Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Vernon Simon
Services: 10:30 Monday, October 1, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Sunday from 4:00-6:00 pm. A Masonic Service will be held at 5:30 PM. Private family burial at Czech National Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Minister: Rev. James Blair.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Vernon Gilmore Simon was born October 21, 1910 at Walker, IA, the only son of Frank and Fandetta Lake Simon. He grew up in Walker and graduated from Walker High School. On July 9, 1939, he married Lillian Cuhel in Cedar Rapids. She preceded him in death on August 27, 1984. After serving his country in the Army during WWII, Vernon and Lillian moved to Vinton in 1944 where they owned and operated Simons Clothing Store. Vernon retired from the store in 1998. In addition to being a prominent businessman, Vernon served as mayor of Vinton, from 1960-1962 and from 1966-1970. He was also one of the first directors of the city Utility Board, serving from 1977-1991. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church, the American Legion, the White Lily Chapter, Shellsburg, Order of Eastern Star, the El Kahir Shrine and was active in theVinton Masonic Lodge #62 from 1947-2001, where he was a 32 degree Mason and was Worshipful Master in 1954. In his spare time, he enjoyed boating. On June 7, 1986 he married Margaret Lund in Cedar Rapids. Vernon had recently been a resident of the Virginia Gay Annex, where his death came Wednesday morning, September 26, 2001. In addition to his wife, Lillian, he was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Margaret, Vinton, two daughters, Janet Kenney and husband, Darrell, Vinton, Judy Parry and husband, Dennis, Marion, five grandchildren, Jeffrey Kenney and wife, Diane, Vinton, Michael Kenney, WI, Jennifer Parry, Seattle, WA, Tracy Parry and fiancee Rod Heidt, and Jason Parry, all of Marion, and four great grandchildren.
Wilma Albert Smith
Services: 10:30 am on Friday, August 17, 2001 at the Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton, with burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home in Vinton.
Minister: Rev. Rose Blank.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Wilma Ada Albert Smith was born July 30, 1907 on a farm south of Mt. Auburn, IA, to William and Ada Blincoe Farris. She grew up and attended country school in the Mt. Auburn area before graduating from Lincoln H.S. in Vinton. On January 10, 1927 she married Eldo (Whitey) Albert in Vinton, where the couple made their home. He preceded her in death on September 18, 1973. Wilma worked as a bookkeeper at the Cedar Valley Times, the City of Vinton, the Vinton Produce and Hawkeye Racing News before retiring and wintering in McAllen, TX. On February 17, 1984, she married Lenard Smith in McAllen, TX. Lenard and Wilma lived in Cedar Rapids and continued to winter in McAllen, TX. Following an auto accident, Lenard was a resident at Manor Care Nursing Home in Cedar Rapids and preceded her in death in the summer of 2001. Wilma was a longtime member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and was active in the Vinton Womens Club and Navy Mothers, and was a past president of both organizations. Her death came peacefully on August 14, 2001 at the Virginia Gay Hospital Annex. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Zev Gerber, Vera Scanlon, Grace Rood and Hazel Appleton. She is survived by her two sons, Roger Albert and wife, Dorothy, of Vinton, Ned Albert and wife, Connie, of Marion, special niece, Marilyn Rhoads and husband, Dusty, of Keystone, eleven grandchildren and twenty-one great grandchildren.
Carol A. Smola
Services: 10:00 am on Monday, January 7, 2002 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana, with burial at the Mount Clark Cemetery in Central City. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 pm on Sunday at the funeral home in Vinton with a Scripture Service at 7 p.m..
Minister: Rev. Gabriel Anderson
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Carol Ann Miller was born October 12, 1951 in Cedar Rapids, IA, to Ernest and Dorothy Dlouhy Miller. She was raised in Prairieburg and attended St. Joseph Catholic Schools before moving to Central City, where she graduated with the class of 1969. On December 18, 1971, she married Dennis C. Smola at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Prairieburg. The couple lived near Central City until they moved to rural Vinton in 1998. Carol worked in the secretarial and communications field at St. Luke's Hospital, Williams Communications and Bradley Family Chiropractic. She was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana. Carol enjoyed helping others and she also enjoyed the outdoors. She liked flower gardening, birdwatching, golfing and watching the animals in the timber where they lived. Carol was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer when her death came peacefully at her home on January 3, 2002 at 50 years of age. She was preceded in death by her father, Ernest Miller and her father-in-law, Carroll Smola. She is survived by her husband, Dennis, Vinton, her mother, Dorothy Miller, Marion, IA, her sisters, Sharon (George ) Frondle, Cedar Rapids, IA, Shirley (Doug) Brecht, and brother, Edward (Teresa) Miller, all of Marion, IA, several nieces and nephews and her Siberian Husky, "Frosty."
