Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
KATHRYN MILLER
Mrs. Kathryn Miller, age 88, of Woodward, Iowa died Monday, April 1, 2002 at USA Healthcare of Woodward.
Mrs. Miller was born in Mount Ayr, Iowa and grew up in Kellerton, Iowa. She had lived in Woodward since 1957. She was a retired school teacher at Saydel elementary school in Norwoodville (Des Moines).
Mrs. Miller was a member of the Woodward United Methodist Church, Alpha Delta Kappa-Rho Chapter and Drake University Alumni. She enjoyed flower gardening.
Preceding her in death were her husband Lee Miller and grandson Jamie Miller.
Survivors include sons, Greg Miller of Perry, Iowa, Joe Miller of Altoona, Iowa and Mike Miller of Nekoosa, Wisconsin; and six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at Woodward United Methodist Church, Woodward. Burial was in the Violet Hill Cemetery, Perry.
Memorials may be made to Alpha Delta Kappa-Rho Chapter, Attn: Ruth Ketleson, Box 77, Linden, IA 50146.
Brandt Funeral Home in Woodward was in charge of the arrangements.
MARY JUANITA SEVIER
Mary Juanita Hayden was born July 29, 1915 to Arthur and Mary (Speelman) Hayden near Knowlton, Iowa. She departed this life March 25, 2002 in the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Juanita was raised around the Knowlton and Diagonal communities. She attended school in Knowlton and Diagonal where she graduated with the class of 1936.
On January 28, 1936, she was united in marriage to Donald Sevier. To this union were born two daughters, Patricia and Myrtle.
Juanita was a farm wife for many years making their home in Beacons-field, Iowa community. She taught Sunday school, loved to garden and raise flowers and also did lots of hand work.
Don and Juanita moved to Mount Ayr in 1963 where she was employed at the Clearview Home for over 20 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Don; a grandson Don VerHeul; her parents; and two sisters, Dorothy Black and Ethel Imley.
She will be greatly missed by her family, daughters Pat VerHeul and husband Charles of Altoona, Iowa and Mary Carpenter and husband Morris of Redding, Iowa; seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; sisters, Mildred Whited of Creston, Iowa and Georgia Andrews of Cheyenne, Wyoming; sisters-in-law, Davey Sevier of Mount Ayr and Juanita Laird and husband Kenneth of Beaconsfield; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held Thursday, March 28, 2002 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Charles Hawkins officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Melanie Knapp. Casket bearers were Jim Bryant, Harold Carpenter, Kenneth Bryant, Chuck VerHeul, Raymond Whitson and Dale Walters.
Juanita was laid to rest in the Oakland Cemetery, Shannon City, Iowa.
WAYNE LEROY TAYLOR
Wayne Leroy Taylor, youngest son of James Riley and Nellie (Figgins) Taylor, was born February 26, 1915 and passed away on March 26, 2002. He died in the home where he was born and had lived his entire life.
Wayne grew up in a large family and attended Grace Country school north of the farm. He later graduated from Diagonal high school with the class of 1932.
Wayne's family was the center of his life. He especially enjoyed hearing his daughters and grandchildren sing. He logged many miles on his car, traveling from one musical event to another.
He was very proud of his farm and its heritage, taking over the family operation when his parents retired and moved to Diagonal. He loved his home and his farm.
Throughout his life he enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, restoring antique cars and caring for cattle.
Wayne always had a sparkle in his eye and was known for his quick wit and mischievous ways. He rarely complained and had a ready smile.
He served as a director of the rural school district and on the Diagonal school board. He was an upright man, respected by the members of the community.
He was united in marriage to Rowena LaRue Eighme. Five daughters were born to this union who survive him: Roma Jean (Jeannie) Halsey of St. Joseph, Missouri, Dixie Linkey and husband Jim, Twyla Breckenridge, Debbie Capps and husband Ron, all of Kansas City, Missouri and Annie Jensen and husband Clark of Grinnell, Iowa.
Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Doug Taylor, Bobbi Keller, Angi McCollum, all of St. Joseph, Missouri, Shawn Persell, Tami Linkey and Evan Himmelberg of Kansas City, Missouri, Ashley and Abby Breckenridge of Des Moines, Iowa and Geoff and Whitney Jensen of Grinnell; eight great-grandchildren: Brian, Preston and Chelsea Taylor, Adam and Brycen McCollum, Carson Keller and T. J. and Anna Persell; and sisters, Velma Avery of Des Moines and Verla Dean Taylor and husband Clyde of St. Joseph, Missouri and Lorabel Taylor of Diagonal.
