Arvin Haywood

Arvin Glen Haywood passed through the eternal farm gate to his heavenly home Tuesday, August 23, 2022, at Creekside Living in Grundy Center. He was born in rural Granger on July 2, 1935 at the home of his parents Harry and Winnetta (Herrold) Haywood.

Arvin moved with his family to rural Union in 1938, where he graduated from Union High School, Union, IA, in 1953. He attended Ellsworth College, then transferred to William Penn College where he met his lifelong partner Carolyn Jean McDowell of Grinnell, IA. They were married December 23, 1955 and both graduated from William Penn College in May 1957 with teaching degrees. While teaching, he attended graduate school at the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa.

Arvin held teaching positions in Letts, lowa, Union-Whitten and Eldora High School and taught business, history, economics, and social studies. In 1970, the family moved to his childhood farm where he rediscovered his love of the land, livestock and farming until retirement. While farming, he worked as a substitute teacher and taught investing classes, classes for Veterans, Sunday School, and preached from the pulpit. Arvin grew up attending the Union Community Church and later the Eldora First Congregational UCC Church.

Arvin enjoyed volunteering his time working as a counselor at Boys State. He was active in Kiwanis and Rotary as well as the Hardin County Farm Museum, organizing tractor rides. He was well read, with an extensive library and he enjoyed writing and sharing stories about his life experiences. Arvin loved gardening, tending to strawberries, melons, squash and other vegetables. He enjoyed making fresh horseradish with his friends.

Arvin had a passion for mixing history with family vacations, exploring the west, at first in his homemade campers, then later in a Winnebago. Trips were often interrupted with stops at historical markers and old steam trains. He loved fishing, making many trips to Canada with family and friends, returning with plenty of fish stories to tell and some to eat. In later years, he enjoyed family gatherings; telling stories, playing games and laughing with great tears of joy.

Arvin is survived by his wife of 67 years, Carolyn of Arlington Place, Grundy Center; children: Susan (Marvin) Beneke of Palmer, Charles (Linda) Haywood of Ames, Carl (Priya) Haywood of Mountain View, CA, Paul (Dianne) Haywood of Union. His grandchildren: Erin (Michael) Peat of Dubuque, Jessica (Kevin) Bane of Ames; Nicole Olson of Scottsdale, AZ; Emily Haywood of lowa City, Tom and Spencer Haywood of Ames, Nina, Kiran and Raina Mistry Haywood of Mountain View, CA. Great Grandchildren: Elliot, Hadley, Graham, Adelyn, Kailyn, and Olivia Peat; and Joseph Bane.

He is also survived by sisters-in-law Erma Haywood and Betty Haywood, sister Corinne Martin, brother George (Elaine) Haywood, as well as many nieces and nephews. In death Arvin has been reunited with his parents, his wife's parents Arthur O. and Mildred McDowell. Additionally, his sister Frieda Newby, brothers LaVerne and Charles Haywood, brother and sister-in-law Ray and Betty McDowell.