Boylan honored by peers
Tue, 06/22/2010 - 12:00am
admin
Michael D. Boylan, retired funeral director from Red Oak, was honored for 40 years of dedication to funeral service during the 130th Annual Iowa Funeral Directors Association (IFDA) Convention held May 11-13, at the Iowa State Center and Gateway Hotel in Ames, Iowa.
Boylan was one of 13 funeral directors from around the state to receive recognition by peers and colleagues for 40 years of service to Iowa communities.
Boylan began his career in funeral service as a car wash boy at the age of 14 for a funeral home in Council Bluffs. He later received a degree in Mortuary Science from Central State University in Edmond, Okla.; his was the first graduating class in Mortuary Science from Central State.
Boylan returned to Council Bluffs to work as a funeral director and embalmer before purchasing the Nelson Funeral Chapel in Red Oak. He operated Nelson-Boylan Funeral Chapel until selling it to Brian and Dawn LeRette in 2001.
Boylan gave Brian a similar start in funeral service, when he hired Brian at the age of 14; He and his wife now regard Brian as a third son. Boylan is now retired and spends six months a year in Red Oak and the other half in Sun Lakes, Ariz.