Robert "Bob" Snydock
Services: 10:30 AM on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM on Wednesday. Burial will be at Cox Cemetery, rural Urbana.
Minister: Pastor Steve Mathews
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Robert L. Snydock was born on April 13, 1934 at Brainerd, MN; the son of Harry and Eunice (Pratt) Snydock. He graduated from Aitkin, MN and then worked various jobs before moving to Iowa. On July 13, 1964, he married Hazel (Burkhart) Tuttle in Vinton and they have made their home near Vinton all their life together. Bob worked for the elevator in Urbana, Crib and Silo in Vinton and later at Wilson Foods in Cedar Rapids for 24 years. Bob’s health had failed and was a patient at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids where his death came on Monday, December 24, 2001, at the age of 67 years. He was a member of the Open Bible Christian Church in Vinton. In free moments, he enjoyed sports, collecting pens and loved to write letters. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, and his foster mother, Gladys Austin. He is survived by his wife Hazel, 4 step-sons; Walter Tuttle of Vinton, Richard (Marlene) Tuttle of Urbana, Aaron (Ramona) Tuttle and John (Jule) Tuttle, both of Vinton, 4 step-daughters; Viola (Don) Merchant of Vinton, Leila Williams of Hamilton, Montana, Joanne (Marvin) Roster and Ellen (Fred) Lerch, both of Vinton, 36 step- grandchildren, 71 step great-grandchildren, 5 step great –great grandchildren, and 3 sisters; Pauline (Max) Elkins of Garrison, Ruby Troxel of Minnesota and Ruth Anne Fetherkile.
Blanche K. Steinmetz
Services: 10:30 A.M., Friday, November 9, 2001 at the First Baptist Church in Vinton, with burial at the Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until service time Friday at the church.
Minister: Rev. David Gates.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Blanche K. Kearns was born November 8, 1898 on a farm near Vinton, Ia, to Hiram and Maggie Benson Kearns. She grew up near Vinton and attended the Tilford Academy in Vinton. She was married to Ray Walter from 1921 until his death in 1933 and the couple had four children; Viola, Carroll, Donna and Doris. She was later married to Glen Steinmetz from 1947 until his death in 1966. Blanche and Glen built a house on the Mt. Auburn blacktop north of Vinton, near the Cedar River, where Blanche loved to fish and work in her garden. Blanche worked as a clerk in Cedar Rapids and Vinton and also at the canning factory in Garrison. Her death came peacefully one day before her 103rd birthday at the Virginia Gay Hospital Annex in Vinton. Besides her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents, two daughters; Donna Abernathy and Doris Perry, three brothers; Milo, Henry and Cliff Kearns, and two sisters; Ora Johnson and Florence Lynk. She is survived by one daughter; Viola Vaupel and husband, Albert and one son, Carroll Walter and wife, Mary, all of Vinton, thirteen grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren and thirteen great great grandchildren.
Robert D. "Bob" Steinberg
Services: 10:00 a.m Friday, January 19, 2001 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton, Iowa with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick and Vicar Jeff Bauer officiating. Burial at Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, with military rites. Friends may call at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home, Vinton, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Vinton - Robert Dean Steinberg was born July 22, 1931 at Van Horne, Iowa, to Henry J. and Edna B. Smith Steinberg. He was raised in Van Horne and attended school there until moving to Cedar Rapids. Bob served his country in the Army during the Korean Conflict, stationed in Alaska. On August 10, 1963, he married Betty Lou Tow in Illinois. The couple lived in Cedar Rapids before moving to Vinton in 1965. Bob worked as a mechanic and parts and service manager for Ford auto dealerships all his life, retiring last June after twenty-four years at Junge Ford. Bob enjoyed gardening, trout fishing and stock car races. He was an active member of George G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 in Vinton where he served as commander in 1980-81 and where he ran the bingo games for more than ten years. Following an extended illness, Bob died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 16, 2001. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Raymond Steinberg and three sisters, Doris Jensen, Pearl Meissner and Darlene Druschel. Survivors include his wife, Betty, daughters Cindy Shaffer and husband, Paul, Shirley Fowler and husband, Gary, and Tracy Roster, and son Scott and wife, Melissa, all of Vinton and son Randy and wife, Tori, of Washington, IA, one sister, Hazel Barthelmes and husband, Elmer, of Troy Mills, IA and ten grandchildren.
Donald H. Stewart
Services: 2:00 PM on Friday, June 15, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton, with Rev. Dennis Van De Venter officiating. Burial at the Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home in Vinton.
Minister: Rev. Dennis Van De Venter.
