Victor Keith Smith
Victor Keith Smith, the son of Ida Pearl Driver Smith and Milo Clifton Smith, was born Nov. 10, 1928, in Clarke County, and died of cancer on July 25, 2002, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.
He was educated in Madison County country schools and married Beverly VanScoy on Nov. 19, 1949, in Princeton, Mo. Five children were born to the couple, David, Diane, Donna, Denise and Duane.
Mr. Smith had lived in Decatur and Clarke County. He was a farmer and enjoyed working his fields and his cattle. He loved his family and said the grandchildren were what kept him going. He was always helping somebody who needed help. Until his health failed he enjoyed going to the Humeston sale and visiting with people. The last five months were spent in and out of hospitals. He appreciated the many visitors.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; a brother; a son, David in 1999; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marie and Lyle VanScoy.
He is survived by his wife, Beverly; a daughter, Diane Loney and her husband, Tom Loney, of Weldon; a daughter, Donna Irving and her husband, Rick Irving, of Woodburn; a daughter, Denise Morris of Osceola; a son, Duane Smith and his wife, Tena Smith, of Woodburn; and daughter-in-law, Sue Smith, of Bedford; eight grandchildren, Jennifer Snyder of Altoona, Jackie Miller and her husband, Doug Miller, of Osceola, Rick Irving Jr. and his wife, Brenda Irving, of Woodburn, Brian Irving of Woodburn, Dana Irving and her finacé, Travis Wright, of Woodburn, Hilary and Holly Smith of Woodburn, and Jason Smith of Forest City; four great-grandchildren, Morgan Snyder, Alexa Irving, Allison Miller and Elayna Irving, as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were conducted July 29 at the Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton, presiding. Pennie Gonseth was organist. Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola with the following casket bearers, Monty Spencer, Travis Wright, John Elsen, Jason Smith, Brian Irving and Rick Irving Jr.
James E. Gilreath
James E. “Jim” Gilreath, 70, of Coolidge, Ariz., was born Sept. 28, 1931, in Grand River. He was the son of E. Dale Day Gilreath and Harold Gilreath. He died Aug. 16, 2002, in Casa Grande, Ariz. He graduated from high school in Grand River and joined the Army. He received the Silver and Bronze Stars for service in the Korean War and Bronze Star in Vietnam. He also received a Purple Heart and retired as a Sergeant Major. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion in Coolidge. Mr. Gilreath was an avid golfer.
Survivors include a brother, William Gilreath and his wife, Doris, of Greeley, Colo.; a niece, Mary C. DiManna and her daughter, Dominique, of Thornton, Colo., other relatives and friends.
Interment of the cremains will be Friday, Oct. 11, 2 p.m., at the O’Grady Cemetery, north of Grand River. The Rev. Lyle Peters will officiate. Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home, Leon, is in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Maxine Goodrich
Lillian Maxine Saddoris Goodrich, the daughter of Charles Saddoris and Lena Marks Saddoris was born Dec. 22, 1912, in Clarke County and died Oct. 6, 2002 at the Rose Vista Home in Woodbine. She was 89.
She received her education in the Clarke County Schools and began teaching in rural schools in 1931. She pursued a nursing career in Chicago and worked for a doctor,
She married Carl Goodrich on Sept. 6, 1937, in Kansas City. They spent most of their lives in Clarke County except for 12 years in Omaha and Council Bluffs. The couple became the parents of three sons, Kendall, Carmen and Randol.
Mrs. Goodrich became a member of the Osceola Assembly of God in 1954 and accepted Jesus as savior. She enjoyed seeing the new church facilities built.
Mrs. Goodrich took great joy in the activities of her family and watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow through the school years, later education, getting married, having families and seeing them involved in church.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1975; her parents and parents-in-law; two brothers, Richard and Lyle Saddoris; a sister Juanita Mateer; a daughter-in-law, Kathryn Goodrich and a great-granddaughter.
Mrs. Goodrich is survived by her sons, Kendall Goodrich and his wife, Janet Goodrich, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Carmen Goodrich and his wife, Sandra Goodrich, of Woodbine and Randol Goodrich and his wife, Cynthia Linder Goodrich, of Elkhart; nine grandchildren, Lynn and Leana Goodrich and Wayne and Jessica Goodrich, all of Woodbine; Michelle Goodrich of Littleton, Colo., Katrina Watson and her husband Val Watson, of Colorado Springs, Sonia Johnson and her husband, Chris Johnson, of Ames, Stephanie Berglund and her husband, Scott Berglund, of Afton, Wyo. and Randi Goodrich of Elkhart; four great-grandchildren; five stepgrandchildren; and twelve great-stepgrandchildren ; a sister, Charlene Jones and her husband, Clifford Jones, of Osceola; as well as brothers-in-law; sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Goodrich were held Oct. 9 at the Osceola Assembly of God, Pastor Carmen Goodrich and Pastor Chuck DeVos officiating.
Pianist was Leana Goodrich. Musical selections were Peace written and performed by Leana Goodrich, Peace In the Valley by Sonia Johnson accompanied by Chris Johnson and Mansion Over the Hilltop by Pastor Chuck and Helen DeVos.
Casket bearers were Michelle Goodrich, Lynn Goodrich, Wayne Goodrich, Craig Mateer, Lanny Jones and Brian Stuva. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Memorials may be made to the Osceola Assembly of God in her name.
Arrangements were made by Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Raymond P. LeFebvre
Raymond Paul LeFebvre, son of Walter Ismal LeFebvre and Ella Mae Leitzen LeFebvre, was born Oct. 9, 1930, in Mapleton and died Oct. 6, 2002, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 71.
