Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
IRENE MAE BULLOCK
Irene Mae Adams Bullock was born November 20, 1923 in Mercer, Missouri to Octavia Henry Adams and James Monroe Adams, and departed this life December 5, 1999 at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Irene attended country school until she completed the eigth grade. She later began working as a nurses' aid when Clearview Nursing Home was established. She was employed there until her retirement in 1984.
Not only was she a dedicated employee, she loved to garden and then can the fruits of her labor which she generously shared with her beloved family and friends. She also loved to bake goodies to share with her co-workers. She had a wonderful gift of quilting and handiwork so that her stitches of love are cherished by the special people she gave them to. In her younger years, she spent many evenings with her best friend, Oy, dancing or just visiting and enjoying life.
Her biggest joy was when she could spend time with her family. Life wasn't always easy for Irene after being widowed with four young children, but she never gave up or complained. If there was only one thing that Irene would be remembered for it would be her generous and caring nature. Her past few years were spent in Clearview Nursing Home due to declining health.
Her children who will miss her dearly are: three sons, Donald Stogdill and wife Diane of Ellis, Kansas, Terry Stogdill, Sr. of Creston, Iowa and Carl Bullock of Mount Ayr; one daughter, Janice Jones and husband Ken of Mount Ayr. She was also blessed with 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren whom she adored.
Irene is also survived by four brothers: Wayne Adams, Cecil Adams and wife Wanda, all of Kellerton, Iowa, Jimmy Adams and wife Jerri of West Des Moines, Iowa and Edward Adams of Mount Ayr; one sister, Eva Barton of Millerton, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother Sam Adams; three sisters, Jessie Adams, Beulah Adams and Velma Ryan; a great-granddaughter, Erika Stogdill and husbands Woodrow Stogdill and Samuel Bullock.
She touched many lives in special ways that each will know and continue to keep her memory alive.
Services were held at the Wilso-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Wednesday, December 8, 1999 with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Casketbearers were Carrol Adams, Rodney Adams, Darrell Adams, Jerold Adams, Sam Adams, Jr. and Gerald Adams.
Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
FRANCES MARTHA CLOUGH
Frances Martha Clough was born on February 7, 1920 in El Centro, California. She was the daughter of Frank R. and Martha Rodriquez Dominguez. Frances passed away on December 6, 1999 in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 79 years.
Frances was raised in the San Diego area. She worked as a waitress and also as a wing fabricator at Ryan Aircraft.
On June 8, 1947, she was united in marriage to James Kenneth Clough in Chula Vista, California. They moved to the Kellerton, Iowa area after James was discharged from the service.
Frances' childhood desire was to be a comedian and she spent her life succeeding in making people laugh and feel good about themselves. She is known for her laugh, her sense of humor and her desire to know people. Frances was active in her children's school activities, being on the P.T.A. and band boosters to name a few. She helped make band uniforms and did what ever she could do to help with other things. In addition to her children's activities, she was also active in social activities; Frances was past president and held various other positions with the Kellerton American Legion Auxiliary #676, the Altar Society and helping with various tasks while a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grand River, Iowa. Most importantly, Frances was a caring mother, grandmother and devoted wife.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Swank; two brothers, Edward and Herman; two sisters, Dorothy and Carmen, as well as two sisters in infancy.
Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband of 52 years, James K. of Kellerton; her children, Barbara A. Newton and husband Dean of Mora, Minnesota, Carol J. Butcher and husband David Gene of Hoquiam, Washington, Elinore L. Birk and husband Arthur of Newport Beach, California, Judy Swank of Santa Monica, California, James F. Clough and wife Kathy of Osceola, Iowa and Jon J. Clough and wife Patricia of Nevada, Iowa; grandchildren, Roger Newton, Jonni Paulsen, Terri Staege, Patricia Burns, Carol Earley, Randy Butcher, Sherri Savelli, Rick Comer, Pamela Patton, Penny Onnka, Patty Pavolich, Jeanne Parrish, Shannon Birk, Daniel Swank, Hilary Swank and Dana Clough; stepgrand-children, Tim Hatfield, Jamey Lewis and Jeremy Lewis; 27 great-grandchildren, four stepgreat-grandchildren; her twin brother Frank R. Dominguez of Chula Vista, California; half-brothers, John, Joseph, James and Jacob Dominguez and half sister Catalina Dominguez, all of southern California; many nieces, nephews and a host of good friends.
Services were held at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa on Thursday, December 9, 1999 with Father Thomas Dooley officiating. Musical selections were Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven," chosen because at the moment of her journey this song was playing in her room, and Dolly Parton's "Wings of a Dove."
Honorary pallbearers were Carol Earley, Penny Onnka, Sherri Savelli, Hilary Swank, Shannon Birk, Pamela Patton, Russell Onnka, Daniel Swank, Chad Lowe and Steve Howe.
RONALD ROY COLE
Ronald Roy Cole was born October 10, 1925 to Worley and Josephine Cole in Hamburg, Iowa into a loving family of 10 children. His father Worley preceded him in passing, along with three siblings: Shirley, Bus, and Dolores.
