Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
VIOLET VIOLA STILL
Violet Viola Still was born May 2, 1928 in rural Ringgold county, Iowa to Orville Glen Van Winkle and Viola Helen Van Winkle. She died on January 28, 2000 at the Clearview Nursing Home of Mount Ayr, which had been her home for the last year, at the age of 71 years, eight months and 26 days.
Violet lived in Ringgold county her entire life, graduating from Mount Ayr high school, and then going on for Normal Teachers' training. She was then able to teach for four years at Caledonia where she lived for some time. Here she attended the Caledonia Methodist Church along with her family.
From her marriage to Leonard Lee Still four children were born who became the delight of her life. These were Joan, Kevin, Terry, and Gordon. To support her family as a later single parent, she worked numerous jobs besides caring for her own home. She was a waitress, did cleaning work, and cooked at the Mount Ayr meal site until her retirement. She was known to be the favorite cook for all the Still family gatherings.
She passed several of her own memories on to her family from her early years. She remembered working at her parents' General Store in Caledonia when, at least on one occasion, the accomplice for Bonnie and Clyde would stock-up on supplies at their store, while Bonnie and Clyde would wait in the parked car several blocks down the street anxious for their return over the Missouri border again. She remembered the near annual trip to North Dakota to visit all of her mother's family relatives. What made these pilgrimages unique was that they would shear sheep on the way up and back to earn enough money for the trip. She remembered also the unique transportation of several families in getting to school where she taught. One group of children would all help out in driving their family truck. Because they were not big enough to single-handedly drive the vehicle they would combine their resources: one child handling each of the pedals, another doing the shifting, and another taking control of the steering wheel. Another family of four would come to school all perched atop their one horse.
With her own family they soon developed their own memories. Every Saturday night Violet with her four growing youngsters would frequent several square and round dance hang-outs: the Grand River school gym and the Kellerton Legion Hall on alternating weeks. This became a regular family tradition. Violet also loved to play bingo, cards, including a good game of pitch, she loved gardening and flowers, and loved the hours it takes to fish. But mostly Violet enjoyed her family as it expanded into an extended family with grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her family remembers the pure delight she expressed in her later days of being able to hold her newest born great-grandchild, Chastity Emily Grace Jones. She was always so proud of her family in their solid work ethic and that they were doing so well.
Violet was preceded in death by her parents. Survivors include her children: Joan and husband Dan Jimmerson of Ankeny, Iowa; Kevin and wife Linda Still of Grandview, Iowa; Terry and wife Vicki Still of Bedford, Iowa; and Gordon Still of Clearfield, Iowa. She leaves 12 grandchildren:Lori Bowman, Chris Jones, Tara Still, Traci Still, Tyler Still, Alison Still, Ashley Still, Amanda Still, Mary Fark, Sheila Harvey, Don Harvey and David Harvey. She also leaves 20 great-grandchildren. And finally she is survived by her loving and loyal companion of many years, Doyle Murphy. She will be greatly missed, but her family cherishes the sweet memories they hold of her.
Services were held Tuesday, February 1, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Jamie Mogler officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were Tyler Still, Eddie Bowman, Butch Jones, Joey Campbell, Dan Adair and Mark Erickson.
Violet was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
KINSELL LEROY COULSON
Kinsell Leroy Coulson was born October 7, 1916 to Charles and Nora (Swank) Coulson in Harrison county, Missouri. The youngest of nine children, he graduated from Long Branch country school in the spring of 1930 and then from Hatfield high school in the spring of 1934. He continued his education at Northwest Missouri State Teacher’s College graduating with a bachelor's degree in meteorology.
After graduation, he joined the Navy as an ensign and while serving in the Navy, he was sent overseas to China as a weather forecaster where he met Vera Vivian Vainer whom he married on March 23, 1947.
He returned to California to further his education, receiving a master’s degree and a doctorate degree in meteorology from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). After graduation, he obtained a teaching position at University of California in Davis, California, from which he later retired.