He received his education in the Mapleton schools and then served his country as a company clerk in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.
Following his time in the service he was married to Gloria Colleen Morgan on Dec. 28, 1954, in Mapleton. The couple became the parents of four children, Karla, Kary, Kelly and Kurt.
Mr. and Mrs. LeFebvre lived in Mapleton and Correctionville for short periods of time before moving to Cherokee where they lived for two years. They lived in Charles City for 11 years and Ottumwa for four years before moving to Caroll for seven years. Mr. LeFebvre retired from Fareway Grocery Stores in 1991 and they moved to Osceola to make their home.
Mr. LeFebvre was a member of Saint Bernard Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, both in Osceola and Herndon Oehlert American Legion Post No. 157 in Woodburn.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife in 2001; grandson Brandon Ray Phillips in 1978 and grandson Eric Jason Phillips in 2001.
Mr. LeFebvre is survived by a daughter, Karla Bassett and her husband, Rod Bassett, of Osceola; three sons, Kary LeFebvre and his wife, Karen LeFebvre of Cresco; Kelly LeFebvre of Osceola and Kurt LeFebvre and his wife, Mary LeFebvre of Grimes; seven grandchildren, Jerad Phillips of Iowa City, Kayla, Kameron and Kolby LeFebvre of Cresco, Morgan and Taylor LeFebvre of Grimes and Kristen LeFebvre of Des Moines; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Services for Mr. LeFebvre will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 11, the Rev. Lyle Peters officiating. Organist will be Anne March and vocalist will be Karen LeFebvre and musical selections will be Ava Maria and On Eagle’s Wings. Interment of the cremains will be in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola. Graveside rites will be by Herndon-Oehlert Post No. 157 American Legion of Woodburn.
Memorials may be made to Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Mr. LeFebvre’s name.
Vigil will be at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
James L. Oaks
James L. Oaks Sr., son of James E. Oaks and Gladys Alma Burr Oaks, was born Aug. 20, 1935, in Guthrie Center and died Oct. 2, 2002, at his home in Murray after a lengthy struggle with cancer. He was 67.
He attended grade school in Guthrie Center and high school in Excelsior Springs, Mo. He married Mary Ellen Knight on Dec. 26, 1958, in Des Moines. The couple became the parents of two children, Jim and Penny.
He spent his early years in Guthrie Center and had lived in the Murray area for the last 32 years. He was a heavy equipment operator for Clarke County Secondary Roads for 23 years. He retired in August of 1997.
Mr. Oaks liked restoring antique tractors, deer hunting, camping and spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed people and loved supporting the town of Murray and the Murray Community School. He was always willing to lend a helping hand wherever needed,
He was a member of the Murray Community Development Corporation, past member of the Murray Fire Department and a member of the Murray Athletic Booster Club.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a sister Clara Bell in infancy.
Mr. Oaks is survived by his wife, Mary of Murray; a son, Jim Oakes Jr. and his wife, Kim Oaks of Murray; a daughter, Penny Van Huss and her husband, Brandon Huss, of Churchill, Tenn.; three grandchildren Jesse and Shawn Oaks of Murray and Emma Van Huss of Churchill; two sisters, Audrey Rudd and her husband, Tom Rudd, of Arkansas City, Kan. and Alice Coffman and her husband, Vaughn Coffman, of Tamarac, Fla.; a brother, Noah Oaks and his wife Mary Oaks, of Brookville, Fla.; two sisters-in-law, Pat Metzler and her husband Bruce of Kenosha, Wis. and Georgia Paulsen and her husband, Rich Paulsen, of Creston; his mother-in-law, Mary Baker of Afton; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Oaks were held Oct. 5 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Brian McCrackenof Murray officiating. Organist was Pennie Gonseth.
Casket bearers were Bill Carper, Mike Jackson, Bill Arnold, Bill Kerns, Rod Adams and Wayne Phillips. Honorary casket bearers were Ted Nowakowski, Lynn Paddleford, Jerry Brown and Clarke County Secondary Roads Employees. Interment was in the Murray Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Murray Community Schools.
Guy Madison Reed
Guy Madison Reed, son of William Reed and Samantha Twyford Reed was born July 27, 1905, in Clarke County and died Oct. 1, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 97.
Mr. Reed was educated in the Clarke County rural schools and married Mamie Fayteen Henrichs on Sept. 2, 1928, at the Methodist parsonage in New Virginia. The couple became the parents of five children, Darald, Marion, Marilyn, Ronald and Shirley.
Mr. Reed lived all of his life in Clarke County. He was a lifelong farmer and his lifelong hobby was raising cattle. He loved playing the violin and banjo. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time with his grandchildren.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife; a son, Marion Reed; sisters-in-law, Edith Garner and Ethel Devol and son-in-law, Larry Hart.
He is survived by two sons, Darald Reed and his wife, Bettie Reed, of Winchester, Va. 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; a daughter-in-law, Betty Reed, of Fallbrook, Calif.; 11 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild; a brother-in-law, Floyd Henrichs and his wife, Irene Henrichs, of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Jean Henrichs of Osceola; other relatives and a host of friends.
A funeral service for Mr. Reed was held Oct. 5 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. James Louk officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied soloist, Pastor Chuck DeVos, as he sang Daddy’s Hands and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were Cass Page, Cole Page, Parker Edgington, Tyler Edgington, Gary Reed, Kevin Dorland and Jacob Dorland. Honorary casket bearers were Barry Henrichs, Merlyn “Bud” Jones and Kelly Page. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer Association-Guy Reed Memorial, 919 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1000, Chicago, Ill. 60611-1676.
