Boyd Charter Headlee, 90

Boyd Charter Headlee, longtime St. Peter resident, now residing in Northfield, Minnesota, died at the age of 90 on Monday afternoon, May 14, 2012, at the Three Links Care Center in Northfield.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, May 19, 2012, at the Church of St. Dominic in Northfield with Fr. Dennis Dempsey officiating.  Private interment with military honors will be in Calvary Cemetery, St. Peter.  Honorary pall bearers are Peter Tomczik, Laura Tomczik, Kim Bode, Kristal Wagner, Katie Holz and Rosalia Larson.  Visitation will be 4-8PM Friday, May 18, 2012, at the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home in Northfield.  Visitation continue at the church on Saturday beginning at 1PM.

Boyd was born January 2, 1922, in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, to Charles and Loa (Charter) Headlee.  Moving to Guthrie Center, Iowa, following the death of his father, he attended high school, then the Dr. Salisbury School of Poultry Disease.  He worked in the egg and poultry business after graduation and eventually became self-employed operating Headlee Produce in St. Peter, Minnesota,  from 1952 to 1989.  He enlarged his business to include the transporting of hogs for Hormel, geese and capons for Pietrus Company, and spent hens from local farmers.  He retired in 1989.

Boyd was a World War II veteran, having served in the US Navy from 1942 to 1945.  He was Chief Petty Officer aboard the air-craft carrier USS Essex.  Prior to assignment on the Essex, his duty was on the freighter USS Montanan, which was sunk by a Japanese submarine in the Indian Ocean, resulting in a 7 day period of drifting in a life boat with 22 other seamen before rescue.  His military service left him with a hearing disability.

Boyd’s Navy career took him around the world, but it was in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he met and married his wife of 65 years, Cecilia Doyle on November 30, 1946, at All Saints Catholic Church in Jersey City.  They took up residence in Coon Rapids and Rockwell City, Iowa, before moving to St. Peter in 1950.  He was a member of the Church of St. Peter, Knights of Columbus, and was a volunteer driver for Nicollet County Social Services for many years.

Survivors include three sons: Kenneth of St. Peter, Thomas and wife Doreen of St. Peter, Paul and wife Susie of Boise, Idaho; 2 daughters: Bethann and husband Charles Otto of Nicollet, Deloris and husband Patrick Tomczik of Northfield; his daughter-in-law, Paulette Headlee of Rockford, Minnesota;  17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his wife Cecilia on July 18, 2011, his son John; one brother, 2 sisters and his parents.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com