Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Halsey 'Holly' O'Shea, 60, Keokuk
Halsey Roberta “Holly” O’Shea, 60, of Keokuk, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, in her home surrounded by love.
Holly was born June 8, 1956, in the state of Wyoming, the daughter of Halsey Robert and Edith Irene Leyba Bell.
She married
Michael F. Congdon and later married
Joseph L. O’Shea on Feb. 12, 1987. This Sunday would have been their 30th wedding anniversary.
She lived in different states during her younger years, and she and Joe moved back to Keokuk about 12 years ago. She had previously worked at Methode Electronics, but had devoted her life to caring for her family in later years.
Holly was of the Christian faith and liked and enjoyed playing bingo, bowling, crocheting and cooking. But most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph of Keokuk; three children, Amanda Congdon Elliott-Nichols (Vince) of Columbia, Mo., and Troy O’Shea and Tracy O’Shea, both of Keokuk; four grandchildren, Taylor and Trenton Elliott, Ava Nichols and Briley O’Shea; a brother, Donald Bell of Brooks, Ga.; two sisters: Jessica Thurman (John) of Arenzville, Ill., and Bridget Mortimer of Virginia, Ill.; her furry companion, Noodles; several nieces and nephews, including Adam Mortimer of Beardstown, Ill., Brittany Mortimer of Dallas, Texas, and Ina (Jason) Christensen of Brooks; and several close friends, including Cindy McClenthen, and Kim Fellows, who helped with her care.
Holly was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Bonnie Bell O’Dear; and her foster-mother, Gertie Root.
A celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. Friday at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center, 917 Blondeau St., Keokuk.
Gathering of friends and family will be from 11 a.m. until time of services.
Burial will follow in Keokuk National Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Keokuk Humane Society.
Renee Page, 53, Keokuk
Renee Phyllis Page, 53, of Keokuk, died Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
A gathering of remembrance for family and friends will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk.
Sam 'Flash' Vermillion, 64, Fort Myers, Fla.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – Sam “Flash” Vermillion, 64, of Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Keokuk, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2017, at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers.
Sam was born May 22, 1952, in Keokuk, the son of Sam A. and Mary Edler Vermillion.
He married
the former Diana Jacobs; the couple later divorced. They were the parents of a daughter, Alicia Dawn, who died in infancy, and for whom Sam mourned all the days of his life.
Sam attended Washington Central and Lincoln elementary schools in Keokuk, as well as the junior and senior high schools there.
He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he received training as a hospital corpsman and field medic. His proudest days were those spent in military service.
As a teenager Sam was, in effect, part of the garage band scene. He got his early “roadie” training meeting up with GONN at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Keokuk and helping carry their wall of Fender amps up three flights of stairs, or at any number of other venues in the area. He did the same for Ilmo Smokehouse, The Gallows, Brillo & The Firebirds, and others. It was not only a way to get in free, but it was a way to hang out with the bands, see how things were done, and take part in it all from the inside out.
It was while working as a roadie for “Black Oak Arkansas” that Sam earned his nickname “Flash” after setting up their electronically-triggered pyrotechnics with an excessive amount of flash powder. Flash is remembered as always happy and energetic, and even late in life he frequently posted messages to the many, many artists he had met, reaffirming his love of music, always encouraging them with his enthusiasm and spirit.
During the last 40 years, Sam has called Florida home, most recently living in Fort Myers. There Sam worked as a custom upholsterer, a trade in which he got his first experience working for Dean Bickel in Keokuk. For the last 12 years, Sam worked for Larry’s Auto Upholstery at a career he enjoyed immeasurably. It served as an outlet for his amazing artistic creativity with steel, foam, leather and canvas in reproducing original auto, RV, airplane or marine upholstery, or creating his own unique designs in a variety of products.
Sam was preceded in death by his father, Sam A. Vermillion II; daughter, Alicia; nephew, Joseph Honzik; both maternal and paternal grandparents and great-grandparents; and several uncles, aunts and cousins.
Sam is survived by his mother, Mary (Tom) Layman of Nebraska; sisters, Dodie (Larry) Honzik of Wisconsin; Amy Jones of Texas; and Mary Johnston of Iowa; nieces, LaKeisha and Dallas Jones; nephews, Dean and Philip Honzik, Marques Jones, and John Johnston; special cousin, Peg Vermillion of Keokuk; several other cousins; his many loyal and loving friends of the Ernest M Schultz II Post 351, Fort Myers; and the hundreds of friends and acquaintances across the country whose lives he touched via the music he loved.
Memorials may be made to Younger than Yesterday Student Fund, 2615 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604.
Memorial services were Jan. 24 at Ernest M. Schultz III American Legion Post 351, Fort Myers. Services included formal Legion rites, and culminated in the ceremonial release of white doves.
Interment of cremains and military committal services will be held for Sam at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, at Keokuk National Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to attend.
Neptune Society Fort Myers assisted the family with arrangements.
John Wrieden, 69, Keokuk
John Wrieden, 69, of Keokuk, died Saturday evening, Feb. 11, 2017, at his home.
Funeral arrangements are pending at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers, Keokuk.
Ora 'Butch' Bell, 67, Keokuk
Ora “Butch” Bell, 67, of Keokuk, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Great River Medical Center in Burlington.
Ora was born on Jan. 7, 1950, in Alton, Ill., the son of Neal Wayne and Ora Adelle Waltman Bell.
He was first married
to Patsy Payne Bell and she preceded him in death. He was then partnered with Vicky Stephens and she survives. He was united in marriage to Lori Shumaker on Oct. 30, 2000, in Keokuk. She survives.
