Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
ELEANOR M. CAMPBELL
Mrs. Eleanor M. Campbell, 77, died on May 10, 1999 at the Fleur Heights Care Center in Des Moines, Iowa of heart failure.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 14, 1999 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Southtown Funeral Home in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 15, 1999 at the Southtown Funeral Home in Des Moines at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 15, 1999, at 1:00 p.m., at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Mrs. Campbell was born to Dellitt and Elva Atwood Thompson on June 21, 1921 in Mount Ayr and was a life long resident of that city. She was the owner of Campbell's Fairground Cafe, retiring in 1976, and was a member of the Eagle's Southridge Mall Walkers' Club.
Mrs. Campbell is survived by sons, Marvin and wife Carol Campbell of Newton, Iowa, Charles Thomas and wife Chris Campbell of Des Moines and J. R. and wife Lana Campbell of Norwalk, Iowa; sisters, Lucille Benson of Mount Ayr and Phyllis Moore of Azusa, California; brother, Joe Thompson of Mount Ayr; companion, Donald D. Dooley of Des Moines; and eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Hospice of Central Iowa or American Lung Association.
LEE CURTIS HOGUE
Lee Curtis Hogue, 38, of Waukee, Iowa died Sunday, May 2, 1999, at the University Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa of renal failure.
Mr. Hogue was born in Des Moines and was raised in Kellerton, Iowa where he lived prior to moving to Waukee. He married Rebecca Ann Rude on October 14, 1989 at the Waukee United Methodist Church in Waukee. He was a member of the St. Boniface Catholic Church in Waukee.
Mr. Hogue is survived by his wife, Becky A. Hogue of Waukee; a daughter, Parker Leanne Hogue, age 1, of Waukee; a son, Wade Allen Hogue, age 3, of Waukee; mother, Irene Hogue of Creston, Iowa; father-in-law, Lynn Rude of Des Moines; mother-in-law, Nancy Rude of Des Moines; two brothers: Larry G. Hogue and wife Arletta of Ankeny and Lyle E. Hogue and wife Janet of Hatfield, Missouri; two brothers-in-law: Jeff Rude of Des Moines and Jason Rude, who is serving in the United States Marine Corps; three sisters-in-law: Chris Rude and Kelly Knight, both of Des Moines and Jennifer Rude of Stuart; and grandmother, Leota Hogue of Mount Ayr, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle Harvey Hogue, and his grandparents.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, May 5, 1999 at the Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines, Iowa. Interment was in the Waukee Cemetery.
GERALDINE RIEF
Geraldine Rief was born December 14, 1912 at Kellerton, Iowa to Rudolph and Myrtle Stevens Fogle. She passed away May 6, 1999 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 86 years.
Geraldine graduated from Kellerton high school in 1930. Along with her two children, Bob and Peggy, she moved to Diagonal, Iowa in 1933. She obtained her teachers certificate and taught country school for nine years at Knowlton, Iowa. She also worked at Bob Holland's Cafe part time.
On April 10, 1943, she was united in marriage to Freeman Rief at Bethany, MO and her home and family were the highlights of her life. She assisted him in operating the plumbing business, the Laundromat and was involved in farming right up to the time of her death.
Family dinners were important and everyone was welcome. Her chocolate cake and homemade dinner rolls were requested favorites. She was an avid fan of college basketball and never missed watching or listening to a Hawkeye game. Her children and grandchildren were the joy of her life. Her advice to them was to overlook flaws in others and to never hold a grudge.
Geraldine was active in her church, the school and community events. She was a longtime member of the Priscilla Club and had a special interest in the American Legion Auxiliary.
Geraldine was preceded in death by her parents and her husband Freeman on November 5, 1988.
Left to mourn her passing are her children, Bob Mahoney of Prescott, AZ, Peggy Mahoney of Creston, Iowa, Stevon Rief and his wife Karen of Laurel, Iowa, Randy Rief of Creston, and Willis Rief and his wife Cindy of San Diego, California; three grandchildren, Robert Mahoney, Taylor Rief and Chad Rief; three great-grandchildren, Megan, Erin and Caitlin Mahoney; one brother Raymond Fogle of Creston; and three sisters, Lucille Nichols and Marie Maes of Vancouver, Washington and Margaret Cochran of Portland, Oregon.
