Ira Begley Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Ira Begley passed away peacefully sitting in his favorite chair at home on April 28 at the age of 88. Ira was the beloved husband of Dora Eloise Begley (Stuckey) and a devoted father to Kathryn (Thomas) Rotte; Robert (Cathy Kendrick); and Janice (Brian) Jagodzinski. His greatest joy was his eight grandchildren: Lindsay (Craig) Barhorst; Kyle Begley; Matthew, Caitlin and Benjamin Jagodzinski; John, Matthew and Sarah Rotte; and his two great grandchildren, Dora Elizabeth and Samuel Craig Barhorst. Ira was born on the October 4, 1925 in Ingram, Kentucky to Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Begley. He was one of eight children. His sister, Cassie Begley, Ingram, survives. He served for four years in World War ll in the U.S. Navy as a gunner on a supply ship, the U.S.S. Agwidale. Ira traveled around the world serving in the Navy. Following his honorable discharge in 1946, he attended Eastern Kentucky University. In 2011 Ira was honored as a veteran by Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio. Ira was a man with great integrity. He believed in the value of working hard. He began as a coal inspector in Logan, West Virginia. There he met and married the love of his life, Eloise. Their marriage on June 25, 1955 and 58-year commitment serve as an inspiration. In 1963, Ira moved his family to Toledo to work for Pickands Mather Company. In 1966, he joined Hunt-Wesson as a field representative in agricultural operations contracting, planting and harvesting tomato crops. He worked with farmers in Ohio, Michigan and Georgia, many of whom became lifelong friends. He retired in 1991 with 25 years of service. Ira joined the Toledo Museum of Art in 2005 as a guard. The treasures of TMA were always in good hands when Ira was on duty. Ira loved the TMA and the friends he met there. He retired in 2012. He was a man of great faith, living the Golden Rule. Ira’s place was always at the head of the table where he led everyone in prayer. He was a member of Hampton Park Christian Church for 50 years and served as an elder. He was a 50 -year member of the Aracoma Lodge of the Masons and the Eastern Star. Ira loved to read about history. His passion was puttering around his home and yard. His best hours were spent with family and friends who were drawn to the twinkle in his eye, his laughter, his sense of humor, and talent for telling a story. Ira enjoyed Kentucky bourbon and was an avid Derby fan. It is wonderful that we will honor Ira on Derby Day. Visitation is Saturday, May 3 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Ansberg-West, 3000 Sylvania. Services will be held on Sunday, May 4 at 3 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 2315 Collingwood, with Rev. Larry Vriezelaar presiding. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider Hampton Park Christian Church; First Congregational Church; Toledo Museum of Art; or Honor Flight of Northwest Ohio. Online condolences may be left for Ira’s family by visiting www.ansberg-west.com The family would like to thank Dr. Louis Reiner, Dr. Ronald Wainz, Sharon Littlehale, and Flower’s Pulmonary Rehab. Ira was deeply loved and will be missed.

Ira Begley

October 4, 1925 - April 28, 2014