was proud of the fact that his pitching proved to be more than Mr. Mantle could handle, and he sent Mickey back to the bench. In 1950, baseball had taken its toll on Albert’s body and his career was ended after back and elbow surgery. On October 5, 1947, he was united in marriage to Gladys Brom in Oskaloosa. Albert and Gladys made their life on the family farm. He also drove school bus for North Mahaska School district, always enjoying taking groups of students to special events. In the late 1990’s Albert and Gladys moved into Oskaloosa. Upon moving to town, they took on the task of delivering a motor route for the Oskaloosa Herald and Shopper. He was still delivering the Shopper three weeks ago. Albert was always very civic minded; serving 8 years on the North Mahaska School Board – during the construction the new jr. and sr. high, 8 years as a Mahaska County Supervisor, and serving on the board of directors of the Oskaloosa Area Chamber of Commerce. Albert was active in the Republican Party at the National, State and local levels. In 1988 when then Vice President George Bush visited Oskaloosa, Albert was asked to serve as the Master of Ceremony. Albert was a member of the Central United Methodist Church, he served many years as high school Sunday School teacher and had taken training to fill in at the pulpit if needed. He was a member of the Oskaloosa Rotary, and a former long time member of the Prairie Knolls Country Club in New Sharon. He enjoyed golfing and attending his families activities. Through his busy life of farming and public service, Albert kept his family at the center of his life.
His family includes his wife of over 65 years Gladys Stewart of Oskaloosa; three children and their spouses, Sandra and Danny Voss, Emory and Leanne Stewart, and Alan and Cindy Stewart all of Oskaloosa; eight grandchildren, Melissa (& Max) Pettyjohn, Bryan Voss, Heidi (& Gabe) Washington, Tony (& Jessica) Stewart, Lesley (& Patrick) DeRenzo, Vanessa Stewart (& Justin Allen), Josh (& Mariah Hicks) Hicks and Colton Hicks; ten great grandchildren, Trey, Akeelah, Bryce, Jovie, Cole, Britney, Braxton, Noah, Annika and Blaise; a sister, Virginia Moore of Oskaloosa; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Albert Gregory Stewart; a sister, Anita Seitsinger; and three brothers-in-law: Edwin Moore, Omer Seitsinger and Robert Brom.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. in the Central United Methodist Church in Oskaloosa with Reverend Tom Boomershine officiating.
Burial will be in the Forest Cemetery with graveside military rites given by members of the Oskaloosa American Legion and the VFW. in Oskaloosa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
Visitation will begin Tuesday morning after 11:00 in the Bates Funeral Chapel and the family will be at the funeral chapel from 5-8
Tuesday evening to greet friends and relatives.
Memorials may be made to the Central United Methodist Church Youth Programs.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