Two special people who loved and cared for him, Freda Corbin and Annabel Walkup, also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Forrest, Floyd, Clifford and Harold; sisters, Rena Belle Taylor, Frances Parker and Bessie Perry.
Funeral services were held Friday, March 29, 2002 at United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal with Reverend Karen Garrison officiating. Judy Newton was the organist and vocalists were Bobbi Keller, Angi McCollum, Shawn Persell and Brycen McCollum. Casket bearers were Doug Taylor, Ashley Breckenridge, Bobbi Keller, Abby Breckenridge, Angi McCollum, Geoff Jensen, Shawn Persell, Whitney Jensen, Tami Linkey and Evan Himmelberg.
Wayne was laid to rest in the Diagonal Cemetery, Diagonal.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
ORVILLE NELSON BEAR
Orville Nelson Bear was born October 10, 1910 at Kellerton, Iowa to William Franklin and Anna Pearl (Shelden) Bear. His love and care for animals earned him the nickname Doc that everyone knew him by.
Doc started grading roads with horses with his father when he was yet a teenager. He also engaged in farming with his dad and later for himself. On August 21, 1931, he was united in marriage to Donna L. Stevens at Bethany, Missouri. They continued to farm until 1946 when the family went to Portland, Oregon for the next four and one-half years. The family returned to farm until 1953 when they moved to Tingley, Iowa and Doc started working for the Ringgold County Road Department as a road grader. Tingley would remain their home until Doc and Donna became residents of the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr at the end of 1999.
Doc passed away on April 26, 2002.
Doc was a family oriented husband and father. Sunday meals with family was important and he enjoyed the company of family and friends. He will be known for a strong work ethic and he took pride in his garden and yard. He loved little kids and animals. Doc knew and respected horses. He helped Glee break her horses and could ride a horse right. As a young man he delivered mail by horse which was not an easy task.
Of course, Doc will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his wit and jokester characteristics. Doc and Donna enjoyed the meal site in Tingley.
Doc was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Bear Carse; five sisters, Theola Barbour, Thelma Bear, Frata Bach, Edna Stacy and Gladys Beal; and three brothers, Glenn, Leonard and Eugene Bear.
He will be remembered and missed by his loving wife of 70 years Donna; four children, Nadine Bales of Pittsburg, California, Ramon Bear and wife Deloris of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, Gary Bear and wife Marilyn of Diagonal, Iowa and Glee Toney and special friend Gene Trullinger of Union Star, Missouri; grandson Craig Walbridge and wife Karen and their children Christopher, Michael and Jessica; granddaughter, Shannon Walbridge Esch and husband Doug and their children Megan and her son Christian, Brandon and his wife Tristan and their daughter Alyssa, Jeremy and Devin; grandson Allen Bear and wife Wanda and their son Nathaniel; grandson Christopher Toney and wife Allynn and their sons Collin and Kyle; granddaughter Debra Toney Auringer; a sister Doris Campbell of Indianola, Iowa; and nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverends Peter Brantner and Eydie Stephens officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers. Casket bearers were Jerry Kemery, Ted Bear, R. C. Rush, Lloyd Miller, Willis "Turk" Allen and Marlyn Tindle. Honorary pall bearers were Roger Morrison, Ken Nurnburg and Mack Sickels.
Doc was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
ADA BELLE BURRELL
Ada Belle Burrell was born July 13, 1917 in Decatur county, Iowa. She was the daughter of Carl and Zoa (Gammon) Snyder.
Belle graduated from Leon high school in 1935 and was soon employed by the Decatur County Welfare Office for seven years. On March 31, 1941, she married Roe Edward Burrell in Bethany, Missouri. They became the parents of Paul James Burrell and Robert Lee Burrell.
In August 1952 she moved with her family to Mount Ayr and was employed for 27 years in several different positions in the Ringgold County Department of Social Services. She retired in July 1979.
