Thomas Michael Macy
Funeral services for Thomas Michael Macy, 41, of Rochester, Minn. were Nov. 17 at Advent Lutheran Church in Cedarburg, Wis., the Rev. Janis Kinens officiating. Mr. Macy, son of Myron and Patricia Sanders Macy, was born April 4, 1958, in Osceola and drowned Nov. 13, 1999, at a marsh in Jackson, Wis. Memorials may be made to any nature conservation society.
Peggy Edith Roe Chew
Peggy Edith Roe Chew, daughter of John Martin and Viola Eveline Curtis Roe, was born June 22, 1943, in Lucas County and died Nov. 19, 1999, at the Rochester Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minn. She was 56. Services were Nov. 23 in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Memorials may be made to a fund to be established for the Dermatology Department at Mayo Clinic in Rochester.
Ruth Nadine Howell
Ruth Nadine Howell, daughter of Elbert Edward and Edith Arlene Souders Reynolds, was born May 28, 1928, in Osceola and died Nov. 21, 1999, of cancer at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 71. Funeral services were Nov. 24 at the United Methodist Church in New Virginia, the Rev. Skip Rushing and the Rev. Raymond Wicks officiating. Services will also be held Nov. 27 at the United Methodist Church in Bridgeport,Texas, the Rev. Johnny Irish officiating. Interment will be in East Bridgeport Cemetery, Bridgeport. Memorials may be made to the New Virginia Library, New Virginia Rescue or the United Methodist Church in New Virginia.
Chad Michael Crenshaw
Chad Michael Crenshaw, son of Eddie Wayne Crenshaw and Beverly Jo Knight Crenshaw Sims, was born Nov. 12, 1980, at Des Moines and died Jan. 7, 2002 at his home in Afton. He was 21.
He received his education in the East Union Schools at Afton. He has been employed as a lineman at Rose Acre Farms in Winterset for the last year and a half. He lived for a brief time in Des Moines before moving to Lorimor where he lived for 18 years. He moved to Afton in October 2000.
He was involved in sports activities while in school. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, collecting models and his dog, Dixie.
He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Evelyn Knight, uncle, Mark Knight, grandfather, Edsel Clarence Crenshaw, cousin, Joshua Ray Cook, great-grandparents, Dorothy and Benny Knight, Paul and Edna Steeve and Henry and Alice Iiams.
Mr. Crenshaw is survived by his son, Dustin of Winterst; his mother Beverly Sims and her husband, Hershel Sims of Osceola; father, Ed Crenshaw of Afton; two brothers, Ryan Crenshaw of Winterset and Nicholas Crenshaw of Afton; grandparents, Duane and Colleen Knight of Pharr, Texas, and Evelyn Lorena Owens of Creston; aunts and uncles, Linda and Mike Clark and Roy James Crenshaw, all of Creston, Richard Gary Crenshaw of Murray, Steve Knight of Afton and Mary and Donnie Faux of Patterson; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Crenshaw were Jan. 12 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe of the First Christian Church in Osceola officiating.
Casket bearers were Jim Rushing, Eric Faux, Kevin Faux, Jeremy Smith, Jason Dillinger, Dave Schloemer and Tom Ballard. Honorary bearers were Eric Kilpatrick, Shawn Roach, Eli Hoffman, Dustin McVay, Dan Goodemote, Dick Rutledge and Greg Cook. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorials may be directed to the family.
Leona Landers
Leona Landers, daughter of George W. Wolfe and Flossie T. Roberts Wolfe, was born Dec. 18, 1912, in Murray and died Jan. 11, 2002, at the Christus St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas. She was 89.
She graduated from Murray High School and received certified nurses aid training.
She married Kenneth Russell Landers on Oct. 15, 1933, in Osceola and the couple became the parents of four children. Mrs. Landers was a homemaker and worked as a nurses aid.
Mr. and Mrs. Landers bought a farm south of Thayer and lived there until 1984 when they retired and moved to Osceola. She was a member of the Murray Church of Christ.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1996; brother, Wayne Wolfe and a sister, Irene Smith.
