Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Melissa Wise, 58, Keokuk
Melissa Jo Wise, 58, died on March 15, 2017.
She was born Melissa Jo Gorham to Richard and Helen Gorham of Keokuk.
She is survived by a brother, Allan (Debbie) Gorham of Burlington; a sister, Robin Gorham of Keokuk; a daughter, Heather (Matarr) Koita of Keokuk; four grandchildren, Khalil Wise of Keokuk, Jakiya Wise of Fort Madison, Tyrese Wise of Keokuk and Kenyana Saisi of Lenexa, Kan.; and a great-grandchild, Asher Minton of Fort Madison.
She was proceeded in death by her mother.
She was a lifelong resident of Keokuk. She graduated from Keokuk High School and received a degree from Southeastern Community College. At the time of her death, she was employed at Keokuk Area Hospital. She liked spending time with her daughter, grandchildren and her father.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the Great River Medical Center ICU nurses and doctors who gave her and us your all. Flowers and memorial donations can be made directly to the family of Melissa.
Robert "Bob" David, 72, Kingman, Ariz.
KINGMAN, Ariz. – Robert K. “Bob” David passed away peacefully on March 13, 2017, in Kingman, Ariz., where he had lived for the past 30 years.
Bob was born on Aug. 3, 1944, in Keokuk, to Francis and Betty Denton David.
His childhood was spent on the banks of the Mississippi River in Hamilton, Ill.
As a teenager, he became a ham radio operator and played guitar in various local bands for many years. Bob graduated from Hamilton High School with the Class of 1962.
While growing up, he learned a great deal about handguns and rifles from his grandfather. They spent many afternoons shooting clay pigeons together, and Bob grew to appreciate and respect firearms as a result of these outings. He also enjoyed music, four-wheeling, fast cars and motorcycles.
He began his career in technology with Continental Telephone in Carthage, Ill. In 1985, he moved to Lake Havasu City, Ariz., where he was employed as a telecom equipment switchman with Citizens Utilities. He later transferred to Kingman as a software translations engineer. And in 1992, he began working for Citizens Mohave Cellular, where he excelled in wireless communications.
After almost 18 years with the cellular company, he ultimately retired in 2010. Bob often expressed to his brother how much he valued the friends he had made over the years. He said, many times, that he felt blessed to have them.
He is survived by his brother, Richard “Butch” David (Carol) and his sister, Barbara Dobbins (Bill), both of Hamilton; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and the family of his close friend, Scott Ward of Kingman.
Bob was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Bob’s final request is that his ashes be scattered from a hill on his parents’ property overlooking the Mississippi River where he grew up.
There will be a celebration of life for family and friends at a later date.
Myrtle Taube, 102, Farmington
FARMINGTON – Myrtle Evelyn Taube, 102, of Farmington, departed this life at 8:33 a.m. Monday, March 13, 2017, at West Point Care Center.
She was born July 16, 1914, the daughter of Leonard A. and Nettie Elnora Davis Sayre.
Survivors include her three sons, including locally, Daniel E. Taube of Douds and Joel A. (Rhonda) Taube of Donnellson.
Friends may call from 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. Thursday until the time of service at First Baptist Church in Farmington. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the church, with Pastor Chad Welch officiating. Burial will be in Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington.
William "Bill" Walte, 75, Sacramento, Calif.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – William Earl “Bill” Walte was promoted to glory on Feb. 27, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif., as a result of complications of Alzheimer’s disease, with his loving family by his side.
He was born on March 29, 1941 in Vallejo, Calif., and grew up in Keokuk.
After high school, he proudly served in the U.S. Army.
Bill married
his best friend and the love of his life, Carole Ann Patterson, on Feb. 27, 1965, in Hannibal, Mo. His final gift to her was that they attained 52 years of marriage before he left for his heavenly home.