Funeral services were held at the United Church of Diagonal on Monday, May 10, 1999 with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Judy Newton, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were John Whittington, Charles Fletcher, Alan Bentley, Kenny Sobotka, Doug Ruby and Frank Gunsolley. Honorary pallbearers were A. J. Kessler, Bud Beymer, Kenny Morrow, Wayne Taylor, Albert Drake, LaVern Klejch and Gene Gunsolley.
Interment was in the Knowlton Cemetery, Diagonal.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
WILLIAM PERRY STUCK
William Perry Stuck of Long Beach, California died from acute respiratory arrest on March 23, 1999.
He was born in Ringgold county, Iowa to Jonathan and May Stuck on June 30, 1911. He was the youngest of seven children and was the last one to pass away. He was graduated from Mount Ayr high school, Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1929.
On June 24, 1933 he married Ethel Arlene Smithson in Creston, Iowa. They were married for nearly 65 years when Ethel passed away on May 22, 1998.
They lived in Mount Ayr until 1941 before moving to Long Beach, California with their daughter Yvonne Kay. William worked at Douglas Aircraft and managed several gas stations before he retired.
He is survived by his daughter Yvonne Kay Ross and her husband Stanford Ross and their sons, David and Michael Ross, and William and Ethel's great-grandchildren, Sage and Hannah Ross of Huntington Beach, California.
His earthly body was laid to rest next to his wife Ethel at Westminster Memorial Park in Westminster, California.
Both William and Ethel are greatly missed by their family. They were loving, kind, honest and generous people.
JESSIE ALMA TRULLINGER
Jessie Alma Trullinger, daughter of John Silas and Carrie Oliver Saville was born April 6, 1904 near Redding, Iowa and passed away May 3, 1999 at the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 95 years and 27 days.
She grew to womanhood near Redding, graduating from the Redding high school with the class of 1921. She later attended the State Teacher's College of Maryville, Missouri and had extension work from the State Teacher's College at Cedar Falls, Iowa. Twenty years of her life were spent teaching in the schools of Ringgold county.
On February 10, 1928 she was united in marriage with Loren Trullinger in the Mount Ayr Methodist parsonage by the Reverend Jay Kirkendale. To this union one daughter was born, Lorene Huddle and her husband Carroll of Lincoln, NE. There are three grandsons, Steven, Dale and Kyle Rice; one granddaughter, Shari Stanley, and 11 great-grandchildren, all of Lincoln, NE.
She is also survived by two sisters, Vera Buss of Red Oak, Iowa and Ola Ridge of Blockton, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Loren on July 26, 1988 and five brothers, Wilbur, Emerson, Cecil, Howard and Kermit Saville.
Funeral services were at the Wilson-Watson & Armsrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr on Friday, May 7, 1999 with Reverend Wilburn Bennett officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers provided music. Casketbearers were Steven Rice, Kyle Rice, Lloyd C. Ridge, Dale Rice, Gary Stanley and James Ridge.
Interment was in the Redding Cemetery, Redding.
CLIFFORD MILO BOSWORTH
Clifford Milo Bosworth, 83, formerly of Louisville, Kentucky died on Monday, December 14, 1998 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital in Frederick, Maryland. He was the husband of Margaret Wells Bosworth who died in June of 1998.
Born on April 22, 1915 in Tingley, Iowa, he was the son of Charles E. and Eva G. Burleigh Bosworth. Mr. Bosworth was a chemical engineer with Seagrams Company retiring after more than 40 years of service. He was a long-time and active member of Christ Church where he sang in the choir for many years.
Surviving are two daughters, Roberta (Bobby) Lynn Finigan and husband, Brian M. of Frederick, Maryland and Kathy Moore and husband Chris K. of Montclair, Virginia; five grandchildren: Jenny Moore, Meghan Moore, Erin Finigan, Sean Finigan, Kara Finigan; and one sister, Eleanor West of Iowa City, Iowa.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Don Bosworth and one sister, Charlene Lufter.
Memorial services were held earlier in Louisville, Kentucky. Graveside services and intermenty will be held at noon on Sunday, June 6, 1999 in the Tingley Cemetery at Tingley, Iowa with Rev. Steve Parker officiating.
