Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
VENETA B. GRANT
Veneta B. Grant was born August 18, 1900 at Clearfield, Iowa to Ulysses S. and Maude (Richards) Grant. She passed away December 22, 1999 at the Clearview Home in Clearfield at the age of 99 years, four months and four days.
Veneta was a lifelong resident of Clearfield. She graduated from Clearfield high school in 1918, with a class of 10 girls and 10 boys. Veneta had been a resident of Clearview Home since 1989.
She was employed in a dress shop, then the post office and as a clerk in a grocery store until her retirement in 1967. She was a past matron of the Order of Eastern Star and a member of the United Methodist Church of Clearfield.
Veneta always had a pleasant disposition and loved visiting with family and friends.
Survivors include two nieces, Cleone Ullstead and husband Harold and Betty Dixson and husband Donald, all of Palm Harbor, Florida; two nephews, Harry Grant, Jr. of Fairhope, Alabama and William F. Grant of Mohave Valley, Arizona; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ulysses and Maude Grant, and two brothers, Loyd D. Grant and Harry Grant.
Graveside Services were held Tuesday, December 28, 1999 at Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Casketbearers were LBanks Wilson, LeRoy Beggs, Erwood Huffman, Charles Jackson, Marvin Boyer and Alan Larsen.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
ULA JEAN STRINGHAM
Ula Jean Stringham, daughter of Ivan and Deva Wilson, was born June 4, 1918, in Allendale, Missouri. She departed her life December 27, 1999 at the age of 81 years, six months and 21 days at Fountain West Health Center, Des Moines, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Vern Stringham on December 22, 1934 in Maryville, MO. They had no children of their own, but they had her brother, nieces and nephews who stayed with them and whom they loved with all their hearts.
Ula Jean lived in Mount Ayr, Iowa most of her life. She spent a short time in Grant City, Missouri while her husband was in the service. She moved to Creston, Iowa about 10 years ago so she would be closer to Pam and Ula Agnes. She had to give up her apartment in Creston due to poor health in September. She was at Urbandale Health Center and Fountain West Health Center in Des Moines from June until her death.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan and Deva Wilson, and her husband, Vern Stringham.
She is survived by her brother Bob C. Wilson; sister-in-law Naedine of Scottsdale, Arizona; and a number of nephews, nieces, great-nieces and a host of relatives and friends.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, December 29, 1999 at the Rose Hill Cemtery in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
BERNICE FLETCHALL
Bernice Louise Vaughn, daughter of Susie and Dora Vaughn, was born on a farm east of Benton, Iowa on June 23, 1912. She passed away on December 24, 1999.
She attended the Benton school and graduated with the class of 1930. She attended normal school in Shenandoah, Iowa and taught in the country schools in Ringgold county, Iowa for several years.
She was united in marriage to Charles Fletchall on June 18, 1935.
Bernice and Charles lived in Des Moines, Iowa for several years before moving to Grimes, Iowa in 1937 where they made their home for almost 60 years. They had a second home in Mesa, Arizona where they wintered for over 20 years. They moved to a retirement center in 1997.
Although they never had children, they considered their nieces and nephews their very own.
Bernice was employed by Bankers Trust and was retired from there.
She was preceded in death by her husband Charles; her parents, Susie and Dora Vaughn; sisters, Lela Campbell and Ethel Hansen; and brothers, Perry Vaughn and Orlo Vaughn.
Survivors are a sister Viona Snyder and one brother Merle Vaughn, both of Des Moines.
Funeral services were held in Dallas Center, Iowa on December 30, 1999 with burial in the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.
JOHN OSWELL TAYLOR
John Oswell Taylor was born October 22, 1917 at Beardstown, Illinois, the son of James Orville and Cora (Wagner) Taylor. He passed away on January 10, 2000 at the age of 82 years, two months and 19 days.
He attended local schools and became a member of Sangamon Valley Presbyterian Church in Virginia, Illinois at an early age.
On November 12, 1939 he was united in marriage to Hazel Reichert. They had three children, Patricia, Neil and Steven. While living in Illinois he was a member of the school board for the Macon school district, Masonic Lodge, Farm Bureau member and a 4-H leader for several years in Macon, Illinois.
