Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Fern M. Sells
Services: 10:30 AM Friday, March 2, 2001 at the Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center-Toledo, Iowa with burial at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Visitation will be held from 4-7PM Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Fern Marie Sells was born October 1, 1912 at Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Howard and Hazel (Chitty) Christensen. Fern attended country school in the Toledo area and later graduated from Toledo High School in 1930. Fern then began teaching country school until her marriage to Rex Sells on April 17, 1935 at the home of her parents. Rex and Fern made their home farming all their married life on a farm north of Toledo until moving to town in 1978. More recently she has been a patient at the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center where her death came on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 at the age of 88 years. Fern was an active member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo. She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Sue Mathes, and two brothers Vaughn and Virgil. She is survived by her husband Rex, one son and his wife: Ray and Linda Sells of Toledo, IA, three daughters and their husbands: Gail and Lowell Davis of Marshalltown, IA, Kay and Paul Purvis of Gladbrook, IA and Karen and Kenny Smith of Toledo, IA, 16 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Dorothy E. Steveson
Services: Visitation is on Thurs., Sept. 13, 2001 from 4-8pm. Funeral service is on Fri., Sept. 14, 2001 at 11:00 am at the funeral home. Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery, Toledo, followed by a a luncheon at the Otterbein Center.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Dorothy E. Steveson was born, May 1, 1911 in rural Tama County near Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of George and Edna (Hoag) McCreary. Dorothy received her education in country school and later graduated from Toledo High School in 1929. She received her normal training and taught in rural schools in the Toledo area. On March 17, 1932 she was united in marriage to Floyd Steveson at the home of his parents. Dorothy and Floyd made their home in rural Toledo all their married life where they farmed and Dorothy sold Avon products for many years. She was also employed in the Tama-Toledo area working at Beales Elevator, Hardon’s Hardware and for area restaurants. After Floyd’s death on November 23, 1970 she continued to live on an acreage northwest of Toledo. On July 2nd of this year she became a resident of the Grandview Acres of Toledo, where her death came on Monday, September 10, 2001 at the age of 90 years. She was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church, UMW, Mothers Home Circle and played in various card clubs in the community. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Floyd, one brother Ralph McCreary. She is survived by three sons and their wives; Roger and Barbara Steveson of Nashville, TN, Richard and Colleen Steveson of Toledo and Raymond and Deanna Steveson of Marshalltown, IA, nine grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.
Beryl Turbett
Services: Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2001 at the First Presbyterian Church in Toledo by Rev. Rick Johnson officiating. Burial will be at a later date at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo, Iowa.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
R. Beryl Turbett was born December 21, 1910 at Tama, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Ruth (McKeen) Otterman. Beryl received her education in the Toledo school and graduated from Toledo High School. She continued her education at Coe College in Cedar Rapids where she graduated in 1932. She then taught country school in the Toledo area for many years, and on September 6, 1941 she was united in marriage to Melvin Bridge Turbett in Missouri. After her marriage she worked for the Iowa State Juvenile Home for a time. Following Melvin’s death on October 17, 1984 she continued to make her home in Toledo and for the past few years has resided at the Grandview Acres in Toledo. Beryl’s death came at the care center on Wednesday, February 7, 2001 at the age of 90 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and Ladies Boosters, 19th Century Club, Rebekah Lodge, DAR, and the Woodlawn Cemetery Association. Beryl was an excellent seamstress and also enjoyed crocheting. Beryl was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two-step sons William and Loren and two grandchildren. She is survived by three stepdaughters, Mabel Rayman of Elberon, Iowa, Mae Estes of Apoka, Florida and Marie Baldus of Ames, Iowa, 17 grandchildren and several great grandchildren.
