Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
ALICE MARIE REEL CHARTER
Alice Marie Reel Charter, age 89, died Thursday, September 21, 2000 of cardiac arrest in Des Moines, Iowa.
Alice was born April 12, 1911 in DuBois, Nebraska, the daughter of Nellie Genevra Keeler and Bernice Hawkins Beamer. She graduated from Pawnee City, Nebraska high school and attended Peru State Teachers College in Peru, Nebraska and Phillips University at Enid, Oklahoma.
She was married to Reverend Harold Alton Reel on October 24, 1933 by Harold's father, Reverend John S. Reel at the First Christian Church in Pawnee City, Nebraska. To this loving union four children were born. Harold died in 1956.
Alice was later married to Gaylord E. Charter of Guthrie Center, Iowa on February 2, 1969. She lost her second husband in July of 1986.
She taught in the Pawnee City area country schools and was a homemaker. Being the wife of a minister, she had many church and ministry responsibilities over the many different communities that they served. She helped to serve churches in Table Rock, Shubert and Chester, all in Nebraska, and North English, Guthrie Center, Mount Ayr, Tingley and Diagonal in Iowa. After Gaylord died in July, 1986, she moved to Creston to be closer to her daughter Margaret.
She was an active member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and sang in the church choirs throughout her life. She was also a 50 year member of P.E.O. and formerly a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.
Alice was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband Harold Reel and second husband Gaylord Charter; and a daughter Mildred Anne at the age of one.
She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy (husband Lowell) Perry of Des Moines and Peggy (husband Bud) Ripperger of Creston; one son Dr. Richard Reel of West Des Moines; one brother Ray (wife Hilda) of Le Mars, Iowa; one sister Mildred (husband Paul) Dry of Bella Vista, Arkansas; stepchildren, Ruth Charter Roberts of Decater, Illinois and Larry (wife Norva) Charter of Madrid, Iowa; and 14 grandchildren, stepgrandchildren, many great-grandchildren, stepgreat-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 25, 2000 at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Creston with Dr. Byron Lamun, interim pastor, officiating.
Alice was laid to rest in the Pawnee City Cemetery, Pawnee City, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church in Creston.
Powers Funeral Home of Creston was in charge of the arrangements.
DONALD A. TYLER SR.
Donald A. Tyler, son of Anna L. (Wise) and Alonzo J. Tyler, was born January 18, 1910 in Sioux City, Iowa and passed from this life on September 19, 2000 at the Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
At the age of three years he moved with his family to Lake Wilson, Minnesota. They later lived in the Slayton, Minnesota area where Donald completed the eighth grade. The family then moved to Minneapolis where he completed the ninth, tenth and eleventh grades. The family then moved to a farm near Windom, Minnesota where he graduated from high school.
Don worked at Woolworth's Department Store in Minneapolis for one year before moving back to Windom to farm with his father. In January of 1935 Don went into the implement business until 1938 at which time he moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota to begin a career in the insurance industry.
On October 15, 1936 Don was united in marriage to Alice L. Cuvellier. In September of 1942 he started the Don Tyler Insurance Agency and operated it until turning it over to his son Thomas in 1992. He continued to work in the business until 1996.
He was a member of Calvary Cathedral Episcopal, Masonic Unity Lodge 130, Scottish Rite and the El Riad Shrine.
Grateful for having shared his life are his two sons: Don A. Tyler, Jr. and his wife Elizabeth of Portland, Oregon and Thomas W. Tyler of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; two daughters, Martha J. Pasco and her husband Gerry of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Teresa A. Campbell and her husband Robert of Mount Ayr, Iowa; thirteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, a sister, Maxine A. Lazier of Wayzata, Minnesota and host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Gretchen Truman, a brother and a sister.
Masonic services were held Friday, September 22 evening at the Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 23 at the Miller Funeral Home with burial at Woodlawn Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital.
LEONA R. ADKISSON
Leona R. Adkisson was born January 18, 1917, at Conway, Iowa, to Albia and Jessie (Loveland) Winslow.
Leona was united in mariage to Fred E. Adkisson on September 27, 1935, at Creston, Iowa. She enjoyed being a farm wife and helping with all aspects of the daily chores. She was a good mother, kind and gentle. For her, family came first and she was devoted to their well being. She lived around Diagonal and Clearfield, Iowa, most of her life and had lived in Mount Ayr for the past 10 years. Leona passed away on December 28, 2000, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr at the age of 83 years.
Leona was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Fred on September 14, 1975; a son-in-law Max Buck; several brothers and sisters; stepson and stepdaughter-in-law Fred and Opal Adkisson; stepson Edward Adkisson; and stepson-in-law Bill Powell.