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
Donald Harold Stewart was born September 20, 1916 in Vinton, Iowa to William and Dora Teneyke Stewart. He attended school in Vinton, graduating from Lincoln High School. On November 4, 1950, he married Floy Turner in Mexico. The couple spent most of their married life in Vinton and recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Donald was a salesman in the Vinton area and enjoyed golf and flower gardening in his spare time. He was a longtime member of the Assembly of God church in Vinton. Donald was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Floy, and daughter, Cindy Moody, both of Vinton and daughter, Delores Marton of Kansas City, KS, one brother, Gerald Stewart, of Sacramento, CA, and several grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Dwight Hugh Thompson
Services: Memorial services will be held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, January 14, 2000 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vinton, Iowa with Rev. Mark Urlaub. There will be no visitation
Memorial Fund: Memorials may be directed to Bethlehem Lutheran Church Building Fund.
Dwight H. Thompson was born in Kaysville, Utah on February 28, 1914; to the Reverend William and Nina (Smith) Thompson. His family moved to Des Moines, Iowa when he was a young child. There, he graduated from North High School in 1933. He was married to Agnes Ganschow, the daughter of Reverend Carl and Hanna Ganschow, on May 29, 1937 in Des Moines, Iowa. He and his wife lived, worked and raised their family in the Des Moines area until his retirement. In 1987, he and his wife moved to Stuart, Florida and in 1992, they moved to Vinton, Iowa, to be nearer to friends and family. Mr. Thompson was received into the arms of Jesus on January 11, 2001 in Vinton, Iowa. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife Agnes of Vinton, two daughters; Gretchen Rider and her husband Jim of Huntsville, Alabama; and Dianne Utsinger and her husband Don of Vinton; and one son, William Thompson of Portland, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his beloved son David Thompson. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren. Mr. Thompson was a member of Lutheran churches in Des Moines, Ankeny and Vinton, Iowa. Always active in the Lord’s work, he assumed much responsibility in the building program at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny where he served as President of the Congregation for three years; Co-chairman of the Finance Committee; and member of the building committee during the expansion program. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson owned and operated Thompson Display Co. and Party Shop in downtown Des Moines for 28 years. Mr. Thompson was a civic-minded person and at one time ran for state representative He was a most generous man, always assisting friends and family in need. Mr. Thompson also worked with refugee programs through his church in Ankeny where he became a good friend to many refugees as he assisted them to settle in the area.
Don A. "Buck" Whitaker
Services: 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 11, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 4:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home on Friday, August 10. 2001. Burial Mt. Auburn Cemetery with military rites by the Mt. Auburn American Legion.
Minister: Rev. Dennis Van Deventer
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Don A. “Buck” Whitaker was born on January 8, 1934 in Kentucky; the son of Donnie and Dolly (Fletcher) Whitaker. He received his education in Kentucky and then served his country in the United State Army, serving two tours in the Korean War. In 1955, he was married to Lillian Harper. The later divorced. Don enjoyed his time being self-employed in trucking for over 30 years. More recently he and Marcella have made their home in Mt. Auburn. Don’s death came early Wednesday morning, August 8, 2001 at St. Luke’s Hospital of an apparent heart attack. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing and the grandkids loved it when he made them sausage and eggs. His nephews never missed an opportunity to spend time with “Uncle Buck”. Don was a member of the Mt. Auburn American Legion. He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers and a sister. Don is survived by his wife Marcella, 3 sons; Bruce of California, Kirby of Plymouth, IN, and Mark of Vinton, 3 daughters; Shelley Shaffer, Gayle Smith and Anita Spicer, all of Indiana, a brother Willard of Kentucky, a sister Genis Bailey of Michigan, two step-daughters; Dianne Scheel and Michelle Oldfather both of Mt. Auburn, 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandsons, 7 step-grandchildren and 1 step grandson.
Reba Wilson
Services: Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2001, at 10:30 AM, Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton, Iowa. There will be no visitation.
Minister: Rev. James Blair
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the Family.
Reba Wilson was born on May 24, 1917, at rural Vinton, Iowa; the daughter of Chris and Esther (Raymond) Kinsel. She was raised in the Vinton area, attended country school and graduated from Lincoln High School in Vinton. Reba was a resident of Vinton until 1954 when she moved to Colorado. She was married to Leslie Wilson and he passed away on August 12, 1995. Reba moved back to Vinton in 1997 and later was a resident of the Virginia Gay Annex in Vinton. Her death came there on Saturday, February 03, 2001, at the age of 83 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Leslie, 2 sisters and a brother. Reba is survived by a son, a sister, 3 nieces and 3 nephews.
Paul Loren Wirth
Services: 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 19, 2001 at First Baptist Church in Vinton. Visitation will be held at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4:00-8:00 PM. There will be a Masonic Service at 7:00 PM. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton
Minister: Rev. David Gates and Rev. John Huffarker.
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family.
