Beryl Wesley Layton

Born in Lorimor, IA on August 14, 1927
Departed on October 28, 2009. Resided in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Memorial

Beryl Wesley Layton, 82, of Meth-Wick Community died Oct 28, 2009, St Lukes Hospital.

He was born August 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, IA. 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 Company in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Beryl was president of the Iowa Ornithologists Union, CR Audubon Society and S.A.V.E. He was also a Master Gardener and a member of St Paul’s United Methodist Church, a life member of S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., 1500 Club, a member of Mt. 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, Michigan; three grandchildren, Valerie and Paige Qualls of Norton Shores, Michigan 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 held at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 31, 2009. A luncheon will be served following the memorial service.

A graveside Inurnment will be held later at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton, Iowa for the family. Cedar Memorial Westside chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial gifts to St. Paul’s UMC or Meth-Wick Foundation Education Fund.

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