MARJORIE MARIE (SUNDERMAN) PICKINPAUGH
Marjorie Marie (Sunderman) Pickinpaugh was born in Noble township near Atlantic, Iowa on May 30, 1923. She was one of eight children of Werner and Marie Christina (Schaaf) Sunderman. Marjorie attended country school until the eight grade when she left school to help care for her younger brothers and sisters.
In 1940 Marjorie married Clyde Donald Jones of Grant, Iowa. Their marriage was blessed with five children: Robert, Eleanor, Warren, Jerry and Janice. On September 15, 1969 Marjorie was married to Robert J. Pickinpaugh at Papillion, Nebraska. She and Robert then moved to Carson, Iowa.
Marjorie worked as a nurse at the Glenwood State Hospital School, the American Beef Plant and as a nurse and administrator at the Excel Beef plant until its closure. Robert and Marjorie had been married 26 years at the time of Robert's death on June 10, 1996. Marjorie was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and enjoyed collecting, gardening, flowers, bird watching and her grandchildren.
Marjorie died on May 18, 1999 at Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska from complications following open heart surgery on May 3.
Marjorie was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Vernon Sunderman, Bobby Sunderman and Werner Sunderman, Jr.; sister Frances Sunderman; first husband Clyde Jones; husband Robert Pickinpaugh; daughter-in-law Debra Pickinpaugh; and great-grandchildren Megan Mass and Treavor Jones.
She is survived by her children Robert Jones and his wife Margery of Elliot, Iowa, Eleanor Ramsey and her husband Junior of Elliot, Iowa, Warren Jones and his wife Marlene of Treynor, Iowa, Jerry Jones and his wife Donna of Indianola, Iowa, Janice Jensen and her husband Jim of Marne, Iowa; stepsons Robert Pickinpaugh, Jr. of Shafter, California, Randy Pickinpaugh of Willeto, California; sisters Maxine Houser and her husband Ivan of Massena, Iowa, Betty Riepe and her husband Lawrence of Griswold, Iowa, Agnes Osen and her husband Dean of Guthrie Center, Iowa; sisters-in-law Pat Haley of Mount Ayr, Iowa, Lorraine Brooks and her husband Robert of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Margaret Sunderman of Avoca, Iowa; 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial graveside services were held on May 22 at the Wheeler Grove Cemetery in Carson, Iowa with Rev. Michael Harvey officiating.
Hertz Funeral Home of Carson, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements.
REBECCA KESSLER
Rebecca Kessler of Afton, Iowa, was born January 18, 1902 near Thayer, Iowa and died at the age of 97 on Monday, June 7, 1999 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa.
Visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9 and family time will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday.
Funeral services will be held at the United Methodist Chruch in Arispe at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 10, 1999 with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Interment will be at the Tingley Cemetery, Tingley, Iowa.
Rebecca was the daughter of Caroline Lake and George O. Lamb. She graduated from Tingley high school and later the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls. She was married to Earl O. Kessler on July 7, 1960 in Bedford, Iowa. Earl died on May 15, 1978.
Rebecca worked as a school teacher for seven years in Tingley, 22 years in rural Ringgold and Union county schools and then 15 years teaching first grade in Afton. She retired from teaching in June of 1967.
Rebecca was a member of the United Methodist Church in Arispe, a 50 year member Past Noble Grand of Ivy Rebekah Lodge, Past Noble Grand of Emerald Chapter 218 O. E. S, White Shrine of Jerusalem and also a life member of the Iowa State Education Association.
She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Caroline Lamb, her husband, Earl, and one brother, Harvey Lamb.
Surviving her are one stepson, Earl William Kessler of Phoenix, Arizona, a brother, Emmett Lamb of Federal Way, Washington, and a sister-in-law, Vesta Lamb of Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to the Arispe United Methodist Church.
Powers Funeral Home of Afton was in charge of the arrangements.
KEITH C. FOSTER
Keith Foster of Folsom, California was born January 7, 1920 to Homer A. and Opal Clayton Foster in Mount Ayr, Iowa. He departed this life May 2, 1999 at the age of 79 years, three months at Roseville Hospital in suburban Sacramento, California.
Keith married Pauline (Polly) Soseman of Oskaloosa, Iowa on June 2, 1943 at Alameda, California where both were employed by United Airlines. Keith's career with United Airlines continued for 36 years in Illinois, Colorado and Michigan. Severe eye problems required early retirement and they then located in Denver, Colorado. They travelled the world on United Airlines passes for many years.