Ron grew up in southwestern Iowa and had attended a country school. He joined the naval services in 1943 serving in the South Pacific; where he had been honorably discharged in 1947. Ron was known to have written home during this time frame, as their loving son, Ronnie Roy.
On September 11, 1955, he was united in marriage with Patricia Ann Reeves. They lived their life in Hamburg, Orange, California and later settled in Omaha, Nebraska to raise their children. After retirement, they moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1993.
Ron passed away from this life at the age of 74 years old and two months on December 10, 1999 at the VA hospital in Des Moines. Left to cherish his memory are his wife Pat of Mount Ayr; his mother Josephine of Diagonal, Iowa; his three children and their families, Mark Brown, Rhonda Webb and Pam Doering all of Omaha, Nebraska and Seattle, Washington; one brother, Buddy; five sisters, Mildred, Norma, Karen, and Jackie, all from Diagonal, and Nadine from Dallas, Texas; eight grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered as having been a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandfather, having a personality filled with kindness, generosity, honesty, hard-working, and willing to share with all those around him. Ron particularly enjoyed being with his family and friends, doing such things as: playing cards, fishing, family "crazy" get-togethers, and watching Nebraska Cornhusker football.
Memorial services were at the United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, on Tuesday, December 14, 1999 with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Casketbearers were Mitchell Webb, Matthew Doering, Cameron Webb, Eric Brown, Brandt Webb and Clinton Webb.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
GREGORY L. THOMPSON
Gregory Lynn Thompson was born March 23, 1957 to Blondena Kirby Thompson and Norman L. Thompson in Des Moines, Iowa and passed away November 30, 1999 in Rialto, California at 42 years of age.
Greg lived in California most of his life, the last 29 years in Rialto. He worked for various construction companies in the area.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Glen and Leta Kirby and Jim and Ferne Thompson.
Left to mourn his passing are his parents, Blondena Thompson of Rialto, California and Norman Thompson of Genoa, Nebraska; uncles, aunts, cousins and many, many friends.
Arrowhead Aftercare provided the cremation services. A memorial was held on December 19 in Rialto.
VESTA MAXIENE SMITH
Vesta Maxiene Smith was born March 26, 1919. She was the daughter of Cora Keller Conley Byerly. She grew up in Knowlton, Iowa.
She spent most of her years in the Diagonal and Mount Ayr, Iowa area, except all but about five years when she lived in Oregon.
On September 10, 1936, she married Cecil J. Smith. To this union 12 children were born. Left to cherish her memory are her children: Cecil E. Smith and wife Dorothy of Clearfield, Iowa, Betty Jean Schnackenberg and husband Myron of Diagonal, Irene Ayres and husband Bud of Mount Ayr, daughter-in-law Terri Smith of Winterhaven, California, Phyllis Cregeen and husband Dale of Rockford, Illinois, Jerry Smith and wife Robin of Utica, Missouri, Barb Strange and husband Bob of Mount Ayr, Gary Smith and wife Brenda of Diagonal, John Smith of Yuma, Arizona, Roxie Fletcher and husband Charlie of Diagonal.
Also she will be sadly missed by her 33 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; sister Retha Herrold of Diagonal; brothers, Donald Conley and wife Pauline of Kansas City, Missouri, and Ronnie Conley and wife Betty of Mount Ayr; and numerous other family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband Cecil Smith; mother Cora Byerly; infant twin sons, Dee and Lee Smith; son Richard Smith; grandsons, Kenneth Carson and John Coverdell; sister Marjorie Pruitt; brother Gilbert Gail Conley; and brothers-in-law, Jr. Pruitt and Vincent Herrold; and son-in-law Leonard Watts.
Funeral services were held September 7, 2001 at the United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal, with Pastor Karen Garrison officiating. Providing music were Margaret Bickers and Mary Trullinger. Casket bearers were Steve Sobotka, Bob Sobotka, Mike Sobotka, Robert Grace, Scotty Young and Dave Zollman. Honorary casket bearers were her many grandchildren.
Vesta was laid to rest in the Knowlton Cemetery, Knowlton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
VERA ABEL
Vera Abel, 87, of Boone, Iowa, formerly of Creston, Iowa, died August 6, 2000 at the Evangelical Free Church Home in Boone.
Vera was born May 28, 1913 to Ethel Moore and William Henry Shafer in Cincinnati, Iowa. She graduated from Malvern high school. On July 20, 1935 she married Fred Abel in Rockport, Missouri. To this union were born a son Ronald and a daughter Barbara.
Vera worked as a homemaker. The family lived in Diagonal, Iowa before moving to Creston in 1972. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, the Afternoon Church Circle and the Birthday Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ethel Shafer; husband Fred Abel in 1990; infant son Donald; sister Anna Bartholomew; and brother-in-law Paul Benedict.
Vera is survived by her son Ronald (wife Vi) Abel of Boone; daughter Barbara (husband John) Hettinger of Missoula, Montana; brother-in-law John Bartholomew of Tabor, Iowa; sisters: Frances (husband Bud) Anderson of Shenandoah, Iowa, Thelma Benedict of Shenandoah and Dorothy Shafer of Tabor; five grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, August 9, 2000 at Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service in Creston with Reverend Gordon Elrick officiating. She was laid to rest in the Graceland Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church.