James LeRoy Rumley
James LeRoy Rumley, son of LeRoy and Helen Rose Snyder Rumley, was born Nov. 14, 1928, in Decatur County and died of a heart attack Oct. 4, 2002, at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 73.
He graduated from Leon High School. Mr. Rumley worked in Kansas City and served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He was in Korea for a year and four months.
After the service Mr. Rumley worked as a superintendent for Stewart Sand in Kansas City. He drove a dredge down the Missouri River. He remained in Kansas City until 1971when he moved to the Des Moines area. As a custodial engineer for the City of Des Moines he took care of community centers all over the city.
Mr. Rumley married Beverly Jeanne Lumadue in 1974. After he retired he and Mrs. Rumley made their home in Runnells from 1991 until 2000. They moved to Van Wert two years ago and he was elected to the Van Wert City Council.
He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 69 of Runnells. He was a “socializing expert.” Jim liked talking to people and going to auctions and garage sales.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Ray Rumley; infant son James Patrick Rumley and two great-grandchildren, Dakota and Riley Emery.
Mr. Rumley is survived by his wife; three daughters, Gracie Myers and her husband, Rick Myers, of Austin, Texas, Martha Myers and her husband Dennis Myers, and Marlena Emery and Steve of Des Moines; three sons Mike Rumley of Creighton, Mo., Marvin Rumley and his wife, Kelly Rumley, of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Mark Rumley and his wife, Tami Freeman, of Kernersville, N.C.; four stepchildren, Gene Carter and his wife, Debbie Carter, of Des Moines, Valeria Curry and her husband, Scott Curry, of Indianola, Ron Carter and his wife, Ann Carter, of Carlisle and Dannella Awtry and her husband, Bob Awtry of Harvey; 22 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gene Rumley and his wife, Mary Anne Rumley of Osceola and Ron Rumley and his wife, Linda Rumley, of Van Wert; a sister-in-law, Mary Louise Blodgett of Mount Pleasant; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
A funeral service for Mr. Rumley was Oct. 7 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon. Henry Short officiated.
Casket bearers were Bob Awtry, Gene Carter, Ron Carter, Nathan Kentner, Roger Kentner and Rodney Rumley. Interment was in the Garden Grove Cemetery.
Larry Dean Hainline
Larry Dean Hainline, the son of Clifford Paul and Dorothy Fern Haley Hainline, was born July 18, 1938, in Union County and died at his home in Van Wert on Dec. 24, 2002. He was 64.
Mr. Hainline lived in southern Iowa his entire life except when he was in the U.S. Navy from 1955 to 1959. He always said, “I joined the Navy to see the world and all I saw was Alaska.” He returned home and drove a truck for Kenny Calvin of Creston. That started his career as an owner, operator and driver of his trucking business. He was employed by D.J. Franzen of Pleasant Hill at the time of his death.
Mr. Hainline was a good brother. He loved fried chicken and ice tea. He was humble, kind, generous, caring and charitable. He enjoyed his friends at the truck stop in Osceola. Mr. Hainline always supported community efforts. He cared about his family, especially his nieces and nephews and was behind them in good and bad times.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Terry, Lyndell and Chuck Hainline, and a sister-in-law, Doris Hainline.
Mr. Hainline is survived by his sister, Marilyn Cook and her husband, Dick Cook, of Van Wert; two brothers, Garry Hainline and his wife, Kathi Hainline, of Leon and Ted Hainline and his wife, Carolyn Hainline, of Van Wert; two sisters-in-law, Avis Hainline of Creston and Cheri Hainline of Van Wert; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Hainline were Dec. 28, Pastor Dwayne Henrichs officiating.
Casket bearers were Dennis Cole, Chet Reed, Gail Clausen, Dorman Reed, Myron Manley and Eldon Reed. Interment was in the Van Wert Cemetery.
Arrangements were by Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon.
Jennie Marie Bartoletti Hays
Jennie Marie Bartoletti Hays, 85, died Dec. 17, 2002, in Resaca, Ga. following months of declining health.
Mrs. Hays, the daughter of Italian immigrants, was born Nov. 17, 1917, in Enterprise. She lived in Iowa for most of her life and graduated from Colfax High School in 1935. She married William F. Hays in 1937. They lived in Murray from 1960 to 1975.
She moved to Calhoun, Ga. in 1985 following Mr. Hays’ death in 1984.
Mrs. Hays was a full-time homemaker. Her life revolved around her family and her church. She was supportive of her children’s activities, often driving miles in the Iowa winter to see them participate in a sports activity. Mrs. Hays was an active member in the communities where she lived. She taught religion classes in her church, was a den mother, ground observer corps volunteer in the fifties, a volunteer at Eastside School and a Pink Lady at Gordon Hospital. She was a member of St. Clement’s Catholic Church in Calhoun.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Hays was preceded in death by a sister, Jerry Braun and a brother, John Guizzetti.