Mrs. Landers is survived by three daughters, Shirley Sikes and her husband, James Sikes, of Alleene, Ark., Martha Booth and her husband, Gary Booth, of Georgetown, Texas and Nancy Medders and her husband, Raymond Medders, of Northwood; a son, Kenneth Landers and his wife, Ruth Landers, of Royal, Ark.; a brother, Leonard Wolfe of Murray; 10 grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Landers were Jan. 14 at the Murray Church of Christ, Pastor Marty Burgus, Pastor Brian McCracken and the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied Pastor McCracken as he sang In the Garden and Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Kevin Simmerman, Douglas Simmerman, Michael Simmerman, David Booth, Donald Booth and Freddie Powers. Honorary bearers were Katherine Simmerman, Angela McCormick, Janice Medders, Kelly Hughes, and Kimberly Easter. Interment was in the Murray Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Murray Church of Christ, Osceola Senior Citizens Center, or the Murray Cemetery Association.
Milford LeRoy Osland
Milford LeRoy Osland, son of Endre and Beatrice Osland, was born May 21, 1930, in Buffalo Center and died at his home in Tucson on Dec. 28, 2001. He was 71.
He married Bernadine Smith on Dec. 2, 1951. The couple were married for 50 years.
Mr. Osland farmed in Iowa and Nebraska and helped start Appleby’s Ornamental Iron in Tucson. He was an owner and operator of a local trucking firm.
A good man he always considered others before himself.
He was preceded in death by his parents and four brothers.
Mr. Osland is survived by his wife in Tucson and three sons, Allen Osland of Lincoln, Ill., Ron Osland of Tucson and Stan Osland of Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; four sisters, Opal Dwyer, Norma Appleby, Irene Johnson and Shryl Vollmer, all of Omaha, Neb.; and sister-in-law, Verlee Henrichs of Osceola.
Graveside services were held at East Lawn Cemetery in Tucson on Jan. 2. A reception was held following the service at the Osland home.
Cameron Gracey
A memorial service was Jan. 4 at McLaren’s Funeral Chapel in West Des Moines for Cameron Gracey, 27, of Norwalk who died of complications following a liver transplant Dec. 31, 2001, at the University Hospital-Omaha, Neb.
Burial of the cremains was in the Norwalk Cemetery.
He was born in Des Moines to Curtis “Curt” and Sandra “Sandy” Gracey of Norwalk. He lived his entire life in Norwalk and worked in customer service for Wells Fargo NETS. Division.
Mr. Gracey was a member of the Norwalk Christian Church and was an avid bowler.
In addition to his parents he is survived by a brother, Ryan Gracey of Des Moines and maternal grandmother, Gretchen Hagen of Van Wert.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Heart Connection at Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines.
Gerald Blackford
Gerald Glenn Blackford, son of Ferne Belle Hines Blackford and William Blackford, was born May 4, 1934, in Polk County and died Jan. 5, 2004, at Senatobia Convalescent Home in Senatobia, Miss. He was 69.
He attended country schools in Clarke County and graduated from Truro High School in 1953. He married Marilynn Murray in September of 1955. They became the parents of four children, Darrel, Russell, Ruth and Bonnie.
Mr. Blackford lived in Jamison for 33 years and farmed most of his life. He loved farming and raising hogs. He enjoyed watching wrestling. He was also a truck driver, carpenter and worked as a janitor at the Osceola schools.
Mr. Blackford was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Kenneth Duane Blackford in infancy, Harold Blackford and Harley James Blackford.
He is survived by two sons, Darrel Glenn Blackford and his wife, Lynn Blackford, of Crenshaw, Miss. and Russell Blackford and his wife, Brenda Blackford, of Delta; two daughters, Ruth Smith and her husband, Jay Smith of Delta and Bonnie Zoe Zugg and her husband, Gregg Zugg, of Fremont, Neb.; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four sisters, Helen Bea Dutton of Osceola, Velma F. Hunter of Indianola, Marjorie Linsley of Summerset and Maxine Norlin of Indianola; a brother, Edwin Blackford of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Blackford were held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola on Jan. 21, Pastor Chuck DeVoss officiating.
