Alabama School Yearbooks by State and County
Gene Harris, 80
Gene Harris, 80, well-known Marshalltown, as well as state and nationally acknowledged auctioneer, died Sept. 30, 2007. His death came peacefully at 4:15 a.m. with his family at his side.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Catholic Church, with Fr. Jim Miller officiating. Being an antique lover, it is appropriate that a horse drawn funeral procession will take Gene to his final rest at Riverside Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the VFW Harry C. Harter Post #839. Friends may call at Mitchell Family Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, with a 7 p.m. vigil service. For condolences, visit www.mitchellfh.com Memorials may be directed to Iowa River Hospice in his memory. Mitchell Family Funeral Home of Marshalltown is caring for Gene and his family.
Born Eugene L. Harris on July 28, 1927, at Keswick, Iowa, he was the son of Ernest and Amanda Mary (Hurd) Harris. In 1943, the family moved to Haverhill and in 1945 Gene graduated from Van Cleve High School. Gene was a born auctioneer - obtaining the love of them from going to farm auctions with his dad. He would sell items to phone poles while out in the field and call auctions from the basement at home. He attended auctioneers school in Mason City in 1950. He served our country proudly in the United States Army during the Korean War and was stationed as an MP and game warden in Anchorage, Alaska. Gene was the only auctioneer in the world to have an auction facility on a military base. He was married to Donna Lavender on June 18, 1955, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown
He was a member and 3-year term board of director of the Iowa Auctioneers Association and inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1999. Mr. Harris owned and operated Gene Harris Auctions for 52 years, was a member of St. Mary Parish, the National and Iowa Auctioneer’s Association, National and Iowa Chapter Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, the American Legion, and the Voiture 40 & 8. This coming weekend would be the 80th semi-annual Gene Harris Clock Auction, one of his claims to fame in the industry.
Left to mourn his loss are his loving wife of 52 years, Donna; his four children Julie (Terry) Stern, Jeffrey Harris, Terry Harris and Tom Harris, all of Marshalltown; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
In death he has rejoined his parents; and brothers Joe and Richard.
Judy Hein, 61
GLADBROOK - Judy Hein, 61 of Gladbrook, died Sept. 28, 2007, at her home under the care of Cedar Valley Hospice.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook, with Pastor Bob Doner officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery in Gladbrook. Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., with the family present to greet friends at French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck. A memorial fund has been established. To send messages of condolence, visit the Web site at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com French Hand Funeral Home in Reinbeck is handling Judy/s arrangements.
Judy was born Oct. 30, 1945, in Gladbrook, Iowa, the daughter of John and Bernice (Weiben) McGowan. Judy received her education in Dinsdale, Iowa, graduating with the class of 1963. On May 28, 1966, Judy was united in marriage to Donald Claus Hein at Amity Presbyterian Church in rural Reinbeck. Judy and Don lived their married life on the family farm in northern Tama County.
Judy was a member of Peace United Church of Christ in Gladbrook. She was also member of the Legion Auxiliary in Gladbrook. Judy enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, playing cards and attending horse shows. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
She is survived by her husband Donald of Gladbrook; daughter Tracy Hein and her friend Al Hart of Olathe, Kan.; special foreign exchange student niece Silkie Weissenburg of Wedel, Germany; and one sister Carol Dinsdale of Sumner.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and sister Jan Miller.
Shirley Carter, 74
Shirley Carter, 74, died Sept. 28, 2007, at home under the care of her family and Iowa River Hospice.
Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, 1203 S. 12th St. in Marshalltown. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pursel-Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. On line condolences may be made at www.purceldavis.com Shirley’s family wishes to recognize and thank Iowa River Hospice, Emily Carson and Linda Kirk for the wonderful care they provided Shirley the past few years. Memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor may be directed to Iowa River Hospice.