Keith and Polly moved to Folsom, California in 1994 on doctor's recommendations that he live near sea level to help his breathing. He was active in the Folsom Presbyterian church, Kiwanis, Elks and civic retirement organizations until his health prevented further participation.
Keith's survivors include his wife, Polly; a daughter, Linda Foster of Ocean Grove, New Jersey; a son, Keith and wife Gloria and two granddaughters of Littleton, Colorado; a sister, Ramona Anderson and husband Raymond of Sun Valley Lake, Ellston, Iowa; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Preceding Keith in death were his parents, four half brothers and one half sister.
According to Keith's wishes, his body was cremated. His ashes will be buried next summer at a memorial service in Tincup, Colorado, an old mining town high in the Rocky Mountains. This was Keith's favorite place on earth where they built a vacation home many years ago.
Memorials should go to your favorite charity in Keith's name.
FAYE ADAMS GREEN
Faye Green was born September 20, 1899 to Frank Adams and Martha Campbell Adams on a farm in Worth County, Missouri just south of Athelstan, Iowa. Faye departed this life April 22, 1999 at the age of 99 years and seven months at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Raymond Green on January 11, 1935 in Des Moines, Iowa.
As a young girl Faye moved to Ellston, Iowa where her father had bought the hardware store. The rest of her life she lived in or around Ellston until moving to Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, with her husband in September of 1988, where he still resides.
Faye attended Capitol City Commercial College in Des Moines then worked at the Ellston Bank until its closing. She was secretary at the Ellston school and held other jobs over the years.
Faye was loved and respected by all who knew her for her friendly, happy, helpful personality.
She took active part in the Ellston United Methodist Church, holding various offices and always teaching Sunday school. She was active in the community activities until deteriorating health prevented her from participating further.
Left to mourn her passing are her husband Raymond; a son by her first marriage, Raymond Anderson and wife Ramona of Sun Valley Lake, Ellston; a granddaughter Suzanne Christensen and husband John of Denver, Colorado; a grandson Steve Anderson and wife Nadine of Aberdeen, South Dakota; a stepgreat-grandson, Tristan Labadie; one great-grandson, Carsten Anderson; one great-granddaughter, Fallon Anderson; several nieces and nephews and their families.
Preceding Faye in death were her parents; three brothers, Earl, Paul and Lloyd; two sisters and husbands, Evelyn Jackson and Alice Walters; and nieces and nephews.
Services for Faye were held April 26, 1999 at the Ellston United Methodist Church with Reverend Jeff Flagg officiating. Musicians were Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Jones and Mrs. Leo Morgan. Casketbearers were Faye's nephews. Faye was laid to rest at the Ellston Cemetery.
WINNIE GREENE
Winnie Greene of the Creston Nursing and Rehab Center in Creston, Iowa, died June 15, 1999 at the age of 89 at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa.
Winnie was born December 21, 1909 in Kellerton, Iowa to Birdeen Morgan and Louise Ellen Stark Morgan. She was educated in the Ellston schools.
Winnie was united in marriage to Lowell Henry Greene on January 18, 1931 in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Her husband preceded her in death on March 30, 1989.
Winnie lived in Ringgold and Union counties all her life. She was a homemaker and also worked part time as a cook at Creston High School and the Creston Nursing and Rehab Center. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Creston and the South Hill Kensington Club.
Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Carralou and husband Bill Hanson of Creston and son, Gary Lee and wife Shirley Greene of Fairview, Texas.
Funeral services were Friday, June 18 at Powers Funeral Home in Creston with Rev. Tom Woodin officiating. Interment was in Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr. Memorials are to the Creston Nursing and Rehab Center in Creston.
Powers Funeral Home of Creston was in charge of the arrangements.
ELGIN BISBEY SHIDLER
Elgin Bisbey Shidler was born on July 16, 1913 near Clearfield, Iowa and departed this life on Friday, September 17, 1999 at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa at the age of 86. She was the third child of seven born to Orie Danford and Bessie (Curry) Mercer and was named Elgin Pauline.
Elgin received her education in rural schools in Taylor county and graduated from Clearfield High School in 1931 with a Teachers Certificate. She began teaching in the country schools of Ringggold county in 1934 and continued for twenty-two years until the "one-room" country schools closed. She then taught fifth grade at Diagonal, Iowa for another twenty-five years.
