Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
RAYMOND ELTON MILLER
Raymond Elton Miller was born July 9, 1916, on a farm north of Benton, Iowa, to Charles Elton and Anna Mary (Munden) Miller. And departed this life on January 2, 2001, in the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa, after a year-long illness.
He was educated in Ringgold county. On April 30, 1942, he entered the United States Air Force serving during WW II and was discharged in 1945.
In March of 1947 Ray moved to northern Iowa where he farmed for 21 years.
On June 3, 1953, he married Edith Merrill. To this union three children were born, Marcia, Rhonda and Roger. In February 1968, the family moved to a farm near Kellerton, Iowa, where he farmed until he retired.
Raymond always chose to live his life with the Golden Rule in mind.
Ray was preceded in death by his parents and eight younger siblings.
Survivors include his wife Edith; daughter, Marcia and husband Louis Caddell of Kansas City, Missouri and Rhonda and husband Brad Ross of Indianola, Iowa; a son Roger of Kellerton; and five grandchildren, Phillip Peters, Jessica Ross, Valerie Ross, Jennifer Miller and Travis Miller.
Funeral services were held Thursday, January 4, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Pastors Rick Hawkins and Louis Caddell officiating. Musicians were Jane Buck and Carme Greenman. Casket bearers were John Worthington, Denzel Platt, Walt McGinnis, LeRoy Wood, Russell Norris and Marvin Lesan. Honorary pallbearers were Gary Grose, Gene Hoffman, Jim Overholtzer and Harold Deemer.
Raymond was laid to rest in the Benton Cemetery, Benton.
Military graveside rites were given by Post #676 American Legion.
KAY ANN NELSON
Kay Ann Nelson was born February 1, 1952, at Mount Ayr, Iowa. She was the daughter of Easterly and Irma (Lynch) Nelson.
Kay was raised and lived her life at Mount Ayr. She had an unconditional love for everyone and she had a forgiving personality. She always had a love for cats and kittens. On Saturday nights, it was Lawrence Welk and if she was to be gone, the show would have to be taped.
She was fond of old classical music and crocheting. Kay was not afraid of change and she liked to try new things. She loved to go bowling and swimming. Kay's favorite thing to do was to go shopping.
Kay had been a resident of the Ringgold County Group Home for the past several years. She started working at the Southwest Iowa Sheltered Workshop in Afton in 1973 and transferred when a satellite shop was opened in Mount Ayr. It later became Innovative Industries. Kay took pride in her work.
Kay passed away on January 6, 2001, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and her grandparents, Wilbur and Donna Lynch and Lars and Anna Nelson.
Kay will be fondly remembered by her brother Royce of Fosston, Minnesota; sister-in-law LaVonne of Mankato, Minnesota; niece Jennifer of Grand Forks, North Dakota; her second set of parents who cared so well for her, Sharon and Duane Glick of Mount Ayr; and all of her friends at the group home.
Services were held Tuesday, January 9, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Margaret Bickers and Mary Trullinger with songs, "Gentle Shepherd," and "Be Not Afraid." Casket bearers were Lyle Minnick, Wendell Jackson, Fred Shields, Donald Minnick, Richard Weehler and Loren Wine-miller. Honorary pallbearers were Cleo Lynch, Bob Lynch, Duane Glick and Gary Hensley.
Kay was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
ALBERTA REYNOLDS
Alberta Reynolds was born as the bells were ringing, just after midnight, on January 1, 1911, at Champaign, Illinois. She was raised by John and Elizabeth Blauer at Tingley, Iowa. She would later graduate from Tingley high school. Alberta married Manson Reynolds and to this union eight children were born.
In the early 1940's Alberta lived in Seattle, Washington were she worked at the shipyards. She later returned to Tingley where she raised her family. In 1971, she moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa and worked at Clearview Home. To be near her family, she lived in West Burlington, Iowa and later moved to Phoenix, Arizona in the early 1980's, with the past few years being in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Her children and grandchildren were very important to Alberta. Her main concern was their well being and she established a strong Christian faith for the family to live by. She belonged to the Methodist Church wherever she lived, teaching Sunday school for many years in Tingley. Her Bible was an inspiration that she started and ended each day with.
Alberta enjoyed reading not only the Bible but books as well and a puzzle was always in progress in her home. Alberta had a sense of humor, making the people around her laugh. She loved her dogs and they were jokingly referred to as her "grandkids."
Alberta passed away on January 3, 2001, just after her 90th birthday, at the Nathan Adelson Hospice in Las Vegas, Nevada.