Mrs. Hays is survived by two daughters, Marie Burke and her husband, James A. Burke, of Resaca and Gerry Gilbert and her husband, Roger Gilbert, of Osceola; five sons, Joseph Hays and his wife, Ann Hays, of Truro, John Hays and his wife, Carrie Hays, of Radcliff, Ky., Lee Hays of Gaithersburg, Md., Alan Hays and his wife, Mary Ellen Hays, of Killeen, Texas, and David Hays and his wife, Janie Hays of Creston; 23 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ann Curtis of Newton and Mary Hopkins of Colfax; nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass was celebrated Dec. 19 at St. Clement’s Catholic Church, The Rev. Dennis Juan officiating. Casket bearers were grandsons, Douglas Hays, Bryan Hays, Chris Hays, James Burke Jr., Steven Burke and friend and fellow parishioner, Ron Best. Honorary bearers were Jack Parlo Sr., Don Fox and Wayne Blair.
A memorial service and burial were held in Salem, Ill. where her husband is buried.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Clement’s Building Fund, 875 Hwy 53 SE, Calhoun, GA 30701 or Portsbridge Hospice, 319 Church St., Cartersville, GA 30120.
Virginia McKee
Virginia McKee, 88, of Lakeland, Fla. died Nov. 27, 2002, at Grace Health Care in Lakeland. Graveside services were held at the Massena Cemetery in Iowa.
Mrs. McKee was born Jan 12, 1914, in Aurora, Mo. She moved from Van Wert to Lakeland in 1977.
Survivors include her husband, Ken McKee of Lakeland; a daughter, Nancy McChesney of Lakeland; a son Barry McKee of Mooresville, N.C.; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Howard Weaver of Wofford Heights, Calif.; and four sisters, Ruby Garside of Atlantic, Mildred Clark of Lakeland, Elizabeth Devore of Bellevue, Neb. and Betty Holland of Littleton, Colo.
Virginia Smith Renkert
Virginia Lee Smith Renkert, the daughter of Jesse and Nettie Daniels Skinner, was born Sept. 27, 1923, at Mount Ayr and died Dec. 26, 2002, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 79.
She graduated from Mount Ayr High School with honors. She was a very outgoing person.
She was married to Eldon Smith for 39 years. They were the parents of five children, Gene, Sheryl, Craig, Sheila and Jackie. She married Ernest Albert Renkert on Aug. 15, 1991. He died on Oct. 11, 1994.
Most of Mrs. Renkert’s adult life was spent in the Osceola area except for the few years she lived in California. She was a nurse’s aide in addition to a homemaker and mother.
In addition to her husband, Ernie Renkert, she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother and a sister.
Mrs. Renkert is survived by her five children, Gene Smith and his wife, Rachel Smith, of Garden Grove, Shari Shelton and her husband, Tim Shelton, of Altoona, Craig Smith and his wife, Bonnie Smith, of Osceola, Sheila Martinez of San Jose, Calif. and Jackie Smith of Bakersfield, Calif.; 15 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A memorial graveside service and burial of the cremains was held Dec. 30 in the Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola, with Alan Hill officiating.
Arrangements were made by Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon.
William J. Van Scoy
William John “Bill” Van Scoy, the son of William Lyle and Diana “Marie” Wade Van Scoy, was born July 15, 1937, in Osceola and died Dec. 28, 2002, of pancreatic cancer at the Clarke County Hospital. He was 65.
He received his education in the Osceola schools.
He married Anita Marie Campbell on Oct. 25, 1958. The couple became the parents of four daughters, Cheryl Ann, Karalee Sue, Brenda Kay and Christie Renae.
Mr. Van Scoy worked for Moorman Feeds in Osceola for 13 years and managed the Nixon Feed Store in Perry for two years. He was a truck driver for several years before joining Dekko Automotive Technologies, Osceola, were he was a warehouse supervisor. He retired after 21 years with Dekko in 1998. He had lived in Murray since 1970.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, the Moose Lodge in Perry, and enjoyed fishing, hunting mushrooms, target shooting and camping.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Betty Marie Van Scoy; brother-in-law, Victor Smith; a nephew, David Smith; niece, Denise Smith Morris; and father-in-law, G. A. Mumper.
Mr. Van Scoy is survived by his wife, Anita; daughters, Cheryl A. “Cherie” Reynolds of Osceola; Karalee S. Wilson and her husband, Russ Wilson, of Murray; Brenda K. Reasoner and her husband, Doug Reasoner, of Mount Ayr; Christie R. Halls and her husband, Montey Halls, of Bloomfield; eight grandchildren, Christopher Reynolds and his wife, Jessica Reynolds, of Des Moines; Scott Cowden and his wife, Chasity Cowden; Stefanie Cowden and Shay Cowden, all of Murray; Lindsey and Matthew Reasoner of Mount Ayr; Renae and Aaron Halls of Bloomfield; a sister, Beverly Smith of Woodburn; two brothers, Robert “Butch” Van Scoy of Woodburn and Donald Van Scoy of Laurel, Del.; mother-in-law, Edna Mumper of Osceola, as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1 p.m., at the Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with Pastor Marty Burgus of Osceola, officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth played Beyond The Sunset, Just Beyond The Moon and Mansion Over The Hilltop.
Burial was in the Murray Cemetery. Casket bearers were Christopher Reynolds, Duane Smith, Montey Halls, Jeff Rice, Doug Reasoner and Russ Wilson. Honorary casket bears were Clayton “Sonny” Mateer, Donald Wetzel, Larry Miller, Scott Cowden, Dennis Erickson, Larry Gookin, Wendall West, Shay Cowden.
Memorials are being received for the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.
Kale Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Lillian Charlotte Marie Barnett
Charlotte M. Barnett, daughter of Alfred Dudley and Iva Mae Huff Dudley, was born on Nov. 8, 1914, in Moravia and died Feb. 10, 2003, at West Point Living Center in West Point, Neb. She was 88.