While teaching, she continued her own education and received her degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. For nearly half a century she dedicated her life to education, teaching three generations of some families.
On May 10, 1938 Elgin was united in marriage to Harry E. Bisbey and they established their home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. They enjoyed 31 years together before his death on April 7, 1969.
On February 14, 1981 Elgin married William F. Shidler at Creston, Iowa and they continued to make their home in Mount Ayr until his untimely death on July 16, 1983.
Elgin has been a member of the First Christian Church in Clearfield and Mount Ayr since 1929. She served as Sunday School teacher and Church Historian for a number of years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, several Education Associations and a former member of the Monday Club.
Family was always an important part of Elgin's life and she showered them with love, devotion and gifts. Her nieces and nephews were dear to her heart and she was known by her family simply and affectionately as "Auntie".
Elgin raised a garden and maintained her own home until the fall of 1997 when some health problems forced her to move to the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Left to cherish her memory are a brother, Billy B. and wife Norma Mercer of Creston, Iowa; sisters, Marion Jeter of Wichita, Kansas and Nellie Snethen of Joplin, Missouri; sisters-in-law Helen Mercer of Mount Ayr, Iowa and Rosalee Mercer of Grand River, Iowa; stepchildren George and wife Rachel Shidler of Ankeny, Iowa, Sam and wife Bobbye Shidler of Cummings, Iowa and Sue and husband Carl Schumacher of Fayetteville, Arkansas; six stepgrandchildren; 13 nieces and nephews; many other extended family members; and a host of friends.
Those preceding her in death besides her husbands were her parents; her sister Edna May Mercer; her brothers Cecil C. and Edwin C. Mercer; and brothers-in-law Paul Jeter and Jack Snethen.
Funeral services were held on Monday, September 20 at the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr, Iowa with Rev. John Brillo officiating. Margaret Bishop gave the eulogy. Music was provided by Mrs. Keith Sackett, Mary Webb and Margaret Bickers.
Casketbearers were Mark Sickels, Daryl Leffler, Alvin Sickels, Hugh Terwilliger, Scott Schumacher, David Shidler and Brad Shidler.
Honorary pallbearers were Laurence Bishop, Max Buckner, Frank Mason, John Rychnovsky, Lee Routh, Wayne Buchner and Richard Hammond.
Elgin was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Funeral arrangements were made by Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr.
ALTA ARRINGTON
Alta Marquerita Arrington was born in Athens Township,Ringgold County, Iowa on April 11, 1899, to Edward and Effie Johnson. She died on August 14,
1999, in Oceanside, California at the age of 100 years, four months, three days.
She was raised in Ringgold County. She was married to Jack Childers of Gera, Missouri on March 15, 1919 in Kellerton, Iowa. There were 12 children born to this union; Ronald, Marquerite, Jack Jr., Marlene, Charles, James, Marvin, Adalina Marie, Mernis, Eugene, Verle Dean and Linden. They divorced in 1944.
She married Paul A. Tedrow of Fairfield, Iowa on October 6, 1945 in
Mount Ayr.
She was married to Bill Arrington.
She is survived by nine of her children, Marquerite Henderson of Canton, Texas, Jack (Velma) Childers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Marlene Williams of Pahrump, Nevada, Charles (Marlene) Childers of Perry, Kansas, Marvin, Mernis, Eugene, Verle Dean and Linden Childers; two brothers, Duane(Doc) Johnson (Doris) of Kellerton, Iowa, Bill(Gerald) Johnson of Idaho; sister-in-law Bessie(Wayne) Johnson of Mount Ayr; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, a host of friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Effie Johnson; brothers, Neil, Orlo, Wayne; sisters Mae Morrow and Lois Epps; two sons, Ronald and James and infant daughter Adalina Marie.
Private graveside services were held August 25, 1999 at Rose Hill Cemetery in Mount Ayr by Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr. Prayer at graveside was led by her granddaughter, Donna Schmitz.
ELTON BRUCE BROWN
Elton Bruce Brown was born November 3, 1922 on the family farm north of Blockton, Iowa to Allie Brown and Hazel King Brown. He departed this life on August 15, 1999 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa following complications from heart surgery at 76 years of age.
Elton attended country school in Blockton and later graduated from the Blockton High School with the class of 1941.
In January 1942, Elton volunteered for the Army. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii) from May 1942 until October 1945. He served on the medical staff as an ambulance driver during WWII.
