In Memory of David Fineran

William “David” Fineran, age 77, of Odebolt, Iowa, passed away on Monday, July 15, 2024, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, July 19, 2024, at the St. Martin's Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa. Father Joseph A. Dillinger will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Ehlers & Gerken Post No. 0694 of the American Legion of Arcadia, Iowa. Interment will follow at the St. Martin's Catholic Cemetery of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 18, 2024, at the St. Martin Catholic Church of Odebolt, Iowa.

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Odebolt, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

William “David” Fineran, the son of William Patrick and Mary Margaret (Miller) Fineran, was born on a farm near Boyer, IA, on August 29, 1946. He grew up near Boyer where he received his elementary education at country school and St. Martin’s Catholic Parochial School before finishing his education at Odebolt-Arthur High School.

David was drafted into the United States Army in December 1965. Before being deployed to Vietnam he married the love of his life, Ellen Marie Simpson, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Sac City, IA, on February 19, 1966. After honorably serving his country overseas, David was discharged on September 6, 1967. He was awarded the Army Accommodation Medal, which he has worn with pride for his country on his uniform over the years while participating in the Ehlers & Gerken Post No. 0694 of the American Legion of Arcadia, IA. 

Over the years David was employed as a carpenter for LeRoy Nelson, worked at Hanson Silo, and IBP. After he returned home from the service, David worked at Farmland while commencing in farming on his own while Ellen ran the local grocery store and gas station in Boyer.

The family relocated in May of 1971 to a farm south of Odebolt, IA. David continued his farming operation caring for cattle, hogs, and crops until he retired at age 64. David then transitioned the farming operation to his son, Jason.

In his spare time David enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, traveling, and playing cards with his family and friends. David never knew a stranger and would always lend a helping hand to anyone in need. He took great pride in his friends but nothing was more important to him than his wife and family.  

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 58 years Ellen Fineran of Odebolt, IA; children Jeff (Kim) Fineran of Wall Lake, IA, Suzanne Strain of Rockledge, FL, Jason (Kelli) Fineran of Kiron, IA and Sherri (Vincent) Raffensberger of Papillion, NE; grandchildren Seth (Emily) Fineran, Lexi Fineran, Coby Fineran, Erin (Elvin) Fineran, Ayla Fineran, Mary Ellen Strain, Patrick Strain, Ella Grace Strain, Kendal Fineran, Jenner Fineran, Zachary (Emily) Johnson, Damon Jelani, and Alexis Lampkin; great-grandchildren Hudson Schwery, Juniper Fineran, and Vivian Soto; sisters Sister Shirley Fineran of Sioux City, IA  and Therese Teiber of Durango, CO; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents William P. and Mary Fineran; in-laws Dwight and Artie Simpson; sister Sharon (Dick) Kepford; brother Roger Fineran; brother-in-law John Teiber; many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.