Shirley was born Jan. 25, 1933, in Lewistown, Pa., the daughter of Harry and Ruth Partchey. She married Melvin Carter on July 26, 1953. They were blessed with three children Steven, Richard and Linda.
A homemaker, Shirley enjoyed knitting, fishing, camping, bingo card games and in her younger days roller skating.
She will be missed by her husband of 54 years Melvin; her children Steven (Judy) Carter of Ames, Richard (Margaret) Carter of Ames and Linda Carter of Panama City Fla.; her six grandchildren Erin, Bryan, Lisa, Mark, Matt and Nathan; and her two great-grandchildren Daphne and Maggie.
She was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Ruth Partchey; and stepfather Ira Franklin.
Alice Ridpath, 83
ELDORA - Alice Ridpath, 83, of Eldora, died Oct. 1, 2007, at Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora.
Services are pending at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora.
Edward McCoy, 81
Funeral services for Edward McCoy, 81, were held Monday morning at Fellowship Baptist Church, with Pastor Ed Hannahs officiating. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Dan Caldwell, Tim Fienup, Doug Lundgren, Stan Isvik, Scott Ralston and Bob Burgess. Honorary pallbearers were Ray Glynn, Cliff Hayes, Roland Clar, Dean Whitmore, Duane Gifford, Roger Gray and Frieda Ingham.
Groups representing Helping Hands, Evening Lions Club, Fellowship Baptist Church and Marshalltown Senior Citizens were in attendance.
Mitchell Family Funeral Home was entrusted with his arrangements.
Kenneth Niedermann, 84
Kenneth Niedermann 84, of Marshalltown, died Oct. 1, 2007, at Marshalltown Medical & Surgical Center.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Pursel-Davis Funeral Home & Crematory. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today. On line condolences may be sent to www.purseldavis.com
Born on July 10, 1923, to John and Maria Niedermann, Kenneth served his country in the Army during WWII in the South Pacific. He retired after 30 years with Lennox, having never missed a day of work due to illness. He married Ann Skarda on April 15, 1947.
Kenneth enjoyed following Polka bands and Polka dancing.
He will be missed by his wife of 60 years, Ann; his children Delores “Dee” Pohley, Elaine Niedermann, Kenneth John Niedermann Jr. and Dennis J. (Judy) Niedermann; his eight grandchildren; one step-grandchild; seven great-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and a brother Gilbert Niedermann.
Kenneth was preceded in death by three brothers; two sisters; and his parents.
Kevin R. Witt, 32
TOLEDO - Kevin Ray Witt, 32, of Toledo, died Sept. 30, 2007, following a boating accident at Rock Creek near Kellogg.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Tama, with Pastor Ron Arends officiating. Interment will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Tama. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 1 to 8 p.m., with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. A memorial fund has been established.
Kevin was born on June 30, 1975, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Byron and Jill (Harmon) Witt. He graduated from South Tama County High School in 1993, and then attended Iowa State University for one year. Kevin married Wendy Kadner on Feb. 29, 2004. He worked at Thomas Company in Tama in the plumbing, heating and electrical field.
He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Sons of the American Legion. Kevin loved his family and having fun with his friends. Kevin was a friend to a lot of people who enjoyed his sense of humor and enthusiasm for life. He cared about others, especially his family and friends. He loved the Iowa State Cyclones, Da Bears and the Chicago Cubs.
Survivors include his wife Wendy; daughters Malori, at home, and Kaitlyn “Kali” Engstrom of Oelwein; step-daughter Paige Kadner of Toledo; step-son Austin Kadner of Toledo; his parents Byron and Jill Witt of Tama; brothers Jerry (Danielle) Witt of Tama and John (Aulii) Witt of Marshalltown; father- and mother-in-law Robert (Renetta) Plander of Toledo; three aunts; one uncle; three nephews; one niece, three step-nephews; and numerous cousins.
Kevin was preceded in death by four of his grandparents.