Honorary bearer was Mike Clark.
Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in the Jamison Cemetery in Clarke County.
Beulah Caylor
Beulah Veda Sams Caylor, daughter of George and Rosetta Klages Sams, was born April 8, 1921, in Lucas County and died of an aortic aneurysm Jan. 11, 2004, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 82.
She married Chester L Caylor on Sept. 2, 1938, and they became the parents of a daughter, Karen Joyce.
Mrs. Caylor lived in Lucas County her entire life and had resided in her current home since 1954. She worked at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola for 30 years before she retired in 1983.
She enjoyed attending dances in Woodburn and surrounding areas. Mrs. Caylor was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who enjoyed cooking everyone’s favorite foods when they came to visit.
She was preceded in death by parents; infant brother, Gerald Lester; husband and a sister Margaret Pennington.
Mrs. Caylor is survived by her daughter, Karen Kauzlarich and her husband, Bill Kauzlarich, of West Des Moines; a granddaughter, Debbie Kolo of Newton; two great-grandchildren, Brandon and Jessica Kolo of Newton; a sister, Georgene Caylor of Chariton; brother -in-law, Lewis Pennington of Lucas; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Caylor of Osceola and Rose Caylor of Chariton; her special friend, Bill Richman; as well as a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were Jan. 16 at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, the Rev. Silas Anderson conducting the services. Burial was in the Chariton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Woodburn Boosters Club.
Gladys Goodman
Gladys Leona Goodman, daughter of Sarah Hinchliffe DeBok and William Henry DeBok, was born on April 19, 1903, in Cordova and died Jan. 13, 2004, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. She was 100.
She grew up in Newton and graduated from Newton High School. She married Oky Valdimar Goodman on Oct. 24, 1927, in Fort Dodge. They became the parents of three children.
Mr. and Mrs. Goodman lived in Oskaloosa until 1972 when they moved to Osceola. Mrs. Goodman was a homemaker. She was a member of the Osceola United Methodist Church and P.E.O.
Mrs. Goodman was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1989 and a daughter-in-law, Delores Goodman.
She is survived by two sons, Jon Goodman and his wife, Karolyn Goodman, of Scottsdale, Ariz. and Tom Goodman of Vernal, Utah; daughter, Gene Froyd and her husband, Russ Froyd, of West Des Moines; nine grandchilden; 10 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Private graveside memorial services will be held at the Colfax Cemetery at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Osceola United Methodist Women.
Robert Howard
Robert Dean Howard, son of Orville Sterling Howard and Alice Katherine Eno Howard, was born Jan. 20, 1924, in Indianola and died Jan 18, 2004, at the Madison County Hospital in Winterset. He was 79.
Mr. Howard attended St. Charles schools and graduated from St. Charles High School. He married Helen LaVonne Gamble and they became the parents of four daughtrs, Diana, Linda, Roxanne and Melanie.
Mr. Howard lived all of his life in the St. Charles area. He was a manager and service man for Northern Propane Service and also a bus driver for Interstate 35 Schools for 23 years. He was a 50-year member and Past Master of Model Lodge no. 315 A.F. &A.M. and a member of Model Chapter no.174 O.E.S.
Mr. Howard was a member of the St. Charles United Methodist Church and was the official bell ringer for the St. Charles Parish. Mr. and Mrs. Howard taught Sunday School and sponsored a youth group for 12 years. They were Sunday School superintendents at the St. Charles Parish for many years.
Mr. Howard was an avid sports fan. He loved the Cubs, the Yankees, the Hawkeyes and the Interstate 35 Roadrunners. He was a Little League coach and umpire. He was always a happy man. He had a great sense of humor and always had a smile. He loved dogs and children.
Mr. Howard was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Betty.
