Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
VERBA DORA BECK
Verba Dora Beck, daughter of Murland and Anna Drake Dufty, was born October 12, 1917 and died April 15, 2001.
She married Robert C. Beck on September 14, 1935 in Gallatin, Missouri.
Verba and Bob farmed together all of their lives.
Survivors include her husband Bob; four children and their spouses, David and Pat of Manilla, Iowa, Judy and Frank Huff of Lincoln, Nebraska, Daniel and Sue of Kellerton, Iowa and Charles Kim and Michele of Kellerton.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Left to cherish her memory are Bob, her children, grandchildren, Albert and Alberta Drake, Floy Drake, other relatives, Jukie and friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 18, 2001 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. A special reading was given by William French. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Sue Beck and Danny Mattran. Casket bearers were Danny Mattran, Jared Beck, Brenda St.Clair, Becky Huff-Mattran, Joel Beck, Tom St.Clair. Honorary pallbearers were Pat Straight, Rose Fugate, Peggy Wagenknecht, Wanda Adams, Dean Merrill, Barbara Bower.
Verba was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
WILMA BRINER
Wilma Bernice Briner of Grand River, Iowa, daughter of Clarence and Rosa (Davidson) Houser, was born May 2, 1914 in Humeston, Iowa, and died April 12, 2001 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 86 years and 11 months.
Wilma's parents lived in several locations, in search of work, while Wilma was growing up. When Wilma was twelve years old she lost her mother, while living in Minnesota.
Wilma was united in marriage to Lloyd R. Briner on May 11, 1932. They were married for 59 years. To this union three children were born: Lavone, Eugene, and Jack.
Wilma was a homemaker. She made a home for Jack for several years after Lloyd's death. Wilma loved to crochet, and she crocheted pieces for all the family and many friends. Wilma was also a cook at the Grand River school for 21 years (1955 to 1976).
She enjoyed retirement, especially when family and friends dropped in for a visit. Wilma looked forward to Thursdays when she went to Osceola to the hairdresser and shopping with the girls.
Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother Minnie Houser; sister Glenys Jenkins; stepsisters Ruth and Pauline; stepbrother Dale Edging-ton; daughter-in-law JoAnn Briner; husband Lloyd Briner in 1991; and daughter Lavone Binning in 1994.
She is survived by sons, Eugene Briner and wife Linda of Seattle, Washington and Jack Briner of Grand River; son-in-law Gene Binning and wife Norma of Grand River; five grandchildren: Janice Miller and husband Bill of Van Meter, Iowa, Ronnie Binning and wife Linda of Grand River, Richard Binning and wife Fay of Grand River, Joyce Hoppes and husband Rex of Indianola, Iowa, and Darren Briner and wife Mary of Seattle; 10 great-grandchildren: Jon Binning, Melissa Bockman, Amber Hill, Patrick Miller, Jennifer Binning, Brittany Binning, Reid Hoppes, Grant Hoppes, Joseph Briner, and Jacob Briner; two great-great-grandchildren, Megan and Sarah Binning; stepsister Wilma Bales of Ottumwa, Iowa; nieces and nephews; and other relatives, neighbors, and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 14, 2001 at Slade O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa with Reverend Terry Roberts officiating. Burial was in Grand River Cemetery, Grand River.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
VEDA MERLE STONE
Veda Merle Green was born April 25, 1911 to Elmer James and Rhoda (Lovell) Green on her parents' farm south of Kellerton, Iowa in Ringgold county and departed this life April 23, 2001 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Merle attended Ridgeway Country School near Kellerton.
On December 3, 1935, she was united in marriage to Howard Albert "Peb" Stone in Bethany, Missouri. Their entire married life was spent in the Mount Ayr area. To this union two children were born: one son, James Lee, and one daughter, Nancy Sue, who was stillborn.
For 35 years Merle was a telephone operator in Kellerton and Mount Ayr. Merle saw many changes in the phone systems over the years and enjoyed using them until her last days. She also held other various food preparation jobs.
Merle was a devoted mother and grandmother. The highlights of her days were spent with her family. Merle also loved to travel and on occasion she would load up the grandchildren and go camping. Her embroidery handiwork will be enjoyed and treasured by her family for years to come. Most of her later years you would find her at the cafe dining out with family and friends and probably telling or listening to a joke.
Merle was an active member of the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr and served on various committees. One of Merle's favorites was cooking with the church at the Iowa State Fair. Merle was initiated into the Order of Eastern Star April 3, 1944 and was honored as a 50 year member in 1994.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter; two grandchildren, Pamela Kay and Earl Lee; two brothers, George and Owen Green; two sisters, Mary Soncraft and Lillian Shippy.