He farmed in Illinois until 1969 when they moved to Hatfield, Missouri where he farmed and raised cattle and horses. They moved to Iowa in 1984 and John became interested in team roping. He was proud of his horses and enjoyed roping. He was forced to retire in 1989 due to Parkinson's disease. He had worked at the sale barns for years, but gave that up, too.
He was a charter member of the Iowa High School Rodeo Association, former trustee of the Redding United Methodist Church and a current member of the Mount Ayr United Methodist Church.
John was preceded in death by his parents, James and Cora Taylor; a sister Catherine Siltman; and a brother-in-law Wilson Siltman.
Survivors include his wife Hazel of Mount Ayr, Iowa; daughter, Patricia Siltman and husband Waldron of Hillsboro, Illinois; sons, Neil Taylor and wife Sharon of Stansberry, Missouri and Steven Taylor and wife Cheryl of Mount Ayr; grandchildren, Debra Rhodes, John Siltman, Pamela McCumber, Jason Taylor, Shelly Whiting, Jill Weehler and Jamie Taylor; 12 great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Earl Taylor and wife Mildred of Virginia, Illinois and Carroll Taylor of Clayton, Illinois.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 12, 2000 at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Reverend Michael Druhl officiating. June Smith and John Allen provided music. Casketbearers were Hugh Terwilliger, Charles Pickering, Dennis Maxwell, Kyle Shaha, Charles Jeanes and Jim Denney.
John was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
CLEO MARIE LESAN
Cleo Marie Lesan was born June 25, 1902, the second daughter of Will and Laura Belle Whisler, near Kellerton, Iowa, and passed away on December 24, 1999 at Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
She attended rural school at Buffalo Ridge and graduated from Kellerton high school.
On February 2, 1924 she was united in marriage to Hugh B. Lesan in Mount Ayr. To this union were born three sons, Roger, who died at birth, Richard of Turlock, California and Marvin "Pete" of Kellerton.
All of her life was spent on farms in Ringgold county near Kellerton. Cleo was a lifetime member of the United Methodist Church of Kellerton.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Will and Laura Whisler; husband, Hugh Lesan; one son; one sister Elva Hoffman; and a daughter-in-law Wanda Lesan.
She leaves to mourn her passing two sons, Richard and wife Theola, and Marvin "Pete."
She was proud of her seven grandchildren: Phyllis Lairson and husband Otto of Turlock, California; Rick and wife Janet of Turlock; Randy and wife Kim of Turlock; Ken and wife Rita of Hughson, California; Terry and wife Penny of Lamoni, Iowa; Marty and wife Mindy of Kellerton; and Tracy and wife Brenda of Bratislava, Slovakia.
Cleo had 21 great-grandchildren whom she enjoyed very much, making certain that each one received one of her crocheted rugs. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews and many friends.
Her health was so that she could fly to California to be with family there twice a year and as late as August, 1999 she was able to remain in her home southwest of Kellerton until hospitalized.
Services were held on December 29, 1999 at the United Methodist Church in Kellerton with the Pastor Rick Hawkins and Reverend Lynn Wyatt of Grand Mound, Iowa officiating. Music was provided by Dick Jackson accompanied by Camille Jackson. Casketbearers were five of her grandsons, Rick, Randy, Ken, Terry and Marty Lesan and nephew Jack Hofffman.
Interment was in Maple Row Cemetery, Kellerton.
Cleo was proud of all her family who loved her dearly. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Church of Kellerton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
VELDA ELEANOR ROUTH
Velda Eleanor Chandler, youngest daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Fannie Fern Rhoades Chandler, was born on November 19, 1922 in rural Adams county, Iowa. A sister, Marjorie, completed the family. Velda died on January 3, 2000 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa after a short illness.
As a child, Velda lived in rural Taylor and Adams counties and attended Platte schools until high school. Velda graduated from Lenox high school in 1940. She earned her teaching certificate by attending "normal school" and extension classes from the Iowa Teachers College, Cedar Falls.
