Leo White
Services were at 2 p.m. Saturday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston for Leo White, 73, of Van Wert, who died of a heart ailment Feb. 20, 2001, at Crest Haven Care Center in Creston. The body was cremated following the services. Burial of the cremains will be at a later date in West Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.
Mr. White was born in Cromwell and had lived in Des Moines before moving to Van Wert. He was a retired certified public accountant with Farmer’s Grain Dealers Association in Des Moines and a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand River and the Elks Lodge.
He is survived by two brothers, Wray White of Burlingame, Calif. and Duane White of Creston and a sister, Opal Jackson of Creston.
Memorial contributions may be made to his church.
Eunice Cooper
Eunice Cooper, daughter of Clarence and Cora Dennis Rhone, was born Feb. 21, 1914, in Lorimor and died April 7, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 87.
She was educated in the Lorimor schools before moving to Des Moines where she attended Catell Elementary School and Amos Hiatt Junior High School and graduated from East High School. She attended college in McPherson, Kan. and graduated from 4C’s Business College in Des Moines.
She married Clarence Everett Cooper on July 3, 1940, in Shenandoah. The couple became the parents of three children.
A homemaker she was a day worker and briefly worked at Osceola Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was a devoted member of Calvary Baptist Church in Osceola.
Mrs. Cooper was an avid reader and loved to embroider and quilt. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were a great joy.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1979; three brothers, Curtis Cloyd, Marion and Elmer Rhone; a sister, Claracy Rhone; a sister-in-law, Margaret Rhone and brothers-in-law, Ernest Bubb and Vern Wilson.
Mrs. Rhone is survived by two sons, David Cooper of Osceola and Don Cooper and his wife, Mona Cooper, of Adel; a daughter, Diann Cooper of West Des Moines; two grandchildren, Michelle Hammerberg and her husband, William Hammerberg, and Michael Cooper and his wife, Michelle Cooper, all of Des Moines; four great-grandchildren; two sisters, Vera Bubb of Astoria, Ill. and Ula Wilson of Boulder, Colo.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were April 10 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Ted Welch and Pastor George Neal officiating. Organist Laurie McKinney accompanied soloist Steve Porter as he sang Mrs. Cooper’s favorite hymns, Amazing Grace and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.
Casket bearers were Jerry Bubb, Ronald Dean Eckart, Dick Rhone, Richard Graves, Wayne Holden and Bill Dutton. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Lois M. Miller
Lois M. Miller was born on Sept. 13, 1921, in Woodburn to Harry R. and Elsie Ann Danner Heston and died April 7, 2001, of complications of heart surgery at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. She was 79.
She graduated from Norwood High School in 1940 and went to work as a waitress. She was lifetime resident of Lucas and Clarke Counties.
She married Everett Eugene Miller on Oct. 3, 1947, in Chariton and they became the parents of four children. Mr. and Mrs. Miller farmed south of Murray for 14 years before they moved to town.
Mrs. Miller worked for the Osceola Police Department as a dispatcher for 10 years and another 10 years for the Clarke County Homemaker Service.
She was a member of the Lucas Presbyterian Church and the Murray Busy Neighbor Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Ross Heston; sister, Norma Lancaster; two brothers-in-law, Frank Lancaster and Mike Sylvara; father-in-law, Clarence Miller and nephew, Bobby Sylvara.
Mrs. Miller is survived by a son, Wayne Miller and his wife, Sharon Miller, of Odessa, Texas; three daughters, Mary A. Marvin and Connie Penick and her husband, Jim Penick, of Osceola and Susan and Ron Adams of Oakland; ten grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Sylvara of Kansas City, Mo. and Minnie Schultz and her husband, Will Schultz, of Des Moines; a brother John Heston and his wife, Rose Heston, of Derby; an uncle, Jim Danner of Derby; longtime friend, Mildred Chew, of Murray; several nieces and nephews and their families.
Funeral services for Mrs. Miller were April 10 at Samuelson Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Marty Burgus officiating. Organist Virginia Reynolds played the musical selections, The Rose, Tears in Heaven and Beyond the Sunset.
Casket bearers were Jim Penick, Ron Adams, Bill Marvin, Andy Heston, Herman Danner and Gene Smith. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Carl Thomas Seibert
Carl Thomas Seibert, son of Wilferd and Helen Guthrie Seibert, was born Sept. 24, 1954, in Oskaloosa and died April 9, 2001, in Wayne County. He was 46.