Irene L. Vavra
Services: No public services will be held, the Henderson - Overton Funeral Home of Toledo is in charge of arrangements.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Irene L. Vavra was born September 15, 1918 north of Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Warren and Ruth (Spindler) Ferriss. She received her education in country school and later graduated from Toledo High School in the Class of 1936. She was united in marriage to George Schafer and following his death was united in marriage to Louis Vavra on January 15, 1946. Irene and Louis made their home in Toledo all their married life where Irene has continued to live following his death on April 26, 1997. Irene’s death came at her home on Monday, February 19, 2001 at the age of 82 years. She is survived by her children, Mike and Dave Vavra both of Toledo and John Vavra of Dennard, Arkansas, Virginia Halverson of Marshalltown and Roger Schafer. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
Ross A. Von Spreecken
Services: Services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, July 31, 2001 at the Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo by Dr. Francine Green officiating. Burial will follow at the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo. Friends may call from 4-8 pm on Monday at the funeral home were the family will be present from 6-8 pm.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Ross A. Von Spreecken was born January 20, 1928 at Wyoming, Iowa, the son of Peter H. and Blanche (Sarby) Von Spreecken. Ross received his education in Wyoming and later graduated from high school in 1946. In 1947 he enter the US Air Force as a military policeman and served in occupied Japan until his discharge. On February 4, 1951 he was united in marriage to Patricia Palmer at the First United Methodist Church in Toledo. Ross and Pat made their home for a time in Cedar Rapids later returning to Toledo. Ross then owned and operated Mac and Ross Skelly Service Station and oil business and later Ross’ Gulf Oil until 1969. Ross then began farming east of Toledo where they have continued to make their home even into retirement. On Monday of this week Ross entered Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids where his death came on Friday, July 27, 2001 at the age of 73 years. In free moments you would find Ross visiting with friends and family over a cup of coffee. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Donald. He is survived by his wife Patricia, one son and his wife, Scott and Cathy Von Spreecken of Lansing, Michigan, one daughter and her husband, Wendy and Roger Waterbeck of Chelsea, Iowa, one brother Robert of Onslow, Iowa and three grandchildren, Kristin, Victoria and Peter.
Lisa E. Warner
Services: At this time no visitation will be held. A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 15, 2001 at 10:30 am at Henderson-Overton Funeral Home in Toledo. A luncheon will follow at the Toledo American Legion Hall. Burial will be at a later date.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Lisa E. Warner was born July 24, 1956 at Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Ann (Hopkins) Hopper and Duane R. Sells. She attended South Tama School and graduated in the Class of 1974. On July 30, 1982 Lisa was united in marriage to Truman “Bill” Warner, Jr. and they made their home in Toledo where she was employed at Pioneer Hi-Bred International. Recently Lisa has been a resident of Grandview Acres Care Center of Toledo where her death came on Thursday, May 10, 2001 at the age of 44 years. Lisa attended meetings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. She is preceded in death by her father Duane R. Sells, paternal grandparents, Neal & Albina Sells and maternal grandparents, Frank & Frances Hopkins. Lisa is survived by her husband Bill of Toledo, her mother Ann Hopper of LeGrand, IA, a son Beau Bristol of Green Bay, WI, two step daughters, Lynn Montana of Columbus, MT and Tammy Benson of Los Molinos, CA, a brother, Kerry Sells and wife Toni of Nashville, TN her step mother, Karlene Sells of Bella Vista, AR and three grandchildren.
Pearl L. Wilkerson
Services: Visitation is on Friday, November 9, 2001 from 4-7pm. The funeral service is on Saturday, November 10, 2001 at 10:30 am at the Christ United Methodist Church - Education Center in Toledo. Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo followed by a lunch at the church.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Pearl L. Wilkerson was born January 8, 1914 at Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of Raymond and Mattie (Gageby) Youngman. Pearl received her education in country school near Toledo and later attended Toledo public schools where she graduated with the class of 1931. On April 21, 1934 she was united in marriage to Ralph Wilkerson and they made their home farming all their married life in the Tama and Toledo Area. In October of 2000 they moved to town and made their home at the Grandview Acres community. Following Ralph’s death on December 22, 2000 Pearl continued to live at Grandview. More recently she had been admitted to the Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center where she died Wednesday, November 7, 2001 at the age of 87 years. Pearl enjoyed spending time with her family and especially enjoyed her visits by her grandchildren. She was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church and the Fairview United Methodist Women. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Ralph, two brothers Carl and Floyd, three sisters, Faye, Rose and Kaleta and is survived by her children, Wayne and Shirley Wilkerson, Harold and Carla Wilkerson all of Toledo, Theron and Doris Wilkerson of Garwin, Lynn and Lorraine Wilkerson of Tama, and Karlene Sells of Toledo, a sister-in-law Dorothy Stuart of Traer, 20 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Ralph G. Wilkerson
