Frank Deierling

Frank L. Deierling, 90, died on Friday, September 21st, at his home in Buffalo.

Visitation with the family will be Sunday, September 30th, from 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Halligan-McCabe- DeVries Funeral Home in Davenport.  Funeral services will be held Monday, October 1st at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be in Rose Hill Cemetery, Buffalo. Memorials have been established for the Bluegrass Music Association of Iowa or for DalekoArts Theatre--both non-profit organizations that support the arts in rural areas.

Born December 8th, 1927 in Worthington, Missouri, he was the son of Victor and Maude (Gillaspie) Deierling.  He married Lila J. Tade on June 1st, 1945. Married for sixty-four years, she preceded him in death on March 3rd, 2010.

Mr. Deierling attended school in Unionville, Missouri. He retired from the LaFarge Cement Company after over 40 years of service, where he last worked in the lab. In his younger years, he was employed at the Army Ammunition Plant in Middletown, Iowa and also as a truck driver. He was a member of the Masons, the Buffalo Outing Club, and served for a time on the Buffalo School Board.

Frank grew up on the banks of the Chariton River in Missouri and carried that love of a river throughout his life. He cherished his view of the Mississippi River and spent much time on his front porch watching the coming and going of the barge fleets. An avid outdoorsman, hunter, and morel mushroom-finder extraordinaire, he also spent time in his cabin on Iowa’s Cedar River, where he fished and enjoyed the “wilderness”.

Frank had an intense love of classic bluegrass music. He seldom missed the monthly jam sessions where his musician friends played and sang his favorites. He and Lila were known to host some of those at their famous fish fries on the Cedar River.

He was loved by all who knew him and was known as a kind man who would do anything for anyone.  For years he mowed the lawns and shoveled the walks of seniors who lived by him (even though a senior himself) just to “be neighborly”.

Mr. Deierling is survived by his four children, Judith White (Dennis) of rural Blue Grass; Micheal (Kathy) of Queen City; Missouri; Debra Savage (Alfred) of Mount Pleasant; and Pamela Geeding (James-deceased) of Mount Pleasant.

Surviving grandchildren include: Andrea Savage (Scott); Amanda White Thietje (Ben); David Savage (Sarah); Alecia White Scharback (Josh); April Deierling; Levi Deierling (Becky); Frank G. Deierling (Danelle); Alaine Geeding; Jeremy Deierling; and 16 great grandchildren.

He is also survived by dear childhood friends, Betty Ledford and Rose Lee Trammel.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Lila; his parents; seven siblings; son-in-law, Jim Geeding; and grandson, Tade Geeding.

Thank you, Dad, for everything you did for each of us and for your beautiful examples of honesty, loyalty, hard work, humor, and - yes - even frugality, but mostly for your love. Until we meet again, we’ll cherish the memories you and Mom gave us. Tell her hello and give her a hug from the thirty-two of us here. We love you, Frank Deierling.