Bernard Shea

Bernard Shea, 99, of Creston, died Sunday, August 20, 2017 at the Greater Regional Hospice Home – HCI in Creston. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 23, 2017 at the Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston. Rev. Ken Halbur will officiate. Burial will be at the Calvary Cemetery, west of Creston. Open visitation will be from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with family receiving friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and a 7 p.m. Rosary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the donor's choice. Flag presentation will be given by the Theodore J. Martens Post #1797 of the Creston V.F.W. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com. Bernard Lorene Shea, son of Vada Laura (Larson) Shea and John Thomas Shea, was born October 3, 1917 in Creston, Iowa. He was educated at St. Malachy and graduated from Creston High School in 1937. As a teenager, Bernard began working in his father's jewelry and watch repair store in Creston. On March 19, 1937, Bernard married Margaret Cleora Ramsbottom in Rialto, Calif. They lived and worked in the San Diego, Calif. studying a course on aircraft manufacturing and mechanics. In 1941, he began working at Consolidated Aircraft. Next, he worked as a mechanic with Stearman Training Planes in Mira Loma Light Academy at Oxnard, Calif. Bernard entered the Army Air Force in Sept. 1944. He was an electrical specialist on the B29 Bombers. Bernard was discharged on March 1946 at Fort Logan, Colorado. They had two children: Larry and Marilyn. They returned to California. Margaret and Bernard divorced in 1947. Bernard returned to Creston, and continued in his work with his father in watch repair. On May 29, 1949, Bernard married Betty Lou Cook in Omaha, Nebraksa. They settled in Creston. They had two children: Gary and Marvin. In 1956, Bernard began work as a Merchant Policeman for Creston. He sold his father's store in November 1958, after the death of his parents. In 1960 and '61, Bernard was a Union County Constable and continued to work with the Creston Police Department until he retired in Sept. 1979. His jobs included: repairing parking meters and ticketing, Merchant Police Night Shift, and Patrolman & Parking Meter Superintendent. During all of these years, Bernard continued his own side business of watch repair, extending it into making and repairing grandfather clocks. Beyond the age of 90, he continued in watch repair. Bernard was a member of the Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the American Legion, the Eagles Lodge and the Library Coffee Club, all of Creston. Bernard is survived by his wife, Betty Lou Shea of Creston, two sons, Gary Shea of Creston, and Larry (wife Kathy) of Boring, Oregon; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Bernard was preceded in death by his parents, his son Marvin and a daughter, Marilyn. VIEW VIDEO TRIBUTE HERE: http://video.yourtribute.com/video/videotribute.aspx?tributeId=83385 LISTEN TO THE SERVICE AUDIO HERE: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gdfno9is1lozlpu/Shea%2C%20Bernard%20mass%20audio.mp3?dl=0