Services: 10:30 am Wednesday, December 27, 2000 at the Christ United Methodist Church Worship Center in Toledo by the Rev. LaVern Seth officiating. Visitation will be held from 3:00pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday December 26 at the Henderson-Overton Funeral Home in Toledo. Burial will be in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Ralph G. Wilkerson was born July 7, 1914 in rural Toledo, Iowa, the son of Clifford and Orpha (Hofer) Wilkerson. He attended and graduated from rural schools. In his early years Ralph worked in road work with horses and mules. On April 21, 1934 he was united in marriage to Pearl Youngman and they made their home farming all their married life near Toledo. In October of this year they moved to town and more recently he has been a resident of the Grandview Acres Care Center in Toledo. Ralph’s death came at the care center on Friday, December 22, 2000 at the age of 86 years. He was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church, and the Tama County Farm Bureau. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife Pearl, four sons, Wayne and Shirley Wilkerson and Harold Wilkerson all of Toledo, Theron and Doris Wilkerson of Garwin, Iowa and Lynn and Lorraine Wilkerson of Tama, Iowa, one daughter Karlene (Mrs. Duane) Sells of Bella Vista, Arkansas, one sister Dorothy Stuart of Traer, Iowa, 15 Grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.
Vivian S. Wilson
Services: Visitation will be held at 9:00 am prior to the funeral service. Funeral service is Thursday, April 19, 2001at 10:00 am at the Christ United Methodist Church Education Center, Toledo, IA by Pastor John D. Boatman. Burial is at the Irving Cemetery in rural Belle Plaine, IA.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Vivian S. Wilson was born October 26, 1910 at Elberon, Iowa, the daughter of Perry and Carrie E. (Schugart) Overturf. Vivian started school in Elberon and later Toledo, Iowa where she graduated from Toledo High School. She continued her education Cedar Rapids, Iowa where graduated from Coe College. On April 21, 1940 she was united in marriage to George Wilson at the United Brethren Church in Toledo. Vivian and George made their home in Toledo for many years until 1957 when they returned back to Elberon. In later years they moved to the Bethesda Village Apartments in Toledo where Vivian continued to reside after George died on March 1, 1993. In April of 1998 Vivian became a resident of the Grandview Acres Care Center where her death came on Monday, April 16, 2001 at the age of 90 years. In free moment she enjoyed camping, knitting and traveling and especially enjoyed their winters in Mission, Texas. She was a member of the Christ United Methodist Church, PEO and American Legion Auxiliary. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband and is survived by two daughters, Karen Martinson and husband Don of Marengo, Iowa and Linda Clemons and husband Robert of Kettering, Ohio, four grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.
Ruth D. Wobeter
Services: Visitation is on Tues., Sept. 18, 2001 from 4-7pm. the funeral service is on Wed., Sept. 19, 2001 at 10:30 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Toledo. Burial is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo followed by a lunch at the church fellowship hall.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Ruth D. Wobeter was born June 27, 1908 near Sumner, Iowa, the daughter of Warren and Minnie (Berger) Jencks. Ruth received her education in Country school and later graduated from Sumner High School in the Class of 1926. She then taught country school at Oren, Iowa and later completed Business College in Oelwein, Iowa. On June 27, 1928 she married Ernest Hostetter at the Little Brown Church at Nashua, Iowa. They made their home in Guttenberg before moving to a farm near Grundy Center. They then moved to Morrison where Ruth was Postmaster from 1946 to 1955. Ruth and Ernest later divorced and on September 25, 1954 she married Victor Wobeter at Fredericksburg, Iowa. They then moved to a farm east of Toledo before moving to town in later years. Following Victor’s death on December 14, 1986 she continued to make her home in Toledo and in 1994 moved to the Willow Apartments. In the past few years she has resided at the Grandview Acres in Toledo where her death came on Sunday, September 16, 2001 at the age of 93 years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she had served as a Deacon and Elder, Boosters Class, Birthday Club and the 19th Century Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, one son Donald and two brothers Virgil and Claude. She is survived by one daughter and her husband, Sonja & David Mason of Toledo, two grandchildren Aaron and Mike and two great grandchildren Austin and Brianna.