He is survived by his wife; four daughters, Diana Lindsey and her husband, Kevin Lindsey, of Des Moines, Linda Pound and friend Paul Madsen of Waukee, Roxanne Beeler and her husband, Dennis Beeler, of Truro and Melanie Ritchey and her husband Roger Ritchey of Indianola; a sister, Judy Frey and her husband, Bernard Frey of Texas; 12 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Howard were Jan. 21 at the St. Charles Parish Church in St. Charles, the Rev. Darold Snow of St. Charles and the Rev. Joan White of Winterset officiated. Vocalists were The Howard Sisters. Organist was Anne Johnson and musical selections were How Great Thou Art and Because He Lives.
Casket bearers were Bobby Root, Michael Pound, Abe Ritchey, Matt Ritchey, Jake Ritchey and Raymond Gamble. Honorary bearers were Kevin Lindsey, Roger Ritchey, Galen Smith, Paul Madsen, Steve Wearmouth, Dennis Beeler, Bill Mingles and Randy Jones. Interment was in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Robert Irwin
Robert Merrill Irwin, son of Vera Taylor and Fon K. Irwin, was born in New Virginia on Nov. 28, 1928 and died in Mexia, Texas on Jan. 15, 2004. He was 75.
He grew up in New Virginia and graduated from New Virginia High School. He married Ardys Smalley on July 8, 1949, in New Virginia. They became the parents of four children, Mike, Bill, Betty Jo and Pat.
Mr. Irwin worked in construction for the Weitz Company for 24 years as a warehouse manager. He drove an 18 wheeler over the road for 13 years and farmed for most of his life. He was also a real estate broker for 10 years. Mr. Irwin was proud of the 12 years he served as mayor of New Virginia.
He was a member of the New Virginia United Methodist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Irwin lived in New Virginia until three months ago when they moved to Mexia, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Bill Irwin and a grandson, Samuel David Irwin.
Mr. Irwin is survived by his wife; two sons, Michael Irwin and his wife, Cindy Irwin of Yukon, Okla. and Pat Irwin and his wife, Michele Irwin, of Mexia; a daughter, Betty Jo Garner and her husband, Roger Garner, of New Virginia; daughter-in-law, Marci Irwin of Butler, Mo.; grandchildren, Carrie and Steve Zellmer of Kansas City, Manuel and Sharee Irwin of Groesbeck, Texas, John Irwin and Thomas Irwin of Mexia, Jamie and John Gelner of Des Moines, Julie Garner of Truro and Amanda Garner of Murray; a great-grandchild Natasha Brasure of Groesbeck; aunt, Betty Ann Taylor of Lamesa, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Ilene Porter and her husband, Morris Porter, of Pleasanton, Texas and Marge Smalley of Grand Island, Neb.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Irwin were Jan. 19 at the New Virginia United Methodist Church, the Rev. Skip Rushing and Pastor Jim Patrick officiating. Organist Deb Downing accompanied soloist Reba Reed as she sang The Old Rugged Cross, In the Garden and Just a Closer Walk With Thee.
Honorary bearers were Herb Taylor, Wayne Weeks, Doug Wickett, Merlin Morris, Richard Hatcher, Jim Reed and Norville Huston.
Interment of the cremains was in the New Virginia Cemetery.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro assisted the family with arrangements.
Neal Lohr
Neal M. Lohr, son of Fredrick Lohr and Edna Merle Buckingham, was born Sept.17, 1925, in Wayne County and died at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola on Jan. 18, 2004. He was 78.
Mr. Lohr attended school in Wayne County and Corydon. He served in the U.S. Army from 1950 to 1952 and was stationed in Korea. He received an honorable discharge and served in the active reserves for five years.
He married Frances June Fuller on Nov. 28, 1954, at the Hopeville United Methodist Church. They became the parents of two children, Michael and Nancy.
Mr. Lohr worked on farms in Warren County for three years before they moved to Clarke County where he farmed for 16 years. He moved to Osceola in 1974 and worked at Farmer’s Cooperative for 10-1/2 years. After the Co-op closed he worked at Bethphage for a year and at the Osceola Senior Center for 1-1/2 years. Mr. Lohr carried papers for the Des Moines Register off and on for 26 years. He retired in 1992.
