Services
Obituary
Edward Southard, 96, of Clarion passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Rehabilitation Center of Belmond in Belmond.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, February 23, 2026, at Clarion First Methodist Church, 201 3rd Avenue Northeast in Clarion, with Pastor Craig Luttrell officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion.
Edward "Ed" Homer Southard was born on May 26th, 1929, in Clarion to Dorsey and Gladys (Mechem) Southard. He grew up on a farm east of Clarion, and that is where his lifelong love of farming first took root. Ed was an active member of FFA, winning awards with his show pigs, while also working as a farm hand while attending high school. This instilled the knowledge, skills, and work ethic that shaped and defined the rest of his life. Ed wrestled for three years in high school, placing 2nd at the State Tournament during his senior year.
After graduating high school in 1948, Ed was united in marriage to the love of his life, Della McGrath, in 1949 at the Church of Christ in Clarion. Shortly after their wedding, he was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He was honorably discharged after serving two years and returned home to Clarion to begin the next chapter of his life with Della.
Ed and Della made their home on a farm outside of town where they raised their children Alicia, Roger, and Glen. You could often find them traveling around the countryside sightseeing and camping in RVs that Ed delivered. Farming was more than a livelihood for Ed, and in 1972, he had the opportunity to purchase his mother-in-law’s farm, helping to carry forward his dream of raising livestock and planting/harvesting crops. They continued to live on the farm until Della's untimely passing in 1987.
In 1988, Ed met Helen (Hayes) Wilson, and together they discovered a shared love of dancing. They were united in marriage in 1989 at the Methodist Church in Clarion. To this union, a blended family was formed, and Ed welcomed Teresa, Lori, and Jim. The couple built a new home in Clarion and enjoyed being "snowbirds" at their winter home in Sebring, Florida.
In both Clarion and Sebring, Ed and Helen formed many lifelong lasting friendships that have sustained for over 30 years. Ed took up Helen’s love of golf, and the two spent many happy hours on the course.
Ed was a man who liked to keep his hands busy. Over the years, he purchased, rebuilt, and restored numerous Farmall tractors, which he often showed off with pride in tractor rides across Iowa, and lined up in Clarion's annual Festival in the Park parade. He collected miniature tractors and cars and proudly displayed them in his "man cave" at home.
Just as Ed had a love for tractors, he also had a love for anything and everything peanut butter. One fond memory every grandchild of his can attest to is the Charles Chip tin cans full of peanut butter sandwich cookies. It was a simple pleasure he never outgrew, just like his stuffed frog that he received as a toddler that he aptly named "mine" as his siblings often fought him over it.
Ed was a faithful member and "elder" of the Church of Christ and the Methodist Church, and also served as a director on the local CO-OP board. Above all, Ed will be remembered for his steady and fierce work ethic, his determined stubbornness, his unbridled devotion to his family, and the joy he found in both the land that he farmed, his friends, and the people that he loved.
He is survived by his wife Helen of Belmond; his children Glen (Jeanette) Southard of Utah, Teresa Wilson of Minnesota, Lori Pohlman of Minnesota, James Wilson of Nebraska; 13 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; sister Marjorie Logan; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.
He was reunited in heaven with his parents; his first wife Della; children Alicia Crow, Roger Southard, and infant Kathleen Southard; siblings Doris Ann, Raynard, Leslie, and infant brother George.