Mr. Seibert worked for the Norfolk-Western Railroad in Moberly, Mo. for more than 20 years. He moved to Wayne County two years ago and worked at Power Logistics in Osceola.
He enjoyed the outdoors and especially hunting, fishing and trapping.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents and father.
Mr. Seibert is survived by his mother and stepfather, Fred and Helen Goodwin of Flagler; a daughter, Carly Seibert of Centerville; a stepson and two stepdaughters; four brothers, Rex Seibert, Kyle Goodwin and Kevin Goodwin, all of Knoxville and Mike Kincaid of Moulton; seven sisters, Jeanne Fincher of Moulton, Brette Bird of New Port Richey, Fla. Sidinia Goodwin of Knoxville, Kathy Lamphier of Oskaloosa, Jane Andrews of Marshalltown, Jackie Appler of DeWitt and Jo Ellen Bingaman of Dodge Center, Minn; and many other relatives and friends.
A celebration of the life for Carl Thomas Seibert will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Evans-McCleery Funeral Home in Knoxville, Pastor Jane Shroyer officiating. Pastor Shroyer will sing I Know a Man.
Casket bearers are Kyle Goodwin, Kevin Goodwin, Dave Dwiggans, Eric Johnson, Buddy Wright and Mike Kincaid. Honorary bearers are Joey Fincher, Adam Fincher, Greg Fincher, Tim Fincher and Frank Bird. Interment will be in the Eureka Cemetery at Harvey.
Charles Omer McVey
Charles Omer McVey, son of Jacob Izaire and Sarah Lucinda Lamb McVey, was born Jan. 31, 1904, in Leslie and died July 13, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 97.
He grew up in Clarke County and married Cora Merle Kimmel on Sept. 10, 1922, in Leon. They couple became the parents of 11 children, Eldon, Charles Jr., Darlene, Norma, Phyllis, Darrell, Robert, Carmen, Gary, Max and Truman.
Mr. McVey was a farmer and plumbing contractor. He worked on his own and also for other companies including C & H plumbing and Heating and Herman Dorman.
He made toys as a hobby during World War II. One of his favorites was a farm wagon that he made using great detail. He also bought houses and remodeled them to sell.
Mr. McVey lived in Clarke, Warren and Polk counties and returned to Osceola in 1995.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Cora in 1998; eight brothers, John, Elza, Carl, Herman, Sam, Pearl, Clyde and Gerald; five sisters, Inez, Agnes, Golda, Almeda and an infant sister; an infant granddaughter, Carol Jean Stubbs; three great-grandchildren, Malia Stubbs, Jason Miller and Michael McVey; four sons-in-law, Bill Blair Jr., Edwin Garner, Max Harlan and Leonard Stubbs Jr. and two daughters-in-law, Faye McVey and LaVonne McVey.
Mr. McVey is survived by seven sons, Charles McVey and his wife, Dorothy McVey, Darrell McVey and his wife, Joan McVey and Gary McVey and his wife, Ilene McVey, all of Osceola, Robert McVey and his wife, Clare McVey, of Mount Ayr, Max McVey and his wife, Pamla McVey of Indianola, Eldon McVey of Arlington, Texas and Truman McVey and his wife, Lori McVey, of Redlands, Calif.; four daughters, Darlene Harlan of Osceola, Carmen Neer and her husband, Dean Neer, of Lucas, Phyllis Welcher and her husband, Wayne Welcher, of Des Moines and Norma Burr and her husband, Merrill Burr, of Shenandoah; 56 grandchildren; several great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Georgie Green of Osceola and Violet McVey of Weldon; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were July 16 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Damon Hall of Waverly officiated. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied soloist, Ronda Lowry. Musical selections were Shall We Gather at the River and When the Roll is Called Up Yonder.
Casket bearers were Roger McVey, Martin McVey, Galen McVey, Steve Garner, Rickey Stubbs, Randal McVey, Dennis Blair, Kendal McVey, Kevin Neer, Steve McVey, Aaron McVey, Jeremey Neer, Jason Neer, Gary Neer, Scott McVey, John McVey, Jeff McVey, Daniel McVey, Scott McVey, Sheldon McVey, Shaun McVey, Marty Neer, James Neer, Michael Garner, Roger Garner, Roland Garner, Jeff Welcher and Ricky McVey. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarke County Ambulance or Clarke County Hospital-Nursing Unit.
