Roy Dean “Butch” Mansfield, 83, Malvern
Roy Dean “Butch” Mansfield, age 83, of Malvern, died Aug. 2, 2009, at the Manor of Malvern Nursing Home. Memorial Services were held Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at Malvern United Methodist Church with Military Rites by Harry Hammons American Legion Post 520 and “Taps” by Tracy Ryan. Burial was in the Malvern Cemetery. Rev. Carl Phillips of the Malvern United Methodist Church officiated.
One of two children of Bessie Lillian (Bayley) Mansfield and Roy Wilkerson Mansfield, he was born on April 4, 1926, in Malvern. He attended school in Malvern until his junior year in high school and then graduated from Kemper Military Academy in Booneville, Mo., in 1944. He enlisted in the U. S. Navy on April 1, 1944, and attended Quartermaster School in Farragut, Idaho. He later served as Helmsman on the USS LSM No. 533. He received his discharge on June 4, 1946, and enrolled at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln. Mr. Mansfield received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University in 1950 and returned to Malvern where he joined his father, working at Mansfield Furniture Store and Funeral Home.
He and Bonnie Lou Kruse were united in marriage on Feb. 16, 1957, at the Silver City Methodist Church. They made their home in Malvern and were blessed with two children, Barbara Jo and Robert Wesley.
Mr. Mansfield encouraged his father to enter into a partnership with interior decorator, Andrew Morrow, forming Mansfield-Morrow Interiors, Inc. They soon opened a second store in Lincoln. The business was highly successful and the Lincoln store was eventually sold to Mr. Morrow. After the death of his father in 1967, Mr. Mansfield purchased the furniture store and he and his sister, Lenore Hertz became partners in the Mansfield Farm near Strahan. In 1970, he entered into a partnership with Neil McPherron of Glenwood, as they established Mansfield-McPherron Furniture. In 1972, he and McPherron opened a new warehouse style facility at the intersection of US Highway 34 and Interstate 29, west of Glenwood. They eventually closed their Malvern and Glenwood stores and continued to operate the new facility. They took the opportunity to sell their new building and Mr. Mansfield became a sales representative for Douglas Furniture, a Chicago wholesale furniture company. He retired in 1991 and then continued to work wherever the “deal” led him. He enjoyed selling cars for Roger Stacy and Terry Thomas in Glenwood and working at the Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home when needed.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Malvern. He served his community by serving on the town council for many years and as mayor. He was also a member of Malvern Rotary, the Malvern Fire Department, and the American Legion. He loved to fly his plane and spend time with his flying buddies at the Red Oak Airport. He loved to golf and enjoyed being one of the “near deads.” He enjoyed traveling with his sister Lenore, with his nieces and nephews, and with his friends. He loved spending time with his family and being with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and walking his granddog, Maddie.
Mr. Mansfield was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Rick Mickelson; and sister, Lenore Hertz. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Bonnie Mansfield; daughter Barb Farmer and husband Ralph of Malvern; son Bob Mansfield and wife Juli of Parker, Colo.; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A memorial fund has been established. Mansfield-Hertz Funeral Home of Malvern was in charge of arrangements.