Jack E. Armstrong

On the 16th day of the 8th month in the year 2016 in Unionville, MO, Jack E. Armstrong reached the goal of a long and fulfilling life and was freed from the burdens of a body he no longer needed. His life journey began in Princeton, MO on Jan 26, 1921 when greeted by his parents W.K. and Golda Armstrong and sister Brenda. After attending several schools around Iowa during his father's teaching career, Jack's parents returned to Putnam County and their retirement farm near Mendota, and Jack began High School in Unionville. Three years later his father accepted a request to return to teach in the school at Dawson, IA for two years, so Jack graduated there, but was also considered to be a member of the class of 1938 at UHS. After graduating he returned to Putnam County and worked his parent’s farm until they returned in 1939, and continued there until beginning training in the U. S. Army in Oct 1942.

In mid Feb 1943 while transferring with his buddy, in their suntans and short sleeved uniforms, from Ft. Myers, FL to Kingman, AZ, during a train stop in Union Station in St. Louis his eyes met those of a secretary from Wentworth, MO working in St. Louis. After a short time getting acquainted in a stationery shop, they began a daily letter exchange which resulted in his marriage with Allis Stephens in Sep 1944 at the Santa Anna Army Air Force base. Jack graduated from Cadets as a flight engineer, and then trained as navigator on B-29s at San Antonio. The war ended after his luggage had been shipped ahead, but before his crew left for Japan.

In March 1946, Jack received his discharge from the Army Air Forces and returned to Putnam County to begin farming with his father southwest of Mendota. Jack and Allis bought a farm south of his father's later that year. After a series of poor crops due to weather, Jack looked for income to supplement the farm, and in Sep 1954 he began work with the U. S. Postal Service in Kansas City, first at the terminal and later as a Railway Mail Clerk on the Wabash RR between Moberly and Des Moines. In 1958 Jack worked out of the Des Moines Post Office on a mail bus. He was happy that in 1960 he could transfer to the Unionville P. O.,where he was first assigned to Rural Route 3, and later RR 4, where he enjoyed serving as mail carrier to the people southwest and northeast of Unionville for over 20 years. In 1963 he built a new house on the farm and continued part time farming Angus cattle, row crops and hay. He also worked on many projects with his friends in the Unionville United Methodist Church, including the Unionville Feeder Calf Sale.

In 1981 Jack retired from Postal work and continued on the farm until a second retirement and moving to Unionville in 1994. During his retirement he enjoyed traveling around the country and visiting family and friends. The times he spent with friends, many of whom he'd grown up with in high school, including monthly, and later, weekly card games, frequent trips to the Rathbun Country Music Theater and music and comedy shows in Branson, and especially the years they shared winters in Lakeland, FL were among his favorite memories. But his most cherished memory for which he felt the deepest gratitude, was that fortuitous meeting in the St. Louis Union Station.

Jack's passing was as peaceful as he had wished for. He leaves behind his wife Allis; sons Kendall also of Unionville, Lynn (Judy) of Klamath Falls, OR, and Alan (LuAnn) of Shenandoah, IA; step-grandson Aaron (Sue) Purser of Portland, OR, granddaughter Alexis (Jordan) Dierking of Nebraska City, NE and grandson Jeff Armstrong of Shenandoah, IA; and many dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

It was his desire to have his body purified by cremation before returning its elements to the earth. Friends and family will gather for a memorial service at 1 pm on Sep 6, 2016 at the Unionville United Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the Unionville United Methodist Church. Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, is in charge of the arrangments.