Kenneth Allen Orfield
Kenneth Allen Orfield, son of William Albert and Nola Fae Allen Orfield, was born Aug. 4, 1943, in Osceola and died of cancer July 14, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 57.
He was a lifetime resident of Murray and a graduate of Murray High School.
Mr. Orfield worked in the custodial department of Dekko Automotive Technolo-gies for 27 years.
He was a big baseball fan and loved watching his favorite team, the Atlanta Braves.
Mr. Orfield was baptized into Christ on May 3, 2001 at the Osceola Church of Christ.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a brother, Paul Orfield; brothers-in-law, Michael Stevens, Fred Lewis and Lawrence Perry and sisters-in-law, Helen Orfield and Peggy Orfield.
Mr. Orfield is survived by three sisters, Karen Stevens of Des Moines, Helen Lewis of Creston and Dorothy Wake and her husband, Raymond Wake, of Thayer; two brothers, Clarence Orfield of Murray and Wayne Orfield and his wife, Lorna Orfield, of Indianola; several nieces and nephews; other relatives; many co-workers and friends.
Funeral services were July 18 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Doug Hamilton of the Osceola Church of Christ officiated. Congregational hymns were The Old Rugged Cross and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Vince Stevens, Russ Flaherty, Bill Killebrew, Roscoe Imhoff, Osa Foltz and Rollin Daly. Interment was in Murray Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Osceola Church of Christ Building Fund or the Murray School Special Education Program.
Orville Smith
Orville Smith, son of Henry Murphy and Nellie Hammer Smith, was born March 27, 1909, near Linn Creek, Mo. and died July 15, 2001, at his home in Fontanelle. He was 92.
His parents moved to Iowa when he was young and he attended school in Altoona and New Howe in Des Moines.
Mr. Smith married Wilma Elaine Wright on Aug. 14, 1931, in Osceola. The couple became the parents of one son, Melvin William.
He lived in Osceola before he moved to Atlantic where he lived most of his life. He moved to Fontanelle in 1988
He worked as a mechanic and foreman for the Iowa State Highway Commission. He received special recognition for forty years of service from the Highway Commission when he retired in 1974.
Mr. Smith was a member of the Weekend Rough N It Camping Club in Atlantic. He liked camping and fishing and was an avid story teller.
He and his wife fellowshipped with the First Congregational Church in Fontanelle.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, Elaine, in 2000 and an infant brother, Ralph, in 1906.
Mr. Smith is survived by his son, Melvin Smith and his wife, Vinita Smith, of Fontanelle; four granddaughters, 11 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; cousins, Audra Robins of Weldon, Gary Robins of Murray and Terry Robins of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Visitation will be after 9 a.m. July 20 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with family present to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. on July 21 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, the Rev. Donald Wright of Creston officiating.
Casket bearers will be Doug Bremer, Steve Petersen, Allen Friday, John Pottebaum, Shane Petersen, Scott Petersen, Spencer Petersen, Jason Bremer and Eric Friday.
Lois Edna Umsted
Lois Edna Umsted, daughter of Lewis E. and Edith Margurite Greene Orwan, was born April 23, 1908, at Lorimor and died July 10, 2001, at Kavanagh House in West Des Moines. She was 93.
She received her education in the Dayton schools and graduated from Dayton High School.
She married Clyde LeValley Umsted on April 7, 1927, in Fort Dodge. The couple became the parents of five children. They moved to a farm near Truro in 1940, where they were very active in the community.
Mrs. Umsted was a member of the Model Chapter No. 174 Order of the Eastern Star in St. Charles, the Past Matron’s Club, the United Methodist Church in Truro, the United Methodist Women’s Club and the United Methodist Women’s Guild.
Mrs. and Mr. Umsted moved from the farm into Truro in 1976. Mr.Umsted died in 1993 and she moved to West Des Moines in 1994. She lived at Sterling House in Des Moines for a year and then at Fountain West in Des Moines for a year before just recently moving to Kavanagh House.
She will always be remembered for her fantastic cooking, her sense of humor and her devotion to her family.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her son, Donald Umsted; a great-great-granddaughter, Amalya; a brother Bill Orwan and a sister, Betty Lou Orwan.
