Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
INEZ MAE KNEEDLER
Inez Mae Kneedler was born Monday, August 28, 1922 at home in Ring-gold county, Iowa, the daughter of Otis and Maude (Smith) Marshall.
Inez's father passed away at a young age and Inez welcomed Milo Morse as her stepfather. Inez passed away on Tuesday, November 21, 2000 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Inez was united in marriage to Cecil Kneedler on November 4, 1939 at Bethany, Missouri. To this union five children were born.
She lived her life in central and southern Iowa. Since 1966, she has lived in the Redding and Mount Ayr area.
Inez was a loving mother. She really enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren. She like to play cards, work on crafts and she would enjoy camping and vacation trips with her family.
Inez was preceded in death by her parents, Otis and Maude Marshall; her stepfather Milo Morse; her husband Cecil on December 17, 1978; a son Jerry on December 14, 1999; four sisters, Gladys Rinehart, Jennie Gregg, Lucille Webb and Opal Adkission; and three brothers, Vern, Oland and Gernie Marshall.
Left to mourn her passing are her children: LaVenia Stump and her husband Ernest of Woodward, Iowa, Cecil Eugene and his wife Lettie of Winterset, Iowa, Linda Kohl and her husband Gene and Judy Dillenburg and husband Eugene, all of Mount Ayr; 11 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; and several nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, November 24, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Musicians were Debbie Cannon, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers.
Casket bearers were Bob Saxton, James Huffman, Doug Brown, Michael Storey, Jody Kneedler and Chris Kneedler. Honorary pallbearers were Michael Young, Levi Huffman, Billy Young, Clayton Kneedler, Brandon Saxton and Dillion Kneedler.
Inez was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
SELMA IRENE MOSIER
Selma Irene (Petersen) Mosier was born November 9, 1915 in Sheldahl, Iowa, to H. J. and Mattie (Buche) Petersen. She grew up in the Sheldahl area. Before her marriage, she worked as a dental technician in Ames, Iowa.
She married Eugene Mosier on July 16, 1938 in Albany, Missouri. Gene and Selma had three children: Thomas, Margaret and LuAnn.
For most of their married life they farmed the family farm southeast of Mount Ayr, Iowa. They sold the farm in 1992 and moved into Mount Ayr.
Selma was a member of the First Baptist Church where she was active until her health failed. She was a 4-H leader when her daughters were in 4-H. She taught Sunday school at Clearview Home. For many years she served on the Mount Ayr Public Library board.
Selma passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2000 at the Health Care Center in Mount Ayr.
She was preceded in death by her parents, H. J. and Mattie Petersen; a sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Noble Christianson; brother Charles Petersen; sister-in-law Charmion Mosier; and brother-in-law Arlo Mosier.
She is survived by her husband Eugene; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Linda Mosier of Raleigh, North Carolina; daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Darryl Torrin of Denver, Iowa; daughter LuAnn Mosier of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; grandson C. J. Mosier of North Carolina; brother-in-law Frank Mosier and wife Diane of Fresno, California; and longtime family friends Dixie Lemme of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Betty and Cecil Davenport as well as several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 28, 2000, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Diana Holland officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and Debbie Larson with musical selections "Until Then," and "Peace In The Valley."
Casket bearers were C. J. Mosier, Bob Christner, Barton Shields, Cecil Davenport, Robert Campbell and Jerry Shields. Honorary pallbearers were Jerry Mosier, Roger Schnoor, Darrel Adams, Bob Sickels, Kyle Shaha, Joe Mosier, Thayne Lowman, Richard Saltzman, Gene Y. Mosier, Woodrow Saltzman, Robert Christianson and Roger Billerey-Mosier.
Selma was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
DARREL SAMUEL WERNER
Darrel Samuel Werner, the eldest son of James Wesley Werner and Hattie Carie Stoeslger Werner, was born March 9, 1916 in Union county, Iowa. He passed away November 25, 2000 at his home in rural Shannon City, Iowa at the age of 84.
