ELBERON - Stacey Loren Kusel, age 34, died Wednesday, July 7, 2004 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an excavation accident near Mt. Auburn. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, July 10, 2004 at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 4 to 8 P.M., Friday. A Memorial Fund has been established. Stacey was born July 31, 1969 at Cedar Rapids to Scott Loren and Donna L. (Severin) Kusel and graduated from Benton Community High School in 1987. On June 23, 1995 he married Beth Erger at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Newhall. Stacey owned and operated Kusel Trucking and Kusel Excavating, Inc.. He was a member of the Keystone Turner Hall. Stacey truly enjoyed life and in his leisure found pleasure in boating, camping, and car racing. He is survived by his wife, Beth and his young son, Zachery of Elberon; his mother, Dr. Donna L. Meyer (Robert) of Mt. Vernon, MO; his father, Scott Kusel of Keystone; his brother, Heath Kusel (Michele) of Belle Plaine; his sisters, Heather Kusel of Madison, WI, and Tisha Kienast of Brooklyn; his father and mother-in-law, Doug and Becky Erger of Atkins; his grandmothers, Thelma Kusel and Lela Severin, both of Keystone; and several nieces and nephews, and many friends. Stacey was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Loren L. Kusel and Don Severin.

VINTON - Linda K. Lacey, age 57, died Wednesday, April 162003 at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a sudden illness. She was born September 5, 1945 in Boone to Joseph and Florence (Bowman) Fleming and graduated from the Boone High School in 1962. Linda received her RN training at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines and her BSN from Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Linda was a RN, BSN, OCN for Hospice of Mercy in Cedar Rapids for 10 years. She touched many lives in her nursing career and was dedicated to her family and her profession. On August 26, 1967 she married John Lacey at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Boone, IA. The couple have lived in Vinton the past 27 years. Linda was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She loved Irish music and unlike most people actually enjoyed mowing the grass at her home. She is survived by her husband, John of 35 years, her sons, John, Jr. and wife, Christine of Des Moines, and Christopher of Vinton; her daughter, Mary Henkle and husband, Clint of Dysart; five grandchildren, Patrick and Alex Thomsen, Keith Henkle, and Brogan and Declan Lacey; her brother, Mike Fleming, and a nephew, Jeff Fleming and his son, Cody McGraw, all of Berkley, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents, and her brother, Peter Fleming. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 Monday, April 21, 22003 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Vinton with Rev. Joseph McGuire as Celebrant. Committal Services will be held at 3 P.M., at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemeteryin Boone, Iowa. Visitation is from 4 to 8 P.M. on Sunday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton where a Scripture Service will begin at 7 P.M.. To honor Linda's wishes, the casket will remain closed at all times.

VINTON - Alvin Landgrebe, age 82, died Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at his residence, following a sudden illness. Funeral Services: 10:30 A.M., Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Wesley United Methodist Church, Vinton with Rev. Rose Blank officiating. Interment: Maplewood CemeteryVinton with graveside military rites. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M., Friday at Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton. He is survived by his brother Norman Landgrebe and wife Connie of Brandon; three nieces, Ann Abernathy and husband Larry, Theresa Fowler and husband Bob, all of Vinton, Heather Landgrebe of Ft. Myers, FL.; two nephews, Randy Landgrebe and wife Pam of Iowa City, Ed Landgrebe and wife Janet of Norwalk; many great nieces and nephews and his special friend Bonnie Adrian of Vinton. His parents, his wife, Dorothy in 2001 and one sister preceded him in death. Alvin was born October 17, 1921 at Dysart to Ed and Clara (Kiekebusch) Landgrebe. He graduated from Dysart High School with the class of 1939. A decorated veteran of World War II, Alvin served in the 3rd Army as a sergeant under the command of General George S. Patton. Alvin married Janella Tharp, and the couple later divorced. On May 16, 1981, he married Dorothy Thede in Vinton. He owned and operated Landgrebe Electric in Vinton for many years, retiring in the early 1990’s. Alvin was a member of the Vinton and Mt. Auburn American Legion Posts. The Electricians Union in Waterloo and served as a Vinton Municipal Electric Company Trustee for 14 years. Alvin will be remembered as an avid duck hunter, philanthropist and storyteller. Memorials may be directed to the National Diabetes Foundation.