He spent his remaining years in California until he died in a nursing home on December 22, 1999. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered on the Pacific Ocean.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Vivian; his twin brother, Kenneth Coulson of Lamoni, Iowa; two sisters-in-law: Neva (Wilson) Coulson of Mount Ayr, Iowa, and Esther (Parsons) Coulson of Eagleville, Missouri; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
ELVIS E. (PINK) HUNT
Elvis Ellsworth Hunt was born on December 28, 1922 to George and O'Rilla (Ewing) Hunt. He attended the Hunt school.
Elvis served in the United States Coast Guard from November 19, 1943 until December 19, 1945. After serving his country, he returned to Grant City, Missouri. He married Rose Slavik of Diagonal, Iowa on October 12, 1947. They made their home south of Redding, Iowa near the original Hunt homestead, where they lived for the remainder of his life which ended on February 1, 2000 at 11:10 a.m. To this union nine children were born.
Elvis especially enjoyed family gatherings, storytelling, playing cards and dominoes, fishing and feeding the catfish in his pond. He started teaching his grandchildren how to play cards and dominoes as soon as they were able to hold them.
Left to mourn his passing are his wife, Rose, of the home; his children, of whom he was very proud: Anna Marie and husband James Campbell of Frankfort, Ohio, Robert Alan and wife Deidre Hunt of Grant City, Missouri, Richard Lee and wife Peggy Hunt of Denver, Missouri, Katherine Jeanne and husband Robert Murray of Chillicothe, Ohio, Connie Jo and husband Greg Leech of Beatrice, Nebraska, Larry Elvis and wife Colette Hunt of Smithville, Missouri, Sandra Kay and husband Lonnie Horne of Chicago, Illinois and George Albert Hunt and wife Lynnette Knight of Mount Ayr.
He is also survived by his brothers: Alan and wife Evelyn Hunt of Grant City, Missouri, Amon and wife Lois Hunt of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Maurice and wife Helen Hunt of Mount Ayr; his sisters: Estelle Hall of Holts Summit, Missouri, Mary Lou McCormick of Grant City, Missouri and Marilyn and husband Bob Simpson of St. Joseph, Missouri; and many nieces and nephews.
Surviving grandchildren are Angela Newton, Holly, Jordan, Brian, Rachael, Allison and Trey Hunt, Matthew Murray, Jennifer and Jeremy Leech and Ashton Banta.
Preceding him in death were his parents, George and O'Rilla Hunt, his sister Ruth Euritt and infant daughter Beverly Sue.
Graveside services were held Saturday, February 5, 2000 at 10:30 A.M. at the Middle Fork Cemetery with Eydie Stephens officiating. Casketbearers were his eight surviving children. Honorary casketbearers were nephews, John Hall and Bill Hall (deceased), David, Randy, Kenneth and Keith Hunt, Jimmy and Ed Simpson, and good friend Virgil Findley.
Military rites were performed by American Legion Post #617, of which he was a member, and Posts #216 and #106; V.F.W. Posts #3123, #5329 and #2176.
Arrangements were under the direction of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home of Grant City, Missouri.
VENICE EDWARD ROBERTS
Venice Edward Roberts, 70 of Blockton, Iowa, died February 5, 2000 at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Venice was born June 2, 1929 to Vernett Earl and Opal Mae (Cassatt) Roberts in Troy, Iowa. On December 15, 1982, he married Doris Gayle Steinman at Blockton.
He served in the United States Army from 1951 to 1953, and after discharge worked in construction. He farmed for 32 years southeast of Blockton. After retiring he worked for Crestland Co-op until 1998. He was a member of the Blockton Christian Church, a 47-year member of the Masonic Lodge and current member of the Bedford Lodge, #156. He was also a 25-year member of the American Legion Post #9443.