Left to mourn her passing are her children Clara Buck of Mount Ayr and Eldon Adkisson and his wife Donna of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; stepson Harold Adkisson and his wife Marjorie of Mount Ayr; stepdaughter Violet Powell of Sioux City, Iowa; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held Sunday, December 31, 2000, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Mrs. Gregg Cannon was the organist. Musical selections were "Amazing Grace" and "Precious Memories." Casket bearers were James Tull, Bart Parker, Randy Cook, Douglas Adkisson, Josh Haidsiak and Steven England.
Leona was laid to rest in the Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield.
WILMA PEARL ELLIS
Wilma Pearl Ellis, daughter of Arlington Drue Kelly and Kittie Wells Kelly, was born in Long Creek township in Decatur county Iowa, June 4, 1909, and departed this life December 25, 2000, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 91.
Wilma attended Pleasant Hill school north of Decatur before moving to Mount Ayr in 1920 where she finished her education.
She married H. B. (Bunk) Ellis on November 8, 1931. She loved making a home with Bunk and had many stories to tell about their fishing trips which they both enjoyed. They were together until his death in 1980.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents, Arlington and Kittie Kelly; little brother Clifton who died before his second birthday; brother and wife Earl and Nellie Kelly; sister and husband Gerald and Bea Dyer; and niece Cynthia (Kelly) Wulf.
Wilma is survived by her nephew and wife Tom and Colleen Kelly and their children Colman and Truda and by great-nieces Michelle and Megan.
Wilma was a 68-year member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a 64-year member of the Rebekah Lodge. She was a 55-year member of the First Christian Church of Mount Ayr. She also served as secretary of the Rose Hill Cemetery board for many years. But her most well-known role in life was being "Aunt Wilma," not only to her nieces and nephews but to two or three generations of neighborhood kids. It was a title she loved and a job she was great at.
Aunt Wilma spent her last year as a resident of Clearview Home in Mount Ayr where she made new friends and her role as "Aunt Wilma" carried on.
Aunt Wilma, you'll be greatly missed by family and friends. Our phones won't ring as often but you'll always be in our hearts. Until we meet again, God bless and keep you.
Services were held Thursday, December 28, 2000, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Mrs. Malcolm Eighmy and Dr. Collus Lawhead were the musicians. Casket bearers were Robert Shafer, Kelly Main, Gary Hensley, Raymond Hensley, Charles Zollman and Francis Willis.
Honorary pallbearers were LeRoy Blessman, Dr. Duane Mitchell, Lowell Howie, James Mahan, Jeff Quick, Bob Haley, Steve Mitchell and Harold Golliday.
Wilma was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
ELBERT LEROY HALEY
Elbert Haley was born July 22, 1919, at Maloy, Iowa, the third son to Arthur and Venita (Gaines) Haley. They lived east of Maloy. At age two months he moved with his parents to the southeast edge of Benton, Iowa.
Eb, as he was known, attended school in Benton graduating in 1937. After graduation he farmed for a living until 1973, when he retired. Eb was baptized at an early age and was a member of the Benton Christian Church and served as an elder. He was an active member of the Benton community, serving on the Benton school board and the county election board.
On September 20, 1942, he was married to Anna Marie Bowen and to this union two daughters were born, Cathy Ann and Lora Lou. They made their home in Benton. Anna passed away on May 10, 1968.
He married Pearl Goldner in July 1973. Pearl passed away in 1974. Eb then moved back to Mount Ayr, Iowa, where he met and married Fern Brace in 1979. Fern passed away in November of 1986. He later met and married Pat Sluyter on August 31, 1998.
Eb enjoyed his fishing, playing cards, dancing and he especially enjoyed woodworking of which he shared with his family and friends. He loved having his grandchildren come and visit and enjoyed time spent with family and friends.
Eb passed away December 27, 2000, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr with his loving and faithful wife Pat and daughter Lou at his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Venita Haley; his wives, Anna, Pearl and Fern; two brothers, Raymond and his wife Lee Haley and George and his wife June Haley; and a sister-in-law Ruth Haley.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Pat of Mount Ayr; two daughter, Cathy and husband Jerald Smith and their sons Chad and Danny of Lawton, OK and Lou and her husband Leon Baxter and their children Annie and AnDrew of Fort Madison, Iowa; two brothers, Harry Haley of Afton, Iowa and James and wife Dorothea Haley of Benton; and many stepchildren, stepgrandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Services were held Saturday, December 30, 2000, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. Patty Parrish and Vera Haley were the musicians. Casket bearers were Jack Haley, Jerry Haley, Donald Stephens, Mike Sluyter, Charles Hensel and Tom Haley. Honorary pallbearers were Arnie Bowen, Larry Bowen, Joe Bowen, Jerry Bowen, Bob Haley, Larry Haley and Scott Giles.
Elbert was laid to rest in the Marshalltown Cemetery, Benton.