She was preceded in death by her foster parents; her husband Manson; two sons, Dale and Dickie; a grandson Danny Keith Reynolds and a great-granddaughter Shawna Jensen; her foster brother John Harold Blauer and her foster sister Grace Marento.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Doyle and his wife Elnora of Burlington, Iowa, Dean and his wife Penny of Poulsbo, Washington, Darrell of Katy, Texas, Danny of Mount Ayr, Marcene Allaway and her husband Dave of Las Vegas, Nevada and Darlene Kelly and her husband Vernon, Sr. of Afton, Iowa; 18 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, 9 great-great-grandchildren; a foster brother Darold Blauer and his wife Rosemary of Des Moines.
Funeral services were held Sunday, January 7, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Diana Holland officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers. Songs were "His Eye Is On The Sparrow," and "When They Ring Those Golden Bells." Casket bearers were Ryan Jensen, Vernon Kelly, Jr., Wayne Creveling, Lonnie Reynolds, R. J. Brinkmeyer, Justin Anderson and Chad Christensen.
Alberta was laid to rest in the Tingley Cemetery, Tingley.
BEATRICE "BEA" BAKER
Beatrice Baker, 90 years old, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, passed away January 13, 2001, at the Clearview Home, where she had resided for the past five and a half years.
Beatrice was born on March 17, 1910, along with a twin sister Beneta to Truman Oscar Green and Martha Davenport Green on their farm near Lamoni, Iowa. She graduated from Ellston high school in 1929. After graduation she worked for her sister Velva in her restaurant in Nevada, Missouri. She then worked during WW II in a defense plant in Kansas City, Missouri.
She met Harold Baker and they were married December 8, 1966, and made their home in Kansas City, Missouri. She took great pride in working with her husband in remodeling homes and enjoyed any project that involved working with her hands and helping others, especially her family, neighbors and the community. Family members recall her wonderful fashion sense and her readiness to laugh. She had a sweet and giving nature and truly thought of others and put them before herself.
She will be missed by her twin sister Beneta O'Connor of Seattle, Washington; brother Raymond Green of Mount Ayr; many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Especially Martha and Kenneth Lambert who were so caring of her, and many friends she had made while making her home at the Clearview Home.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents, Truman Oscar and Martha Green; her husband Harold Baker; her brothers Lennie, Clarence, Truman, Frank and Edwin; and her sisters, Gladys Bryant, Elva Norris and Velva Mabry.
Services were held Tuesday, January 16, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Musical selections were "Have Thine Own Way Lord," and "Just a Closer Walk With Thee." Casket bearers were Dee Green, Eddie Green, Michael Green, Kenneth Lambert, Chad Lambert and Bill Gilmon.
Beatrice was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
FERN DOLECHECK
Fern Liona Roudybush Dolecheck was born on October 30, 1910, to William and Maria Griffith Roudybush on the family farm south of Diagonal, Iowa, in the home her grandfather built. Fern, one of 13 children was one of the second generation to be born in this home.
She passed away at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa, on January 13, 2001, at the age of 90 years, two months and 14 days. Reverend Charles M. Edmanson, officiating pastor of the Methodist Church of Diagonal, baptized her at a revival prayer meeting in the Siloam schoolhouse on October 20, 1913.
She was united in marriage to Paul John Dolecheck on November 7, 1928, at the Presbyterian Parsonage in Diagonal. To this union three children were born, Josephine, Pauline and Duane. They enjoyed spending their 60th anniversary together.
They established their home southeast of Diagonal where they resided until retiring in 1966. At that time they moved into town. Having her grandchildren and great-grandchildren around brought her great joy and happiness. After her husband's passing, she continued to live in their home until she entered the Crest Haven Care Centre two years ago.
Fern and her husband worked side-by-side on their family farm shucking corn, shocking oats and wheat and putting up hay. They enjoyed many hours fishing and always sharing a picnic lunch. They always had a large garden full of vegetables and flowers with much canning that had to be done. She did a lot of baking for her family and for many occasions, which included delicious kolaches and dinner rolls.
She was a charter member of the Willing Workers Club which served meals for the alumni banquets for several years. Her suggestion was used to name the club which was organized in March of 1934. Quilting was one of their pastime activities.
At an early age, she started playing the piano by ear. Having been raised in a musical family, her talent came very natural. Fern and Paul enjoyed being in the Bohemian Orchestra, entertaining young and old alike for many years. She later went on to share her music at the nursing homes. She and her childhood friend Margaret Taylor, who she loved like a sister, grew up together and were inseparable all of their lives. They both had a common interest of tickling the ivories.