She began her teaching career at Lincoln #2 in Ringgold county, two miles north of the present Routh farm location. Later she taught in Platte #7 country school, a mile north of the Chandler homestead, three miles north of Clearfield, Iowa. After nine years of teaching, she married Francis Aaron on April 23, 1949 in Winterset, Iowa. They began farming in Lincoln township. Velda continued to reside on the farm until the time of her death.
The family of Francis and Velda included four children: Kathleen Kay, Julie Ann, Joan Francine and James Jeffrey.
Velda continued her teaching career in the special education classroom in Mount Ayr and taught Sunday school classes at the Methodist Church in Clearfield. She loved children and enjoyed creating interesting activities for them.
Velda's children and grandchildren were her pride and joy. She was a generous and loving mother, always thinking of her family and others. An "outdoors" person, she was happy gardening, working with flowers or checking things around the farm. Velda enjoyed cooking special meals, visiting with neighbors and friends and showed concern and empathy for all who came her way. Her strong spiritual belief sustained her in difficult times.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Fannie Chandler; a twin sister Velma, at birth; and her husband Francis.
Left to cherish her memory are Kathleen Koether (husband Greg), Scott, Klint and Kayla Koether of McGregor, Iowa, Julie Routh, Thomas, Karie Ann and Patrick of Des Moines and Diagonal, Joan of Mount Ayr; Jim Routh and Sharon England, Tyan and Taylen of Clearfield, Dave Shiflett of Grand River, Iowa, sister Marjorie Davenport (husband John) of DeWitt, Marvin and Dorothy Routh of Lenox, Lee and Onetta Routh of Diagonal as well as nieces, nephews, cousins and many dear friends.
Services were held Thursday, January 6, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Maralene Longfellow and Kathy Nelson provided music. Casketbearers were Steve Stamps, Dave Shiflett, Greg Powell, Marvin Votava, Kenny Sobotka and John Whittington. Honorary pallbearers were Earl Baker, Al Larsen, Delbert Routh, Dean Spurrier, Paul Chandler, Willard Bentley, Russell Davenport, Robert Rhoades, David Shelledy and Lester Elliott.
Velda was laid to rest in the Diagonal Cemetery, Diagonal, Iowa.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
RITA ROBERTA ARENDS
Rita Arends, 61, of rural Maloy, Iowa died January 3, 2000 of cancer at the Clearview Home in Clearfield, Iowa.
Mrs. Arends was born March 31, 1938 in Hamilton county, Iowa to Robert and Mildred (Collins) Madsen. She attended Webster City high school.
On February 4, 1956 she married Wyatt Arends, Jr. in Nashua, Iowa. She worked with her husband on the farm and together they ran an anituqe shop in Jewell, Iowa. In 1995 Rita and Wyatt moved to rural Maloy. In 1998 she purchased a flower shop in Corning where she worked until she became ill and sold the shop. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Clearfield.
Survivors include a son Shannon (wife Chris) Arends of Maloy; two daughters, Kellie (husband Lom) Cavan of Jewell and Carrie Arends of Florida; a sister Penny Berg of Ottumwa, Iowa; a brother Tim (wife Carla) Madsen of Marshalltown, Iowa; her mother Mildred Madsen of Marshalltown; and four grandchildren, Breann, Logan and Baylee Arends and MaKayla Cavan.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wyatt Arends, Jr., and father, Robert Madsen.
Services were held Thursday, January 6, 2000 at the United Methodist Church in Clearfield with Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Patty Parrish was the organist and Kathy Nelson the vocalist for the service. Casketbearers were Ronny Leonard, Wesley Freemyer, Stanley Knox and Bob Bailey.
Services were also held Friday, January 7, 2000 at the Kamrar Community Church, Kamrar, Iowa with Pastor David Beals and Reverend Alan Rusk officiating. Darrell Klaver was the organist for the service. Casketbearers were Mitch Dunham, John Greenfield, Duane Amsbaugh, Justin Borer, Chit Lovan and Jason Krigel.
Mrs. Arends was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Kamrar.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr, Iowa was in charge of the arrangements.
