MILO I.  NOBLE 96, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away Saturday afternoon, June 16, 2018 in the Cherokee Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 20 ^th , at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, Iowa. Rev. Tom Petersen and Nelva Petersen C.L.S. will officiate. Burial will be in the Sunset View Cemetery at Washta, Iowa. There will be military rites at the cemetery by the American Legion and the V.F.W. There will be a family prayer service at 10:15 a.m. at the church on Wednesday. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee with the family present at that time. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com

Milo was born December 16, 1921 on the family farm in Washta, Iowa to Frank and Isabelle (Carney) Noble. Milo was the youngest of nine siblings, eight of whom were boys. Growing up during the depression in the house his father built provided him a life rich in laughter and love.  Milo told his grandchildren that he began his education, as he liked to tell them, "I went straight into first grade cold turkey, no preschool, no kindergarten".  Milo graduated from Washta High school in 1939.  In 1943, Milo enlisted in the 8 ^th AF and serving in the 466 ^th BG, 785 ^th Squadron, which was based in Attlebridge, England.  Milo was the nose gunner on a B-24 and flew missions in the Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns.

Upon returning home to Iowa, he met the love of his life, Alice DeWitt. They were united in marriage on July 29, 1948.  The first three years of their marriage were spent in Portland, Oregon, where Milo worked as a furniture and cabinet maker.  Milo then returned to Iowa to fulfill his true calling, which was farming.  Milo farmed in the Grand Meadow and Aurelia communities until he retired in 1986, but he was one of those farmers that never fully retired.

Milo was active in Farm Bureau, American Legion, VFW, 8 ^th AF Historical Society, Cherokee County Extension, and Buena Vista County Soil and Water Conservation.  Second only to becoming a grandfather, Milo enjoyed history, antique tractors, the Albert City Thrashers Festival, Grand Meadow Heritage Days, traveling, and polka music.  Milo was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Aurelia, Iowa, where he served on various committees.  One of his treasured experiences late in life was the opportunity to go on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. and see the WWII Memorial.

Milo was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Alice (DeWitt) Noble, brothers, Mervin, Merle, Faye, Florian, Harley, Gerald, Dale, Purl, infant DuWayne Noble as well as sister Arlene (Noble) Holler, and infant sister Ione Noble.

Milo will be greatly missed by his daughter, Blythe (Ivan) Schaller of Wausau, WI, his son Kelly Noble of Aurelia, Iowa; granddaughters Micaela Schaller and her partner Ben Kober of Maquoketa, Iowa; Sierra (Ward) Schaller Cole of Washington, D.C., Elizabeth Noble, State Center, Iowa, and great grandson, Oliver Noble Rhodes; two sister-in-law's Arlene (Neil) Warner, Quimby, Iowa; Patricia Walker, Sedalia, Missouri, and many nieces and nephews.

Milo will be remembered for his wit, wisdom, humor, and love for his family.