Earl Vance Mahoney

EARL VANCE MAHONEY was born to Louis and Mary (Kane) Mahoney on August 31, 1907 in Aurelia, Iowa. When it was time for Earl to attend school, he went to live with his aunt and uncle in Cherokee, Iowa. Then in 1921 when he was 16 years old, he moved with his parents to Pipestone, Minnesota where he attended high school. During this time, he also helped in the body shop of Hicks Motors in Pipestone. After his graduation from Pipestone High School in 1926, he became employed by the Pipestone Leader as a news reporter and linotype operator. In 1929, he began working for Pipestone Auto as an auto body repairman. On June 22, 1934, he was united in marriage to Mary Nash at St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they resided in Pipestone; and Earl continued to work at Pipestone Auto. In 1937, he opened the Mahoney Body Shop in Pipestone which he continued to run and operate until his retirement in 1975.

Earl was a member of St. Leo Catholic Church in Pipestone. He was also a member of the Pipestone Country Club where he enjoyed playing cards. He enjoyed playing golf, and he golfed until he was 90 years old. Earl and Mary spent several hours each week volunteering at the Good Samaritan Village in Pipestone. After their retirement, they traveled extensively, including places like Texas, Arizona, Hawaii, Alaska and Canada. On July 1st, 2005 they became residents of Ridgeview Estates in Pipestone. After Mary's death in December of 2009 he continued to live there until October of 2011 when he moved to the Good Samaritan Communities of Pipestone. On Saturday, August 24, 2013 he passed away there at the age of 105 years, 11 months, and 25 days.

He is lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Kelly Schmidt and husband Steve of St Louis, Missouri; Kevin Mahoney of Stilwel, Kansas; great-granddaughter, Lexi Novak of St Louis, Missouri; sister-in-law, Marian Mahoney of Pipestone; two nieces, Sharon (Mahoney) Nelson of Pipestone and Pat (Mahoney) Block of Ojai, California; and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his loving wife, Mary; son, Dennis Mahoney; Daughter-in-law, Jane Mahoney; one sister, Rhea (Mahoney) Buell; two brothers, Garland and Wayne Mahoney.