KEYSTONE - Dr. M.C. “Doc” Larson, age 87, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003 at the Keystone Nursing Care Center following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, May 4, 2003 at St. John Lutheran Church with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Private Committal Services will be held at Evergreen Cemeteryin Vinton. The family will receive friends at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 5 to 7 P.M., on Saturday. The casket will remain closed at all times. “Doc” was born June 27, 1915 at Argusville, ND to Charles and Esther (Vinji) Larson and graduated from the Argusville High School. He attended Iowa State University in Ames and received his Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine Degree in 1938. In the fall of 1938 he began his practice in Keystone and he retired on July 1, 1979. He had been elected to the Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Zeta Scholastic Fraternities and served as President of the Iowa State Veterinary Medical Association, President of the Eastern Iowa Veterinary Medical Association., and was a life member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, and the Iowa State University Alumni Association. As an active member of his church and community, he served as Congregational President of St. John Lutheran Church and on several church boards and committees. For 12 years he served as a board member of the Keystone Consolidated School System, and on the Benton County School Board for 6 years. On August 22, 1940 he married Charlotte L. Harrison at Vinton. She preceded him in death on August 23, 1996. His parents and his brother, Floyd, also preceded him in death. He is survived by his son Donn Larson of Keystone; his granddaughters, Beth DeBruzzi and husband, Phillip of Eagan, MN, and Heather Blakestad and husband, Troy of Richfield, MN; great grandson, Karl DeBruzzi of Eagan, MN; three brothers, Burton Larson and wife, Alice of Argusville, ND, Dr. A.D. “Al” Larson and wife, Marylee, of Baton Rouge, LA, and Edgar “Bud” Larson and wife, Millie of Frederick, MD; and one sister, Charlotte Owens and husband, Wayne of Fargo, ND; his brother-in-law, Robert Harrison and wife, Ann of Vinton; and his sister-in-law, Doris Spooner of Macomb, IL. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

NORWAY - Kenneth Lee, age 87, died Monday, May 31, 2004 at his home in Norway following a short illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, June 3, 2004, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Norway with Rev. David Mosher officiating. Interment will be held at the Norway Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M. today at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. He is survived by his wife Etta; two sons, Robert Lee and wife Betty of Norway and Richard Lee and wife Pam of Schueyville; one daughter, Linda Coakley of Lawton, OK; nine grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and one sister June Tow and husband Lee of Walford. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Obed and Oliver Lee. Kenneth was born on July 20, 1916 in Norway, the son of Oliver and Thea (Johnson) Lee. He graduated from Walford High School with the class of 1935. On February 9, 1938, he married Etta Spurrier at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. Kenneth and Etta farmed in the Norway area for many years. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Norway, where he held the offices of trustee, deacon and president. He was also a long time member of the Norway School Board. A memorial fund has been established.

