Maynard Paul Flake

Maynard Paul “Buzz” Flake, 85, of Newton, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2014, at his home at Park Centre in Newton. A celebration of Buzz’s life will be from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The celebration will start with a short prayer service. Memorials in Buzz’s name to be used for scholarship funds may be left at the funeral home.

Buzz, the son of Maynard and Anna (Rabas) Flake, was born May 31, 1929, in Muscatine. As a young boy he lived in Muscatine and Iowa City, before moving to Newton, at the age of 10. Buzz graduated from Newton High School in 1947. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War from 1948-1952. Buzz was united in marriage with Marcella Eileen Postma on Feb. 27, 1953, in Newton. He worked as an HVAC electrician for Skinner Sales and Services and then as an instrument technician at the Maytag Company from 1968, until his retirement in 1992. Buzz was a member of the American Legion Post 111, Emerson Hough Izaak Walton League and a lifetime member of the VFW Post 1655. He loved his family and friends, especially his grandchildren. He was also an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan.

Buzz is survived by his children, Randall (Keitha) Flake, Joseph Flake, Douglas (Jennifer) Flake and Susan Flake, all of Newton; seven grandchildren, Jill (Chad) Hollingsworth, Rob Cannon, Josh Flake, Sara Flake, Jaelynn Flake, Jourdan Flake and Zavier Flake; his four great-grandchildren, Megan and Ashley Hollingsworth, Trenton Cannon and Micha Flake; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rosie Berry of Baxter, Jerry Postma of Rhodes, Lucille (Jim) Sheesley of Mingo, and William (Gloria) Postma of Newton; and his many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marcella in 2000; and a sister, Pauline Heaberlin.