She grew up in Moravia and attended country school. She eloped with Victor Leo Barnett on Leap Year Day in 1936, to Kirksville, Mo. and they became the parents of two daughters, Vicki and Pamela.
Mr. and Mrs. Barnett lived in Ottumwa before moving to a farm near Blakesburg in the late 60s. Mrs. Barnett moved to Osceola in 1987 before moving to Des Moines in 1999 and to West Point in March of 2002. She was a homemaker, a member of the First Christian Church and a member of Knit Wits.
Charlotte loved spending time with her family. Before her husband, Victor, died they traveled a great deal. She visited every state except Alaska and Hawaii. That was quite an accomplishment since she never drove a car. She enjoyed reading and collecting books written by Danielle Steele, Mary Higgins Clark and others.
In the mid 1990s Mrs. Barnett went with her daughter, Vicki, to her shop on the square everyday and walked to the Senior Meal Site for lunch and bingo, quite a feat for a lady in her 80s. She loved the companionship and food at the Senior Center. She was missed when she was no longer able to attend.
According to her daughter, Vicki Chaney, who died in 2001, Mrs. Barnett was a lady. She never said a naughty word, smoked a cigarette, drank to excess or gossiped about others. She was a spiritual, kind, courageous and loving lady who gave 100 percent to her family and friends.
In addition to Vicki Chaney, she was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers and three sisters.
She is survived by her daughter, Pam M. Merdith and her husband, Jim Merdith, of Independence, Mo.; a grandson, Dennis D. Mitchell of Osceola; two granddaughters, Dana D. Mitchell of West Point, Neb. and Michelle L. Kennedy and her husband, Kevin Kennedy of Rock Port, Mo.; five great-grandchildren; son-in-law, Lyle Chaney of Osceola; two sisters, Jeanne Grinstead of Blakesburg and Pat Wesolowski of Shamokin, Pa.; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Barnett were Feb. 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton of Osceola officiating.
Casket bearers were Gary Grinstead, Mark Miserez, Lyle Chaney, Ev Curtis, Kevin Kennedy and Dean Chaney. Interment was in Smith Cemetery at Blakesburg.
Lucille Ursula Davidson
Lucille Ursula Davidson was born Sept. 16, 1913, in O’Neil, Neb. and died Feb. 13, 2003 at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 89.
Mrs. Davidson was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, son, John and grandson, Tim Shipley.
Mrs. Davidson is survived by a daughter, Jeanie Shipley of Prescott, Ariz. and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Tuesday at Blessed Sacrament Church and interment was in Calvary Cemetery in Omaha, Neb.
The first known doll houses were made in the 1600s for wealthy adults.
Harold Hartman
Harold Dean Hartman, son of Edd Hartman and Mattie Alma Simmerman Hartman, was born Sept. 7, 1931, in Clarke County and died Feb. 10, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 71.
He was raised in Clarke County near Madison Chapel. He attended rural schools and graduated from Murray Community High School in 1950. He moved to the home place in 1940 with his parents and lived there his entire life except for the four years he lived on a farm a mile away. He returned to the home place in 1960 following the death of his father.
He was a farmer all of his life and loved the land and his animals. He also loved gardening and working on machinery. He served on the Washington Township Election Board for many years.
Mr. Hartman was devoted to his farm and family.
He liked to visit with neighbors and friends. He attended Madison Chapel Church and was affiliated with the Murray Church of Christ.
He married Marilyn Ruth McGee on Sept. 7, 1955, in Mount Ayr and they became the parents of three children.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Orvie and Herman; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hartman and Florence Hartman and two brothers-in-law, Charles DePaepe and Charles Washburn.
Mr. Hartman is survived by his wife; three daughters, Joan Peters and her husband Dion Peters, of Mitchellville, Joyce Hartman and Julie Hartman, both of Murray; a brother, Delbert Hartman and his wife, Joan Hartman and a sister, Leona Paepe, all of Ankeny; two sisters-in-law, Patty Shea and her husband, Jim Shea, of Loma Linda, Calif. and JoAnn Washburn of Loon Lake, Wash.; two brothers-in law, Ernest McGee and his wife, Lucy McGee, of Loma Linda, and Dean McGee and his wife Judy McGee, of Phoenix Ariz.; nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Hartman were Feb. 14 at Powers Funeral Home in Afton, Marty Burgus of Osceola officiating. Interment was in Union Cemetery north of Murray.
Marvin Thomas McHarg
Marvin Thomas McHarg, son of Thomas L. McHarg and Bessie Marks McHarg, was born Feb. 19, 1912, in Valentine, Neb. and died Feb. 14, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 90.
He graduated from Osceola High School. He farmed near Nevada, Indianola and LaSalle north east of Osceola for many years before moving to Osceola.
He married his first wife in 1935; she preceded him in death on Sept. 26, 1960. He married Pearl Barnes in 1963; she preceded him in death on Nov. 18, 1999.
Mr. McHarg enjoyed helping people, hearing and telling jokes and stories and playing cards.
In addition to his two wives, he was preceded in death by a brother, Lester McHarg, and a twin sister, Margaret Fenn.
Mr. McHarg is survived by his sister, Faye Powell, of Kansas City, Mo.; as well as several nieces and nephews and other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Mr. McHarg were Feb. 17 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Bill Kerns officiating.
Casket bearers were Aaron Fenn, Jim Fenn, Robert Ryan, Larry Page, Bob Powell and Don Dau. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Oscola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Verna Frances Myers
Verna Frances Myers, daughter of Corey Backer and Minnie Orwan Backer was born April 10, 1906, in Murray and died Feb. 18, 2003, at Winterset Care Center South. She was 96.