SHELLSBURG – Thomas H. Lewis, age 85, died Sunday, February 23, 2003 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. He was born on December 22, 1917 at Shellsburg to Thomas Orland and Neva (Cue) Lewis. He was a graduate of Palo High School. On August 14, 1945 he married Helen Bishop at Rowley, Iowa. The couple made their home on the farm where Tom was born. Helen preceded her husband in death on July 8, 2001. A lifelong farmer in the Shellsburg and Palo area, Tom was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Shellsburg. He was a charter member of the Shellsburg Lions Club and a member of the Shellsburg Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his sons, Lee and wife, Marcia of Palo, and John and wife, Peggy of Shellsburg; four grandchildren, Trisha Sheehan and husband, Todd of Bird Island, MN, Tom Lewis of Shellsburg, Tammy Saunders and husband, Mike of Vinton, and Cathy Lewis and fiancé, Max Bucklin of Cedar Rapids; three great grandchildren, Emily and Andrew Sheehan, and Zachary Saunders; three sisters, Marie Onstine and husband Frank of Alhambra, CA, Mary McClatchey and husband Bob of Prescott City, AZ, and Vivian Lewis of Shellsburg; and one brother, Norman Lewis and wife, Colleen of Cedar Rapids. In addition to his wife and his parents Tom was preceded in death by his grandsons, Ryan and Thomas Lewis; and three brothers, Loren, John and Claude Lewis. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2003 at the First Presbyterian Church in Shellsburg with Rev. Cheryl McCollough officiating. Interment will be at the Palo Cemetery. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton. A memorial fund has been established.

INDEPENDENCE - Timothy G. Lynch, age 53, died Friday, October 29, 2004 at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids, following a motor vehicle accident near Urbana. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 2, 2004 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Rev. Julie McCullough officiating. Interment will be held at Bear Creek Cemetery, rural Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4 to 8 P.M., today. He is survived by his mother, Frances Lynch of Newhall; his daughter, Emily Parker of Vinton; his son Tony Lynch of Independence; two grandsons, Michael and James Parker of Vinton; three brothers, Dennis Lynch of Mesa, AZ, Michael Lynch and wife Traci, of Linwood, MI, Charles Lynch of Mt. Auburn; his sister, Patricia Coffland of Watkins; three foster sisters, Diane, Debbie and Becky; one niece, Anna Forristall of CO.; four nephews, Scott Lynch of MI., Sean and Kevin Lynch of CA., and Brian Schlief of Atkins. And his girl friend, Deb Mahoney of Independence. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Lynch in July of 1984. Tim was born November 11, 1950 in Bay City, MI., to Anthony and Frances (Kinzie) Lynch. Tim traveled all over the United States and operated his own business in the carnival circuit for 25 years. He was currently employed as a service manager with Star Equipment LTD. in Waterloo. Tim was a master mechanic and loved to ride motorcycles. He was a member of A.B.A.T.E and H.O.G and was also a member of the National Pool League. A memorial fund has been established.

CEDAR RAPIDS - Joyce A. (Kelly) McCormick, age 72, of Coralville, formerly of Cedar Rapids and Van Horne, died Wednesday, June 23, 2004 at University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, following an extended illness. Funeral Mass: 10:00 A.M., Saturday, June 26, 2004 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne with Rev. Paul Baldwin as Celebrant. Interment will be held at Calvary Cemeteryin Van Horne. Friends may call at the Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone from 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, where a Scripture Service will begin at 7 P.M. She is survived by three daughters, Sherry Bellin (Ernie) of Oshkosh, WI., Maureen McCormick and Patricia McCormick, both of Coralville; one son, Jerry McCormick of Cedar Rapids; four grandchildren, Kelly Krewson (Stephen) of Milwaukee, WI, Matthew and Katie McCormick of Cedar Rapids, Megan Goody of Coralville; two brothers, Michael Kelly (Michele) of Van Horne, Jim Kelly (Ailene) of Belle Plaine; one sister-in-law, Janet Kelly of Van Horne and one brother-in-law, Wayne Bryant of Belle Plaine. In addition to her parents, grandparents and husband, she was preceded in death by one sister, Janice Bryant and two brothers, Monte and Colin Kelly. Joyce was born on July 27, 1931 in Van Horne, the daughter of Virgil and Mary (Bevins) Kelly and the granddaughter of Nellie and George Kelly. She graduated from Van Horne High School in 1947 and attended Cedar Rapids Business College. On October 22, 1951, she married Robert G. McCormick at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne. Robert preceded her in death in 1966. Joyce worked at Killians and Younkers for several years, retiring in 1979. She was a former member of St. Pius X Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Her family and especially her grandchildren were her greatest joy. Joyce’s family would like to thank her special care-giver, Teresa Madlock, her physician, Dr. Gwen Beck, Fr. Walter Helms of St. Thomas Moore Catholic Church in Iowa City and the Iowa City Hospice team for their care and concern during her illness.