Merle is survived by her son James and wife Kathryn of Diagonal, Iowa; two grandchildren, Hazel Stone and fiancé Greg Powell of Diagonal and Max Stone and fiancée Marta Kuti of Omaha, Nebraska; two great-granddaughters, Courtney and Kaylee Stone of Winterset, Iowa; one sister Cleo Grant of Phoenix, Arizona; special nieces, Dorothy Fields of Florida and Alyce Thompson of Pacific Grove, California; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, April 28, 2001 at First Christian Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Mrs. Malcom Eighmy was the organist. Casket bearers were Max Buckner, Donald Dailey, LBanks Wilson, Laurance Bishop, William French and Edward Shields.
Merle was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
AUDREY TRIMBLE
Audrey Belle Trimble, 80, of West Des Moines, Iowa, died of complications of a stroke Friday, April 6, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines.
Mrs. Trimble was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and had lived in Grand Rapids, San Antonio, Texas and Mount Ayr, Iowa, moving to West Des Moines in 1946. She was a retired teacher with West Des Moines Christian Church preschool and a member of West Des Moines Women's Club and Christian Women's Fellowship.
She was instrumental in creating the preschool at the church, which was the first one in West Des Moines. She was a volunteer with many charities.
She is survived by two sons, Jack of West Des Moines and Michael of Indianola, Iowa; two daughters, Judith Trimble of West Des Moines and Cindy Reece of Olathe, Kansas; a sister June Patchen of Columbiana, Ohio; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Mary Jo Trimble of Saratoga, California; sister-in-law Mildred Nichols and husband Lyle Nichols of Mount Ayr.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles W.
Funeral services were held April 9, 2001, at West Des Moines Christian Church, of which she was a member. Cremation followed the service. Burial of the cremains was in the Resthaven Cemetery.
JOAN MARIE (ADAMS) PRIEST
Joan Marie Adams Priest was born August 7, 1930 in Union county, Iowa to Ethel M. Werner and Andrew N. Ross.
She graduated from Arispe high school in 1948. Joan married Harold L. Adams on June 11, 1948.
She was a homemaker all of her life always making people welcome in her home. She also worked in home health care for many years. Her hobbies included cooking, quilting and her two little dogs. Grandchildren were also a large part of her life.
Joan married Ralph Priest on April 16, 2000 and moved to McCook, Nebraska to start a new journey of her life. She looked forward to new adventures with her new husband.
She was preceded in death by her husband Harold; parents, Ethel and Andrew Ross; brother Carl Ross; grandson Brent Adams; and great-grandchildren, Timothy and Devon.
Joan is survived by her husband, Ralph Priest of Omaha, Nebraska; sons and daughters-in-law, Terry and Lilly Adams of McAllen, Texas and Ron and Suzi Adams of Oakland, Iowa; daughter and son-in-law Janet and Jack Doty of Omaha, Nebraska and son Randy Adams of Arispe, Iowa; stepchildren David Priest of Denver, Colorado and Diane and Glen Strein of Denver, Colorado; 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Thursday, May 3, 2001, at United Methodist Church in Arispe with Revernd Pam Farren officiating. Musicians were Bonnie Riepe and Don Wilson. Casket bearers were Rick Adams, Rod Adams, Jerry Weis, Joe Ross, Dean Adams and Bill Adams. Honorary pallbearers were Mike Hanagan and Dean Ross.
Joan was laid to rest in the Greenlawn Cemetery, Afton, Iowa.
CLAYTON DALE "BILL" RINEHART
Clayton Dale (Bill) Rinehart was born July 21, 1925 to Vern G. and Nina Rice Rinehart on a farm in Worth county, Missouri and passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2001 at his home in Mount Ayr, Iowa of heart complications at the age of 75 years, two months, 19 days.
Bill received his education in the Ringgold county schools. On August 19, 1950 he and June Liles of Mount Ayr were united in marriage at the United Methodist Church in Mount Ayr.
Bill was drafted on September 25, 1950 into the Army during the Korean War. He was stationed at Camp Atterbury near Franklin, Indiana. His wife joined him at Camp Atterbury in November of 1950. He was honorably discharged two years later on September 25, 1952.
He and his wife June made their home on a farm in Rice township they bought from his uncle Bob Parker where they farmed for 45 years. Health problems forced Bill to retire and they moved to Mount Ayr in November of 1997.