Mrs. Umsted is survived by four daughters, Marilyn Miller and her husband, Norman Miller, Alice Meek and her husband, Jerry Meek, all of West Des Moines, Joan Starr and her husband, Donald Starr, of Des Moines and Jane McCarty and her husband, Dennis McCarty, of Winter Haven, Fla.; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Catherine Cooper of Winterset and Jean Silverthorn of Earlham; a brother, Frank Orwan of Cherokee Village, Ark.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were July 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Truro, the Rev. Dennis Shepherd of Truro officiated. Doris Johnson, organist, accompanied vocalists, Wendy Thorson and Aaron Miller as they sang How Great Thou Art and Just a Closer Walk with Thee.
Casket bearers were Brett Cole, Jim Tough, David O’Brien, Adam McCarty, Mike Fugate and Stephen Miller. Interment was in Young Cemetery in Truro.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Truro or Hospice of Central Iowa.
GERALD SCHOOLEY KARNS
Gerald S. Karns, son of Sherman Richard Karns and Tracy Cordelia Schooley, was born Jan. 25, 1907, in Woodland Township in Decatur County. The sixth of 12 children,, Mr. Karns died July 25, 2001, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center in Osceola. He was 94.
He married Marie Pace on May 12, 1933, in Salina Kan. The couple became the parents of three daughters, Helen “Corky”, Vallie and Maryla.
His roadwork career began at age 12 in Decatur Count when he worked for $4 a day and furnished his own team of horses. He worked for the Iowa Highway Commission in Leon for 10 years. He became a dragline operator in 1934. Mr. and Mrs. Karns moved Creston in 1939 and lived there for 14 years before moving to Osceola 19 years ago to make their home. For more than 43 years he served in 37 different counties in Iowa before retiring.
He was a 66-year Mason and member of the Grand River Lodge No. 78 AF &AM in Leon. Mr. Karns was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola and lived his life by the Ten Commandments.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years on June 30, 1983; his parents; two sisters, Dorothy Ziegler and Macil Hedlund; seven brothers, Dwight, Dale Clayton, Glen, Vern, Lloyd and Morris; a son-in-law, Jay Pearcy and a grandson James (Jim) Harold Percy.
Mr. Karns is survived by his three daughters, Helen C. Holden and her husband, Richard Holden, of San Antonio, Texas, Vallie K. Pearcy of Osceola and Maryla R. Hart and her husband Dale Hart, of Osceola; two sisters, Lucille Kosmickie of Martin, S.D. and Eloise Reynolds of Leon; six grandchildren, Richard C. Holden Jr. and his wife, Luann Holden and John Dale Holden and longtime friend, Linda Fuller, of San Antonio, Texas, Michael ”G”. Holden and his wife, Rachele Holden, of Jacksonville, Fla., Deanna Hart Cobb and her husband, John Cobb, of Lake Forest, Calif., Ryan Hart and his wife, Peggy Hart, of Fort Binning, Ga., and Daniel Jay Pearcy of Osceola; 11 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; nieces; nephews, other relatives and friends.
WALTER ‘CASEY’ JONES
Walter Ronald Jones, the third of nine children, was born December 8, 1927, in Van Wert to David and Lillian Jones. He died July 27, 2001, in the Clarke County Hospital at Osceola. He was 73.
He lived most of his life in Van Wert. He married Viva McKee of Grand River on Aug. 6, 1948. They became the parents of five children. The marriage ended in 1967. He had a very close friendship with Ramona Huss of Des Moines from 1968 until his death.
Mr. Jones had a busy, productive life. He served in the armed forces and worked for 31 years for John Deere Ankeny Works. He was active in the Firefighter unit of the Shrine and built and maintained a home in Van Wert. As important as his work was to him he took time for play. He enjoyed many hours of boating and water skiing when he was younger.
The two loves of his life were his garden and his family. He was justifiably proud of his garden and its produce which he shared and showed off generously. He enjoyed family gatherings with his brothers and sisters and their families and with his daughters and their families.
Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, Worth Jones; a nephew, Wendell Jones Jr. and a brother-in-law, Glen VanDyke.