Belle was a member of the First Christian Church in Leon, Iowa, later transferring membership to the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr. She was also a member of the Evening Literature Club, American Legion Auxiliary and Chapter #356 of the Order of the Eastern Star, all of Mount Ayr.
She was preceded in death by her husband Roe; her parents and stepfather Walter Blakesley; brother Paul J. Snyder; and stepsister Verda Blakesley and stepbrother Vere Blakesley.
Her survivors include her sons, Paul Burrell and Bob Burrell and wife Seal, all of Aurora, Colorado; a grandson Roe Burrell; granddaughters, Rachel Banning and husband Joe of Decatur, Illinois and Christina Carlisle and husband Nick of Windsor, Colorado; also five great-grandchildren, Sarah, Wesley and Anna Banning and Natalie DeShazer and Blake Carlisle; sister-in-law Venita Snyder of Corydon, Iowa; and nieces, Connie Snook and Kay Frizell.
Belle passed away following a brief illness Wednesday, April 24, 2002.
Belle's father passed away when she was eight years old. She grew up in Leon with her mother Zoa and younger brother Paul. Much of her life was shaped by the Great Depression and World War II. She spent most of her working life with the Iowa Department of Social Services. She was a soft-spoken, committed advocate for people needing assistance.
In 1952 Belle moved to Mount Ayr with her husband Roe and two sons, Paul and Bob. These were the happiest years of her life. She was very happy working and living in a community that was so committed to families, churches and education.
After her husband passed away in 1986, Belle was blessed to be surrounded by a caring community and a large number of friends to share her life with. These were truly her "Golden Years."
Belle took many trips with her family over the years, perhaps the highlight being a trip to the island of Kauai, Hawaii for her 80th birthday.
Belle will be missed by all her family and dear friends. She was a gentle, compassionate Christian and loving mother, grandmother and friend.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and Dr. Collus Lawhead. Casket bearers were Lloyd Glendenning, Max McGehee, Paul Glendenning, Hugh Terwilliger, Todd Glendenning and Barry Monaghan.
Belle was laid to rest in the Leon Cemetery, Leon.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
MARY KINDER
Mary Kinder was born December 8, 1924 at Bolivar, Tennessee, the daughter of E. L. and Lucy (Bryant) Hurt.
On January 23, 1954, she married Everett L. Kinder. Mary was a former supervisor with the Welcome Wagon in Memphis, Tennessee. She was a former member of the Yacht Club at Memphis and was a member of the East End Methodist Church in Savannah, Tennessee.
Mary was a very unselfish and considerate person. Her happiest times were when she was helping someone else. She was a very loving mother and always put her family first. She would usually arise before the family and would read the Holy Bible until she was satisfied she had showed her love for God. She will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Mary passed away on Monday, April 22, 2002, at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother Burk at the age of two; three brothers-in-law, Harry Kinder, Elb Strange and "Brad" Bradley.
Those left to cherish her memory include her loving husband of 48 years Everett of Savannah, Tennessee; her daughter Tammy Turner and husband John of Gaston, South Carolina; four grandchildren, John, James, Holly and Heather; four sisters-in-law, Bonnie Duncan and her husband Virgil of Goodman, Missouri, Kay Bradley of Henderson, Nevada, Athena Strange of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Mable Kinder of Orange, California; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 26, 2002 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Casket bearers were Daryl Holden, Francis "Bud" Ayres, L. W. "Joe" Gross, Paul Brand, Gerold Willey and Robert "Hap" Richards.
Mary was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
LETA MAE SULLIVAN
Leta Mae Jones was born February 14, 1918 to Ansel and Velma (Cole) Jones in Grant City, Missouri. She departed this life April 23, 2002 at the Clearview Home after a short battle with cancer.
Leta lived almost her entire life in Ringgold county, Iowa.
In September of 1935, she was united in marriage with Duane Sickels. Of this union there was one daughter born, Helen Louise.
On June 15, 1946, she wed Bernard Sullivan and of this marriage two daughters were born, Leta Ann and Karen Nancy.
Bernard and Leta farmed first around the Maloy area, later buying a farm just west of Mount Ayr. In the 1960s they bought the Sandwich Shop which they later sold. In 1963 they managed and operated the Shamrock Cafe.
Leta was an excellent cook, famous for her pies and homemade noodles. She shared these treats with family and friends. She was also an extremely talented seamstress making most of her daughters' clothing when they were young children.
