Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
CARROL PERRY MATTHEWS
Carrol Perry Matthews was the middle child of Robert Lloyd Matthews and Maye Ellen Bender Matthews.
He was born September 3, 1921 at their home south of Clearfield, Iowa. His family included one brother Kenneth Eugene and one sister Roberta Maye.
In 1930, Carrol's family moved to a farm two miles north of Clearfield. He attended country school and graduated from Clearfield high school in 1939.
On March 17, 1941 he was united in marriage to Juanita Marie Morrow of Diagonal, Iowa in Gallatin, Missouri. To this union a son Robert Edward and one daughter Janis Elaine were born. They have three grandchildren: Julie Ann Matthews McKay, John Edward Matthews and Christopher Patrick Ambrose. They have one great-granddaughter Jodi McKay.
On January 21, 1943 Carrol was inducted into the Army where he served in the European Theater until returning home with an honorary discharge in December 14, 1945.
Carrol and his family moved to his grandparent's farm near Maloy, Iowa after the war where he farmed for three years. In 1949 he bought a farm on the west edge of Diagonal. They built a house and surrounding buildings where they have resided for 52 years. They were privileged to raise their family in a caring community.
Carrol farmed and raised purebred Angus cattle and spent 26 years as a postal clerk at the Diagonal Post Office where he enjoyed working with the public. He also spent nearly one year as Postmaster before retiring in October of 1981.
After Carrol retired he continued to raise cattle and work on his farm. He enjoyed gardening and keeping his farm looking nice and really enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. Carrol also enjoyed visiting with people in the Diagonal and Clearfield communities.
He was a former member of the Clearfield Presbyterian Church, American Legion Morris-Herrold Post #395 and VFW Post #1797 in Creston.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Robert and Maye Matthews; one brother Kenneth Matthews; one brother-in-law George Cook; one granddaughter Dusty Nicole Dodson; and one great-grandson Joshua McKay.
Survivors include wife Juanita Matthews of Diagonal; son Robert Matthews of Diagonal; daughter Janis Imhoff (husband Robert) of Atlantic, Iowa; sister Roberta Cook of Clearfield; sister-in-law Mildred Matthews of Clearfield; nieces and nephews; grandchildren, Julie McKay of Seymour, Iowa, John Matthews (wife Sandra) of Smithville, Missouri, Chris Ambrose (wife Tina) of Diagonal; and one great-granddaughter Jodi McKay.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 8, 2001 at United Church of Diagonal, Diagonal, with Reverends Pam Farren and Eydie Stephens officiating. Musicians were Judy Newton and Sherry Wiley. Casket bearers were Lonnie Votava, Robert Lininger, Steve Newton, Mark Schlapia, Bob Bailey and Travis Anderson.
Honorary pallbearers were Kenneth Morrow, Bernard Sobotka, Bob Andrews, Dick Yashack, Lawrence Rychnovsky, Bill Andrews, Dean Cobb, Richard Hammond and Dean Goodman.
Carrol was laid to rest in the Diagonal Cemetery, Diagonal.
Military graveside rites were given by Morris-Herrold Post #395, American Legion.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
F. WAYNE MCFEE
Funeral services for F. Wayne McFee, age 83, of Lenox, Iowa, who died Thursday, March 8, 2001 were held Monday, March 12, 2001 at 10:30 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Lenox with Pastor Tim Maxa officiating.
Interment was held in the North Fairview Cemetery.
F. Wayne was born January 20, 1918 on a farmstead northwest of Lenox, the son of Lewis Wellington McFee and Bertha Isabelle Jones. He spent all of his life in the Lenox area, except two years when he served in the Army Medics. He attended country school, then entering and graduating from Lenox high school in 1936. Wayne had many happy memories of growing up on the farm, having to do chores and farming with horses.
F. Wayne and Rexine Dale Brammer were united in marriage on January 20, 1939. They began their married life together living on the Jones homestead where Wayne's mother was born. He served in the U. S. Army from 1944 to 1946. In 1948 the couple adopted Rexine's nephew.
Wayne and his brother Kenneth built the McFee Bros. Bowl and opened it in 1959, where it is still open today. Some of the people who bowl today started there when they opened in 1959. The bowling alley was a great passion of Wayne and Rexine's.
Wayne was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, American Legion Post #250, Lenox Stock and Saddle Club, Taylor County Cattle Association and Iowa Soybean Association.
He is survived by his son Rex (wife Peggy) McFee of Creston, Iowa; a brother Kenneth (wife Mary) McFee of Lenox; a sister Bonita Mohler of Ellston, Iowa; 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents; wife Rexine in 1988; loving companion Mary Rink; and a brother-in-law Arthur Mohler.