Darrel graduated from Shannon City high school in 1934. He was united in marriage on May 26, 1940 to Maxine Henderson of Creston, Iowa. To this union three children were born: Nancy, Steve and Jeffrey.
Darrel was a genuine steward of the land. He loved farming. It extended beyond being an occupation; it was a hobby. Through the years he raised cattle, hogs, sheep, turkeys, chickens and a variety of grains. Darrel and Maxine farmed south of Creston the first year of their marriage. The remaining years were spent within a two mile radius of the family home in rural Shannon City.
Besides farming, Darrel enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and following sports. He was an all around solid citizen who believed in rural America and the lifestyle it allows. Hard work was always balanced with pleasure and plenty of time for family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Hattie; a son Jeffrey Wes; and a brother Elton.
He is survived by his wife Maxine; daughter Nancy Kelly and husband Mike of Mount Ayr; son Steve and wife Marilyn Yashack Werner of Shannon City; five grandchildren, Julie Ingram and husband Dwight, Jan Kelly, Melissa Stenberg and husband David, Amanda Werner and Brandon Werner; seven great-grandchildren, Matthew, Drew, Ashley, Jonathon and Jordon Ingram, Hattie Stenberg and Race Kelly; two sisters, Doris Garland and husband Dick of Des Moines, Iowa, and Carol Bryan and husband Dean of Huxley, Iowa; a sister-in-law Marjorie Werner of Tingley, Iowa; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 29, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy, Dwight Ingram, Drew Ingram, Julie Ingram and Ashley Ingram with musical selection, "In The Garden."
Casket bearers were Mike Bryan, Jim Werner, Tony Bryan, Matthew Ingram, Gregory Bryan, Thomas E. Ford and Dick Garland, Jr. Honorary pallbearers were Max Means, Harry Skarda, Dick Yashack, Keith Lininger, Jim McGrath, Robert Shay and Donald Campbell.
Darrel was laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery, Shannon City.
WILLIAM LLOYD ABARR
Mr. William Lloyd Abarr, age 82, of Altoona, Iowa, died November 28, 2000 at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Mr. Abarr was born February 14, 1918, to Harlan and Minnie Abarr, at Redding, Iowa. He graduated from the Redding Consolidated high school in 1936.
He served in the U. S. Army tank battalion in World War II and was captured in North Africa by the Germans on his birthday, February 14, 1943. He was a prisoner of war in a German prison camp for 26 months until he was freed by Allied forces in 1945.
He was employed by John Deere Co. in Waterloo and Ankeny as a machinist until his retirement.
He married Elizabeth (Betty) Johnson in 1955. They lived in Des Moines until moving to Altoona in 1987.
Mr. Abarr lived the past 12 years in Altoona and prior to that he lived in Des Moines. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and he volunteered for the Des Moines Food Pantry. He loved his church and like to be with people.
Preceding him in death were his wife Elizabeth on May 1, 1995; and eight brothers, Quentin, Kenneth, Emile, Barton, Lyle, Joe, D. C. and John.
Survivors include son Ronald Abarr of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter Patricia Bushong of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; son Charles Johnson of Pleasant Hill; son Craig Johnson of Des Moines; daughter Sonia Nicholson of Altoona, Iowa; daughter Peggy Raney of El Cajon, California; daughter Janet Wee of Ankeny; and 23 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Friday, December 1, 2000 at Union Park Presbyterian Church in Des Moines. Pallbearers were Abarr nephews, Gary, David, Andrew, Charles, Weldon and Sam. Interment was in the Altoona Cemetery, Altoona.
Memorials may be made to the Union Park Presbyterian Church and Hospice of Central Iowa.
Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines was in charge of the arrangements.
MYRTLE MAE AKERS
Myrtle Mae Akers, age 101, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, was born on August 25, 1899 to Frank and Blanche (McDowell) Bryant near Grand River, Iowa. She passed away on November 25, 2000 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr.
