Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
LEE "LUKE" COMER
Lee "Luke" Comer, son of Fred and Edna (Brooner) Comer was born July 16, 1927 in Talmadge, Iowa. He departed from this life at the V.A. Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 72 years, 11 months and 18 days on July 4, 2000.
He grew up as a farm boy in South Central Iowa. He attended Kellerton high school until October, 1945, when he served 18 months in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Japan. After his discharge he worked for John Deere in Ankeny, Iowa and Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas where he and Betty Kaster were united in marriage by Rev. Floyd B. Davidson.
They made their home in Kellerton, Iowa for most of the next 26 years and moved to Clarinda, Iowa in 1979 where they resided until his death. Lee was self-employed and a general contractor until he retired.
Lee enjoyed small game hunting, playing cribbage and pool with friends and family. He loved his family and adored his grandchildren. He was a volunteer fireman for the Kellerton Fire Department and was a member of the Mount Ayr American Legion. He loved reminiscing with old friends and family. Lee was baptized in the Christian faith during his stay in the V.A. Hospital.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers: Larry, Clair, Joe and Elvyn in infancy; three sisters in infancy, Darlene, Alice and Edna; and his first grandson, Chase Comer.
He is survived by his wife Betty; six children: Reta (husband Chris) Hatfield of Shorewood, Illinois, Larry (wife Susan) of Grimes, Rhonda (husband Brian) Whitney of Cassville, Missouri, Lori (husband Tony) Wiele of Milo, Iowa, Terry (wife Lory) of Linden, Iowa and Linda (husband Jim) Young of Clarinda, Iowa; 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren and many family and friends. He will truly be missed by all of us.
Funeral services were held Friday, July 7, 2000 at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa with Rev. Michael Druhl officiating. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy and Richard Jackson.
Casket bearers were Mark Comer, Roger Comer, Ron Foland, Christian Whitney, Rodney Adams and Robbie Weeter. Honorary pallbearers were Leonard Weeter, Rick Comer, Marvin Weeter, Kyle Comer, Mark Carson and Mike Carson. Military graveside rites were performed by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
Lee was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr, Iowa.
MARIANN POTTORFF
Mariann Pottorff, 46, of Eagleville, Missouri died Thursday, July 6, 2000 at the Bethany, Missouri hospital,
She was born December 23, 1953 in Ringgold county, Iowa, the daughter of Bill and Maxine (James) Washburn.
On November 13, 1972 she married Max Pottorff. He preceded her in death on March 13, 1992.
Mrs. Pottorff worked in the Athletic Department at Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa prior to being an English teacher at Eagleville high school for the past three years. She was a member of the Missouri State Teachers Association.
Survivors include a son, Billy Pottorff of Maysville, Missouri; a daughter, Karen Fine of Bethany, Missouri; a son, Matthew Pottorff of the home; a stepdaughter, Teddie Broughton of Kansas HCity, Missouri; a stepdaughter, Barbara Ballew of Gallatin, Missouri; a stepson, Daryld Pottorff of Harrison, Arkansas; a stepdaughter, Marcella Jennings of Laurel, Montana; her mother, Maxine Washburn; a brother, J.D. Washburn of St. Joseph, Missouri; a brother, John Washburn of Kingsley, Iowa; a brother, Joe Washburn of Hatfield, Missouri; a brother, Rob Washburn of Eagleville, Missouri; a sister, Jayla Smith of Jamesport, Missouri; a sister, Rose Washburn of Runnells, Iowa; a sister, Penny Washburn of Hatfield, Missouri; and 13 stepgrandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father, Bill Washburn.
Funeral services were held on Monday, July 10, 2000 at the Roberson Funeral Home in Eagleville, Missouri with burial in the Lincoln Center Cemetery at Hatfield, Missouri.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mariann Pottorff memorial fund in care of the Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424.
BETTY J. STONEHOCKER WALLER
Betty J. Stonehocker Waller, 65, of Des Moines, Iowa died on July 6, 2000 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines.
She was born in Hatfield, Missouri and had lived in Des Moines for the past 26 years. She had been employed with Nurse Force, providing in home help. She was an avid bargain hunter at garage sales and loved to fish.
