George Isley

George R. Isley, 90, of Cedar Falls, died peacefully on Wednesday, August 13, 2014, at the Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Center in Cedar Falls. He was born August 15, 1923 in Cedar Falls, the son of Will and Kathryn (Hansen) Isley. George married Lorraine Nielsen on March 21, 1945, at the Little Brown Church near Nashua, Iowa. He was a lifelong farmer, innovator, and enjoyed building machinery. George continued his father's business of breeding and selling English Shepherd puppies as stock dogs, remaining a lifelong dog lover. He founded and ran Ag-Air Ltd., a crop spraying service, for 20 years and shared his woodworking talents in walnut furniture and knick knacks, lovingly given to family members. Flying was his favorite hobby, earning a private flying and commercial license with an instrument rating. George was past President of the Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association, a Black Hawk County Soil Commissioner, a charter member of the Cedar Falls Rural Fire Department, and a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls. Survivors include his wife of 69 years, Lorraine Isley, of Cedar Falls; his children, Janice (Earl) Smith of Liberty, Missouri, Arlinda McKeen of Urbandale, Iowa, and Gaylon (Chris) Isley, of Cedar Falls; six grandchildren, Matthew and Burton Smith, Nathan McKeen and Amy McKeen Toth, Catherine and Will Isley, and four great grandchildren. George was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Wilma Gormly. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 16, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, with private burial at Fairview Cemetery, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be 57:00 p.m. Friday at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home. Memorials may be directed to the family for use to support activities for residents of the Western Home Communities Martin Center. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.