He was a member of the New Zion Methodist Church while in Corydon and a member of the Hopeville United Methodist Church in Hopeville.
Mr. Lohr was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Dale, Dean and Clare Lohr and two sisters-in-law.
Mr. Lohr is survived by his wife of Osceola; a son, Michael Lohr of Chariton; a daughter, Nancy Lohr of Osceola; a grandchild, Elizabeth Ann Lohr of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Marie Lohr of Corydon; other relatives and friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Lohr are today (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Hopeville United Methodist Church offficiating.
Interment of the cremains will be in the Hopeville Cemetery. Military grave rites will be by the Davis Pence Post No. 69 American Legion of Osceola.
Family will be pesent to greet friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m.Wednesday at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopeville United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.
Horace Redman
Horace Clair Redman, fourth child of Benjamin Franklin and Sarah Jessie Wilson Redman, was born July 14, 1913, on the family farm south of Van Wert and died Jan. 13, 2004, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. Mr. Redman recently celebrated his 90th birthday and was very proud of the fact he received 105 cards from well wishers at a card shower.
He attended the Good Hope Country School in Decatur County and graduated from Van Wert High School. He married Wanda Edith Cole on Dec. 31, 1934, in Osceola and they became the parents of six children.
Following the death of his father Mr. and Mrs. Redman dedicated themselves to the family farm. They remained on that same farm for 68 years before they relocated to Osceola just a year ago.
Mr. Redman’s life revolved around his family, farming and cattle buying. In later years he enjoyed playing golf, cards and growing beautiful flowers. He and Mrs. Redman traveled to Phoenix, Ariz. for 20 years where they enjoyed winter retirement.
In addition to his family and the farm, Mr. Redman had a great love for horses and had owned teams for more than 70 years. He sold many teams over the years to circuses and even Loretta Lynn. He loved to drive his teams in area parades and at the Living History Farms in Des Moines. He gave rides to many people, even the Governor of the State of Iowa. Mr. Redman was invited to drive one of his teams at Madison Square Garden.
He was preceded in death by three infant daughters; an infant grandson; his parents; two brothers, Clifton and Raymond; two sisters, Madge and Doris; two sisters-in-law, Louise Redman and Nadene Redman and three brothers-in-law, Russell Kernen, Jack Smith and Jim Baker.
Mr. Redman is survived by his wife of 69 years; three sons, Danny Redman and his wife, Carolyn Redman of Burwell, Neb., Dave Redman and his wife, Jane Redman, of Leon; Dick Redman and his wife, Ronda Redman, of Pella; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Marie Baker of Salinas, Calif.; as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Jan. 17 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola for Mr. Redman, the Rev. Rev. Judson Stover officiating. The eulogy was given by Earl Hanthorne and the obituary was read by Sarah Middleton and Jeanna Hoekstra. The organist was Virginia Reynolds and soloist was Ronda Lowry. Musical selections were You’ll Never Walk Alone and Somewhere My Love.
Casket bearers were Bill Adamson, Ronald Boles, Frank Binning, Duayne Fletcher, Richard Kernen and Bob Chastain. Honorary bearers were Rod Eccleston, Bob Sink, Ryan Redman, Todd Middleton, Wayne Sink, Malcom Tiedje, Casey Redman, Mike Max, Vernon Binning, Chris Redman, Shannon Hoekstra, and Denny Brockman. Interment was in the Van Wert Cemetery.
Maynard Bartell
Maynard Bartell, 77, of Mystic died Jan. 8, 2003, at St. Joseph Mercy Medical Center in Centerville.
Mr. Bartell, the son of Frank and Millie Sherrill Bartell, was born May 8, 1925, in Windom, Minn. He married Mildred Bartell in 1946 at Hudson. She preceded him in death in 1988.
He married Elba Bonus on March 11, 1995. He worked at John Deere in Ankeny for 41 years and farmed all his adult life. Mr. Bartell enjoyed hunting and fishing and was an antique collector.