She graduated from Murray Community High School in 1923 and received her teaching certificate in Des Moines. She taught in rural Clarke County schools from 1924 to 1932 until she married Pearl E. Myers on Jan. 16, 1932, at Bethany, Mo.
Mrs. Myers also worked at the Madison County Mealsite as a volunteer for 20 years.
She moved to Winterset from the Murray area in 1968. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and First United Methodist Church in Winterset.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a son Chester Myers and three brothers, Virgil, Orwan and Ward Backer and a sister, Bernita Burns.
Mrs. Myers is survived by a daughter, Beverly Wetzel and her husband, Jerry Wetzel, of Indianola; five grandchildren, Carla Landuyt of Ladora, Margaret Studt and her husband, Scott Studt, of Glasgow, Kan., Martha Jo McConnelee and her husband, Dan McConnelee, of Winterset, Dave Wetzel and his wife, Raylene Wetzel, of Kansas City, Mo.; David Myers and his wife, Chris Myers, of Altoona; 11 great-grandchildren.and a sister-in-law, Susie Backer of Hiawatha, Kan.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Feb. 22 at Collins Oak Park Chapel in Winterset, Pastor Bobb Barrick and Pastor Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Burial will be in the Murray Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
Visitation is open from 9 a.m. until the service at Collins Oak Park Chapel and family will receive friends from 10 a.m.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Murray School Foundation or Winterset Care Center South Activity Fund.
Ferdinand "Fred" Nadler
Ferdinand “Fred” Nadler, son of Alexander Nadler and Magdalena Hansel Nadler, was born May 1, 1930, in Yugoslavia and died Feb. 14, 2003, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. He was 72.
He received his education in Yugoslavia and in 1952 at the age of 22 he moved to the United States. He married Hanny Isle Kupper on March 30, 1957, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Des Moines. The couple became the parents of five children, Fred, Ernest, Robert, John and Susan.
Elsie Virginia Wagoner
Elsie Virginia Albach Wagoner, daughter of Peter John Albach and Mattie Viola Wheat Albach, was born May 18, 1908, in St. Joseph, Mo. and died Feb. 7, 2003, at her home in Weldon. She was 94.
She received her education in Des Moines and was a graduate of North High School. She married Harry Bertram Wagoner on Nov. 17, 1929, in Omaha, Neb. The couple became the parents of three children, Harry Jacqueline and Carol.
Mrs. Wagoner worked for Northwestern Bell as a telephone operator and at Younkers as a sales clerk as a young woman and then became a homemaker.
Mrs. Wagoner lived in the Weldon area for the past 33 years. Before moving to Weldon she lived in Osceola for a short time and Des Moines for many years.
She was a member of the Christian faith. She loved to paint, knit, needlepoint and dance. She also enjoyed collecting dolls, music and playing the piano and organ.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Carl, Herbert C. and Robert E. Albach.
Mrs. Wagoner is survived by her son, Harry B. “Bert” Wagoner and his wife, Beverly Wagoner, of Des Moines and two daughters, Jacqueline “Jackie” Griffiths and her husband, William Griffiths, of Weldon and Carol S. Bogan of Valencia, Calif.;10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; as well as many relatives and a host of friends.
Services for Mrs. Wagoner were graveside Feb. 8 at Green Bay Cemetery in Clarke County, her son, Harry Bertram Wagoner Jr., officiating.
Honorary casket bearers were William J. Griffiths Jr., Allen Lee Griffiths, Kenneth M. Griffiths, John Clark Griffiths, Lance W. Bogan and Timothy Wagoner.
Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Home of Osceola.
Mr. Nadler worked as a butcher for Swift Meatpacking Company in Des Moines and for Jimmy Dean in Osceola. He moved to Osceola from Milo in 1980 and then to Grand River three and a half months ago.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, Hanny in 1993.
Mr. Nadler is survived by his companion and special friend, Martha Haberling of Grand River; four sons, Fred Nadler and his wife, Shelly Nadler of State Center, Ernest Nadler of Milo, Robert Nadler and his wife, Laura Nadler, of Des Moines and John Nadler of Winterset; a daughter, Susan Bland and her husband, Dave Bland, of Grand River; eight grandchildren; two sisters, Maria Green of Des Moines and Anna Klenner of Palos Hills, Ill.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Nadler were at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola on Feb. 18, the Rev. Harold McElwee of Milo officiating. Organist Irene Wright accompanied Cindy Lister as she sang Some Day, The Place Prepared and God Will Take Care Of You.
Burial was in Maple Hill Cemetery. Casket bearers were Fred Nadler, Ernest Nadler, Robert Nadler, John Nadler, Dave Bland and Tom Iwed. Honorary bearers were Cody Nadler and Antonio Polkiewicz.
Dean Brooks
Dean Thomas Brooks, son of H.V. and Ethel Frasher Brooks, was born Oct. 28, 1916, in St. Charles and died May 21, 2003, at the Kavanagh House on Grand in West Des Moines. He was 86.
He received his education in the St. Charles schools and graduated with the class of 1934.
Mr. Brooks married Dorothy Youmans on Oct. 29, 1939, in Truro. The couple became the parents of two children, Gary and Tony.
After his marriage, Mr. Brooks served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II. When he returned from the service he became the owner operator of the Brooks Grocery Store in St. Charles. He retired in 1982.
