Maurice Clair "Horsey" Silver

Maurice Clair Silver was born June 6, 1931, to Ralph and Fernande Silver. He died January 22, 2026, at his home in Lamoni after a four-month battle with cancer.

Maurice lived his entire life in Lamoni, Iowa. He had fond memories with friends Chet and Jack White, riding bicycles, mowing lawns for spending money, and camping in the yard in a tent they bought or in netted hammocks. Through his friendship with Chet and Jack, he met their sister, Bonnie.

Maurice and Bonnie Louise (White) were married on July 22, 1951, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. They were blessed with five children: Michael, Maurita, Jacques "Jack," Dennis, and Joseph "Joe." Maurice and Bonnie enjoyed roller skating in Lamoni at the rink on South State Street and at North Park. Bonnie claimed Maurice could do a backflip on skates. They enjoyed family picnics at Maude White's home and swimming at the Silver family cabin at Terre Haute. They also enjoyed family trips packed into a station wagon and later trips to Branson, Missouri, where they made longtime friends. They attended New Salem Baptist Church with their daughter Maurita.

Maurice graduated from Lamoni High School in 1949. During high school, he worked at his father's service station and garage, Silver and Roberts. He started out washing cars with Ned Lysinger and eventually learned to change windows, spark plugs, and tires. Maurice and Red Harrington took over ownership of Silver and Roberts in 1962.

After Silver and Roberts closed, Maurice worked as a tire repairman at the service station at 302 East Main. He worked under various owners, including Rich Johnson, Jim Schwab, Farmer's Cooperative, and Craig Hosie/Matt Williams/Royce Dively. Maurice retired at the age of 73. He was always willing to lend a hand and was known for being in good spirits. He made many friends throughout the years and was known for his ornery nature and playful attitude, which may be where his nickname "Horsey" came from - all his "horsing" around.

After retirement, Maurice enjoyed being out and about with Bonnie until her passing in 2018. Maurice was always ready to go and enjoyed visiting with people and staying busy. One of his favorite activities was attending Lamoni Demon sporting events to watch his great grandchildren. Everyone knew him as "Grandpa Horsey," and he was a loyal fan.

Maurice was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; his sister, Jacqueline (Silver) Flowers, and her husband Everett of Cody, Wyoming/Lamoni; his brother, Robert "Bob" Silver, and wife Gloria of Sonora, California; his brother, Raymond Silver of Lamoni; brothers-in-law Bob White, Jack White, and Chet White and wife Mary Jane (Closson} of Lamoni; sisters-in-law Maxine Nash and husband Robert of Lamoni, and Betty Bring and husband Tom of Des Moines; and his granddaughter Michaela's husband, Jody Coenen of Osceola.

Survivors include his younger brother, Gary Silver, and wife Mary Ellen (Snethen} Silver of Lamoni; sister-in-law Almata (Sandage} Silver of Lamoni; children Michael of Decatur City, Iowa; Maurita (Silver) Jeanes and husband Kenneth "Casey" Jeanes of Lamoni; Jacques "Jack" and wife Cheryl (Mezzanotti} Silver of San Diego, California; Dennis and wife Lisa (McFarland} Silver of Lamoni; and Joseph "Joe" and wife Cheryl (Hough} Silver of Kansas City, Missouri. Grandchildren include Travis and wife Lisa (Hynden) Jeanes of Lamoni; Shane Silver of Kansas City, Missouri; Amber (Jeanes) McDole and husband Chad of Lamoni; Michaela (Silver) Gonseth and husband Dusty of Osceola, Iowa; Jessica (Silver) Barth and husband David of Branson, Missouri; and Desirae (Silver) Shields and husband Scott of Lamoni. Great-grandchildren include Jacob Sanders; Noah Coenen; Tyson, Trevor, and Tate McDole; Mason and Ollie Barth; and Macie Jeanes. Maurice is also survived by countless nieces and nephews, some of whom considered him a favorite uncle, as well as friends of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren who thought of him as family, along with church family and many friends and acquaintances who thought fondly of him.