SR Express - Passing of a Brother

August 13, 2018

Dwight R. Hunnell, 32° KCCH

It is with regret that I inform you that Honorable Brother Dwight R. Hunnell passed away on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

Dwight was born on November 16, 1922, in Runnells, to Jesse and Anna (Vaughn) Hunnell.

He was drafted in the Army Air Force on March 26, 1943 and was honorably discharged on February 16, 1946. Dwight went to business college then to the Open Bible College. He owned and operated Hunnell Construction and Pools of Iowa.

Dwight was a member of Highland Park Christian Church. He was a master gardener and an ordained minister for many years, officiating many weddings and funerals in his retirement.

Dwight was raised in Union Park Lodge #658 in 1961 and served as Master in 1976. He was a Past Master of Westgate-Adelphic Lodge #509. He was a member of the Newton York Rite Bodies, Za Ga Zig Shrine, and Charles Clyde Hunt Priory, KYCH.

Hon. Bro. Hunnell joined the Des Moines Scottish Rite bodies on November 22, 1969. Dwight was a ritualist in the 16th Degree, 31st Degree, and Maundy Thursday Soliloquies. He was active for many years on the Kitchen Krew and served as Chairman. He also coordinated the Marsengill Christmas Dinner. Dwight received the Knight Commander Court of Honour on November 16, 1995, his 73rd birthday.

He passed to the Grand Lodge above on August 8, 2018.

Graveside services were held at 11 A.M., Saturday, August 11, 2018, at Lowman Cemetery in Runnells, IA. Memorial contributions may be made to Shrine Children's Hospital.

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

Scottish Rite Express

Valley of Des Moines ---------------------------------- Orient of Iowa

May 11, 2018

D. Patrick Griffin, 32° KCCH 

Daniel Patrick Griffin, age 74, of Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Michael Russell and Wilma Grethel (Johnston) Griffin, was born January 3, 1944, in Leon, Iowa. He passed away on May 9, 2018, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa following a short illness.

Pat, as he was known, graduated from Leon High School in 1962. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Iowa and then his law degree, graduating in 1968. He took a job with the Iowa State Department of Banking as a trust examiner working out of the Des Moines, Iowa office. In 1976, he moved to California to work as a senior trust examiner for the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. After a year he returned to Des Moines and started his own business, Daniel Patrick Griffin Bank Trust Consultant. He was still working on projects at the time of his death.

Pat was a member of Iowa Bar Association. In his free time, Pat enjoyed reading. He read anything and everything, but especially enjoyed history. He loved to travel, golf, play chess, and spend time with his friends.

Pat was a member of West Gate Adelphic Masonic Lodge #509 in Windsor Heights, Iowa, and served the lodge as Treasurer for many years.  He became a Master of the Royal Secret in the Des Moines Valley, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on April 15, 1978.  Pat was active in the 4th and 22nd degrees as a ritualist and served as Degree Master of the 11th degree.  He was invested with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in November of 2007.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his brother, Michael Russell "Mickey" Griffin, Jr. Survivors include his sisters, Jeannine Griffin and Donna Griffin, both of Des Moines; sister-in-law, Honey Griffin of Sioux City, Iowa; five nieces and their husbands, Terry and John Lewis, Donna Jeannine and Wil Forker, Sue Hartwell, Michelle and Kerry Richardson, and Christine and Steve Namanny; great nieces and nephews; great, great nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at the Slade - O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2018, with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. A Masonic Memorial Service will also be presented. Burial will be in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa.

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

November 6, 2017          Billy Joe Hildreth, 33°

It is with regret, we announce the passing of Illustrious Brother Billy Joe Hildreth 33º.    Billy Joe joined the Scottish Rite in the Fall of 1973 becoming a Master of the Royal Secret on October 27, 1973.  He served more than 20 years as Chairman of the Dining Room Committee and was an active ritualist.  He was the 2nd recipient of the Loring S. Parker award for outstanding ritual.  Illustrious Brother Hildreth was invested a Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1981 and coroneted a 33º Inspector General Honorary in 1997.  He served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery KT of Iowa in 2000 and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter RAM of Iowa in 2012.   Billy Joe was a major donor to Scottish Rite and Masonic Charities.  He was the father of Ill. Bryce B. Hildreth, PGM, and Personal Representative of the SGIG for the Des Moines Valley. Memorials in his honor may be made to: The Iowa Scottish Rite Masonic Foundation (519 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309) or the Knights Templar Eye Foundation (519 Park Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309) Visitation: November 9, 2017 5p to 8p  Ankeny Church of the Brethren 417 SE Grant St. Ankeny, Iowa 50021 Christian &; Knights Templar Services: November 10, 2017 11:00 am Ankeny Church of the Brethren 417 SE Grant St. Ankeny, Iowa 50021 Interment will be at the Brethren Cemetery in Elkhart, Iowa