ATKINS - Marilyn McGregor, age 61, died Thursday, April 10, 2003 at the Sunnycrest Nursing Center following an extended illness. She was born November 15, 1941 at Cedar Rapids to Alexander and Edith (Wims) McGregor. From 1991 to 1998 Marilyn had been a resident of the Cedar Valley Ranch in Vinton and she entered the care center in Dysart in 1998. She is survived by her sisters and their husband, Janet and Ron Hohl of Donnellson, and Nancy and Dale Franck of Cedar Rapids; her brother, Bill McGregor of Atkins; her nieces and nephews, Sarah Franck, Jennifer Butler, Charles Franck and wife, Shannon, and Jonathan Franck; her great niece and nephew, Katie Butler and Jacob Franck, and her special Aunt, Lillie McGregor. She was preceded in death by her parents. Public Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, April 12, 2003 at the Sisley Grove Cemeteryon Highway 30 near Atkins, with Rev. Bev Thompson-Travis officiating. A memorial fund has been established for Amenity Hospice in Cedar Rapids.

VINTON - Harvey T. McNeal, age 89, died Friday evening, January 3, 2003 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids following an extended illness. He was born February 27, 1913 in Big Grove Township of Benton County, a son of Arl and Sadie (Grimm) McNeal and attended country school. On December 24, 1935 he married Margaret A. McLennan and they had three children, Arlie, Dean and Marjorie. They were later divorced . He married Lola Mae Stammer at the Little Brown Church in Nashua on September 20, 1948. They have lived in Vinton all of their married life, where they raised their three children, Darryl, Mary and David. Harvey had farmed in the Garrison-Keystone area until 1946 when he moved to Vinton. In later years he repaired lawnmowers and small engines. In his leisure he enjoyed the outdoors and attending auctions. He is survived by his wife, Lola, of 54 years, his sons, Darryl and wife, Glenna, David and wife, Karen, all of Vinton, Arlie of Waterloo, and Dean of Garrison; his daughters, Mary Barkdoll and husband, Gale and Marge Lahue, all of Vinton; seventeen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; one sister, Ella Holst of Vinton; and one sister-in-law, Grace Wentz of Tulsa, OK. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother; five sisters; one granddaughter; one grandson; and one daughter-in-law. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Rose Blank officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton from 5 to 8 P.M. today. A memorial fund has been established.

LOS ALTOS HILLS, CA - Mary Lee McNees, age 80, formerly of Shellsburg, died Thursday, June 19, 2003 at El Camino Hospital in Santa Clara, CA following an extended illness. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 8 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Rev. Jim Blair officiating. Burial will be held at Oakwood Cemeteryin Shellsburg. Friends may register at service time. The casket will remain closed at all times. Mary Lee was born in Shellsburg on August 8, 1922 to Frank and Anna (Nazhol) King and is the last of her family of nine brothers and sisters. She graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1939 and Cedar Rapids Business School in 1940. Her first job was with the Farm Bureau in Vinton. Her next job was for Collins Radio where she met her future husband, Sterling. They were married in 1948. They spent their early married years in Cedar Rapids on Franklin Avenue. In 1954 Sterling’s job took them to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where they started their family. Again, in 1962, Sterling’s job moved them , this time, to California. There, Mary Lee earned her degree (Economics) and teaching credentials from San Jose State University while caring for the home and raising her family. She immediately set about to apply her education as a teacher at Sacred Heart School in San Francisco and at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills. Two years later she started her own business, A La Carte Services, a temporary employment agency. The Los Altos-based agency grew and operated very successfully from 1973 until its sale in 1989. She is survived by her husband, Sterling; one daughter, Sally of Waxhaw, NC; and one son, George and his wife of Pioneer, CA. Phillips Funeral Home, Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