Mr. Jones is survived by his two daughters, Linda Rex and her husband, David Rex, and Joyce Wood and her husband, Al Wood, of Newton; three sons, Eugene Jones of Redding, Calif., Richard Jones of Los Angeles, Calif. and Wayne Jones and his wife, Charlotte Jones, of Cornelius, Ore.; two brothers, Warren Jones of Des Moines and Wendell Jones and his wife, Charlotte Jones, of Van Wert; five sisters, Wynette Van Dyke of Osceola, Winona Crawford and her husband, John Crawford, of Indianola, Wanda Jones of Overland Park, Kan., Willene Arthur and her husband, Lawrie Arthur, of Parkville, Mo., Wilda Kay Kent and her husband, James Robert Kent, of Lawrence, Kan.; a sister-in-law, Viola Jones of Van Wert; former wife, Viva Jones of Newton; special friend, Ramona Huss of Pleasant Hill; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; and a host of friends.
A memorial service will be at 5 p.m. Aug. 4 at the Van Wert Assembly of God in VanWert with Pastor James Black of Newton officiating. Mr. Jones’ expressed wish was donations be made to the Assembly of God Church in lieu of flowers. The cremains will be buried in the Van Wert Cemetery.
LYLE DALE REASONER
Lyle Dale Reasoner of Grand River, son of Floyd George and Gladys Viola Long Reasoner, was born Nov. 10, 1923, in Union County and died July 28, 2001, in the Clarke County Hospital at Osceola. He was 77.
He graduated from Thayer Community High School. After graduation Mr. Reasoner worked for the CB&Q Railroad out of Creston. He later transferred to Kansas City where he continued to work for the railroad through Western Union Telegraph Service.
He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from December 1948 until he was discharged in September 1951. He returned to the Murray Grand River area where he farmed.
He married Bonnie Bell Jackson in 1952 in Osceola.
Mr. Reasoner was a member of the Hopeville United Methodist Church, a former member of the Grand River and later Murray American Legion, Creston Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Creston Eagles.
He was preceded in death by his wife in 1989; a brother, Robert Reasoner in March 1981; a sister-in-law, Frances Reasoner and a brother-in-law, John James.
Mr. Reasoner is survived by four brothers, Olin Reasoner and his wife, LaViece Reasoner, of Murray; Keith Reasoner and his wife, Donna Reasoner, of Hamilton, Va., L.W. John Reasoner of Sheridan, Wyo. and Don Reasoner and his wife, Deloris Reasoner, of Osceola; a sister, Avis James of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Frankie Cochran and her husband, Johnnie Cochran, of Broken Bow, Okla.; many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Aug.1 at the Hopeville United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Burial was in the Hopeville Cemetery with military rites by the Theodore J. Martens Post No. 1797, VFW of Creston. Arrangements were by Powers Funeral Home in Afton.
Memorial contirbutions may be made in Mr. Reasoner’s name to the Hopeville United Methodist Church.
PHILLIP PAUL WHITE
Phillip Paul White, youngest son of Celester Paul and Gladys Eve Shundlemire White, was born March 30, 1932, and died July 13, 2001, at his home in Council Bluffs. He was 69.
While growing up he lived and attended schools in New Virginia and Osceola. As a teenager, he worked at the old Lyric Theater running the projectors to help his mother and pay for his own clothes and school expenses.
After graduating from Osceola High School at 19, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He trained at the Great Lakes U.S. Naval Training Center in Illinois. From Dec. 14, 1951, to Dec. 18, 1959, he was on active duty with the Navy. He was on inactive duty until 1963. Mr. White was very proud of being in the Navy and serving his country.
While he was in the Navy he served aboard the U.S.S. Ellyson, DMS-19 from April 5,1952, to October 1954. The ships home port was Charleston, S.C. In October 1954 the Ellyson was one of three ships the United States gave to Japan. He transferred to the U.S.S. Gainard DD 706 from October 1954 to 1959. This ship was a 2200 ton destroyer. Its home port was Newport Rhode Island. While he was in the Navy he was on two world tours and was involved in several Korean conflicts and occupations. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Navy Occupation Service Medal.
After retiring from the Navy, Mr. White worked at Wilson Packing Company in Omaha, Neb. for a number of years and then worked at Campbell Soup until he retired.
He married Lenora Bellows and lived in Council Bluffs.
Mr. White loved to hunt and fish. His hobby was collecting fishing rods and reels.