Bill was a member of American Farm Bureau, Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club, American Legion and "Dead Beat" club of Mount Ayr. Bill had the honor of having a "hole in one" at Mount Ayr Golf and Country Club and later a "hole in one" at the Lamoni Golf and Country Club.
Bill was an avid fisherman and taught his many nieces and nephews the love of fishing.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Nina Rinehart; sister Hope Wyman of Maloy; parents-in-law Jay and Opal Liles of Mount Ayr; sister-in-law Myrtelle Liles of Afton; niece Candace Pickens of Cherokee, Iowa; and nephew James Wernli of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife June of 50 years; his daughters, Debra Sobotka and husband Jerry of Van Meter, Iowa and Deva Ross and friend Paul Scanlan of Fort Madison, Iowa; grandsons, Zeke, Aaron and Jimmy Ross of Fort Madison, Mike Sobotka and wife Robin of Van Meter; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Stewart and Summer Jo Sobotka of Van Meter and Nakia Ross of Fort Madison; only brother Park Rinehart and wife Joan of Mount Ayr; sister, Iris and husband Gary Webb of Jefferson City, Texas; brother-in-law Billy Wyman of Maloy; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Reasoner and husband Daughn of Mount Ayr, Iola Wernli and husband Le Roy of Perry, Iowa, Donna Pickens and husband Earl of Cherokee; brothers-in-law, George Liles and wife Shirley of Norwalk, Iowa, Bob Liles and wife Anne of Sun City West, Arizona, Ronald Liles and wife Sue of Des Moines; and a host of nieces, nephews and many friends.
Graveside services were held Saturday, May 5, 2001 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr conducted by a long time friend, Virgil Howie. Casket bearers were Lee Brand, Bret Yoder, Eddie Austin, Earl Brand, Gordon Parker and Merle Walter. Honorary pallbearers were Bob Schafer, Ike McGehee, Ralph Brammer, Junior Stephens, Bill Overholser, Kenny Markley and Max Glendenning.
Military graveside rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
Memorials may be given to the Mount Ayr Fire Department and Hospice of Central Iowa.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
MARY LOU WEEDA
Mary Lou Weeda was the daughter of Harold and Louise Robinson Foltz. Mary was born June 29, 1933 on a farm north of Mount Ayr, Iowa. She was the youngest of three children. Mary graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1951. She went on to cosmetology school at Iowa School of Beauty Culture graduating in 1952. She worked in Atlantic, Iowa for one year.
On October 24, 1953 Mary married Lloyd Weeda of Tingley, Iowa. They lived in Traer, Iowa where Loyd worked on a farm. While in Traer, a son, Danny Lloyd, was born on October 5, 1954. They moved to Tingley in 1955 where they farmed. Their daughter, Karen Louise, was born in Mount Ayr on October 3, 1957. After both children were in school Mary opened her own beauty shop in Tingley.
Mary was active in her church, always helping with church functions. Lloyd and Mary belonged to a group of very special people who would play cards. Many people remember how she spoiled the men who worked on their farm by always cooking dinner for them and bringing food to the fields. Mary was very kind and a good hearted person. She enjoyed her family and getting together with her brothers and their families.
Mary became ill with a terrible disease and was admitted to Mount Ayr Health Care Center in 1981. On May 2, 2001 this is where she left her life to become whole once again.
Although Mary didn't get to enjoy her grandchildren, there is no doubt she would have loved them very much and have been very proud of them. Left to carry on life are Danny Lloyd (wife Coletta) of Denison, Iowa and daughter Karen Louise Pettinger of Tingley; grandchildren, Dana Weeda of Glidden, Iowa, Sterling Weeda of Huxley, Iowa, Cinnamon Weeda of Denison and Oakel Pettinger of Tingley; two sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends to remember her kindness and giving.
Preceding her in death were: Harold Foltz, Louise Foltz, Mary Foltz, Lloyd Weeda, and two brothers, Claire and Wayne Foltz.
Funeral services were held Saturday, May 5, 2001, at United Methodist Church in Tingley with Pastor Jeff Flagg officiating. Musicians were Eloise Brown and Richard Jackson. Casket bearers were Lee Foltz, Ned Foltz, Pat Weeda, Larry Foltz, Sterling Weeda and Dennis Garland. Honorary pallbearers were Phil Foltz, Robert England, Roger Morrison, Donald Weeda and Kenneth Weeda.
Mary was laid to rest in the Tingley Cemetery, Tingley.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