Arlo C. Harris, 90
Rita J. Harris, 87
TAMA - Memorial graveside services will be 2 p.m. Oct. 6 in the Garden of Devotion at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Marshalltown for Arlo and Rita Harris, former Marshalltown and Tama residents. Rev. Allen Yount, grandson-in-law of Yuma, Colo., will be officiating. Kruse-Phillips Funeral Homes, Tama-Toledo is in charge of the arrangements.
Arlo Charles Harris was born March 9, 1914, in LeGrand Township, Marshall County, Iowa, the son of Charles and Alice (Teager) Harris. He grew up in the LeGrand area and graduated from LeGrand High School in 1932.
Rita Jane Harris was born on Oct. 24, 1918, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and Margaurite Emma (Carter) Herbert. She was raised in the Marshalltown community and graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1936.
Arlo and Rita were married on Dec. 9, 1936, in Marshalltown, Iowa. They worked and farmed in Marshall County until moving to rural Tama County in 1944 where they farmed until 1973. They moved to Tama, Iowa, in 1973 and lived there until they retired in Greeley, Colo., in 1981. In October 2004 they moved to Alterra Sterling House of Greeley, an assisted living facility and were residing there at the time of their deaths. Arlo passed away on Feb. 26, 2005, and Rita on April 29, 2006.
Two children came from this union, Pat (Mike) Drexel of Nelson, Neb., and Bob (JoEllen) Harris of Greeley, Colo. In addition to their children, they are survived by six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Edith G. Klar, 100
COVINA, Calif. - Edith G. Klar, 100, of Covina, Calif., formerly of Conrad, died Sept. 28, 2007, at Covlna, Calif.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Oakdale Memorial Park in Glendora, Calif. Interment will be at Oakdale Memorial Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society.
Miss Klar is survived by a host of nieces and nephews, living in California, Iowa, Oregon and Texas.
Harold Kopel, 80
A funeral Mass for Harold Kopel, 80, was held the morning of Sept. 24 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Marshalltown, with Fr. Jim Miller officiating. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Matthew Ayers, Steven Ayers, Gregory Mick, Kara Mick, Nate Kopel and Cody Kopel.
Arrangements were entrusted to Estel-Perrin-Avey Funeral Home.
Iva M. Lorenz, 93
GLADBROOK - Funeral services for Iva Margaret Lorenz, 93, were held Monday afternoon at Amity Presbyterian Church in rural Reinbeck, with burial in Grant Township (Amity) Cemetery in rural Reinbeck.
Goettsch-Perrin Funeral Home in Gladbrook was entrusted with the care of Iva and her family.
Amador Tonche-Ramirez, 55
BELLE PLAINE - Amador Tonche-Ramirez, 55, of Belle Plaine, died Sept. 30, 2007, as the result of an automobile accident in Chelsea.
Private memorial services will be Saturday at Hrabak Funeral Home in Belle Plaine, with Rev. David Crow officiating. There will be no visitation.
He is survived by his wife Debra; daughters JoAnna Tonche of Marshalltown and Patricia Tonche of Grinnell; son William (Ashley) of Des Moines; his mother Ma. Juana Ramirez of Mexico; two brothers and one sister, all of Mexico; four grandchildren; and eight step-grandchildren.
Robert Lyman, 72
A funeral Mass for Robert Lyman, 72, was held Tuesday morning at St. Henry Catholic Church, with Fr. Don Czapla officiating. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.
Casket bearers were Richard Lyman, Justin Edler, Jeff Edler, Jed Edler, Mark Safranski and John Smith. Honorary bearers were Joe Kopel, John Jay, Marcus Dittmer, Max Miller, Carlos Taylor, Herb Johnson, Charles Vry, Gene Enlow, Jon Edler and Chuck Boston.
Groups from Iowa River Hospice and Fisher Controls were in attendance.
Pursel-Davis Funeral Home & Crematory were entrusted with his arrangements.
