David R. Pearson

David Ray Pearson, 94, of Agency, IA passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Ottumwa Regional Health Care Center in Ottumwa, IA. Funeral services honoring his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA with Pastor Mark Clark officiating. Burial will be in the Batavia Cemetery immediately following the service. A visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday November 6, 2026, at the funeral home and will last until the time of service. Memorial contributions in Dave's honor may be directed to the Agency Public Library and may be mailed to P.O. Box 87, Agency, IA 52530. Friends may leave online condolences and join the livestream at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

David Ray Pearson was born on March 27, 1932, in Van Buren County, IA to Ray and Mildred Sellers Pearson. He attended country school before graduating from Libertyville High School with the class of 1952. David was a craftsman from an early age and began a career as a carpenter and millwright. He made a career out of creating and fixing with his hands. In 1977 he married the love of his life, Sue Humble. With this union came the addition of her children which he thought of as his own. David and Sue built a house in Batavia where they lived for many years. They were the owners and operators of the Hi-Lo Bar in Batavia as well as the Pecks in Libertyville. Eventually they moved to Agency, IA, where they would call home for the remainder of their lives. After Sue’s death, David remained close with her family and with their support he was able to remain active and at home until the very end.

David loved fishing whenever he had the chance. He and Sue raised many small animals throughout their time together from chicks to baby calves. Later in life he enjoyed visiting with friends over a cold drink at Chommy’s and never missed riding in the Agency 4th of July parade. He was an avid fan of country western fan and would read any country western book that he could get his hands on. Stacy always kept him in supply from the Agency Library and if a book wasn’t available, he would find a good western on TV. David was never one to show emotion, but this changed with age as he spent time around his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Sue Pearson three stepsons, David, Ronnie, and Terry Sheets, and ten siblings, John, Doris, Josephine “Jo”, Ralph, Chloe, James, Rosco, Margaret, Evy, and George.

Left to honor his memory are Sue’s children who he thought of as his own, Jim (Nancy) Sheets of Bloomfield, IA, Shirley (Mike) Courtney of Agency, IA, Sharon Orman of Calamus, IA, Martha Ohlinger of Ottumwa, IA, Carol Sheets of Ottumwa, IA and Mike Sheets of Agency, IA; his sister, Judy, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren, extended family and friends.