He is survived by his wife, Carole of Hood, Calif.; his son, William Robert (Cindi) of Springfield, Ore.; his daughter, Lori Ann (Chuck) Laughlin of Chico, Calif.; a brother, Milton (Marilyn) of Keokuk; sisters, Violet Miles of Hoffman Estates, Ill., and Tracy Jo Walte of Donnellson; and father-in-law, Willard Patterson of Wheatley, Ark. He was very proud to be called “Pa-Pa” by his three grandchildren, Will and Ellie Laughlin and Wynter Walte. He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his little dog, Andy.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Benjamin and Dorothea Frances Marguaret Walte, and a brother, Elwin, all of Keokuk; mother-in-law, Dorothy Griffith of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and a brother-in-law, Jon Patterson of Elk Grove, Calif.
Bill worked for many years in quality control at ACM Machining and finally at Caltrans in the testing lab on Folsom Boulevard before retiring in 2011. His co-workers became his second family wherever he worked, and this was a part of how Bill would want to be remembered.
He was an avid sports fan which became a part of his family tradition. He worked at Lions Drag Strip and Orange County International Raceway checking cars’ classifications. He started youth baseball and Pop Warner football leagues when needed in Southern and Northern California. The family move to Elk Grove resulted in the formation of the Laguna Creek Junior Cardinals organization. He helped organize the Surge, CFL Gold Miners and Sacramento River Cats booster clubs.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Salvation Army Citadel, 2550 Alhambra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817. A reception will immediately follow at Brewer Hall.
A military honors ceremony and internment will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Monday, March 20 (please arrive by 11:15 a.m. for escort), at the Sacramento Valley VA National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Road, Dixon, Calif.
At Bill’s request, donations in his memory can be made to the Salvation Army at the above address.
Tracey Howe, 52, New London
NEW LONDON – Tracey Denise Howe, 52, of rural New London, died at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2017, at Great River Medical Center.
Born July 23, 1964, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Delbert and Ruth Powell Howe.
Tracey was a 1982 graduate of Danville High School and received her associate degree in nursing in 1993 from Southeastern Community College.
She loved her career as an obstetrics nurse at Fort Madison Community Hospital for 23 years, where she participated in more than 600 deliveries of babies. She also was an NRP instructor at the hospital for 15 years and was selected as Employee of the Month in August 2016. Her positive attitude was contagious. Her unique and frequent laugh would make you smile and laugh when you heard it. She truly had a heart of gold. Her compassion was never-ending. She was an excellent teacher and was an inspiration to the nursing students.
She was a member of Danville First Baptist Church, and enjoyed cooking, being on the river, and spending time with her family and grandchildren.
Survivors include her son, James Robert (Kayleigh) Glick of Quincy, Ill.; two grandchildren, Bryleigh Glick and Trevis Glick; her father, Delbert Howe of New London; and a brother, Todd (Julie) Howe of Burlington; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
She was preceded in death by her mother; son, Robert Warren; and brother, Trevis.
Friends may call from noon to 8 p.m. Friday at Lunning Chapel, Burlington, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
The memorial funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Danville First Baptist Church, with Pastor Jack Edmisson officiating.
A memorial has been established for a nursing scholarship fund in memory of Tracey Howe.
Cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Chapel, and will be accorded following the visitation.
Rhonda Reaves, 59, Bettendorf
BETTENDORF – Rhonda Lynn Reaves, 59, a resident of Bettendorf, formerly of the Burlington area, died Thursday, March 16, 2017, at Manor Care, East Locust St., Davenport.
Arrangements are pending with McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home in Bettendorf.
Robert "Bob" Brilon, 79, Keokuk
Robert Leslie “Bob” Brilon, 79, of Keokuk, passed away on March 15, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City.
There will be no funeral service, and a private burial will be held at a later date.
A celebration of life will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Hawkeye Restaurant in Keokuk.
Bob was born at home in Keokuk to Lawrence Oswald and Lillie Brilon on June 27, 1937.
He graduated from Keokuk High School in 1955.
He worked as a lab tech at Hubinger’s for a number of years and at Heinz Corp. Bob became self-employed, starting Bril-Clean and finally in 1985 started Bob Brilon Motors. Bob and Jean sold Bob Brilon Motors on Main Street in 2000 and retired. In his retirement, he and Jean went to Arizona for at least three months of every year until 2015.
