Dean Winfred Davison, 100, of Clinton, IA, formerly of Eldora, passed into eternity on Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, at Bickford Assisted Living in Clinton, IA. He was under the loving care of staff, Hospice services, and family members. A visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 22, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Eldora United Methodist Church. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Allen Craft officiating, with burial following in the Eldora Cemetery with military honors performed by the Eldora American Legion Walter – Sayer Post #182. Dean proudly called Eldora home and had been a resident there for 89 years, before living in Clinton these past five years. In lieu of flowers, he would appreciate any memorials to be sent to the Eldora United Methodist Church or to the Hardin County Historical Society. Creps-Abels Funeral Home is taking care of Dean and his family.
His life began on Oct. 24, 1918, when he was born at 1400 Dean Ave. in Des Moines, IA, to Paul Thompson and Ruby Winifred (Gates) Davison. Their home was located across from the Iowa State Capital, where his father and grandfather were both employed. In February 1925, the family moved to Eldora, since his father was assigned the position of custodian of the newly opened Pine Lake State Park. Dean and his brothers spent much of their growing up years working at the park, clearing trails, planting and cutting down trees, assisting with construction projects, and other maintenance tasks. He attended school in Eldora from kindergarten through high school, receiving academic honors, and graduating with the Class of 1937.
Dean worked as a farm hand, then as assistant manager of the bowling alley in Eldora, and later managed a bowling alley in Humboldt, IA. He owned a produce station in Eldora, before being drafted into the Army during WWII. After receiving his training in the states, Dean worked as an airplane mechanic in England; later, he was sent to Europe to prepare the planes to transport troops back home.
The Davison Brothers Construction Company began when he and his brothers returned from military service. It later became known as Davison Brothers Builders Supply, when Dean formed a partnership with his brother Clyde, offering a complete line of lumber, hardware, and other construction materials. They were in business serving the Eldora area for over 63 years, selling the lumberyard in 2008, just before his 90th birthday.
Highlights of Dean’s life include marrying his dear, devoted wife, Ruth Ellen Baker, on March 31, 1951. It was at this time he took courses in drafting and building at Iowa State College. He designed the plans and blueprints, and built their brick home at 1902 14th Ave. They became the parents of three children, George (Anna) Davison, Kenneth (Dawn) Davison, and Elizabeth (Paul) Hopkins, and the proud grandparents of five grandchildren, Wesley Paul Davison, Emet George Davison, Douglas Baker Davison, Carolyn Ruth (Josh) Kester, and Nathan Dean Hopkins. In their later years, Dean and Ruth enjoyed traveling to parts of Europe and China.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, Dean is survived by his youngest brother, Warren (Marilyn) of Mason City, sister-in-law Dorothy Davison of Eldora, and several nieces and nephews. Ruth, his wife of 56 years, passed away on Sept. 19, 2007. His brothers and their wives who have gone before him include Paul (Esther) Davison, Bob (Lela) Davison, and Clyde Davison.
Dean was an active member of Eldora United Methodist Church and had set up a scholarship in memory of his mother, Ruby, over 40 years ago. He also was a member of the American Legion for over 56 years.
