WARREN SEELEY
WARREN SEELEY, 97, former editor and publisher of Newcastle, NE and Dunlap, Iowa papers. Survived by his three sons, James (Evelyn), Ronald (Janet) and Jack (Arlene).
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at United Methodist Church in Dunlap. Visitation with family will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at funeral home.
Published in The Des Moines Register, (IA) - December 5, 2005
Warren J. Seeley, 97, passed away Friday, December 2, 2005 at the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center in Dunlap. Funeral Services will be held at the Dunlap Methodist Church Tuesday December 6, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Judy DeWeber officiating. Organist was Barbara Amsberry and Jay Randall was the soloist. Visitation was be held at Fouts Funeral Home the evening before and at the church prior to services. Fouts Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Burial was at Pleasant View Cemetery at Dunlap.
Warren J. Seeley was born in Dunlap, Iowa February 19, 1908, the son of Willis J. and Carrie M. Collins Seeley, where his father was superintendent of schools at the time. In the spring of 1912 he moved with his parents to Milford, Nebraska where they lived on a farm and later moving into town where he graduated from high school in 1925. During high school he worked part time in a newspaper office and continued there for a couple of years after graduation.
He attended University of Nebraska at Lincoln graduating in 1931 with a BA Degree and Certificate of Journalism. Upon graduation he went to Wakefield, Nebraska where he was employed in the newspaper. He married Lydia E. Woodard of Crete, Nebraska on June 10, 1932. In the fall of 1934 Warren purchased a newspaper in Newcastle, Nebraska which he published for about ten years. During that time four sons were born to the couple: James W., Robert E. who died in infancy, Ronald W. and Jack L. In addition to publishing the paper he served as city clerk for a number of years and was president of the board of education when he left in 1944 to join the staff of the Rockwell City, Iowa Advocate. In the fall of 1946 the family moved to Denison, Iowa and Warren was associated with the Denison Review.
February 1, 1947 the Seeleys purchased the Dunlap Reporter which they published until Feb. 1971. During his 24 years of ownership, the Reporter was the first newspaper in Harrison County to purchase a press camera and install a darkroom for developing and printing pictures for publication. For a year and a half they moved to Burwell, NE where he was employed by the newspaper. In October of 1972 they retired to Dunlap purchasing the home at 1108 Eaton St. During his retirement he worked part-time for several years as an electrician’s helper at the Bonsall Appliance store. He also served several years as treasurer of the Dunlap Public Library Board.
As editor and publisher of the Reporter, Warren was active in community affairs. He helped organize the Dunlap Community Chest and served as its chairman for a time. He also served several years as chairman of the Blood Bank, past president to the Dunlap Lions Club and held other offices within the organization. He was a lifelong member of the First Methodist Church, holding different positions on the Board of Directors, teaching Sunday School classes and was a member of the choir.
Warren moved to the Dunlap Nursing and Rehab Center in April of 1997.
He was preceded in death by his wife Lydia of 70 years, one brother Keith, one sister Rowena Lytle, and one great grandson David Tompkins.
Warren is survived by his three sons, James W. (Evelyn Blaha) of McGregor, IA, Ronald W. (Janet Klein) of Brookings, SD, and Jack L. (Arlene Chambers) of Seattle, WA., eleven grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to Dunlap Methodist Church, Dunlap Public Library, or Dunlap Fire and Rescue Dept.
His grandchildren served as casket bearers and his great grandchildren were honorary casket bearers.
Published at funeralplan.com- fouts funeral home
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