Venice was preceded in death by his parents, Vernett and Opal Roberts; three brothers: infant Vain Roberts, George Roberts and Rex Roberts; and infant grandson Brian Coulson.
Survivors include his wife, Doris, of the home; three daughters: Terry Langford and husband Todd of Tucson, Arizona, Lynn Roberts of Smithville, Missouri and Malinda Nelson of Quitman, Missouri; four sons: Greg Roberts and wife Kelly of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Chris Risser and wife Sandy of Bedford, Iowa, Gayland Risser and wife Debbie of Bedford and Mike Risser and wife Teresa of Bedford; four granddaughters: Meghan, Heather, Lindsay and Raelynne; five grandsons: Cody, Bradley, Cory, Shane and Jeffrey; two brothers: Arlo Roberts and wife Florence of Troy, Iowa, Jack Roberts and wife Virginia of Charleston, South Carolina; a sister Karen Miller and husband Jerry of Pulaski, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was a loving husband, devoted father, proud grandfather and loyal friend. The loss of his love and sense of humor has left an empty space in our hearts that only time will heal.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 8, 2000 at 2:00 P.M. at the Blockton Chrisitan Church in Blockton.
Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton.
Arrangements were under the direction of Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home of Grant City, Missouri.
DONALD BARKER
Donald Vernon Barker, 81, died January 8, 2000, in a Las Vegas, Nevada hospital.
He was the son of the late Harry M. and Alice Evans Barker, born on the family farm near Benton, Iowa, Waubonsie township. A graduate of Benton high school and Iowa State University at Ames, he was an army veteran of World War II, where he received a Bronze Star Medal and a Purple Heart. He was a retired building supply company manager, a member of the Central Christian Church and a 40-year resident of Las Vegas, Nevada.
In September, 1948, he was united in marriage to Betty Jo McAninch of Mount Ayr, Iowa.
He is survived by his wife Betty Jo of Las Vegas; daughter Sharon and husband Kenneth Wright of Elko, Nevada; two granddaughters and husbands of Alaska; seven great-grandchildren; a brother Clarence (LaViece) Barker of Benton; two brothers-in-law, Barton (Marlys) McAninch of Cedar Falls and C. D. (Helen) McAninch of Lakewood, Colorado; sister-in-law Guelda Barker and cousin Weldon (Lois) Barker of Mount Ayr; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Alice Barker; and four brothers: Harold, Lawrence, Raymond and Marshall.
Visitation was held January 18, 2000 at the Palm Mortuary-Downtown followed with graveside services in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
GEORGIA LETHA DEVRIES
Letha DeVries, 93, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, formerly of Oskaloosa, Iowa, died January 29, 2000, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.
Mrs. DeVries was born February 24, 1906, in Albia, Iowa to Roy and Rachel (Garrett) Van Nostrand. She graduated from Oskaloosa high school in 1925 and William Penn College in 1929. On June 1, 1937, she married Carl R. DeVries in Steamboat Rock, Iowa. She was a homemaker and taught school at Fremont, Tracy, Bussey and Gilbert. She lived in Oskaloosa, Lawton, Oklahoma, Steamboat Rock and in Mount Ayr and Kellerton, Iowa since 1993. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Kellerton.
Survivors include a son Glenn (Janet) DeVries of Gowrie, Iowa; three daughters: Linda DeVries of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sandra (James) McCollum of Cedar Rapids and Diana (Roger) Gibson of Kellerton; a brother D. J. (Arlene) Van Nostrand of Edmond, Oklahoma; and eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Rachel Van Nostrand; husband, Carl; sister Eva Chidester; and four brothers: Walter, Damien, Roe and Carlos.
Services were held Wednesday, February 2, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Kellerton with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Louise Meadows and Richard Jackson provided music. Casket bearers were Kraig DeVries, Kurt DeVries, Sheryl Law, Michael McCollum, Ronald Gibson, Jeffery Gibson, Charles Gibson and Linda Gibson.