BETH EASON
Beth Beymer Eason, 92, died of pneumonia at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa on August 5, 2000.
Beth was born just southwest of Diagonal, Iowa, on October 10, 1907, to George Alonzo and Mary Estella Shafer Beymer. She was the seventh of nine children in this family. She later moved with her family to Creston, Tingley and Mount Ayr where she graduated from the Mount Ayr high school in 1925. After completing the Normal Training Program offered by the Mount Ayr high school she taught in the county country schools for a number of years.
In 1929 she was married to Paul J. Eason of Diagonal at the Methodist Church parsonage in Mount Ayr. Following her marriage she became a full time homemaker.
She and Paul made their home in Diagonal where their first son Jim was born. Later they moved to Mount Ayr where their second son Clair (Skip) was born. In 1934 they moved to the family farm where they resided until her untimely death.
Beth served as a Washington township 4-H leader for several years. She served a second brief stint as a country school teacher in 1946-47 as she completed a term for another teacher at the Washington township #9 school.
Beth was a Methodist Church member and was active with the United Methodist Women as long as her health permitted.
Beth's family was her life. Her sons and daughters-in-law provided her and Paul with eight grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. She was a hard to follow model of what a grandma is to be to their grandchildren. She remained close and involved with the greats and great-greats even though some lived out of the area. She was referred to as "Grandma Beth" by her own children, her grandchildren, of course, and a host of non-related adults and children who knew her.
Beth enjoyed gardening and took care of it as well as she did children. She felt working in the soil was good for the soul.
Until death came she spoke often of her husband Paul. They were a team. She missed him so.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul in 1978; two great-grandsons, Lucas Eason and Cole Smith; her four brothers: Paul Beymer, Mark Beymer, Luther Beymer and infant Beymer; three of her sisters: Olive (Mrs. Neil) Johnson, Esther (Mrs. Orlo) Johnson, and infant Beymer; and all of her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. She is survived by her two sons and their spouses, Jim and Nina Eason of rural Mount Ayr and their four children, Steve and Alisa Eason and their daughters, Amanda, Sara and Kelli, of Clarinda, Curt and Mary Eason and their sons Jim, Chris, Kyle and Korey of Mount Ayr, Mike and Lori Eason and their daughters Elizabeth and Jennifer of Dubuque and Susan Eason of Kansas City, Missouri; Clair "Skip" and Donna Eason of Waukee, and their four children, Ted and Paula Eason of La Crosse, Wisconsin and their children, Hilary and daughter Kendell and son Carter of West Des Moines, Paul and Jill Eason of Nixa, Missouri and Adrienne and daughter Emma also of Nixa, Missouri; Terry Eason and his son Trey of Waukee and son Tyler of Norwalk; Debra Eason Smith and husband Doug and their sons Adam, Lucas and Dylan of Waukee; Jo Ann Eason Schlitter and husband Terry and their son Cody and daughters Donna Jo and Claire Beth of Redfield; her sister Fern Badger of Rochester, Minnesota and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were on Tuesday, August 8, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend Michael Druhl and Reverend Eydie Stephens officiating. Debbie Cannon and Dwight Ingram provided music. Casket bearers were Steve Eason, Terry Eason, Curt Eason, Mike Eason, Doug Smith and Terry Schlitter. Honorary pallbearers were Debbie Eason Smith, Susan Eason and JoAnn Eason Schlitter.
Beth was laid to rest in the Bethel Cemetery, Diagonal.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
VERNA CLARA HUFF
Verna Clara Huff was born July 14, 1910 at Villisca, Iowa to Marion G. and Nellie (Russell) Rains. Verna passed away August 2, 2000 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Verna was united in marriage to Teddy Donald Huff on December 12, 1927 in Creston, Iowa. They farmed in Ringgold county, Iowa for many years, moving into Mount Ayr in 1961. Verna began working at the Ringgold County Hospital at this time and continued working there until the mid 1970's.
Verna was a member of the Blackmore Friendship club. She was a dedicated and faithful farmer's wife. She had a big garden and canned the produce to feed her family. She dearly loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When faced with moving to the Clearview Home, Verna was ready and willing. She believed that they were the nicest people and appreciated all that they did for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Marion and Nellie Rains; her husband Ted in 1968; two children, Billy Eugene and Marion Lois; one sister Margaret West; and three brothers, Carter, Elmer L. and Clark Rains.
Left to cherish her memory are her children: Don Huff and wife Connie of Kellerton, Iowa, Carter Huff and wife Andra of Hiawatha, Iowa, Francis K. Huff and wife Judy of Lincoln, Nebraska, Carroll Huff and wife Ellen of Albany, Oregon, Darrold Huff and wife LuAnn of Loveland, Colorado and Janet Mercer and husband Don of Mount Ayr; 19 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Marion Wick of Osceola and Norma Grady of Creston; and a host of relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr on Saturday, August 5, 2000 with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers. Casket bearers were Richard Mercer, Terry Mercer, Jake Huff, Michael Mercer, Barry Huff and Willis Huff.
Verna was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
