Beulah M. Elder
Beulah M. Elder, daughter of Marie Snider and Lewis Fawn McCarty, was born Sept. 5, 1917, and died of heart failure on June 19, 2002, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 84.
Mrs. Elder was a longtime resident of Chariton where she owned Irish’s Cafe. She liked to cook, loved children and helping people. She moved to the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center six years ago.
She was preceded in death by her parents and two husbands, Paul Dyer and Verle Elder.
She is survived by two sons, Dale Dyer of Lucas and Donnie Dyer of Colorado; a brother, Leo L. McCarty of San Antonio, Texas; and a sister, Leona Anderson of Chariton.
Graveside services were held June 21 at the New York Cemetery, located east of Millerton. Fielding Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Paul Hardisty
Paul Hardisty, the son of Solomon Lee Hardisty and Elizabeth Kaziah Fudge, was born May 17, 1924, in Adams County and died June 28, 2002, at the Corning Nursing and Rehab Center. He was 78.
He married Evelyn Stalder on June 23, 1944, in Corning. Mr. Hardisty lived and farmed in the Carl area for 43 years except while served in the U.S. Marines during World War II. He was stationed in China and the South Pacific.
He was a township trustee for many years and was active in 4-H when his children were young.
Mr. Hardisty was a member of the Williamson American Legion and the Carl United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers, James, Harold and Ernest Hardisty.
Mr. Hardisty is survived by his wife; two sons, Jerry Hardisty and his wife, Sue Hardisty of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Marv Hardisty and his wife, Joyce Hardisty, of Osceola; a daughter, Beverly McMahon and her husband, John McMahon, of Corning; seven grandchildren; a brother, Henry Hardisty and his wife, Joyce Hardisty of Paramount, Calif; three sisters, Velma Cox and and her husband, Robert Cox of Corning, Marie Roach of Boulder, Colo. and Betty Travis and her husband, Bruce Travis, of Creston.
Funeral services were July 2 at Coen-Beaty-Pearson Funeral Home in Corning, the Rev. Fred Bryson of the Carl United Methodist Church officiating. Interment was in the Carl Cemetery with military rites.
Memorial contributions may be made to Carl United Methodist Church.
Naomi McCuen
A graveside service was held June 28 at Highland Memory Gardens in Des Moines for Naomi McCuen, 92, who died June 25, 2002 at Parkridge Nursing and Rehabilitation in Pleasant Hill.
Mrs. McCuen was born in Green County and lived in Jefferson and Osceola before moving to Des Moines. She was self-employed as an in- home health care worker. She retired in 1970.
She is survived by two daughters, Beverly J. Wiffler and Marjorie Sloan-Smock, both of Des Moines; six grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
Jean Fenimore Porter
Jean Fenimore Porter, daughter of Grover A. Fenimore and Rae J. Hoover Fenimore, was born on the family farm 2-1/2 miles north of Peru and died of pancreatic cancer June 29, 2002, at the Madison County Memorial Hospital in Winterset. She was 86.
She spent her entire life in Madison County except for a few years in Colorado as a child. She returned to Iowa and grew up on a farm one mile north of Peru. She attended “quailtrap” country school and graduated from Peru High School in 1933.
She married Walter Fon Porter on Aug. 2, 1934, in Osceola and they became the parents of 10 children. Mrs. Porter lived on the family farm northwest of Truro. She remained there until April of 2000 when she moved into St. Charles. She had lived on the farm for 63 years.
Mrs. Porter was a homemaker and worked as an Avon representative for many years. Music was an important part of her life. She enjoyed playing the piano and singing. She also liked sewing, reading, photography, writing poetry and gardening. She taught Sunday School, CES Bible classes and served as the church pianist for many years.
Mrs. Porter became a charter member of the Deere Creek Chapel in 1945 and in 1971 she transferred her membership to the Calvary Baptist Church in St. Charles.
She was preceded in death by her parents; stillborn daughter, Claudia Ann; husband in 1995; four brothers, Sidney, Roger, Jay and Jerry Fenimore; a sister Susan Hagen; a grandson Philip Lee Porter and a sister-in-law, Mary Fenimore.
Mrs. Porter is survived by five sons, Lowell Porter and his wife, Jean Porter, of Russell, Ky., Laverne Porter and his wife, Marilyn Porter, of Omaha, Neb., LeRoy Porter and his wife, Deanna Porter, of Paducah, Ky; Stephen Porter and his wife, Elaine Porter, of St. Charles and Timothy Porter and his wife, Becky Porter, of Peru; four daughters, Jean Epp and her husband, Carl Epp, of Mount.Vernon, Wash., Joy Headrick and her husband, Win Headrick, of Denver, Colo., Linda Wall and her husband, Tim Wall, of Glendive, Mont. and Connie Johnston and her husband, Larry Johnston, of Poplar, Mont.; 28 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Paul Fenimore and his wife, Ellen Fenimore, of Euphratta, Wash. and Bill Fenimore of Chicago, Ill.; four sisters-in-law, Carolyn Fenimore of Indianola, Artie Fenimore of Mitchellville, Beverly Fenimore of Urbandale and Gayle Fenimore of Florida; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Porter are scheduled for 10 a.m. July 3 at the First Baptist Church in Winterset, Pastor Doug Helton officiating. Organist is Laurie McKinney accompanying vocalists, Tim, Steve and Jennifer Porter as they sing Day By Day, Close To Thee and My Tribute.
