Thurman L. Curphey

Thurman L. Curphey, 90, died in Maryville, MO, January 4, 2008. He was born April 15, 1917, on a farm near Sargent NE, where his grandfather, John Thomas Curphey had homesteaded. His parents were Ross Edward Curphey and Effie Elizabeth Cowan Curphey.

He moved to Lenox, IA in 1920. He attended Lenox Schools, loved playing football, and graduated in 1936. After working as a surveyor for the CCC, he married Anabel Pennebaker and started farming near Sharpsburg, IA. He often said he farmed because that was what he enjoyed doing most.

Thurman spent many years serving his community. He taught the high school Sunday School class, and was active in other activities in the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church where he was an elder. He also was Worshipful Master of Masons in Conway, IA. He spent many years on the school boards of both Sharpsburg and Lenox school systems, was a member of the Worldwide Church of God, bowling league member in Lenox, and sold farm chemicals.

Fishing was a great joy to him. A group of local men would go on a trip once or twice a year in the Spirit Lake area during their “down time” of farming. Later, he built his own one acre lake to fish after a long day of farming. Many friends and relatives enjoyed his pond.

Thurman and Anabel had four children. After Thurman nursed Anabel during her long illness and death in November, 1982. He married Dorothy Millikan in August 1983. After her death in February 1995, he married Geneva Beckett in April 1996. She died in June 2003.

Thurman was preceded in death by his parents Ross Curphey, Effie Reynolds; wives: Anabel Curphey, Dorothy Curphey, and Geneva Curphey; Son, Alan Curphey; grandchildren: Sherry Lee Sprague, and Meredith Lea Greene. Brother, Kenneth Curphey

Left to cherish his memory are his children: Sheryl (Bud) Brown, of Creston, IA, Sandee (Garvin) Greene, of Knoxville, TN, Lloyd (Avis) Curphey, Of Maryville, MO. Grandchildren: Richard (Kathy) Curphey, IA, Michael (Elizabeth) Curphey, TX, Gary Curphey, IA, Howard (Mary) Sprague, MD, Duane (April) Sprague, IA, Michelle Greene, TN, Andrew (Denise) Greene, WA, Shane (Angela) Curphey, MO, Todd (Christina) Curphey, MO. 20 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.

Mr. Curphey’s Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg, IA. The Rev. Tim Maxa will be the Officiant. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the church. Inurnment will be held later in Lenox, IA. The family suggests memorial to the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Services are under the direction of the Bram Funeral Home of Maryville, Inc. Online condolences: www.bramfuneralhome.com