Survivors include her mother, Nettie Walls of Mount Ayr, Iowa; five daughters: Karen "Kay" Balliet, Evelyn "Ebby" Stonehocker, Patresa "Tish" Stonehocker, Rebecca "Rea" Stone-hocker, all of Des Moines, Iowa and Wilma "Susie" Turner of West Des Moines, Iowa; a brother, Larry King of Mount Ayr, Iowa; 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at Hamilton's Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa.
HORTON ARTHUR DUFTY
Horton Arthur Dufty, 89, of Pueblo, Colorado, died May 13, 2000, at Parkview Hospital. He was the only son of the late Herbert Henry and Julia Catherine Dufty. His parents, Herbert and Catherine Ambrosia Dufty, came to Tingley around 1913 where "Herb" became a leading builder-contractor, constructing many of Tingley's better homes and construction foreman-supervisor of the present Ringgold county court house in Mount Ayr. Catherine died in 1960 and Herb in 1961.
Horton was born August 23,1910, in Tingley, Iowa. Horton and Clair Heyer were next-door playmates in 1914 and kept in touch through the years - Tingley during the Great Depression to Chicago suburbanites, to Horton's retirement at Pueblo, Colorado.
Horton spent the early years of his adult life in the Chicago, IL, area working for Campbell Soup. He retired from Sears Roebuck Co. in Salisbury, Maryland, in 1972. Mr. Dufty and his wife moved to Pueblo, Colorado in 1979. Horton was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and its choir, the Society for Barbershop Quartet Singing, Silver State Lodge No. 95, AF&AM and the Southern Colorado Consistory.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Anna Mae Dufty; two daughters, Jean M. (Bill) Oakley of Salisbury, Maryland and Barbara (Richard) Larsen of California, Maryland; a sister, Helen Lasson of Loveland, Colorado; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Cremation was held in the Davis Crematory. A memorial service was held in the Villa Pueblo Penthouse in Pueblo, Colorado, Monday, May 15, 2000. Memorial fund contributions may be sent to the Villa Pueblo Foundation or St. Paul United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Ashes were interred at his parents' grave site at the Tingley cemetery.
JESSIE RUTH CARLTON
Jessie Ruth Carlton, youngest child of William Perry and Eva Josephine (Ambrosier) Woollums, was born February 11, 1915, near Ellston, Iowa, and after a lengthy illness departed this life at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa, on July 9, 2000, at the age of 85 years, four months and 28 days.
Ruth graduated from Ellston High School in 1932. She completed a year of secretarial school and worked in Mount Ayr, Iowa, before moving to Des Moines where she became a legal secretary.
Ruth was united in marriage to Leo Max Carlton October 2, 1965. They resided in Des Moines until moving to the family farm near Ellston in 1977. In 1979, they built and moved into a new home in Mount Ayr. Ruth was so happy to move back to her home "area" and Max loved living in Mount Ayr. Ruth enjoyed playing bridge and was active in three local clubs. Max looked forward to the twice-a-day coffee meetings at Mitchell's.
Left to cherish her memories are five children: Jack Carlton, wife Mary Lou, San Gabriel, California; Max Jr. Carlton, wife Jackie, Pomona, California; Connie Stevens, husband Jim, Des Moines, Iowa; Cathy DePhillips, husband Milo, Panora, Iowa; and Michael Carlton, wife Betty, Milford, Iowa; 23 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; one brother, Robert Wollums, wife Hazel, of El Cajon, California; and a host of relatives and friends.
Ruth was preceded in death by her mother, father, husband, two grandchildren, five sisters - Mary Gray, Jennie Walters, Rena Jackson, Louise Walters and Evenly McConnell, and one brother - John Woolums.
Reverend Mike Druhl conducted memorial services July 12, 2000, at the Wilson, Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Music was provided by John Allen and pianist Ginny Eighmy.
NELLIE FAYE BETHEL
Nellie Faye Bethel, age 64 of Leon, Iowa, the daughter of Leonard Orville and Elsie Lenora (Scott) Maudlin, was born October 9, 1935 in Worth County, Missouri and passed away Wednesday, July 12, 2000 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nellie started school at the Butler Country School in Missouri and then attended high school at Clearfield and Kellerton, Iowa.
On April 5, 1953 she married Franklin G. Saville of Redding, Iowa. Three children were born to this union, Michael Gene, Debra Ann and Danny Ross. Later they were divorced and Nellie married William E. Bethel of Lamoni, Iowa. One son, William Cogel, was born to this union. Twenty-six years later, they divorced and Nellie moved to Leon.
Nellie enjoyed gardening and China doll collecting.
