Harold Dean Anders, the son of Harold Allen and Lucy Mae (Malaney) Anders, was born May 5, 1926 in Redding, Iowa. He attended school at Union Star, Missouri, graduating in 1943.
On March 1, 1944, Harold entered the United States Navy and proudly served his country during World War II, aboard the USS West Virginia, in the Pacific Ocean. A highlight of his military career was watching the signing of the Japanese Instrument of Surrender while anchored next to the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay. Harold received an Honorable Discharge on April 24, 1947, and returned to Rushville, Missouri.
On May 1, 1948, Harold was united in marriage to Mary Frances Griffith in Saint Joseph, Missouri. They made their home in Rushville, where they reared their three children, Twila, Dale and William. In 1959, they moved to Watson, Missouri, where Harold was employed as the Depot Agent, for the Burlington Northern Railroad at Phelps City, Missouri. Following the construction of Missouri Beef Packers, Harold handled the plant’s billing and shipping out of Phelps City. At the time of his retirement in June, 1985, he held the position of Agent and Telegraph Operator in Nebraska City, Nebraska. Harold worked for the railroad 39 years. Mary passed away in 2014. Harold passed away Saturday June 17, 2017, in Bellevue, Nebraska, at the age of 91. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., prior to the funeral at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port. Funeral services for Harold will be held at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 21, 2017, at Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri. Interment will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, in Memorial Park Cemetery, Saint Joseph, Missouri, and will be conducted by Rev. Bruce Jeffries. Full military rites under the auspices of Ralph Greer American Legion Post #49, Rock Port.
Harold was an active member of his community, serving on the Watson School Board, Watson Village Board, Atchison County Library Board and serving as secretary-treasurer for the Watson United Methodist Church, where he was a faithful member.
Besides his parents and wife Mary, Harold was preceded in death by daughter, Twila O’Loughlin; son, Dale Anders; one great-granddaughter, Christina Auxier; and three brothers, Dwight, Kenneth and Donald Anders. Survivors include son, William Anders and his wife, Sherry, Papillion, Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Cindy Anders, King City, Missouri; son-in-law, Michael O’Loughlin, Olathe, Kansas; four grandsons, Brian Anders, Mark Anders, Brett Anders, and Darren O’Loughlin; three granddaughters, Jennifer Auxier, Dana Funk, and Mandy Zink; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or American Parkinson Disease Foundation. Online obituaries and condolences at www.minterfuneralchapels.com ~ Services under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.