Preceding him in death were his parents; infant brothers and a sister, Merle, Harry, James and Fernella; his wife; two brothers, Calvin A. White and Celester Clyde White; a sister-in-law, Sophia Bell Deemer White; a nephew, Jimmie White; nieces, Gladys Emma Jean White and Phylis Lu Jean White and great-niece Randi White.
Surviving Mr. White are his nephews, Joseph White and his wife, Sue White, of Omaha, Neb., Michael L. White and his wife, Barbara White of Council Bluffs, Randall E. White and his wife, Wanda White, of Florence, Ala. and Jeffrey P. White and his wife, Christina White of Red Oak, Texas; nieces Kathy Mesick of Omaha, Neb. and Betty Lou White of Arizona; a sister-in-law, Lucille White of Red Oak, Texas ; great-snieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.
Graveside services were July 17 in Memorial Park Cemetery at Council Bluffs. The Rev. Gary Hollers of Southside Christian Church officiated.
McCurdy Funeral Home of Council Bluffs was in charge of arrangements.
RICHARD W. SLOAN
Richard Wesley Sloan, son of Lishe Perkins Sloan and Jessie Ada Dean Sloan, was born March 9, 1917, at Murray and died July 30, 2001, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center from complications from diabetes. He was 84.
He spent his youth in Murray and attended the Murray school.
Mr. Sloan married Mable Irene Wolfe on May 5, 1940, at the Christian Church parsonage in Winterset. The couple had four children, Mary, JoAnn, Barbara and Donna. After their marriage they lived in Murray until 1942 when they moved to Des Moines. They moved to Osceola in 1948.
He was a truck driver for the E. I. Sargeant Quarries until he retired in 1979. After retirement he continued to operate his Sloan Sharpening Service until he retired from this business in March.
Mr. Sloan enjoyed anything with wheels on it. He enjoyed being home with his family, playing cards and making a drive around town. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Barbara Jean in 1975; brother-in-law, Bart Funkhouser; sister, Mary Funkhouser; brother-in-law, Leo Wolfe and sister-in-law, Marie Craig.
Mr. Sloan is survived by his wife, Mabel Sloan of Osceola; three daughters, Mary Schwartz and her husband, Lou Schwartz, of Kansas City, Mo., JoAnn Stubbar and her husband, Larry Stubbar, of Marion, Donna Sloan of Osceola; three grandchildren, Jeff Schwartz of Kansas City, Linda Klein and her husband, Steve Klein, of Marion, Brian West and companion, Josie Johnston, of Des Moines; four great-grandchildren, Brandina Klein of Marion, Brittany West, Patricia Johnston, Dominique Johnston, all of Des Moines; five stepgrandchildren, Darla, Cindy, Eleanor, Jeff and Sue; three nieces, Rita Doyle and her husband, Mike Doyle, Connie Preston and her husband, Stan Preston, Sandra Bisbee and her husband, Tom Bisbee, and their families as well as other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were held at Kale Funeral Home Aug. 1 with the Rev. Phil Coe officiating. Music was provided by organist Loretta Carper who accompanied Emil Rinderspacher who sang The Old Rugged Cross and In The Garden. Interment of cremains was in the Murray Cemetery.
Donald George O’Grady
Donald George O’Grady, the son of Stephen and Jenny Conwell O’Grady, was born March 23, 1921, in Decatur County and died Jan. 18, 2002, at Lamoni Nursing and Rehab Center in Lamoni. He was 80.
He lived his entire life near Grand River. A farmer, he also did road and other construction for many years throughout Iowa as well as Tule Greenland. At Tule he helped with runway construction in the 1950s. He owned and operated a farm north of Grand River until illness required him to move to Casual Living in Osceola. He later moved to Lamoni Nursing and Rehab Center.
Mr. O’Grady was an outdoorsman and an avid hunter and fisherman.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Pauline McCann and two great-nephews, Michael and Douglas O’Grady.
Mr. O’Grady is survived by a brother, Eugene O’Grady and his wife, Dorothy O’Grady, also of Grand River and residing in Boulder City, Nev.; a niece, Margaret McCann of Chicago, Ill.; two nephews, Richard O’Grady and his wife, Rosalie O’Grady, of Boulder City and James O’Grady and his wife, Karen O’Grady, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; two great-nieces and three great-nephews.