She attended Calvary Baptist Church in Leon.
Preceding her in death were her parents; brother Elvis Maudlin, sister Linda Fletchall; and brother-in-law Gordon Owens.
Survivors include her four children: Mike Saville of Des Moines, Iowa; Deb Larsen of Des Moines; Dan Saville and wife Cindy of Missouri; and Billy Bethel and wife Erica of Texas; grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three sisters: Retha Owens of Leon; Thelma Drake and husband Merl of Mount Ayr, Iowa; and Luella Barker and husband Ralph of Charles City, Iowa; aunt and uncle Bonnie and Blaine Scott; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa at 10:00 a.m. Monday, July 17, 2000 with Rev. Max Carmichael officiating. Burial was in the Leon Cemetery, Leon, Iowa.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
REV. DR. CHARLES E. SHIELDS
Born June 3, 1944 in Mount Ayr, Iowa and raised in Corvallis, Oregon, the Reverend Dr. Charles E. Shields passed from this life to more life on Saturday, July 15, 2000 in Los Angeles, California.
Rev. Shields was the beloved pastor of Brentwood Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, California for 18 years, from 1981 to 1999.
Rev. Shields is survived by his wife, Nadia; his daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth; his parents, Pauline and Carroll Shields; his sister and brother-in-law Anna and Tom Chase; his niece and nephew, Ivy and John Chase; and his great aunts and uncles, June and Mabel Shields and Victor and Vern Shields.
A memorial service was held, Sunday, July 23, 2000 at 3:00 p.m. at Bel Air Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles.
In leu of flowers, the Shields family requests that donations be made to the Charles E. Shields Memorial Fund at Brentwood Presbyterian Church, 12000 San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90049, (310) 826-5656.
VIOLA V. (GODDEN) BECK
Viola Velva (Godden) Beck was born February 26, 1916 in Poe township, Ringgold county, Iowa to Vernon Luther and Hazel Laura (Maggard) Laird. She departed this life unexpectedly at her home in Mount Ayr, Iowa on July 28, 2000 at the age of 84 years, five months and two days.
In Viola's earlier years she worked in the Hyde and Vredenberg grocery store in Kellerton, Iowa. On July 3, 1935 she was united in marriage to Glenn Godden. They lived on a farm west of Kellerton. From this union came two sons, Phillip and Raymond. She later left the farm and moved to Nebraska and there she met Bill Beck and was married to him in 1959. She worked in nursing for many years while living in Nebraska and worked several years for Campbell Soup in Tecumseh, Nebraska.
Viola was a person who enjoyed her home and the company of her grandchildren. She liked to keep up on the news whether local or worldwide and kept up on events with many hours watching CNN.
Left to mourn Viola's passing are her sons, Phillip (wife Bonnie) Godden of Bedford, Iowa and Raymond (wife Donna) Godden of Tarkio, Missouri; several grandchildren, stepgrand-children and great-grandchildren along with nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Hazel Laird; a stepfather, Trigger Fugate; husbands; a brother Jack; and sisters, Laverne, Frannie and Irmie.
Graveside services were held Monday, July 31, 2000 at the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton with Pastor Calvin Gregg officiating.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
RUTH EURITT HARRIS
Ruth Euritt Harris, daughter of Everett and Bernice Euritt, was born January 7, 1926 on a farm near Mount Ayr, Iowa. She passed away July 25, 2000 in Sacramento, California where she had made her home for almost 39 years.
Ruth graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1942, and from Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas in 1947. She later completed a Master's degree in social work at the University of California. She was a 29-year employee of the Sacramento County Welfare Department, retiring as a bureau chief from that agency.
She and Jack Harris were the parents of three children: Carol Siperly of Buena Park, California, John Harris (Shannon) of Des Moines, Iowa and Kathy Seatris (Mike) of Elk Grove, California, all of whom survive her. She was later married to Tom Papp and was stepmother to Kevin, Steve and Susie Papp, all of California.
She is survived by seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild; her two sisters, Margaret Campbell of Mount Ayr andEvelyn Carson (Paul); and many nieces and nephews as well as many friends.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Everett and Bernice Euritt; two brothers, Donald and Marion; and her brother-in-law Ira Campbell.
Ruth was dearly loved by her family and many friends. She will be sorely missed.
Services and burial were held in Elk Grove, California, on Friday, July 28, 2000.