Mr. Bartell was a member of the Drake Ave. Christian Church in Centerville.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred, a sister Frances and his parents.
Mr. Bartell is survived by his wife, Elba,; a daughter, Barbara Nancy DeVore and her husband, John DeVore, of Centerville, a son, Kenneth M. Bartell and his wife, Wanda Bartell, of Osceola; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nine stepchildren; 14 stepgrandchildren; 17 great-stepgrandchildren; two brothers, Lester B. Bartell of Nevada and Tom Bartell of Osceola.
Funeral services were Jan. 11 at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home in Centerville with Pastor Carl Heien officiating. Interment was in the Palestine Cemetery at Huxley.
Clifford "Ham" Collins Sr.
Clifford “Ham” Collins Sr., was born on March 22, 1908, at St. Marys to Roy and Minnie Spence Collins and died Jan. 20, 2003, at the Winterset Care Center South in Winterset. He was 94.
His mother died when he and his three siblings were very young. His father, a railroad section foreman, with the help of his Granny and later a second wife, Pearl, raised the childen in a stable home. It didn’t last long however. When he was 15 his father died. His stepmother had several young children to care for so the 15-year-old, was on his own.
He became a person to call when any job needed doing. He worked as a farm worker, hunter, trapper, carpenter and painter. During the Depression in the 1930s he rode the rails in search of work. During World War II Mr. Collins was in the U.S. Army and served in Europe and Africa.
He often said, “I’ve seen it all.” In 1947 he met and married Louise McCartt. She had five children from a previous marriage and they became the parents of a son, Clifford Jr.
He owned a small apple orchard and delivered the Sunday paper for many years. He enjoyed the outdoors.
Mr. Collins was a talented artist and painted beautiful local scenery, specializing in covered bridges. He was parade marshal for the Covered Bridge Festival at Winterset in 1992. He was a model for a local artist. His picture was published in Country Woman magazine and on the cover of the book, Be Careful What You Wish For.
Over the last few years his vision dimmed but not his memories. He loved to reminisce and share his stories of life in the early 20th century.
He was preceded in death by his wife; two sisters, Irene Hastie and Mary Anderson; three brothers, Willard, Emil and Dorwin Collins, a stepson, Robert Donaldson and two granddaughters.
Mr. Collins is survived by a son Cliff Collins II and his wife Cathie Collins of St. Charles; two stepdaughters, Martha Lambert of Moline, Ill. and Pat Lathrum and her husband, Johnnie Lathrum, of St. Charles; two stepsons, Ralph Noel and his wife, Marilyn Noel, of Norwalk and Jack Foreman and his wife Carolyn Foreman, of Oklahoma City, Okla.; 18 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene Collins of Woodland, Calif. and Russell Collins of Carson City, Nev.
Funeral services are today (Thursday) at 1:30 p.m. at Kale Funeral Home in Truro, the Rev. Sandy Smith officiating. Burial is in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Claude Edwards
Claude F. Edwards, 68, of Des Moines died of congestive heart failure Jan. 11, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Services were Jan. 18 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Burial was in Glendale Cemetery.
Mr. Edwards was born in Lexington, Tenn. and had lived there until he moved to Des Moines in 1971. He was a retired auto detailer with Edwards Auto Detail.
Mr. Edwards is survived by six daughters, Eddi Sue Edwards of Lexington, Claudia Allen and Tiffany Lee, both of Des Moines and Carlotta Edwards, Mary Edwards and Penny Edwards, all of Huntington, Tenn.; a stepdaughter, Sheila Keenan and a son J. D. Griffin, both of Des Moines; two stepsons, John Keenan of Des Moines and Scott Keenan of Osceola; 10 grandchildren, a brother, James Edwards of Des Moines; and two sisters, Joyce Edwards of Lexington and Maekepel Edwards of Champagne, Ill.
Merna Dean McDowell
Merna Dean Overholtzer McDowell, 85, former Grand River resident, died Jan. 12, 2003, at a health care facility in Maryville, Mo.
