BOONE, Iowa—Funeral arrangements have been set for Albert LeRoy Behling, the only child of Albert Herman and Elizabeth (Smith) Behling, was born March 18, 1938 in Boone, Iowa. He passed away at the Eastern Star Masonic Home on December 30, 2021 at the age of 83 years.
On May 14, 1958, he was united in marriage to Moreen (Betsy) Pestotnik at the Central Christian Church in Boone, Iowa. He graduated from Boone High School in 1956.
Beginning in 1959, Butch worked at John Deere Des Moines Works, then later at the Boone Locker Service (1962-1966). He joined the Boone Fire Department as a professional, full-time fire fighter on June 1, 1966 and retired after 27 years from the fire service (June 1993).
Butch joined the Iowa National Guard (Red Bull Division, 1957-1965) and held the rank of Staff Sergeant at the time of his honorable discharge. He was a member of Central Christian Church and was active as a Trustee and Deacon, and a member of the Fire Fighters Association. He earlier played in a softball league, and for many years he enjoyed watching Nascar (he was a loyal Dale Earnhardt fan). He loved spending time with family and watching grandchildren’s activities, and regularly enjoyed car rides (with four-legged companion, Pearl, along for the ride) and deer watching. Butch and Betsy traveled some, with the most memorable of trips being a Hawaiian cruise.
Butch was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Elizabeth, and mother and father-in-law, Duane and Joselyn Pestotnik, sister-in-law Colleen Pestotnik. He is survived by his wife, Moreen (Betsy) Behling of Boone; daughter Shirley (Calvin) Wirtz of Boone; son Bill (Brenda) Behling of Boone; and four grandchildren: Kristen (Andy) Pepples, Callie (Cheyne) Hanlon, Kayla (Scott) McCambridge, and Steven (Marah) Wirtz; and ten great-grandchildren Hoyt, Cheylie, and Meryn Hanlon; Dylan and Cameron Pepples; Rowan, Brooks, and Mia McCambridge; and Teagan and Keeley Wirtz. Also surviving are brothers-in-law George Pestotnik and David (Lynn) Pestotnik.
Funeral Services will be 11:00 am Wednesday, January 5, 2022 at Central Christian Church, 803 Greene Street, Boone, IA. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on Wednesday at Central Christian Church prior to the service. Interment will be at Linwood Park Cemetery, Boone, IA. Memorials are suggested to the Central Christian Church or the Boone Area Humane Society. Masks are suggested for those attending the service.
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, IA is assisting the family. Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com.
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