Myrtle was married to Elmer Otis Akers on August 29, 1918. They lived and farmed in Decatur and Ringgold counties. Myrtle helped with the farm work and raised chickens. In 1966 they retired and moved to Grand River. They were married for 64 years, and after Elmer passed away on March 22, 1983, Myrtle continued to live in her home. After a few years, she moved to Parkview Senior Housing in Leon, Iowa. In 1996 she moved to Mount Ayr and was a resident of Mount Ayr Health Care Center until her death.
She enjoyed good health all of her life. On her 101st birthday, she was still able to read all of her cards. She was always quick to laugh and joke and always very interested to hear about farming and the livestock she loved. She was a member of the Grand River United Methodist Church and the Friendship Club in Grand River. Myrtle enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking and quilting.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Frank and Blanche Bryant; sister Hazel Hopkins; two brothers, Dewey and Raymond Bryant; three nephews, Cloyd, Calvin, and infant Howard Boord; and niece Merlin Hembry.
Left to mourn her passing are nephews, Harold T. Akers and wife Theola of Kellerton, Iowa and Ernest Bryant of St. James, Minnesota; four nieces, Eva Klaras and husband Gerry of St. James, Minnesota, Marjorie Reasoner and Mary Baker and husband Eugene, all of Mount Ayr, and Patricia Reynolds of Marysville, Michigan; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 with Reverend Terry D. Roberts officiating. Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River.
MARIETTA JOSEPHINE (HEINISCH) (WILLIAMS) BROWN
Marietta was born January 11, 1908, on the old Jagger home farm, a few miles south and west of Kellerton, Iowa, in Ringgold county. Her grandfather, Silas Jagger, had purchased this farm in 1861.
Marietta was the fifth child of Gustav Otto Heinisch (born June 19, 1869, in Wapakoneta, Ohio) and Josephine Jagger (Grandma Heinisch, born March 22, 1873 in Ringgold county).
Marietta had one sister and five brothers: Gustav Otto Heinisch, Jr., born September 21, 1900; Margaret Ellen Heinisch, born September 24, 1902; Cletus (Frank) Heinisch, born February 14, 1905; Kermit Benjamin Heinisch, born May 28, 1906; Hubert Christian Heinisch, born May 25, 1909; and Howard Leonard Heinisch, born February 23, 1913.
The Heinisch family moved to Kellerton when Marietta was about a year old. Her dad Gustav Heinisch built and operated a general store there. He was also a carpenter by trade and built several homes and buildings around Kellerton including one of the principle buildings downtown. It is still on the east side of "Main Street," and has the words "Heinisch Block" spelled out in small mosaic tile at the front.
Marietta became a member of the Kellerton Christian Church and on June 23, 1921 she was baptized by E. E. Lister. Mr. Lister's wife had taught Marietta's Sunday school class for several years.
Marietta grew up in Kellerton and in 1925 she graduated from Kellerton high school.
After Marietta graduated from high school, she went to work for a dentist from Iowa City who had come to Kellerton to set up practice in the old hotel building. Later, Marietta went to Omaha, Nebraska to work. Her brothers Frank and Kermit were in Omaha at the time. Frank had found her a job, taking care of a doctor's children while she was attending business school. Shortly thereafter Grandma Heinisch fell and broke her arm and Marietta returned to Kellerton to help out at home. About that time she also went to work for May Wheeler in the Kellerton telephone central office.
In 1927, her brother Kermit returned to Kellerton from Chicago, Illinois. Kermit and Marietta decided to go to Portland, Oregon to visit their sister Margaret. They purchased a Model T automobile in which to make the trip. After many flat tires, terrible roads and many hours spent in an uncovered car, they finally made it to Boise, Idaho. The old car was in bad need of repairs so they decided to find work in Boise. Kermit did construction work while Marietta worked for C. C. Anderson & Co. Department Store.
While in Boise, Kermit and Marietta met a brother and sister (Bob and Ruth Williams) and a short time later Kermit married Ruth. Then in the spring of 1928, Marietta married Ruth's brother Bob. On December 18, 1929, Marietta gave birth to her first child, Robert L. (Bob ) Williams.