Additional survivors include four sons, Michael (Jennifer) Bell, Daniel (Kim) Bell, David Bell (Lucy Leffler), and Steven Bell, all of Keokuk; two stepsons, Charles (Tricia) Biddenstadt and Dustin Biddenstadt, both of Keokuk; three stepdaughters, Lora (Karl) Porter and Patty Washburn of Quincy, Ill., and Tabatha (Charles) Russell of Keokuk; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brother, Roy (Annie) Bell of Keokuk; uncle, Irvin Bell and Susie Osterloh of Hamilton, Ill.; three sisters-in-law, Amy Smith of Canton, Mo., Kerry Bell of Hamilton and Korenda Bell of Keokuk; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; sister, Addie Bell; three brothers, Richard Smith, Bryan Bell and Charles Bell; his mother and father-in-law; a nephew; two great-nieces; and a great-nephew.
Butch was a member of New Beginnings Church, Tri-State Dive Team, Keokuk and Hamilton Ambulance, Watchdog security, and Keokuk Jaycees. He enjoyed going camping, hunting and fishing and spending time with friends.
A celebration of his life will be at 11 a.m. Monday at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers, 917 Blondeau St., Keokuk. Brother Bill Hauser and Pastor Bob Payne will officiate.
Burial will follow in Keokuk National Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
James 'Jim' Worrell, 85, Keokuk
James Vernon “Jim” Worrell, 85, of Keokuk, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Ill.
He was born June 15, 1931, in Clark County, Mo., the son of Harlan and Helen Toops Worrell.
On Jan. 20, 1962, he was united in marriage to Shirley Shaffer in Memphis, Mo. She survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Penny Oakes (Wes) of Grand Junction, Colo., and Trinette Winn (Mike) of Keokuk; two sons, Wes Worrell (Stephanie) of Boise, Idaho, and Rickie Haage of Keokuk; eight grandchildren, Nikki Oakes (Gabe) of Grand Junction, Crystal Selders (Kyle) of Grand Junction, Audrey Worrell of Boise, Christian Worrell of Boise, Michael Winn of Cedar Rapids, Colton Winn (Cami) of Keokuk, Chad Worrell (Sara) of Montrose and Travis Worrell of Sutter, Ill; seven great-grandchildren; two nieces; and his beloved cat, Socks.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Rex Worrell; a grandson, Tommy Oakes; and a sister, Velva Percival.
Jim was a veteran of the U.S. Army and proudly served in the Korean Conflict as a master sergeant.
Jim had been employed at Hubinger/Roquette in Keokuk as a foreman in the refinery for 27 years until his retirement in 1991. He later began working at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Keokuk as a delivery driver.
Jim was a member of New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk, where he and Shirley were head of hospitality, small group Bible study, Barnabas Men and D-Group Men’s Bible Study. Jim and Shirley also were members of the Circle Square B Square Dance Club in Wever.
Throughout his life, Jim enjoyed many hobbies and activities including fast-pitch softball. Jim was very well known throughout the area for his pitching. Batters from all over feared facing Jim’s pitches. Jim also bowled two nights a week for teams at Arrowhead Bowl and Ten Pin Bowl. He had over 20 trophies for high scores and bowling tournaments.
Jim enjoyed woodworking, making multiple wood crafts and small furniture. He traveled throughout the area, displaying and selling his wood crafts at craft and vendor shows.
Jim loved the Lord with all his heart and shared the love of Christ through a cross ministry. Jim made wooden cross necklaces out of cedar and gave them away. Jim’s crosses have made their way around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Canada and Austria. Jim made over 15,250 crosses and gave them all away.
Jim adored his family and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Jim will be greatly missed and continually loved and remembered by all who knew him.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday at Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, with Pastor Jason Mott and Brother Bill Hauser officiating. Burial with military rites will be held in the Keokuk National Cemetery.
Visitation will be held after 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with family meeting with friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Memorials may be made to New Testament Christian Church in Keokuk.
Ramon Weldon, Keokuk
Ramon Weldon of Keokuk died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017, in Denver, Colo.
DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers is in charge of arrangements.
Marvin "Sonny" Alberts Sr., 83, Keokuk
Marvin “Sonny” L. Alberts Sr., 83, of Keokuk, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, at Keokuk Area Hospital.
Marvin was born Sept. 3, 1933, in Keokuk, the son of Frank and Pansy McCredie Alberts.
On July 23, 1954, he was united in marriage to Mary Ellen Trugagos. She preceded him in death on June 24, 2013.
A lifelong resident of Keokuk, Marvin attended All Saints Catholic Church in Keokuk and was employed at Steel Castings in Keokuk for over 40 years. He enjoyed woodworking and planting flowers in the spring, and was known for his daily drives around town to see what was happening in Keokuk.
Marvin is survived by two sons, Marvin Alberts and his wife Winnie and Thomas Alberts and his wife Bernice, both of Keokuk; seven grandchildren, Rob, Melanie, Keith, Pansy, Cody, Tommy, and Luke; and 14 great-grandchildren, Rachel, Tevin, Ciera, Lee, Sydney, Cole, Brendin, Logan, Hunter, Ashten, Natalee, Joselynn, Nina, Rihanna, Kamari “Leeroy,” and Julianna. Other survivors include his sister Shirley Benedict of Fairfield; several nieces and nephews; and a great-granddaughter on the way.
A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Center at 1212 Concert St., with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery in Keokuk. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home, directly before the service.
DeJong-Greaves Celebration of Life Centers is in charge of arrangements.