On May 10, 1946, he was united in marriage to Jodene Schuster Brown. They moved to Clearfield where all three of their children were born: Marilyn, Carolyn, and Jerry. In 1960, they purchased their present day farm two miles north of Clearfield.
Elton was preceded in death by his parents, Hazel in 1974 and Allie in 1976; and Jodene's parents Honey and Ralph Schuster in 1987. Also a sister Mildred and her husband Dolan Norris, sister-in-law Virginia Brown, brother-in-law Joe Stermole, and two nephews, Rex Eugene and Steve.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife Jodene of Clearfield; daughter Marilyn Maltzahn, her husband Steve and their daughter Traci Tamerius, her husband Mike, and children Jessica and Alex all of Creston; daughter Carolyn Nelson, her husband Jim of Clearfield, and their son Danny and daughter Dana Snyder, her husband Eric and daughter Megan of Dallas Center; a son, Jerry Brown, his wife Sheila and their children Brooks and Amber of Clearfield. Elton also leaves to mourn his passing brothers, Kenneth of Grant City, MO, Rex and wife Bernice of Blockton, IA, Laverne and wife Annabell of Bedford, IA; sister Maona of Des Moines; a dear family relative Bobbie Rood of Vancouver, WA; and a host of nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.
Elton was a member of the Clearfield Lion's Club and the Blockton American Legion Post #443. He was always proud of being a WWII veteran. Patriotism, the flag, and his country were all important to him.
Everyone who knew Elton could appreciate his smile, his sense of humor, and his great love of his family and friends. He was very proud of each family member for what they had become and each friend for what they had to say. He took great pride in his farm and had a love of nature. He spent many hours hunting, fishing, trapping, gardening and reading. Education was also very important to him. Elton was always ready to attend a music program, dance recital, track meet or ball game. It was a special day when he could watch one of his grandchildren play baseball or softball. He could always tell you about each play of the game, long after everyone else had forgotten.
Many years ago, Elton had commented, "I hope I live long enough to see my grandkids play ball." And even when Elton was ready to have his surgery, he commented to the nurse, "You know I have two grandsons that will be playing college baseball this year." Elton and Jodene also loved to travel. They had spent over 20 years wintering in Las Vegas where the climate always seemed to make Elton feel better. Elton always enjoyed his friends, the food, the fun, and the basketball games on TV while in Las Vegas.
Funeral services were held at the Clearfield Methodist Church on Wednesday, August 18, 1999 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating was Rev. Al Rusk, with Patty Parrish and Kathy Nelson providing the music. Kathy played the guitar and sang, "Grandpa Tell About the Good Old Days" (the same song the granddaughters sang at Elton and Jodene's 50th wedding anniversary) and "Daddy's Hands." Patty Parrish also featured "When Angels Fly on Eagle's Wings" on the organ. Pallbearers were Elton's sons-in-law and grandsons: Steve Maltzahn, Jim Nelson, Danny Nelson, Brooks Brown, Mike Tamerius and Eric Snyder.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Clearfield was in charge of the arrangements. Memorials were made to the family to be decided at a later date. Interment was at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton, Iowa. The Blockton American Legion Post #443 conducted military graveside rites.
RUBY BELLE GRAHAM
Ruby Belle (Bowen) Graham was born July 5, 1937 to James Corbly and Ruby Lois (Smith) Bowen at her home in Benton, Iowa. She passed away August 27, 1999 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 62 years.
Growing up in a family of 12 children, Belle provided care and support for her siblings while attending Benton Community School.
On January 2, 1954, in Clarinda, Iowa, Ruby Belle Bowen was united in marriage to Donald Dean Graham and this union was blessed with two children, Steven Dean and Cynthia Colleen.
Belle created a loving home for her family and devoted special time to her grandchildren. She enjoyed crocheting, embroidery, gardening and baking for all.
Belle was a member of the United Church of Diagonal.
Preceding Belle in death were her parents; her husband Don; two sisters, Katie Butler and Annie Haley; and one brother Bobby.