As a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she is survived by her daughters, Josephine Gray and husband William of Stanton, Iowa, and Pauline Crussell and husband Clemmeth of Clarinda, Iowa; a son Duane and wife Eula Dolecheck of Creston; 17 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, seven great-great-grandchildren and one great-great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law Opal Roudybush of Plymouth, Iowa; nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one grandson Edwin Powell; eight brothers, Floyd, Clifford, John, Lester, Ralph, Otis, Loren and Roy; four sisters, May Gleason, Beulah Sobotka, Myrtle Novak Yashack and Pearl Esther Roudybush.
Funeral services were held January 17, 2001, at the United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, conducted by Reverend Paddy Druhl. Music was provided by Mrs. Judy Newton and a selection of recorded music by Fern.
Casket bearers were grandsons and grandsons-in-law: Paul Gray, Robert Powell, John Powell, Jack Powell, Rick Powell, David Crussell, Sean Jenkins and Dan Forkner. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters and granddaughters-in-law: Pat Forkner, Angela Ruckman, Sheila Jenkins, Melissa Denton, Teresa Dolecheck, Deborah and Allen Ashton, Michelle Powell and Paula Crussell.
Burial was in the Bohemian Cemetery, Diagonal.
REX EUGENE PAYTON
Rex Eugene Payton was born December 10, 1931, to Everett and Fern (Axtell) Payton at the home of his grandparents near Mount Ayr, Iowa. Rex passed away on January 10, 2001, at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center after a six-month bout with cancer.
He graduated from the Kellerton High School in 1950. After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he served until his discharge in 1954. After working a short time in the oil fields in Kansas he returned to Kellerton and went into farming with his father and uncle.
While stationed in Colorado he met and married Virginia L. Mangus on April 16, 1953, in Raton, New Mexico. To this union four daughters were born, Susan, Sandra, Twila Jeanne and Amanda.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Fern Payton; and an infant daughter Amanda.
Survivors include his wife Virginia of Mount Ayr Health Care Center; daughters, Susan and husband Richard Lacy and children Jeremy and Rachelle of Eagleville, Missouri, Sandra and husband Jack Goodrich and children Chad, Matt and Jaclyn of Madrid, Iowa and Twila Jeanne and husband Gary Dively and children Karie, Noah and Amber of Severance, Kansas; and his sister Helen and husband Donald Laird of Kellerton.
Services were held Saturday, January 13, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Diana Holland officiating. Musical selections were "In The Garden," and "The Old Rugged Cross." Casket bearers were Gene Noftsger, Jim Hoffman, Franklin Smith, Marvin Lesan, Richard O'Dell and David Rainey.
Honorary pallbearers were Wayne George, Billy Smith, Gene Hoffman, Chester Munyon, Tom Giles, Jack Hoffman and Brett George.
He was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
ILA TAYLOR GRAY
Ila T. Gray, 96, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, passed away January 17, 2001, at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr.
Ila was born September 23, 1904, on the Taylor home place south of Mount Ayr to Harry and Sudie (Funkhouser) Taylor. She attended grade school and graduated high school from Mount Ayr in 1923, and college from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa, in 1925. Ila taught school many years in Blockton and Mount Ayr and this was a very gratifying occupation for her because she loved all children and believed in them.
On May 28, 1933, she married Louie Gray and two children were born to this union: Melvin and Martha Sue. Ila was a devoted wife and loving mother. She enjoyed her home and her happiest days were spent tending her garden and flowers, reading, preparing a Sunday school lesson, visiting family and friends, baking and maintaining her home.
She was a member of the Methodist Church, afternoon literature club, Farm Bureau and Women's Missionary Society years ago, which is U.M.W. today. Ila attended Fry Chapel Country Church for many years and taught Sunday school for 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Louie; infant daughter Martha Sue; brother Leo Taylor; and sisters-in-law Faye Taylor and Lucinda Taylor.
Ila is survived by her son Melvin; brother Lynden Taylor of Mount Ayr; four nieces, Donella Johnson of Mount Ayr, Annabelle Sweeten of Lamoni, Iowa, Sue Ann Smith of Rock Island, Illinois and Kay Terwilliger of Mount Ayr; one nephew Alan Taylor of Mount Ayr; great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Ila Gray will be remembered for her generosity and service to others.
Services were held Saturday, January 20, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Arm-strong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Pastor Rick Hawkins and Reverend Ralph Johnson officiating. Musicians were Debbie Cannon, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers with songs, "In The Garden," and "Amazing Grace." Casket bearers were Alan Taylor, Aaron Ruff, Bob Campbell, Hugh Terwilliger, Ed Rotert, Sr. and Roger Schnoor.
Ila was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
