White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Oelwein – Garland F. “Gary” Newton, Jr., 76 years old, of Oelwein, Iowa, formerly of Independence, died on Sunday, September 26, 2021, at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.  He was born in California on February 18, 1945, the son of Garland Francis and Helen (Sopchinsky) Newton, Sr.  After he graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1963, Mr. Garland served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.  He later completed the course of study at Hawkeye Tech in Waterloo.  On September 23, 1972, he and the former Cathy Elaine Howe were married at St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  She preceded him in death on June 4, 2017.  Before retiring in 2009, he was a psychiatric aide at the Mental Health Institute in Independence.

Mr. Newton liked to spend time hunting pheasants and fishing for bass.  He raised and trained bird dogs.

Mr. Newton is survived by 1 brother, Mark (Maureen) Newton of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, 2 nephews, Brandon (Grace) Rowray of Mt. Vernon, and Travis (Patrice) Rowray of Cedar Rapids, and 1 niece-in-law, Chris (Marv) Schaufenbuel of Atkins, Iowa.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents and 1 sister, Loretta Newton.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 2, 2021, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Sharon Bainbridge officiating.  Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.  Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Friday, October 1^st, at the White Funeral Home with a Vigil Service beginning at 6:30 p.m.