Survivors include her son Steve and his wife Jerri and daughter Cindy and her husband Robert Schlapia, all of Diagonal; six grandchildren, Amanda Heck and husband Jason of North Liberty, Iowa, Amy Schlapia, Adam Schlapia, Jessica Graham, Daniel Graham and Benjamin Graham, all of Diagonal; five sisters, Sally Pratte of Junction City, Kansas, Alice Johnston of Fort Madison, Iowa, Mickey Routh of Clearfield, Iowa, Jean and husband Jim Herrington of Marion, Iowa, Kay Hulett of Osage Beach, Missouri; three brothers, Joe and wife Alice Bowen of Fort Madison, Larry and wife Sharon Bowen and Jerry Bowen, all of Benton; and many other relatives and friends.
Services were at the United Church of Diagonal on Monday, August 30, 1999 with Reverend Pam Farren officiating. Musicians were Judy Newton and Reverend Pam Farren. Casketbearers were Arnie Bowen, Gary Klejch, Eric Bowen, Ryan Bowen, Ted Johnston, Rob Graham, Tyler Bowen and Mike Routh. Honorary Pallbearers were Jack Vicker, Bill Smith, Jon Rychnovsky and John Whittington.
Interment was in the Benton Cemetery, Benton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
MARY L. HATTON
Mary L. (Denhart) Hatton passed away peacefully into the Lord's hands on August 21, 1999. She was born April 21, 1922 to Howard and Paroda (Newton) Denhart in Mount Ayr, Iowa. She married John Hatton from Corning, Iowa on July 5, 1951 and they moved to Tacoma, Washington in 1958 where they resided for 41 years. To this union were born four children, James, Teresa, Dennis and Denise.
Mary was a resident of Tacoma, Washington for 41 years and a member of Visitation Catholic Church, National Catholic Order of Foresters, Y.L.I., St. Ann's Guild, Alling Park Garden Club and the Evergreen Chapter of Women Marine Association.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack of 47 years, her parents, a sister Ninabel Stuck and nephew Charles Stuck.
She is survived by her brother John (Vada) Denhart of Mount Ayr; sister Dorthy Allpress of Redding, California; four children, Jim (Terry) Hatton of Eatonville, Washington, Teresa Hatton, Dennis (Mary) Hatton of Tacoma and Denise (Gordy) Townsend of Puyallup, Washington; grandchildren Denny, Christy, Timmy, Cody and Lucas Hatton, Mallory Townsend, John Tibbitts and due in September, Mathew North. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, Sybil Kelley, David (Cheryl) Stuck of Mount Ayr, Virginia (Dick) Janssen of Scottsdale, Arizona, Bill (Lisa) Allpress, Barbara Allpress and Debra (David) Armstrong of Redding, California.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Vigil services (Rosary) were recited Friday, August 27, at the Morley-Mellinger Chapel. Funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, August 28 at Visitation Catholic Church.
Piper-Morley-Mellinger Funeral Directors was in charge of the arrangements.
DON EDWIN BURCH
Don Edwin Burch was born June 14, 1929 on a farm in Waubonsie Township west of Benton, Iowa to Guy and Ada (Brown) Burch. He attended Benton school all 12 years of his school days and he graduated in 1948. He lived on that farm until 1944 when they moved north a few miles where he spent the rest of his life. He worked hard as a farmer for those many years, enjoying his work with raising hogs and cattle. Don passed away on September 23, 1999 at his home at the age of 70 years.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a still born brother Glen Edward; a sister Jean Louise at age 12 in 1946; a niece Kerri Dawn Hembry at age 12 in 1980; brother-in-law Clifford Force, in 1992; and nephew-in-law Larry Hembry in 1993.
Left to cherish his memory are a sister Cleta Force of Mount Ayr, Iowa; two nieces, Sharon Hembry of Bentonville, Arkansas and Glenys Essex and husband John of Independence, Missouri; a nephew Alan Force of Mount Ayr; great-nieces, Sherri Hembry of Bentonville, Arkansas and Sara Essex of Independence, Missouri; great-nephews L.J. Hembry and wife Tanya and Barry Hembry all of Bentonville; great-great-nephews John, Zachary and Derek Hembry of Bentonville as well as other relatives and many friends.
Services were at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Saturday, September 25, 1999 with Reverend Diana Holland officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Webb and Margaret Bickers provided music. Honorary pallbearers were Colby Holmes, Tom Novak, Burl Mobley, Ron Mobley, Glee Mobley, Wallace Sobotka, Clarence Barker, Bill Andrews, Randy Andrews and Bob Andrews.
Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