Mr. Brooks was a member of the St. Charles Parish Church. He was also active in the St. Charles Lions Club. He was a 50-year member of the Model Lodge No. 315 A.F. & A.M. and a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star Model Chapter No. 174, both in St. Charles. He was also a member of the V.F.W. in Winterset.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Dale.
Mr. Brooks is survived by his wife, Dorothy Brooks of St. Charles; two sons, Gary Brooks and his wife, Linda Brooks, of St. Charles and Tom Brooks of Des Moines; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Dolores Kale of Longmont, Colo.; and many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were May 24 at St. Charles Parish, the Rev. Darold Snow of St. Charles and the Rev. Sandy Smith of St. Charles officiating. Organist, Anne Johnson, played How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were John Strable, Ivan Strable, Danny Strable, Grant Llewellyn, Caroll Hayden and Bill Bintner. Honoray casket bearer was Ron Williams.
Interment was in St. Charles Cemetery. Kale Funeral Homes Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kavanagh House on Grand or Mr. Brooks’ church.
William Gonseth
William “Bill” Gonseth, son of William Glen Gonseth and Mildred Lucille Welker Gonseth, was born Jan. 21, 1930, at his grandparents’ home in Murray and died after a lengthy battle with cancer on May 23, 2003, at his home near Murray. He was 73.
He received his education in the Murray schools and graduated with the class of 1948. He lived in the Murray area all of his life except for a brief time when he served his country in the U.S. Army.
Mr. Gonseth married Deleth Ann Woodard on Oct. 5, 1957, in Leon. The couple became the parents of three children, Cindy, Becky and Andy.
Through the years Bill was involved with the organization of the Murray Jamboree. He loved to hunt in his younger years and enjoyed playing town team baseball.
He and his wife liked to camp and spend time outdoors with family.
His greatest passion was his farming and trucking which became his life’s work.
He was preceded in death by his father in 1969; grandparents; a brother, Leo Gonseth in 1999; a nephew, Steve Gonseth and a brother-in-law, Alfred Kleindienst.
Mr. Gonseth is survived by his wife, Deleth Gonseth of Murray; two daughters, Cindy Haumersen and her husband, Jay Haumersen, of Fairfield and Becky Sassman of Afton; a son, Andy Gonseth of Murray; his mother, Mildred Gonseth of Osceola; a sister, Twyla “Peggy” Kleindienst of Jefferson City; seven grandchildren, Jami Wheeler and Brandon Cosner of Murray, Jenni Danley and her husband, Caleb Danley, of Racine, Wis., Kira and Sean Haumersen of Fairfield; Beau Thomas of Afton, Crystal and Alisha Hughes of Enid, Okla.; two great-grandchildren, Jeran Wheeler and Aden Cosner of Murray; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were May 28 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Marty Burgus of Osceola officiating. Organist, Pennie Gonseth, played Precious Memories and Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Eugene Little, John Gonseth, Mark Eggers, Steve Eggers, Todd Smith, Mike Anderson and David Eggers. Interment was in Murray Cemetery.
Walkter Lautner
Walter Jacob Lautner, son of Adam Lautner and Louise Keller Lautner, was born March 14, 1916, in a log cabin in Evanston, Ind. and died May 19, 2003, at Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. He was 87.
He grew up in Troy, Ind. and attended various country schools until high school when he attended and graduated from Troy High School in Troy.
After high school he worked in Tell City, Ind. at a furniture factory until he moved to Farnhamville where he worked as a hired hand on a farm and later worked for Donavan Dairy Farms in Jefferson. Mr. Lautner joined the U.S. Army in 1943. He was a tank mechanic in World War II and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He served in the Army until 1946 when he moved to the Churdan and Paton, area and started farming.
He married Frances Geisler on March 2, 1947, at the rural Lutheran Church between Paton and Churdan. They were the parents of five children: Denny, Wayne, Phil, Ramona and Gaylene.
Mr. Lautner was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Churdan American Legion. He enjoyed dancing to polka music, going to his grandkids 4-H club calf shows, and their sporting events, and spending time with family.
Preceding him in death were his wife, his parents, and a brother, Robert.
Mr. Lautner’s survivors include three sons, Denny Lautner of Jefferson; Phil Lautner of Jefferson; Wayne Lautner and his wife, Vicki Lautner, of Churdan; two daughters, Ramona McCurdy and her husband, Tom McCurdy, and Gaylene Wright and her husband, Ken Wright, all of Chariton; 19 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two brothers, Eugene Lautner of Tell City; Albert Lautner of Jefferson; three sisters, Edith Geisler of Gowrie, Nelda Dome and Millicent Leistner, both of Tell City; a special friend, Dory Smith of Boone; nieces and nephews and other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Lautner were May 22 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Jefferson, the Rev. David Simonson officiating. Organist Sheryl Sloan accompanied soloist Luke Lautner as he sang Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Dax Lautner, Matt Lautner, Chad Lautner, Dan McCurdy, Weston Wright and Landon Wright.
Honorary casket bearers were Lesa Seil, Luke Lautner, Travis Lautner, Stetson Wright, Jennifer McCurdy, Missy Hagen, Chance Lautner, Wendy Twillie, Onna Lautner, Katie Lautner, Savannah Wright, Andrew McCurdy and Tara VanHouweling.
Interment was in the Dawson Township Cemetery at Paton. Military rites were by Floyd W. Brown American Legion Post No. 11 and Veterans of Foreign Wars, both at Jefferson.
Don Murr
Donald T. Murr, son of Thomas H. and Maymie Lehman Murr, was born Sept. 18, 1912, at Gosport and died May 21, 2003, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. He was 90.