Mrs. DeVries was laid to rest in the Steamboat Rock Cemetery, Steamboat Rock, with Reverend Alan Steier officiating.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
LUCILLE H. DAYTON INNIS
Lucille H. Innis, 70, of Montezuma, Iowa, died on Thursday, February 10, 2000 at the Montezuma Nursing Center.
Mrs. Innis was born on November 28, 1929, in Brooklyn, Iowa to Ray and Bernice Force Dayton. She was raised in Malcom, Iowa and graduated from Malcom high school with the Class of 1947.
On June 30, 1950, she was married to Loren E. "Zeb" Innis in Grinnell, Iowa. The couple lived in Grinnell from 1948 to 1979 and moved to Kellerton, Iowa. Following the death of her husband in the fall of 1999, she moved to Montezuma.
She was a member of the Malcom American Legion Auxiliary and the Eagles Auxiliary.
She is survived by her mother Bernice Dayton of Grinnell; four brothers: Marvin and Wayne Dayton, both of Grinnell, Eugene Dayton of Searsboro, Iowa and Lawrence Dayton of Malcom; and one sister Roberta Dayton of Milan, Illinois.
Her husband and father preceded her in death.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, February 15, 2000, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell with the Reverend John Epperson, pastor of the Grinnell Christian Church, officiating. Marilyn Kriegel, Mary Jo Seaton and Patty Lang provided music. Casket bearers were David, Garry, Jim, Tom and William Dayton and Mark Lang. Honorary bearers were Clark, John and Mark Dayton, Tom Giles and Chet and Terry Munyon.
Interment was in the Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell.
ALICE MARIE WICKER
Alice Marie (Laird) Wicker was born December 22, 1929 in Grand River, Iowa to Guy Franklin and Mildred Beatrice (Shannon) Laird. She was united in marriage to Donald Eugene Wicker on September 30, 1947. They were privileged to spend 52 years together. This union was blessed with four daughters.
Don and Alice spent most of their married life farming in the Kellerton, Iowa area and Alice worked at the Mount Ayr cap factory and Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa where she retired from. Alice was a member of the Kellerton Christian Church and the Ladies Aide.
Left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Nancy (Gary) Grose of Kellerton, Donna Deemer of Van Meter, Iowa, Marsha (Melvis) Jimmerson of Van Meter and Debbie Long of Kellerton; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brothers: Kenneth (Juanita) Laird of Beaconsfield, Iowa, Eugene Laird of Woodward, Iowa and Donald (Helen) Laird of Kellerton; sister Shirley (Ivan) Stephens of Clearfield, Iowa; brother-in-law Alfred (Linda) Wicker of Des Moines; nephews: Ernest (Virginia) Smith of West Des Moines (raised in the Wicker home), Dean (Dora) Shields of Mount Ayr and Wayne (Mary Jane) Spriggs of Greenfield, Iowa; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Wicker of Orrick, MO, Betty Ann (Eddie) Hinzes of Des Moines, Ada (Clarence) Archer of Des Moines and Doris (Sam) Scorpinette of Ocampo, California; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Guy and Mildred Laird; parents-in-law, Alfred and Recie Wicker; husband Donald Wicker; sisters, Beverly Spriggs and Louise Ogier; brother Gereld Laird; brothers-in-law, Ray Wicker and Ralph Ogier; sisters-in-law, Edna Shields and Dorothy Laird; and son-in-law John Deemer.
Alice devoted her life to her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought great joy to her.
Services were held Wednesday, February 9, 2000 at the Christian Church in Kellerton with Reverend Terry Roberts officiating. Marie Murphy and Reverend Roberts provided music. Casket bearers were Brian Deemer, Scott Deemer, Matt Deemer, Monte Jimmerson, Mark Jimmerson, Daniel Long and Trevor Long. Honorary pallbearers were Donald Kibbe, Larry Oshel, Joe Routh, Bill Smith, Harold Bower and Walter Miller.
Alice was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