VINTON - Ada Margaret Marter, age 90 died Tuesday evening, May 6, 2003 at Virginia Gay Hospital following an extended illness. Public Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 P.M., Thursday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. Private Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Cemeteryon Friday. Ada was born June 14, 1912 in Big Grove Township near Garrison to Clarence Byron and Myrtle Lenora (Merchant) Young. She graduated from the Garrision High School in 1930 and on September 24, 1932 she married Manfurd Burroughs at Caledonia, MN. The couple divorced in 1944. She married Walter J. Marter on July 28, 1949 at Leon, Iowa and he preceded her in death on May 18, 1982. Ada enjoyed watching TV and loved her home. In 1998 she became a resident of the Vinton Lutheran Home. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Ronald and Janet Burroughs; her grandsons and their wives, Bradley and Dea Burroughs, and Brain and Amy Burroughs, all of Vinton; six great grandchildren; her brother and sister-in-law, Byron and Marjorie Young of Aurora; her sister-in-law, Marcella “Sally” Young of Garrison; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Victor Young.

VINTON - Ruth M. Mayhew, age 69, died of cancer on Sunday, July 6, 2003 at Virginia Gay Hospital. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, July 10, 2003 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Jan Ziskovsky officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 4 to 7 P.M., on Wednesday. She was born May 25, 1934 at Vinton to William and Clara (Grau) Wutzke. And graduated from the Vinton High School. On December 11, 1954, she was united in marriage to George Mayhew at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton. He preceded her in death on July 25, 1999. For eighteen years Ruth served as the Administrative Assistant at Virginia Gay Hospital and she retired on December 23, 1999. She was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church, the American Legion Auxiliary Unite #57 of Vinton, and the American Diabetes Association. Ruth originated the annual Tree Of Lights project at Virginia Gay Hospital and served on the Youngville Restoration project. In her leisure she enjoyed gardening and spending time with her grandchildren. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Beth Mayhew of Vinton; her daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Fred Lembke of Cedar Falls; and three grandchildren, Carrie Lembke and Cory and Nicolas Mayhew. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Jane Mayhew Hilton and her brother, Roger Wutzke.

VINTON - Max Maynard, age 72, died Saturday, June 21, 2003 at his residence following a sudden illness. Services will be held 10:30 Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Rev. Jim Blair officiating. Burial will be held at Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton with graveside military rite conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 4-8 PM. on Tuesday. Max was born July 22, 1930 at Shellsburg to William and Maude (Noeller) Maynard. He graduated from Shellsburg High School in 1947. Following graduation, Max served his country for five years in the United States Navy. On December 29, 1951 Max married Pat Singer at Stephenson, Washington. Max worked at John Deere in Waterloo for over 27 years and retired in 1990. He was a member of the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57, a past member of the 40& 8 and the National Rifle Association. In his leisure time, Max enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. He also loved to fix things and raise watermelons. He is survived by his wife, Pat; one son, Max Jr. “Bud” Maynard and wife, Shannon of Vinton; four daughters, Michelle Houlahan of Princeton, IA, Jean Harmon and husband, Tom of Monticello, Jill Marlow and husband, Gary of Vinton, and LeAnn Jeager and husband Mark of Shellsburg; six grandchildren, Jennifer Harmon, Tony Harmon and wife, Jessica, Stacey Marlow, Garrett Marlow, Tiffany Schminke, and Alexandra Maynard; two great grandchildren, Joslyn and Timothy Harmon; and two brothers, Bill Maynard and wife, Deloris of Ft. Atkinson, WS and Owen Maynard and wife, Colleen of Shellsburg. Max was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Peggy Lou in infancy. A memorial fund has been established for the Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57.