He attended the Gosport School and graduated from Knoxville High School where he lettered in track. He later completed his normal training for teaching requirements and also attended Drake University.
He married Margaret Pluma Martin on March 20, 1937, in Unionville, Mo. The couple became the parents of two sons, Tommy and Dennis.
Mr. Murr and his wife taught at country schools in Marion and Warren counties, including Sandyville, Summerset and Wick for several years. The couple farmed near Columbia before they moved to the Melcher-Dallas area where they lived for many years before returning to Columbia in 1971.
A farmer, Mr. Murr enjoyed planting and harvesting crops, gardening and feeding cattle and hogs. He loved animals and faithfully attended the Iowa State Fair. He enjoyed spending time with his family, esecially his six grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ruth Murr; infant granddaughter, Joy Pluma Murr and infant great-granddaughter, Sophy Marie Murr.
Mr. Murr is survived by his wife, Pluma, a resident of the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center; two sons, Tommy Murr and his wife, Anne Murr, of Osceola and Dennis Murr and his wife, Margaret Murr, of Dallas; six grandchildren, Jodi Martin and her husband Leonard Martin, of Osceola, JoLee Mateer and her husband, Theron Mateer, of Melcher, Marte Kennedy and her husband, Stephen Kennedy of Lewisville, Texas, Michelle Coolidge of Tewksbury, Mass., David Murr of Plymouth, Minn., and Paul Murr of Waterloo; and a brother, Ed Murr of Columbia.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held May 24 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Melcher-Dallas with the Rev. Mark Spring officiating. Michelle Coolidge, his granddaughter, performed a piano piece by Rachmaninov.
Casket bearers were Paul Murr, Leonard Martin, Theron Mateer, John Pierce, Carl Duinink and Jim Beary. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery at Melcher-Dallas.
Pierschbacher Funeral Home of Melcher-Dallas was in charge of arrangements.
Deva Welton
Deva Countryman Welton, daughter of John Calvin Duffield and Mary Olive Bennett Duffield, was born Dec. 7, 1915, in Garden Grove and died May 23, 2003, at Mercy Capitol Hospital in Des Moines. She was 87.
She received her education in the Des Moines schools. She married Roy Countryman on April 22, 1933, in Guthrie Center and they became the parents of three children, Calvin, Mary-Del and Donald. Mr. Countryman preceded her in death in July 1971. She married Kenneth B. Welton on June 16, 1985, in Ankeny. Mr. Welton preceded her in death in April 1998.
Mrs. Welton had lived in Des Moines for nearly 77 years before moving to the Garden Grove area. She lived near Garden Grove until 1993 when she moved to Osceola. She worked as a bookkeeper for the Iowa Council on Alcohol Problems from March 1951 until October 1971 when she retired. Following her retirement she became a caretaker for elderly women. She was active with the Alzheimer’s support group. She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Osceola and Des Moines where she served as a deaconess and church secretary.
In addition to her parents Mrs. Welton was preceded in death by her two husbands; two brothers, Gordon Bennett Duffield and Dean Calvin Duffield; a sister, Grace Deellen Shaffer Cowdrick; two grandsons, Junior Countryman and Steve Savage and a great-grandson, Andrew Curtis.
Mrs. Welton is survived by her two sons, Calvin Eugene Countryman and his wife, Tana Countryman, of Osceola and Donald Paul Countryman and his wife, Jean Countryman, of Creston; a daughter, Mary-Del Beane and her husband, Gilbert Lee Beane, of Des Moines; two stepdaughters, Karen Savage and Joann McConnell of Des Moines; 21 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Welton were May 27 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Osceola, Pastor Duane Lauer and Pastor Jeff Dowell officiating. Organist Ruth Butcher accompanied vocalists Dick Bascom and Maxine Johnson as they sang Precious Lord Take My Hand and No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus.
Casket bearers were Monte Countryman, Ken Countryman, Dan Countryman, Randy Countryman, Keith Countryman and Matt Beane. Honorary casket bearers were Brian Beane, Dan Garrett, Jeff Hinrichs, Mike Gilbert, Lloyd Heintz, Gene Parsons, Jason Flaherty and David Gilbert.
Interment was in the Earlham Cemetery at Earlham.
Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro.
Max Baker
Max Wilson Baker of Garden Grove, son of Hobert Wilson and Lula May White Baker, was born June 29, 1924, in Decatur County and died Aug. 3, 2003, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. He was 79.
Mr. Baker graduated from LeRoy High School in 1943. He married Kathryn “Kitty” Delores O’Neal on July 15, 1945, at the Methodist Church in Humeston. They became the parents of three children, Jeanne, Deborah and David.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Baker lived on the farm where he was born until 1982 when they retired and moved into Garden Grove.
He loved the outdoors and farming. He enjoyed raising cattle, hogs and chickens along with his crops. He liked to garden and take care of his lawn. He was a member of the Garden Grove Lions Club.
Mr. Baker was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Rex Baker and a grandson, Michael Henrichsen.
Mr. Baker is survived by his wife of Garden Grove; three children, Jeanne Henrichsen and her husband, Ken Henrichsen of Winterset, Debi Baker of Lee’s Summit, Mo. and David Baker and his wife, Jeanne Baker of Corydon; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Mildred Leslie of Cheyenne, Wyo.; nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Baker were Aug. 6 at at 10:30 a.m. at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. The musician was Charletta Durrell. Congregational hymns were Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee and He Leadeth Me.
Interment of the cremains will be in the Garden Grove Cemetery at a later date.