Bob enjoyed the river, including racing boats in his early years, boating with his family and fishing. He also enjoyed IMCA stock car racing, where he was part of the pit-crew. Trap shooting became a huge part of his life for many years, and he was an accomplished trap shooter and avid hunter. After retirement, he started playing golf and spent his days at the Elks Club with his close friends and golfed in Arizona during the winters. Bob also enjoyed fishing on the Mississippi. Bob loved his trips to the Ozarks with his immediate family in his earlier years and then with his extended family in later years. Bob was a member of Southside Boat Club and Keokuk Yacht Club, a lifetime member of Elks Club, and a charter member of Tri-State Gun Club.
Bob is survived by the “love of his life” of 57 years, Jean, whom he married
July 25, 1959. Bob and Jean made 57 years of incredible memories together and with their children and grandchildren. Also surviving are his son, Bob Brilon in Scottsdale, Ariz.; daughters, Christine (Archie) Logan of Fort Madison and Lori Brilon of Keokuk; grandchildren, William Logan (fiance, Heather Walker) of Palatine, Ill., Tori Logan (fiance, Jeff Smith) of Iowa City, and Jenna Brilon, Jacey Brilon and Jadyn Brilon, all of Scottsdale; and great-granddaughter, Leilani Walker of Palatine.
Bob is preceeded in death by his parents and eight siblings.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tri-State Gun Club, Box 336, Montrose, IA 52639.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the Keokuk Fire Department and EMT/Ambulance Service and their neighbors, the Neff family.
Lamporte-St. Clair Funeral Home in Hamilton is assisting the Brilon family.
Walter Stephens Jr., 94, Keokuk
Walter Ray Stephens Jr., 94, of Keokuk, died Sunday, March 12, 2017, at Keokuk Area Hospital.
He was born Oct. 17, 1922, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Walter Ray Sr. and Irene Graves Stephens.
On Oct. 13, 1944, in Cleveland, he was united in marriage to Lenore Palmer. She preceded him in death in 1993. Their marriage of 49 years was filled with tenderness, love and devotion.
Upon graduation in 1940 from East Technical High School in Cleveland, he furthered his education by going to Fenn College, which is now Cleveland State University, and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and proudly served his country as a master sergeant specializing in aircraft communications during World War II, in Kauai, Okinawa and the South Pacific. He was honorably discharged in 1946.
Walter was employed by General Electric as an electrical engineer at the Nela Park lighting division in Cleveland for 38 years until his retirement in 1987. After his retirement, he was an active volunteer with the Kirtlandia Society of the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. After Lenore’s death, he developed a friendship with Betsy Hallaran, who worked at the museum. They enjoyed many years of travel and companionship.
Upon Betsy’s death in 2009, he moved to Keokuk to be close to his son, Walter Stephens III. He enjoyed being a member of the Keokuk Yacht Club. Walter made daily trips to Rand Park where he would sit on a bench for hours and watch the Mississippi River and its birdlife. He was a kind, soft-spoken and gentle soul.
Walter was very inquisitive by nature. He was fascinated by the architecture of homes and had a hobby of constructing miniature homes. Walter enjoyed photography, especially of birds and flowers, and was an avid reader of books about history and biographies. He loved to take trips and had traveled all over the world.
He is survived by his son, Walter R. Stephens III (Kathy Asbury) of Keokuk; and daughter, Carole Barton (Richard) of Loveland, Colo.; four grandchildren, Adam Stephens (Kim), Sean Barton, Jason Stephens (Julie) and Shannon Kleinbach (Jesse); seven great-grandchildren, Riley Johnson, Quinn Stephens, Nolan Stephens, George Stephens, Henry Stephens, Marin Kleinbach and Jackson Kleinbach; a nephew, Earl McClintock; a niece, Joy Burgess; and his loving sister-in-law, Alice Chojnacki, and her five children, eight grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Lenore; his friend, Betsy; and his sister, Irene McClintock.
In honor of his wishes, there will be no services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Keokuk Area Hospital Foundation or the donor’s choice.