Mr. O’Grady was cared for by Steven and Lauralee O’Grady during his last years at Casual Living and Lamoni Nursing and Rehab.
Funeral services were Jan. 24 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand River, the Rev. Father Thomas Dooley officiating. Pianist Anna Arnold accompanied the congregation as they sang Amazing Grace, Prayer of St. Francis and Be Not Afraid.
Casket bearers were Jim Harris, Rowdy O’Grady, Steven O’Grady, Richard Schwalbe, Joe Shields and Ron Stark. Interment was in O’Grady Cemetery near Grand River.
Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon was in charge of arrangements.
Mamie Fayteen Reed
Mamie Fayteen Reed, daughter of Albert John and Anna Janssen Folkerts Henrichs, was born Oct. 27, 1908, in Clarke County and died Jan. 25, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 93.
She received her education in the rural schools in the Jamison area and graduated from New Virginia High School. She married Guy Madison Reed on Sept. 2, 1928, at the Methodist parsonage in New Virginia. The couple became the parents of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Reed celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in September 1998.
Mrs. Reed was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Her mother died when Mrs. Reed was a teenager and that left her to be the caregiver of her younger brothers and sisters. After Mr. and Mrs. Reed married their home was always open for family and friends.
She lived all of her life in Clarke County and was member of the Cheery Pal Neighborhood Club, 4-H Club leader, long time member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola, United Methodist Women and an honorary member of Esther Women’s Circle.
Mrs. Reed had a large vegetable garden until the last few years. She loved caring for her children and grandchildren. In the winter when there was no gardening she enjoyed quilting and piecework. She made a quilt for each of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Ivan, Everett and Harold Henrichs; two sisters, Doris Henrichs and Elsie Sanderson; two sisters-in-law, Edith Garner and Ethel Devol and a son-in-law, Larry Hart.
Mrs. Reed is survived by her husband of 73 years; three sons, Darald Reed and his wife, Bettie Reed, of Winchester, Va., Marion Reed and his wife, Betty Reed, of Fallbrook, Calif. and Ronald Reed and his wife, Linda Reed, of Osceola; two daughters, Marilyn Dorland and her husband, Merrill Dorland and Shirley Hart all of Osceola; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; a brother Floyd Henrichs and his wife, Irene Henrichs, of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Jean Henrichs of Osceola; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Reed were Jan. 28 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. James Louk officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied soloist, Ronda Lowry, as she sang Amazing Grace and My Mother’s Hands.
Casket bearers were Cole Page, Cass Page, Parker Edgington, Kevin Dorland, Gary Reed and Merlyn “Bud” Jones. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarke County Chapter of the American Cancer Society.
Florence Thornton
Florence, M. Thornton, daughter of Clayborn Thornton and Dora Wiley Thornton, was born May 13, 1906, in Osceola and died Jan. 25, 2002, at Westbridge Care and Rehabilitation Center in Winterset. She was 95.
She spent her childhood in the Osceola area, attended the Osceola schools and graduated from the Osceola High School in 1925.
Ms. Thornton began her career as a secretary at a law firm in Osceola. During World War II, she worked as a secretary for the United States Government in Washington D.C.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola. She was also an active member of Christian Women’s Fellowship, and served as past president. She enjoyed playing the organ in her spare time.
Ms. Thornton lived in Winterset for seven years and had also lived in Des Moines and Clinton while working for the government.
Preceding her in death were her parents; and two brothers, Russell and Harry Thornton.
Ms. Thornton is survived by a sister-in-law, Edith Thornton of Osceola; two nephews, Merrill Thornton and his wife, Lou Thornton, of Urbandale and Nelson Thornton and his wife, Mariann Thornton, of Winterset; seven grand nephews and nieces; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
She was cremated and memorial services and burial of her cremated remains will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church in Osceola or Middle River Hospice in Winterset.
Melvin N. Berg
Melvin Neckolie Berg, son of Hans and Anna Johnson Berg, was born Jan. 3, 1912, in Garnes Township, Minn., and died March 17, 2002, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. He was 90.
He received in his education in Plummer, Minn. He had been a lifetime farmer, worked as a bread salesman for 14 years and most recently had been the custodian at the First Christian Church in Winterset for 10 years.
Mr. Berg married Vera Banks in October 1932, in Story City. They became the parents of four children, Melvin, James, Sandra and Kenneth.