EDWARD PAUL KNIGHT
Edward Paul Knight was born June 3, 1929, in Ringgold county, Iowa, the youngest child of Orr and Hattie (Jacobs) Knight.
He graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1947. As a senior, he was proud to be a member of an undefeated football team and was voted to the first team of the Blue Grass Conference. Edward's strength allowed him to excel in athletics as a young man and do much physical work throughout his life, which he enjoyed.
Edward married Millicent Wells on April 27, 1964, and they had one daughter, Lynnette Ann.
Edward was a unique, unpretentious person who had many interests and keen observations of the world and how it worked. He read a lot and kept abreast of current events especially in agricultural trends. Edward thought a lot about taking care of his land, and reveled in getting Cat work and improvements for the farm. He liked working outside on his WD's and maintaining them, which he had bought new in his early years of farming.
Throughout his life, Edward grew crops, harvested and sold seed, and raised sheep, hogs and cattle ? even at one time shipping a planeload of live cattle to Japan. He displayed an extreme patience and kindness towards animals and was diligent in his attempts to nurse a sick animal back to health. He and his wife Millie operated as a team in their livestock operation in their years together.
Edward had an appreciation for many types of plants, especially old fashioned roses, farm variety hollyhocks, the value of birdsfoot trefoil in a pasture, growing his own apples, grapes and a good tomato. Edward did, however, despise wild carrots (Queen Anne's lace) and brome grass which he earnestly tried to eradicate from his land.
Edward annually went to the Iowa State Fair with his daughter spending several days letting the fair "go by him." He was a storyteller with a rich memory of the people he met and his varied experiences in life. He regularly visited with people throughout the years at such places as Cross's Station and the Shamrock Cafe. He enjoyed having a dog, which went along wherever he went. Edward had a distinctive laugh, sneeze and clothing style. He also responded to the western landscape and enjoyed traveling out west many times to California and Las Vegas.
Edward is preceded in death by his parents, Orr and Hattie Knight; his wife Millie; his siblings, Richard and Howard Knight, Louise Wyckoff and Marjorie Ashman.
He is survived by his daughter Lynnette and her husband George Hunt; four sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were held Friday, December 29, 2000, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverends Peter Brantner and Carmen Lampe Zeitler officiating. Mrs. Keith Sackett and Mrs. Tom Larson were musicians. Musical selections were "It is No Secret," and "The Shifting Whispering Sands." Casket bearers were Jack Hoffman, Barton Shields, Josh Shields, John Campbell, Dale Bickel and Gerold Willey.
Edward was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
KARL LAYTON MCGAHUEY
Karl Layton McGahuey was born January 26, 1926, to Florence (Rauch) and Mahlon McGahuey in rural Decatur county, Iowa. He departed this life on December 29, 2000, at the Ringgold County Hospital, Mount Ayr, Iowa, after a long battle with cancer.
Karl grew up in Decatur and Ringgold counties with his parents, four brothers, Charles, Kenneth, Clarence and Vernon, and a sister Louise. He attended school in Mount Ayr and during high school enjoyed playing sports. He talked especially about playing football with his brother Vernon.
Following graduation in 1944, he married Elladeen Ruth Laird on May 26, at Bethany, Missouri. Standing up with them were Vernon and Louise. During the ceremony, Vernon kept nudging Elladeen, joking, "You'll be sorry." Fifty-six years later, they had a very successful marriage and life with each other.
All of his adult life Karl farmed with his wife by his side, both of which he truly loved. He enjoyed being outside working the land and tending to his animals. Everyone who knew him knew to what lengths he went to take care of his cattle. From time to time, you could catch him sitting in the shop, holding and petting special cats around the farm, or trying to get "Pud" to sit by him in the chair. He had a special place in his heart for those little animals. That is a tender side of him that many people did not see.
Karl and Elladeen were blessed with two children. Cheryl Elaine was born to them August 1, 1950, and Roger Alan, born July 28, 1954. Karl was very proud of his children as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife Elladeen; daughter Cheryl Alexander and husband Ron of Indianola, Iowa; son Roger and wife Cathy of Mount Ayr; five grandchildren, Timothy Hunt of Des Moines, Iowa, Kelly Hunt of Indianola, Stacie Reha of Norwalk, Iowa, Jessica Frost and husband Justin and Landry McGahuey, all of Mount Ayr; and nine great-granchildren.
Other survivors include two brothers, Charles and wife Helen of Mount Ayr, and Clarence and wife Ruby of Denver, Colorado; sisters-in-law Wanda McGahuey of Mount Ayr and Evelyn McGahuey of Independence, Oregon; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Services were held Tuesday, January 2, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Peter Brantner officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and Deb Larson. Casket bearers were Lee Faris, Lyle Faris, Gary Myers, Francis Willis, Steve Smith and Royce Dredge.
Karl was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