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

September 14, 2017  Announcing the passing of          Brother Richard G. Manning, 32° KCCH

It is with regret, we announce the passing of Richard G. Manning, 32° KCCH.   He passed away Sunday, September 10, 2017 in Omaha, NE. It was Richard's wish that there be no visitation or funeral service. A private Graveside Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Shriners Hospitals for Children. Richard was born July 20, 1930 in Des Moines, IA to Cyril and Alice Manning. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School and attend Drake University. He graduated from the University of Colorado School of Banking. Richard retired from Bankers Trust in Des Moines.  Dick was Past Master and Treasurer of Westgate-Adelphic Masonic Lodge #509, ZA-GA-ZIG Shrine, Shrine Past Master's Club and a Past President of Des Moines High 12 Club. He joined the Scottish Rite on April 8, 2000, he received his Knight Commander Court of Honour on November 14, 2009. He served as a Tiler and on the Mail Crew.

SR Express - Passing of a Brother

July 24, 2017   Announcing the passing of                 Brother Terry R. Smith, 33°

It is with regret, we announce the passing of Terry R. Smith, 33°, Past Master of Kadosh.   He passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017.  Terry was born October 9, 1941, in Des Moines, to Ralph and Wilma (Zimmerli) Smith. He graduated from North High School in 1960 and married Carol R. Latimer on August 2, 1963, in Des Moines. Terry started his career in floor coverings at the family business, Ralph N. Smith, Inc. as an ap­prentice/installer. He worked there until 1999 when he retired as Vice President.   Terry was a member of Alverson Chapter Order of DeMolay, a member of several Masonic Lodges and Past Master of Moingona Lodge #633, Des Moines Scottish Rite and a member of Des Moines Court #46 Royal Order of Jesters. He was a member of The Inter­national Supreme Council Order of DeMolay and held the DeMolay Legion of Honor.   Terry joined Des Moines Scottish Rite in March of 1969.  He was an officer in the Lodge of Perfection, served on the Kitchen Krew, Membership, Ritual, & Building Committees, and in the Double Eagle Chorus.  He was Invested with the Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 1983 and was Coroneted a 33rd Degree Honorary Inspector General in 1997.   Terry is survived by his children, Kevin Smith, 32° KCCH and Kimberly Smith, and granddaughter, Caitlin Smith, all of Urbandale. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Carol.   Masonic and Christian services will be held on Thursday, July 27th at Iles-Westover Chapel at 3pm, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.    Memorial contributions may be made to the Des Moines Consistory Building Trust, 519 - Park St. DM, IA 50309. Online condolences will be welcomed at IlesCares.com.

SR Express - Passing of a Brother ~ Valley of Des Moines -- Orient of Iowa

Announcing the passing of           Brother Robert W. Kilfoil, 32° KCCH

Brethren,   We are saddened to report the passing of Robert W. Kilfoil, 32° KCCH. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, Nov. 26 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home with burial to follow at the Newton Union Cemetery. A public Masonic Service will be at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at the funeral home. The family will greet friends with a coffee time from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25 at the funeral home. Robert W. Kilfoil passed from this life to join his beloved Mary the evening of Saturday, Nov. 19, 2016, just a few days shy of his 88th birthday. Robert was born Nov. 23, 1928, to Ruth and Joseph Kilfoil in Knoxville. His family moved to Lovilia, where he attended school in a one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from the eighth grade and continued his education by helping his family during the depression. Robert was a World War II veteran, enlisting in the Navy and serving on the U.S.S. Boxer. Following the war, he returned to Iowa, where he met the love of his life, Mary. They were wed on Christmas Day in 1951 in State Center. They moved to Newton in 1955, where Robert was a mechanic at Hawkeye Garage, and then in the maintenance department at Maytag for 31 years. Around the time they moved to Newton, Robert was accepted into the Masonic Lodge where he held many offices through the years, traveling extensively, and attaining his 50-year certificate of membership. Robert joined the Des Moines Scottish Rite and received his 32° in April of 1965.  He received his Knight Commander Court of Honour in October of 1991. He was a 50 year member.    Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.   Sincerely and Fraternally, Shane A. Harshbarger Secretary/Registrar