The daughter of Walter and Gladys Boles Overholtzer, Mrs. McDowell was born Jan. 16, 1917, in Grand River. She married Matthew McDowell on Jan. 16, 1935, and spent most of her life as a homemaker on the family farm south of Grand River.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church and was active in Sunday School, church and the Women’s Society of Christian Service. Mrs. McDowell enjoyed playing the piano and organ. She was a good cook. She and her husband enjoyed camping together.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1988 and her parents.
Mrs. McDowell is survived by her three children, Marla West and her husband, Mitchell West, of Miles, Texas, Janice Padgitt and her husband, Dennis Padgitt, of Maryville, Mo. and Frank McDowell and his wife, Rita McDowell, of Urbandale; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Maurine Poore and her husband, Glen Poore, of Osceola and Eula Williamson of Clearwater, Fla.; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. McDowell were Jan. 16 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Terry D. Roberts officiating. Virginia Webb was organist.
Casket bearers were Mike West, Alan West, Jim Easley, Doug Padgitt, Curt Balcom and Shawn Andreasen. Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery.
Roberta Proudfoot Porter
Roberta Agnes Porter, daughter of Fay Millard Proudfoot and Florence Elizabeth Williams Proudfoot, was born July 3, 1916, in Clarke County and died Jan. 15, 2003, at the Kavanagh House on Grand in West Des Moines. She was 86.
She attended rural schools in Clarke County and graduated from Osceola High School in 1933. She earned her normal teachers training certificate following her graduation.
She married Ralph Augustus Porter on April 10, 1934, in Osceola and the couple became the parents of six children, Margaret, Victor, Virginia, Sandra, Rob and Pam.
Mrs. Porter lived most of her life near Truro. She was a former 4-H leader, a member of WSCS and the Farm Bureau. She baked wedding cakes for people in the area. She enjoyed oil painting, reading, sewing and was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed playing the organ and listening to her grandchildren sing.
Her faith was important to her. Early in life she received Christ as her Savior. She attended the Osceola Presbyterian Church as a girl and then soon after she was married she joined the Truro Methodist Church. She became a member of Calvary Baptist Church in St. Charles in 1968.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1978; a brother, Merrill Proudfoot; a sister, Ruth Smith and great-grandson, Joshua Kissinger.
Mrs. Porter is survived by four daughters, Margaret Cronk and her husband, Bud Cronk, of Des Moines, Virginia McClelland and her husband Bob McClelland, of Truro; Sandra Chittenden and her husband, Art Chittenden, of Urbandale and Pam Knapp and her husband, Tim Knapp, of Winterset; two sons, Victor Porter, of Lander, Wyo. and Rob Porter and his wife, Linda Porter, of Des Moines; 20 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Maurice Proudfoot and his wife, Elaine Proudfoot, of Palm Desert, Calif.and Ronald Max Proudfoot and his wife, Christine Proudfoot, of Twenty Nine Palms, Calif. as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Porter were Jan. 18 at the First Baptist Church in Winterset, Rob Porter and Pastor Doug Helton officiating. Pianists were Lori Mc Kinney and Kate Bedwell. Vocalists were Mrs. Porter’s granddaughters, Sarah Porter, Deborah Porter, Heather Knapp, Kristin Poage, Corina Cronk and Ashley Knapp. Music selections were Be Still and Know, Just a Closer Walk With Thee, How Great Thou Art, In the Garden and God So Loved the World.
Casket bearers were her grandsons, Rob McClelland, Andrew Knapp, John Porter, Jason Chittenden, Mark Cronk, Jeff Chittenden, Danny Porter, Victor Porter, Charles Porter and Mason Davey. Interment was in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Home of Osceola and Truro.
Lelan White
Lelan Franklin White, son of Ephraim Arthur “Dick” White and Cora Hines White, was born in Missoula, Mont. and died Jan. 15, 2004, at Westview Care Center in Leon. He was 87.