On August 7, 1930, Marietta's father Gustav died. Marietta and her baby son returned by train to Kellerton to be with grandma. A short time later Bob Senior also arrived in Kellerton. On May 31, 1933 a daughter Marlene Ruth Williams was born.
These were depression times and jobs were hard to come by. Bob was just doing odd jobs while looking for regular work. Soon after Marlene was born he returned to Boise to find work. A few years later Marietta and Bob were divorced.
During these depression years, Marietta and her two children lived with her mother Josephine and worked at whatever various jobs that were available. She cooked in the little cafe (where the post office is now located) receiving the sum of $4 per week, with only Christmas as a day off. Later, when the "Hi Vee" first started in Kellerton she worked there in the grocery store.
During the winter of 1940 and the spring of 1941, Marietta was able to obtain training in Iowa City as a nurse, and after that she worked for Kellerton's only doctor, Dr. C. M. Walker. Marietta worked for the doctor until his illness in 1944 forced him to retire. Dr. Walker was Kellerton's physician for more than 40 years.
Marietta also worked part-time as a postal clerk in the Kellerton Post Office during the period when Lyle Spencer was postmaster.
On August 12, 1944, Marietta married Lee Brown, a Kellerton school classmate. They were married by Celia Fugate in the Kellerton Christian Church. A couple of years later, in 1946, the family, Lee, Marietta, Bob and Marlene moved to their house just east of the town park.
Several years later Marietta and Lee bought a farm one and one-half miles southeast of Kellerton and while they didn't live on the farm, they spent many enjoyable years raising cattle and a few hogs and doing a lot of fishing in the two ponds on the farm.
Lee passed away in 1981 (Kellerton's centennial year) and he is buried in the Kellerton Cemetery. Marietta was buried next to Lee.
Bob Williams, Sr., passed away in Spokane, Washington on June 16, 1982.
Marietta's two children graduated from Kellerton high school and both moved from Kellerton not too long after.
Robert (Bob) Williams married Jeanne M. Butimore on December 27, 1952 and they live in Fullerton, California.
Marlene Williams married Clarence (Bud) Greimann on June 16, 1963. They lived in Des Moines, Iowa for a few years and then returned to Kellerton.
Marietta has been a member of the Christian Church in Kellerton since 1913, more than 85 years. She has held many offices there, taught Sunday school, helped with Bible school and when well she seldom missed a Sunday. Marietta had a talent for whistling and she used to whistle the hymn "Whispering Hope" at church.
Marietta also belonged to the Rebekah Lodge for over 50 years. She enjoyed cards, marble games and bingo and used to find a way to play these games quite often.
In June and July of 1987, Marietta enjoyed a trip to Europe including the Bavarian countryside from which her Heinisch ancestors came. Her grandmother Margaret Heinisch was born August 1, 1838 in Weimersheim, Bavaria.
Marietta's four grandchildren are: Ellen Williams Volmert, born January 8, 1954; John Williams, born January 4, 1963; Tamara Greimann Clark, born October 17, 1965; and Tracy Greimann Goddard, born February 17, 1967.
Marietta's seven great-grandchildren are: Katherine Volmert, born January 8, 1985; Aaron Clark, born May 2, 1986; Anne Volmert, born July 26, 1988; Kaitlin Clark, born August 4, 1989; Tianna Goddard, born December 6, 1989; Tyler Goddard, born January 18, 1994; and Alexandria Williams, born October 25, 2000.
Marietta lived to see most of the 20th century, from horse transportation to landing a vehicle on the moon, from the telegraph to the computer and the Internet. She usually had the opinion that "life was good" but that there was a better place waiting at the end.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 7, 2000, at the Christian Church in Kellerton with Pastor Terry Roberts officiating. Carla Johnson will be the organist. Casket bearers are Myron Ingram, John Worthington, Tom Goddard, Howard Brown, John Clark and Sam Merrill.
Honorary pallbearers are Duane "Doc" Johnson, Harold Deemer, Doyle Konopasek, Jack Hughes and Lawrence Combs.
Marietta was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