Memorials can be directed to American Legion Post #250 or the United Presbyterian Church.
Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral Home of Lenox.
JAMES EARL VAN PATTEN, SR.
James Earl Van Patten, Sr., the fourth of 25 children, was known as Earl, or as many of his buddies called him, Van. James was born in his parents' home in Oneida, New York, on September 23, 1907 at 2:30 in the morning.
He attended school at the North Broad Street School, also located in Oneida, New York. At the age of 16, Earl quit school to take over his father's trucking business. His father broke his arm cranking the Ford truck in which his mother drove at the time.
At the age of 19, Earl married his first wife, Nina Huitt. They lived with his parents until he turned the trucking business over to his brother, Nelson, Jr. After that transaction took place, Earl worked on a farm for one year.
In 1926, Earl signed up for the National Guards. After serving three years, eight months and 15 days, he was honorably discharged.
Later on Earl worked at a candle factory in Syracuse, New York. When Earl's brother Nelson up and left their parents to run the business on their own, he had to quit and return home to help his mother and father. At the time, Earl's father was 85 years old and his mother was 65 years old, and they weren't totally capable of continuing the trucking business on their own.
Earl signed up for the Civil Conservation Corps. The biggest part of his monthly salary went to his mother. The C.C.C. went to Wansvill, North Carolina where they stayed for eight months. Then they went to Cedar City, Utah where he met a lady with six children named Gwendolyn Burton Hunter. Having always loved children, Earl fell in love with Gwendolyn and married her. The following year he was honorably discharged from the C.C.C.
In 1936, he moved his family from Cedar City, Utah to Oneida, New York. The move caused him to seek new employment and he was blessed with a new job within the week they arrived in Oneida. He also started a new trucking business on his own.
In 1939, Earl's first and only child, James Earl Van Patten, Jr. was born.
In 1945, Earl volunteered for the Army and went to war. Shortly after the war ended, he was once again honorably discharged.
In 1951, Earl moved his family to Santa Monica, California. Then his wife Gwendolyn died in 1966. Earl has always been a strong Christian, believer of God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It was in this year that he became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
In July 1967, Earl again married another woman with five children. Her name was Hilda Jane Martin. Earl was also made an elder of the LDS church and was ordained a High Priest.
He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and had been for over 72 years. As a member of the American Legion and Iowa Governor volunteer for elderly people, he helped many more than could be listed.
He always enjoyed making everyone he met feel loved and welcomed. Earl enjoyed helping others whenever he could. His life was full of love and happiness.
Earl was preceded in death by his parents; three stepchildren, Gloria Satterlee, Walter David Maxson and Harry Hunter; and 24 brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his loving wife Hilda of Blockton; one son James Earl Van Patten, Jr. of Billings, Montana; seven stepchildren, Nancy Porter of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Marylyn Van Patten of Blockton, Robert Alan Maxson of North Hollywood, California, Donald Wayne Maxson of Gilbert, Arizona, Hilda Swallow of Oneida, New York, Syd Hunter of Gold Canyon, Arizona and John Hunter Hunter of Salem, Oregon; eight grandchildren, and many, many stepgrandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 8, 2001 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with President Henry Roberts and Reverend Scott Marcum officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and Debbie Larson.
Graveside services were held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 10, 2001 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City, Iowa with James Earl Van Patten, Jr. officiating. Casket bearers were James Earl Van Patten, Jr., James Earl Van Patten, III, Michael Van Patten, Donald Maxson, David Walter Maxson and James Harold Treadaway. Honorary pallbearer was John Van Patten.
Military rites were given by 1133rd Trans. Co. Iowa Army National Guard, and San Juan Marne Post #733 V.F.W.
MARGARETE BETH CLAYTON
Margarete Beth Clayton, 71, of Bella Vista, Arkansas died Monday, March 12, 2001 at Bates Medical Center in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was born March 11, 1930 in Cromwell, Iowa to Edward Dell Claiser and Pharrie Mabel Stewart Claiser.
She moved to Bella Vista seven years ago from Clearfield, Iowa. She was a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. Activities included clowning, quilt club, gardening, involvement in neighborhood activities and she loved to care for her home and family. She worked with the Area Agency on Aging, providing home health care until a few months before her death.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.
She is survived by her husband of 50 years Beverly E. "Bev" Clayton of Bella Vista, Arkansas; two daughters, Catherine Clayton of San Marcos, Texas and Virginia Clayton of Bella Vista, Arkansas; three brothers, Calvin Claiser of Creston, Iowa, Clinton Claiser of Livermore, Colorado and Edsel Claiser of Palmer Lake, Colorado; and one grandchild Clayton James Bowman of Bella Vista.