Once cable came to Mount Ayr she became an avid Chicago Cubs fan. She could quote batting averages and pitching stats with the most devout fan. She knew who was called up from the minors and who was being sent back down. To this day, we firmly believe she never forgave Mark Grace and Shawn Dunston for leaving her "beloved Cubbies."
Leta took great joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They all dearly loved her homemade cookies of which she made by the dozens.
Leta was a longtime member of the Modern Mothers Club. She enjoyed her weekly and monthly Canasta clubs, her Saturday morning coffee klatches (widows only, please) and varied activities with the First Christian Church family.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; her sister Lucille Sickels; and brother Irvin Jones.
Leta is survived by her three "girls," Helen and husband Jake Hunt of Mount Ayr, Ann and husband Dan McGrevey of Fort Dodge, Iowa and Karen Bollerman of Kansas City, Missouri; her grandchildren, David Hunt of Mount Ayr, Randy (Lori) Hunt of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Curt (Ann) Duffield of Fort Dodge, Jason Duffield of Fort Dodge, Krista (Mark) Huffman of Kansas City, Missouri, Sean (Amy) McGrevey of Overland Park, Kansas and Ann (Steve) Book of Kansas City, Missouri; and her pride and joy, her great-grandchildren, Doug and Amanda Hunt, Maggy, Beth and Clare Duffield, Kylee, Ryan and Kayla Huffman and Danica and Megan McGrevey.
Leta is also survived by a brother Cleo "Casey" Jones of Montezuma, Iowa; three sisters-in-law, Ardis Jones of Des Moines, Helen Tichy of Des Moines and Alberta Sullivan of Madrid, Iowa; and nieces, nephews and her many friends.
Funeral services were held Friday, April 26, 2002 at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. A eulogy was given by Dan McGrevey. Musicians were Ginny Eighmy and Dr. Collus Lawhead. Casket bearers were David Hunt, Randy Hunt, Curt Duffield, Jason Duffield, Sean McGrevey and Mark Huffman.
Leta was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Wilson-Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
HOWARD RAYMOND WOOD
Howard Raymond Wood was born March 20, 1924 at Conway, Iowa to Paul Raymond and Goldie Mae (Greer) Wood.
Howard, better known as Tuffy to family and friends, moved to Clearfield, Iowa with his family in 1932, graduating from Clearfield high school in 1942. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force in 1943 and served his country until 1946.
In 1944, Tuffy was united in marriage to Mabel Elizabeth Gaule at Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He returned to Clearfield to work at Duey Elevator until 1957 when he took a position with the post office, first as a clerk and eventually retiring in 1983 as the postmaster in Clearfield.
Tuffy and Mabel raised their eight children at Clearfield. He was a loving and supportive father and husband. He loved baseball and football, playing on the first unbeaten football team at Clearfield. He was a baseball coach to his sons, nephews and many boys of the community. He was known and admired as a patient coach. He attended sporting events of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews; he believed in supporting their ambitions.
Tuffy played baseball on the Clearfield city team as an adult. He enjoyed traveling, camping, and with Mabel they traveled south for the winters.
He was a member of the American Legion, Woodside Post #97 in Clearfield and of an association of postmasters. Howard passed away on April 27, 2002.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson Clint Jason Wood; and his brother-in-law Dean Lyddon.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Mabel of Clearfield; eight children: Jim and wife Kathy of Colfax, Iowa, Jerry of Clinton, Iowa, Mary Mains and husband Grover of Clearfield, Jeff and wife Cathy of Lenox, Iowa, Linda Brammer and husband Al of Clearfield, Johne and wife Anita of Colfax, Brad and wife Tammie of Colfax and Lori Danielson and husband Terry of Creston, Iowa; 21 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; his sister Pauline Rice and husband Don of Clearfield; nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, April 30, 2002 at the Christian Church in Clearfield with Reverend Eydie Stephens officiating. Jean Huffman was the organist. Pallbearers were Darin Wood, Eric Wood, Jared Mains, Brian Wood, Quincy Brammer, Ted Copeland, Philip Wood, Andrew Wood, Aaron Brammer, Chris Danielson and Kurt Danielson.
Military rites were conducted by Woodside Post #97 American Legion.
Tuffy was laid to rest in the Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield.
