Galbraith, Joseph Junior

Joseph Junior Galbraith, 86, of Keswick, died Friday, March 12, 2010, at English Valley Care Center, North English. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Harden Funeral Chapel, What Cheer. Burial: White Oak Cemetery near Thornburg. Military honors will be conducted by James Murphy American Legion Post 319 of Keswick. Visitation will begin at noon Tuesday at the funeral home, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

Friends may sign the online guest book or give condolences to the family at www.hardenfuneralhomes.com

Joseph Junior Galbraith was born Nov. 25, 1923, near Keswick, the son of Joseph and Lillian Conn Galbraith. At age 3, Junior's father died and his mother chose not to remarry. As a widowed mother of six, she continued operating the Galbraith farm with the help of her children. Junior attended the Springdale Country School and was a 1942 graduate of the Gibson High School. In June 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served for two years in Europe as an auto repairman. After his honorable discharge Sgt. Joseph Junior Galbraith returned home and on Dec. 28, 1946, was united in marriage to Marcella Bell Paul in Cedar Rapids. Junior and Marcella raised their three daughters on his family's farm northwest of Keswick. During his time on the farm Junior became well known for raising Hereford cattle. In 1973, Junior and Marcella sold their farm and bought a home in Keswick. He worked at Kingsberry Homes and the University of Iowa until retirement in 1988. Like most retired farmers, Junior chose to uphold his strong work ethic and continued working for CPS in Keswick. He was a 60-year member of the American Legion and White Oak Presbyterian Church.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 53 years, Marcella; a daughter, Shirley Ann Galbraith; three sisters, Josephine Galbraith, Lucille Melton and Maxine Velkavark; and two brothers, Floyd and Lester Galbraith.

He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara (James) Moore and Debbie

(Randy) Duncan, both of What Cheer; and five grandchildren, Craig (Kim) Moore of Sigourney, Chad (Kelly) Moore and Cass Moore, both of What Cheer, Andrea and Austin Duncan, both of Jacksonville, Fla. Junior was also blessed with four great-grandchildren, James, Josephine, Natalie and Abby Moore.