Francis Lynam

FRANCIS "PAUL" LYNAM Paul Lynam, 85, passed away on Saturday morning, February 7, 2009 at Griswold Care Center in Griswold, Iowa. Paul was born October 28, 1923, the son of Francis Lynam Sr. and Mamie (Parcher) Lynam in Corning, Iowa. He grew up attending school in Corning where he was a graduate of the Corning High School Class of 1941. He entered the United States Army during WWII where he was in the Eighth Air Force 447th Bomber Group as a ball turret gunner and was awarded the American Theater Medal; the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with two bronze stars; and the Good Conduct Medal. Following his military service, he pursued further education, graduating from Northwest Missouri State University Teacher's College in Maryville, Missouri. Paul married Mary Virginia Scott in Maryville, Missouri on April 12, 1952. While the couple was blessed with three children, they lived their lives in Iowa while he taught a year at Villisca High School; was foreman of the Vernon Construction Company of Corning from 1949 to 1950; farmed southwest of Carbon until 1968; moved to Shenandoah and worked for Triple F Feeds; and was employed by U.B.C. (United Building Center) retail store in Shenandoah. The family moved to Atlantic in 1970 where he was a manager of the U.B.C. retail store and later joined their wholesale business, Midway Distributing. He retired in 1985. He was a member of Atlantic's Lions Club, recognized in 2005 for the Warren Coleman dedicated service award. He was a member of the Atlantic United Methodist Church. Paul was also on the ARISE group which was responsible for the restoration of the Atlantic Rock Island Train Depot. Paul will be remembered by his family and friends as a man of few words whose statements were in his actions, hard work and volunteer efforts. Survivors include Paul's wife Mary Virginia of Atlantic; his daughter Anne Lynam Koestler and husband Peter and their children Renee and Kirstin of Des Moines, Iowa; his son Scott Lynam and wife Darlene and their children, Rachelle, Elizabeth, Delaney and Ginni of Omaha, Nebraska, and his daughter Polly Lynam Bloom and husband Paul and their children, Zachary and Matthew of Silver Lake, Ohio; his brother Donald Lynam and wife Carolyn of Indianola, Iowa and their children, Deborah Franke of Raleigh, North Carolina, Jim Lynam of Dallas, Texas and Becci Roberts of Jameson, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents. There will be open visitation at Roland Funeral Home until 8:00 P. M. Monday evening. Paul's family will meet with friends at First United Methodist Church in Atlantic from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday until his 11:00 A. M. service. Pastor Gary DeGeest will officiate. Military honors by the Atlantic Color Guard will be held at the church following the service. The family will join friends for a luncheon in the fellowship hall afterward. Memorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice at 1514 E. 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022 and First United Methodist Church at 800 Poplar Street, Atlantic, Iowa. Roland Funeral Home of Atlantic is caring for Paul's family and the arrangements. Friends are welcome to leave condolences at the Roland website www.rolandfuneralservice.com.Funeral InformationThere will be open visitation at Roland Funeral Home until 8:00 P. M. Monday evening. Paul's family will meet with friends at First United Methodist Church in Atlantic from 10:00 to 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday until his 11:00 A. M. service. Pastor Gary DeGeest will officiate. There will be military honors at the church following the service. A luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall afterward. Roland Funeral Home is caring for Paul's family and the arrangements. Memorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice at 1514 E. 7th Street, Atlantic, Iowa 50022. Friends are welcome to leave condolences at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.IN REMEMBRANCE OFFRANCIS "PAUL" LYNAM Born October 28, 1923Corning, IowaENTERED INTO RESTFebruary 7, 2009At the age of 85 years, 3 months and 9 daysFUNERAL SERVICEFirst United Methodist Church ~ Atlantic, IowaOFFICIATINGPastor Gary DeGeest First United Methodist Church ~ Atlantic, IowaMUSICAL SELECTIONS"This Is My Country" by the congregationORGANISTMarlene DeGeestFLOWER COMMITTEEMILITARY RITESMilitary Rites by Atlantic Color Guard At the entrance of First United Methodist Church Atlantic, IowaLUNCHEONPaul's family invites friends to join them for a luncheon, following the services, in the church fellowship hall on the lower level.MEMORIALMemorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice at 1514 East 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022