Paul Loren Wirth was born on August 4, 1928 at Aredale, Iowa; the son of Fred and Clara (Smith) Wirth. He received his education at Aredale, graduating in 1945. Paul then attended South Dakota State for a year and graduated from Elgin Watch School. Paul served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, working as a communications specialist. He then returned to Vinton, Iowa and on November 1, 1954, he started working for Knaack Jewelry. On May 29, 1955, he married Carmen Rammelsberg at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vinton. In January of 1966, Paul purchased Knaack Jewelry and then owned and operated Wirth Jewelry until his retirement. Paul was a Certified Master Watchmaker. He was very active in the community and his professional organizations. Paul was a member of First Baptist Church, serving as trustee and deacon and the Vinton Masonic Lodge #62, serving as Past Master. His membership included the American Watchmakers Institute, past secretary of the Iowa Horological Society, the Northeast Iowa Watchmakers Guild and the Minnesota Clockmakers Guild. Paul also served as a Red Cross Military Service Coordinator. He was known as a “do it yourselfer” and enjoyed woodworking, trains and going to flea markets. Paul was visiting his daughter Jane in Texas when his death came suddenly at Houston Northwest Medical Center following an apparent heart attack at the age of 73 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Wayne in infancy. Paul is survived by his wife Carmen, his children; Penny Wombacher of Vinton, Steve Wirth and wife Joleen of Grimes, IA, Jane Wirth of Spring, TX, Michael Wirth and his wife Heidi of Vinton, & Kay Ann Wirth of Burlington, IA, 2 grandchildren, Hayley Jo and Scott, a brother James R. Wirth of Sonora, CA and a sister Jeanne Spearman and husband Raymond of Westport, WA.
James E. Woods
Services: 10:30 on Tuesday, October 2, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton. Burial will be at 12:30 pm at Springville Cemetery, Springville, Iowa. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Monday from 4:00-8:00 PM. Following the committal service, a luncheon will be held at the Springville United Methodist Church.
Minister: Rev. John Keizer
Memorial Fund: A memorial fund has been established.
James E. Woods was born on November 4, 1932 at New Sharon, Iowa; the son of John Elmer and Annis Grace (Baker) Woods. Jim received his education and graduated from New Sharon High School in the class of 1949. He then served his country in the United State Army during the Korean Conflict from November 18, 1952 to November 17, 1954. After his service, he returned to farm in the New Sharon area until 1965. He then moved to Springville, Iowa where he owned and operated Jim’s Radiator and Welding Repair and drove school bus. Jim then worked for Rockwell-Collins in Cedar Rapids in security, retiring in December of 1991. On November 30, 1991; he married Marlias Marovec in New Sharon and they made their home in Springville until moving to Vinton in 1994. Jim then worked for Benton County Transportation, driving the SEATS bus. He has been fighting a battle with cancer and was a patient at Mercy Medical Center where his death came on Friday evening, September 28, 2001 at the age of 68 years. Jim was a member of the George G. Luckey Post #57 in Vinton, enjoyed playing cards and going to stock car races. He was preceded in death by his parents. Jim is survived by wife Marlias of Vinton, 3 sons; Mark Woods and wife Laurie, Alan Woods and wife Jill, & John Woods, all of Springville, 2 stepsons; Lowell Marovec and wife Lueann & Brett Marovec, both of Vinton, 10 grandchildren and a sister Donna Bartlett of Yukon, OK.
Mardene Lois Woolison
Services: 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 27, 2001 at Overton-Van Steenhuyse Funeral Home in Vinton. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 5:00-8:00 pm. at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Garrison Cemetery.
Minister: Rev. Mark Urlaub
Memorial Fund: May be directed to the family
Mardene Lois Woolison was born on February 19, 1924 in Harrison Township, Benton County; the daughter of Lee and Cora (Smith) Grimm. She received her education in the Vinton school system and was united in marriage to James F. Woolison on January 19, 1946, on a farm in Benton County. They have lived their entire married life in Vinton. Mardene worked for Vinton Produce and the Green Giant Canning Factory. She also did housekeeping for area residents and was later a nurses aide at the Virginia Gay Hospital for 9 ½ years. Mardene loved spending time with her family and especially enjoyed the time spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Mardene has been a resident of the Vinton Lutheran Home since February and her death came there on Monday morning, June 25, 2001 at the age of 77 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister Betty Vest and a brother Orville Grimm. Mardene is survived by her husband of 55 years Jim F., 2 sons and their wives; Larry & Nancy and Jimmy & Pam Woolison, both of Vinton, 5 grandchildren; Renee, Tina, Lisa, Robert, & Amy, 5 great-grandchildren; Ashley, Dalton, Tyler, Alyssia & Elise and a sister, Patricia Ringwald of Edgerton, Wisconsin.
