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Layton, Beryl Wesley
Beryl Wesley Layton, 82, of The Meth-Wick Community, died Oct. 28, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital.
He was born Aug. 14, 1927, in Lorimor, Iowa, the son of Wallace and Hazel Rusk Layton. Beryl graduated from Newton High School in 1945. He was a merchant seaman until 1949, returning to enter Iowa State College. Following graduation, he taught school in West Burlington. He served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery in Germany from '54 to '56. He returned to teaching at Dubuque. Beryl met fellow teacher, Patricia Jean Kray, in Dubuque. They were married at Cornell College in 1957.
He elected to gain further education and graduated from the University of Iowa in 1960. He worked 30 years as a mechanical engineer at Square D Co. in Cedar Rapids.
Beryl was president of the Iowa Ornithologists Union, Cedar Rapids Audubon Society and S.A.V.E. He was also a Master Gardener, a member of St. Paul's United Methodist Church, a life member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., 1500 Club and Mount Hermon Masonic Lodge, a charter member of Good Earth Garden Club and a member of NOMADS (a volunteer in missions group). Since 1993, he and his wife worked 35 NOMADS projects. Together, they sold tickets for Iowa State Fair horse shows for 12 years.
Beryl is survived by his wife, Patricia; two children, John (Denise) Layton of Marion and Susan (Dan) Qualls of Norton Shores, Mich.; and three grandchildren, Valerie and Paige Qualls of Norton Shores, Mich., and Jason Layton of Marion. Also surviving are two nieces and one nephew.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church on Saturday, Oct. 31. A luncheon will be served following the memorial service. A graveside Inurnment will be held later at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton for the family.
Please leave a message for the family on the Web page under obituaries.
Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to St. Paul's United Methodist Church or The Meth-Wick Foundation Education Fund.
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