Harold "Hal" Beery

Harold F. "Hal" Beery, 97, formerly of Salem, IA, died March 16, 2015, of natural causes in Billings, MT. A memorial graveside service will be held Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at the Salem East Cemetery with Pastor Aaron Helterbran officiating. Military rites will be provided by the Henry County Honor Guard. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is assisting with the arrangements. On line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com Hal was born on May 30, 1917, in Salem, Iowa, to Leah and Floyd Beery. He was a skilled high school and college basketball player and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1939 and attended graduate school at the University of Illinois where his plans for the future were altered with the gathering storm clouds of WWII. Hal enlisted as a flying cadet in June 1940 with the U.S. Army Air Corps and graduated with his pilot wings in February 1941 at Kelly Field, San Antonio, Texas. He was greatly influenced by his uncle, Levi Beery, who was a pilot and had enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1917. Hal married his high school sweetheart Martha Montgomery in May 1941 and they had two children, Sue and David. Hal continued his distinguished military career for 27 years and Martha created a home for the family during his numerous base assignments. Later in their 59 year marriage Hal supported Martha and provided her with loving care during her courageous battle with Alzheimers Disease. He was a dedicated volunteer with the San Antonio Alzheimer's Association and was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award from the City of San Antonio for his many years of faithful service.Hals military career included serving as a B-24 aircraft commander in the Pacific Theater during World War II for which he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in March 1943 for flying 40 bombing missions in the Aleutian Islands. He was a B-29 instructor pilot after returning from the Aleutians in 1943, a B-29 aircraft commander while flying bombing missions during the Korean War, and a B-47 aircraft commander during the Cold War. In 1958 Hal was selected for the Jupiter Missile Program and was stationed in Taranto, Italy and in 1961 was transferred to Malmstrom AFB (Great Falls, MT) where he was the Commanding Officer of the 12th Strategic Missile Squadron with the Minuteman missile program. Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1968 he moved to San Antonio, TX where he was employed for several years by the City of San Antonio as a health inspector. Hal enjoyed attending military reunions, was a member of the Order of Daedalians, the Commemorative Air Force Association, and was an active member in Kiwanis. In 2012 Hal was moved to Billings, MT to receive care and support from his children. Hal was an avid golfer and proudly displayed his "hole in one" trophy. He was a regular at the Friday night putting contests at the Windcrest Country Club in San Antonio. Hal could always be found on the dance floor whenever his favorite song "Kansas City" was being played. He was a loving husband and father, and the epitome of a true gentleman. Survivors include his daughter, Sue Beery Agnew of Billings, MT; a son David (Cathy) Beery of Laurel, MT; three grandchildren, David (Jylian) Beery and their children, Elias and Ava Beery of Cottonwood, AZ; Chris Beery of Billings, MT and Grace (Chad) Johns of Spokane, WA; a nephew Pete (Marlys) Turbett of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and two nieces, Marilyn (John) Leveling of Ft. Madison, IA and Pat Shaffner of West Burlington, IA. Preceding in death were his parents, his wife, and his sister, Margaret Todd. Cemetery Details Salem East Cemetery Salem, IA, Graveside Service AUG 29. 01:00 PM Salem East Cemetery Salem, IA, US