Floyd Buffington

Floyd Buffington: Buff passed away Tuesday evening at the Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa at the age of 89 years, 11 months and 30 days. Buff's family includes his sons and daughters-in-law: Jim and Susan Buffington of Oskaloosa; Terry and Dianna Buffington of Oskaloosa; and Kip and Tammy Buffington of Lincoln, NE; his daughters and sons-in-law: Linda and Bob ""Dean"" Fisher of Carroll, IA and Shelly Buffington and John Harper of Columbus, OH; eight grandchildren: Bob Fisher, Bambi Robinson, Angela Carmer-Hansen, Jennifer Baker, Dustin Russell, Joshua Russell, Danielle Harless and Caleb Buffington; seventeen great grandchildren; a sister, June Allison of Kinross, IA. Floyd Earl Buffington, son of Burdette Beswick and Malinda Ann Scully Buffington, was born August 13, 1918 in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was educated in the Ottumwa and Albia areas and enlisted in the U.S. Army March 17, 1937 at Fort Des Moines. Buff was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Pre-Pearl Harbor ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with two bronze stars for the campaigns of New Guinea and Luzon and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. He also has four overseas bars and two service stripes. He was discharged from the Army October 25, 1945, after which he returned to Iowa where he enlisted in the Army Reserves; he served in the reserves for 14 years and retired as a First Sergeant. Upon his return from WWII, he worked as an apprentice carpenter in Des Moines, and then joined his father's business in Oskaloosa. He married Roberta Marie Johnson March 23, 1953 in Kirksville, MO and they made their home in Oskaloosa. Buff and his father operated Buffington and Son Construction for many years and eventually included Floyd's son Terry in the business. Later, Buff went to work at Ziegler Construction, where he retired as a supervisor in 1978. Due to his service in the military as a young man, Buff was not able to graduate high school; on May 27, 2001, along with many other Mahaska County Veterans he was awarded a high school diploma at the Oskaloosa High School Graduation Ceremonies. Buff was a member of the American Legion, where he was a past Post Commander. He was a member of the International Carpenters Union in Oskaloosa for over 50 years and served as president for several years. He was also a member of the Mahaska County Campers Club; and he enjoyed square dancing. Buff was meticulous about his car, yard and home and he will be remembered as being very dedicated to his family, his country, and his work. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Roberta on July 19, 2008; two brothers: Max and Bob Buffington and a sister, Ruth Manson. PDF Printable Version

Floyd Buffington

August 13, 1918 - August 12, 2008