Vera Berg died on May 24, 1985, and in September 1986, Mr. Berg married Lenore I. Husted in Winterset.
He was a member of the First Christian Church. He enjoyed working with plants and flowers, his moring coffee groups and when he was younger he liked hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed his many friends and was always willing to help when needed.
Mr. Berg was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Vera and his son, James.
He is survived by his wife, Lenore Berg of Winterset; son, Melvin B. Berg Jr. of Oceanside, Calif,; son, Kenneth D. Berg of Costa Mesa, Calif.; daughter, Sandra L. Piper and her husband, Jim Piper, of Carver, Mass.; eight grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; a sister, Louella DuCamp of Three River Falls, Minn. and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the First Christian Church in Winterset on Saturday, March 23 with Dr. Bobby Dickerson officiating. Organist Sherry Young accompanied Keith Sawyers, who sang In The Garden and Just a Closer Walk With Thee.
Burial was in the Peru Cemetery. Casket bearers were Roger Banks, Randy Banks, Van Banks, Jerry Banks, David Pickar, Bob Banks. Honorary bearers were Doyle Frank, James Myers, Thorman Campbell, Gene Trask, Bill Myers, Raymond Spurgin, Bruce Myers and Walter Heimberger.
Kale Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Britteny H. Miller
Services were March 27 at Powers Funeral Home in Creston, for Britteny H. Miller, 8, of Creston who died at Greater Community Hospital following a drowning accident March 23, 2002, at the YMCA in Creston.
The Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiated. The burial was in Graceland Cemetery in Creston. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Britteny was born Dec. 15, 1993, to Tracy Alan Miller and Fawn Michelle Self Miller in Des Moines. She lived in Creston, Michigan, Texas and Delaware before returning to Creston in December 2000. Britteny was a second grade student at Lincoln Elementary School in Creston.
She was the best child in the world, a great student and wonderful sister. Britteny, whose nickname was peanut, could always be found with a smile on her face and a chuckle in her tummy. She liked camping and traveling. She also loved school, riding her bike and playing with friends and giving her brothers a hard time. She loved the sky and loved to fly. She piloted her first plane when she was four and never stopped trying to reach the stars. She dreamed of becoming an astronaut.
She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandmother, Kathryn Thornburg and great-grandfather, Floyd Rehard.
Britteny is survived by her parents; three brothers, Tristen Miller of Creston, David Miller and Jeremy Miller of Phoenix, Ariz.; grandparents, Verna Self and uncle Cody Self of Murray and David and Mary Miller of Creston; great great-grandmother, Iva Marvin of Leon and greatgrandmother, Doris Lone of Creston; three uncles, Jason Miller, Doug Pierce and Scott Miller, all of Creston and a special uncle, Larry Davis of Milford, Del.
Sylvia Ann Brown
Sylvia Ann Brown, daughter of Frank John and Karoline Cervenka, was born Dec. 31, 1919, in Chicago, Ill. and died March 19, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 82.
She moved with her family from Chicago to Bonaparte in 1930. She graduated from high school in Bonaparte. She worked in an ammunition plant during World War II.
She married Kenneth Brown on Feb. 17, 1946, in Denver, Colo. The couple became the parents of three sons, Kenneth, Donald and Eugene. They lived in Murray the past 56 years.
Mrs. Brown was an avid reader and she liked to write and draw. She was a member of the Murray Church of Christ and a member of the Murray American Legion.
Preceding her in death were her parents.
Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, Kenneth Brown of Murray; three sons, Kenneth R. Brown and his wife, Patricia Brown, of Maple Park, Ill., Donald R. Brown and his wife, Helen Brown, of South Elgin, Ill. and Eugene L. Brown of Murray; five grandchildren, Kendal Brown and Alicia Brown, both of Maple Park, Amy Brown and Leah Brown, both of South Elgin and Dustin Brown of Murray; two great-granddaughters; a brother, Frank J. Cervenka and his wife, Mable Cervenka, of Macon, Mo.; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were March 22 at Murray Cemetery. Pastor Gil Hamilton of Murray officiating. Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Casket bearers were George Simmerman, Jim Oaks, Bob Fleckey, Dustin Brown, Kelly Simmerman and Pat Flaherty.
Memorials may be made to the Murray Lions Club.