A funeral mass was held on Thursday, March 15, 2001 at St. Bernard Catholic Church, Bella Vista, Arkansas with Father Joseph J. Enderlin officiating.
A graveside service was held Friday, March 16, 2001 at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, conducted by Father Dan Siepker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Bella Vista Walking Trail, c/o 2258 Forest Hill Blvd., Bella Vista, Arkansas 72715.
Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory, Bella Vista, Arkansas was in charge of arrangements for the funeral services.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr had charge of graveside service.
ALBERTA LOUISE COLLIER
Alberta Louise Ruckman was born September 23, 1934 in Jefferson City, Missouri to Denzil and Bessie Faye Ruckman. Alberta was the second child of four girls. They lived at Hatfield, Missouri and at the age of 10, Alberta's family moved to Mount Ayr, Iowa.
On January 21, 1957, Alberta was united in marriage to Wayne "Bud" Collier in Osceola, Iowa. With this union five children were born.
One of her joys in life was her family. There wasn't anything she would not do for them. They were always her top priority. She also enjoyed playing Bingo when her health permitted. Some of the other things Alberta enjoyed were fishing, card games, especially Pitch, gardening and old country music. Alberta spent most of her adult life baking for people in Mount Ayr and the surrounding towns. Alberta bought a restaurant in Tingley in August of 1992 where she enjoyed cooking, baking and visiting with all of her customers.
Alberta found out she had bladder cancer on November 11, 1999. She had fought this disease for 16 months until it took her life on March 15, 2001 in the home of her daughter Shelley and son-in-law Dave Bolles, with her family and friends by her side.
Alberta was preceded in death by her husband Wayne "Bud" Collier on November 4, 1999; father Denzil Ruckman; mother Bessie Faye Bucknell; sisters, Betty, Norma Jean and Patricia; brothers-in-law Mike Phillips and Gary Collier; mother-in-law Lela Collier; and father-in-law Roy Collier.
Alberta leaves behind her children and their familes: daughter Diana Murphy and husband Buddy, granddaughters Christina and Kimberly, great-grandchildren Matthew, Anna-lissa and Destiny, all of West Sacramento, California; son Mark Collier of Denver, Colorado; daughter Shelley Bolles and husband Dave, grandsons, Austin and Colton, all of Mount Ayr; son Jeffery Collier and wife Diann, stepgranddaughters Nicole and Shannon, son Douglas Collier, grandsons Camron and Nevin, all of Kellerton; other relatives and a host of friends.
Her laughter and love will be greatly missed by all of us.
Funeral services were held Sunday, March 18, 2001 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Peter Brantner officiating. Musicians were Debbie Cannon, Mary Trullinger and Melanie Knapp. Casket bearers were Raymond Hensley, Steve Smith, Bob Bolles, Eric Walter, Brett George and Rollie Cannon. Honorary pallbearers were Jim Denney, Charlie Miller, John Campbell, John Worthington, Carroll Geist and Francis "Bud" Ayres.
Alberta was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
WILLIAM GEORGE CRAWFORD
William George Crawford, 84, was born to Roy and Iva (Dixon) Crawford January 2, 1917 in Mills county, Iowa and departed this life March 12, 2001 in the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Bill served his country during World War II in the Aleutian Islands and Okinawa. After his discharge from the service in December 1945, Bill was an auto and tractor mechanic for many years.
Bill married Catherine Dahlgran November 23, 1941, in Rockport, Missouri, who survives. They moved to Mount Ayr in March 1942.
To this union were born nine children, Donald and Cham Crawford of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Larry and Marlene Crawford of Indianola, Iowa, Ann and Bill Beech of Carlisle, Iowa, John and Donna Crawford of Orange City, Iowa, Harold and Melynda Crawford, Bernard and Marla Crawford, Rosemary Schlapia and Doris Crawford, all of Mount Ayr, and infant son Robert (deceased).
Also surviving were his pride and joy 13 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; along with his sister Lillian Payne of Sidney, Iowa and brother Waldo Crawford of Hastings, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, four sisters, three brothers, parents-in-law and a son-in-law Jerry Schlapia.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 16, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverends Michael Druhl and John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Debbie Cannon, Margaret Bickers and Mary Trullinger.
Casket bearers were Ryan Crawford, Travis Shaha, Larry Larson, Keith Conley, Jordan Crawford, Kendall Crawford, Scott Schrag, Justin Sober, Lance Baatz, Keith Davis and Don Minks. Honorary pallbearers were Paul Hannon, Chester Smith, Jim Hullinger, Bob Olenius and Jim Ward.
Bill was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr. Military graveside rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
