Edward “Ed” Neil Pegg, 72, died Saturday, June 9, 2018 at his home south of Jefferson.
A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson. Visitation was Wednesday, June 13. Reverend Rex Stancil provided words of comfort. Casket bearers were Vince Alliss, Justin Alliss, Troy Thorpe, Travis McDaniel, Jeff Parker, Clayton Tiedemann, Jarrett DeKoning and Donna Johnston. Honorary casket bearers were Bryce DeKoning, Jeff Lockhart, Jennifer Bolfick, Mark Pegg, Payton Martin, Melanie Frantz, Aliera Alliss, Kady Alliss, Keira Alliss, Jasper Alliss, Scott Hill, Tayleigh Thorpe, Jodi Samel, Andrew DeKoning, Blake DeKoning, Tim Thorpe, Cindy Pegg, Kaelin Martin and Sarah Johnston. The music played was “Friends,” “I’ll Fly Away” and “Daddy Sang Bass.” Military rites were given by U.S. Navy Funeral Honors and VFW Post #9599. Interment was at the Franklin Township Cemetery in Cooper, Iowa.
Ed was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, October 15, 1945 to Chauncey and Helen Pegg and older brother, Curtis. His family moved to Arkansas City, Kan. and then to Douglas, Kan., eventually settling in Scranton, Iowa where he graduated from High School in 1963. He discovered his life-long sweetheart in Jefferson car-hopping at the A&W. Ed and Connie Thorpe were married March 5, 1966 and transferred to JAX Naval base in Jacksonville, Fla. for three years. He was then stationed on the USS Bon Homme Richard aircraft carrier off the coast of Vietnam. He returned to his wife and new daughter after the service. Years later, a son was added to their family having settled in Fremont, Iowa.
In 1969, Ed started working for Iowa Machinery in Des Moines (now MH Equipment) as a field service technician repairing and maintaining lift trucks. In 1989, he moved the family to Adel. After retirement in 2011, he was hired as a safety trainer, completing over 45 years of employment with the same company.
Ed was actively engaged in the Fremont community as a volunteer fire fighter. He served as a Deacon at the Church of Christ in Oskaloosa. After the death of his best buddy, he filled in the role of minister at a small church in Grinnell for 2 years. He was an assistant coach for his son’s baseball teams. He was an attendee (when possible) to all his children’s baseball and football games, 4-H events, plays, band and choir concerts and music recitals.
Ed enjoyed Harley bike trips with Connie and his friends, turkey and deer hunting, fishing, traveling and acting as tour guide for his non-appreciative family (cows on the hill). He enjoyed woodworking and was the quintessential handyman. Ed loved to play golf with his son, father-in-law, brother, sister-in-law and her sister. He liked to read his Bible and Louis L’Amour Western books, watch John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Star Wars movies, make homemade ice cream and spend time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Connie; children, Matthew (Ann) of San Angelo, Texas and Kimberly Pegg-Zeleznik (Troy) of West Des Moines. He had many surrogate grand-kids including nephews, nieces and friends’ children.
He loved his God and Jesus, his family and friends, and he loved his Country. Ed was a well-respected man who was loved by many and will be missed by all.
Hastings Funeral Home in Jefferson was in charge of the arrangements.