He married Dorothy Vasey White on Oct. 25, 1938. Mr. and Mrs. White were farmers in the Midwest and lived mostly in southern Iowa.
As a young man Mr. White rode bareback in the rodeo, played the fiddle and guitar for local dances and went coon hunting. Later in life he enjoyed playing cards, listening to country music and playing with the many children in the home and holding his dog, Jackie.
Mr. White was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.
He is survived by his wife of Grand River; five children, Wayne White and his wife, Kathy White, and Larry White and his wife, Diane White, all of Garden Grove; Dale White of Harris, Mo.; Alice Tabb and her husband, Tom Tabb, of Liberty, Mo. and Rick White and his wife, Kathy White, of Grand River; 14 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and foster children; three brothers and sisters, Walter White of Raytown, Mo., Everett White of Windsor, Mo. and Wanda Pahlow of Sedalia, Mo.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. White were Jan. 19 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating.
Casket bearers were Ralph Vasey, Steve Vasey, Jack Vasey, Gary Patterson, Kenneth Patterson and Charlie Knotts. Interment was in the Peru Cemetery.
Neil Offenburger
Neil Offenburger, son of Henry and Myrtle Smith Offenburger, was born March 20, 1912, in Lacona and died Jan. 3, 2002, at the Indianola Good Samaritan Center in Indianola. He was 89.
A lifelong resident of Lucas, Clarke and Warren Counties he worked as a supervisor for Johnson Machine Works in Chariton for 35 years and was a farmer. He loved farming, fishing and family.
He was married to Vivian Griffin, who preceded him in death.
Mr. Offenburger attended Norwood Methodist Church in Norwood.
He is survived by three sons, Don Offenburger of Chariton, Larry Offenburger of Des Moines and Ron Offenburger of Glendale, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Sylvia Hull of Osceola and Mary New of Corydon.
Funeral services for Mr. Offenburger were Jan. 7 at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton, the Rev. Jeff Hull officiating. Burial was in the Norwood Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Tenco.
Clifton Benjamin Redman
Clifton Benjamin Redman, son of Benjamin Franklin and Sarah Jessie Wilson Redman, was born Jan. 21, 1907, at the family homestead in Van Wert and died Jan 2, 2002, at Westview Acres Care Center in Leon. He was 94.
He grew up near Van Wert on his parents’ farm and attended Stone and Good Hope rural schools and Van Wert High School. He was proud of his spelling and mathematical skills. He was a longtime member of the Van Wert Methodist Church.
As a young man he farmed with his father and worked at the Binning Ranch in Pinedale, Wyo. His favorite memories were of these times and he often spoke fondly of them.
H married Louise Flora Smith in June 1934 and they began married life on the farm he and his father built south of Van Wert. The couple became the parents of four children.
Mr. Redman loved horses and always had many on his farms. He raised registered Hereford cattle for many years. He was a good neighbor and friend and always available to help others.
He served on rural school boards and was elected president of the Leon school district. He served on the tax assessors committee for several years. A great sports fan, he favored baseball especially Pete Rose and Johnny Bench of the Cincinnati Reds.
He is survived by his four children, Phyllis Bierbaum and her husband Don Bierbaum of Fort Collins, Colorado, Jane Ackerman and her husband, Bob Ackerman, of Rogers, Ark., Darrell Redman of Korea and Nancy Hill and her husband, Gary Hill, of Liberty, Mo.; seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; a daughter-in-law, Sharon Long and her husband, Larry Long, of Indianola. He is also survived by a brother, Horace Redman and his wife, Wanda Redman, of Van Wert; a sister, Marie Baker and two sisters-in-law; nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors and friends.
Services for Mr. Redman were Jan. 7 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Robert Ackerman officiating. Organist Virginia Webb accompanied Terry Roberts as he sang Amazing Grace, Sweet By and By and Ivory Palaces.
Casket bearers were Eric Ackerman, Robert Ackerman, Don Bierbaum, Gary Hill, Ben Redman and Davey Redman. Interment was in the Van Wert Cemetery.
