Michael McMath

Michael Lee McMath, 68, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at his home in Red Oak. A graveside service will be held at the Clearfield Cemetery at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. A memorial fund has been established in his name to be decided later. Armstrong Funeral Home of Clearfield and Mount Ayr is in charge of the arrangements.

Michael Lee McMath was born Aug. 17, 1951, to Shirley (Bailey) and Robert McMath in Mount Ayr. Michael graduated from Clearfield High School in 1969 and attended college at Northwest Missouri State University and Rutgers University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in philosophy.

Michael apprenticed with a master sculptor and later participated in advanced art training at Yale University. He created four bronze sculptures, one of which was purchased by and exhibited in the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. The other pieces became part of private collections.

Michael shared his life with Susan Fontaine for 15 years. He particularly enjoyed traveling with Susan. They eventually made their way to Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. Michael fell in love with Nova Scotia, spending hours walking in the woods and forming firm friendships with the local people.

As Michael’s health declined, he moved back to Iowa, residing in Red Oak. He formed several deep friendships, persons who supported him during his health struggles. With his friends Michael was known for his quirky sense of humor and his generosity to those in need. He was always there for friends experiencing a crisis, spending hours to give support to them as needed.

Michael He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Merrill and Agnes Bailey; Leland and Edna McMath.

Michael is survived by his parents, Robert and Shirley McMath of Lenox; sister and brother-in-law, Monica and Kevin Crouch of Red Oak. He was especially fond of his nephews and niece, Ben Crouch of Kansas City, Missouri; Alex (Alyssa) Crouch; great-nephew, Barrett, of Baldwin City, Kansas; Bailey (Aric) Bostwick of El Paso, Texas.