Casket bearers are Matt Porter, Chad Porter, Richard Porter, Jerry Wall, Jeff Isaac and Shane Johnston. Honorary casket bearers are Tony Wall, Rod Wall, Greg Isaac, Chris Isaac and Mike Porter. Interment is in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Open visitation after 10 a.m. Tuesday at Kale Funeral Home in Truro with the family present to receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church in St. Charles.
Judy Ann Sego
Judy Ann Sego, 58, of Humeston, the daughter of Neva Orletta Bonner and Wayne O’Dell, was born June 23, 1944 in Decatur County and died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, while on vacation at Carroll.
She attended and graduated from Kellerton High School in 1962. She enjoyed her classmates and their school reunions.
She married George Edison Sego on Sept. 16, 1962. They became the parents of three daughters, Bonnie, Peggy and Cindy.
She farmed and operated a Grade B dairy farm near Grand River with Frances and Everett Boles for many years. Later she moved into Grand River and worked for the fish hook factory. In the last few years she met Steve Kyner and moved to his farm near LeRoy to join in his farming operation while continuing to operate her farm near Grand River. She also was working part time at the Osceola Farm and Home.
Ms. Sego enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, camping, especially at the Iowa State Fair and looked forward to the Great Iowa Tractor Ride. She was accompanying the ride when she died. She enjoyed the time she spent with her grandchildren and family.
She was baptized on Dec. 21, 1995, at the Grand River United Methodist Church and became a member on Dec. 24, 1995.
Preceding her in death were her parents; in-laws, Alice and William Eberly; aunt and uncle, Frances and Everett Boles; and brother-in-law, Roger Johnson.
Survivors include her companion, Steve Kyner, of Humeston; three daughters, Bonnie Arnold-Alexander and her husband, Mike Alexander, of Indianola, Peggy Jones and her husband, Richard Jones, of Osceola, and Cindy Richardson and her husband, Rodney Richardson, of Tama; seven grandchildren, Kara and Meghin Arnold of Grand River, Allen, Katie and ShayDe Jones of Osceola and Denice and Calvin Richardson of Tama; son-in-law, Gary Arnold, of Grand River; sisters, Diane Wegner and her husband, Doug, of Tecumseh, Mich., Edna Johnson and her companion, Wayne Whitham of Des Moines; ex-husband, George Sego of Diagonal; sister-in-law, Jane Bowlin and her husband, Don, of Des Moines, nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon on Saturday, June 29 with the Rev. Raymond Doser officiating. Burial was in the Maple Row Cemetery in Kellerton. Casket bearers were Jerry Arnold, Bob Barton, George Barton, Jim Harris, Albert Hewlett and Chuck Ryan. Honorary bearers were Mary Greenland, Max Greenland, Don Havard, Gaylord Hart, Frank Reasoner and Mike Ryan.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Thelma Swartz
Thelma Swartz of Afton, daughter of Ava Mae Mills and Bert Dady, was born Jan. 20, 1921, in Ringgold County and died of cardiac arrest June 30, 2002, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. She was 81.
She graduated from Afton High School and Drake University in Des Moines. On May 27, 1939, she married Lloyd H. Swartz in Afton. They lived on farms in Adams and Taylor counties. She taught school for 30 years. They primarily farmed in the Lenox area, then farmed near Thayer and Murray and moved to Afton in 1984. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Afton.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Feb. 15; sister and brother-in-law, Gladys and Paul Woods; brothers Elmer and Albert Dady; and brother-in-law Bill Boyer.
Survivors include a son, Larry Swartz and his wife, Diane Swartz, of Early; three brothers, Boyd Dady and his wife, Connie Dady, of Cameron, Mo., Orval Dady and his wife, Elenor Dady, of Corydon and Milo Dady and his wife, Ann Dady, of Kaiser, Mo.; nine sisters, Florence Kepner and her husband, Addison Kepner, of Sebring, Fla., Helen Tolle and her husband, John Tolle, and Opal Wallentine of Downey, Calif., Ruby Richards and her husband, Thoreen Richards, and Lavon Pfadenhauer of Burlington, Irene Jones of Creston, Sylvia Cole of Fontana, Calif., Beulah Welcher of Lockridge and Evelyn Bierce and her husband, Everett Bierce, of Murray; a sister-in-law, Claudine Boyer of Corning; two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services were scheduled for Wednesday, July 3, 10:30 a.m., at the United Methodist Church in Afton. The Rev. Joyce Smith will officiate. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery at Afton. Powers Funeral Home, Afton, was in charge of arrangements. A memorial will be established in her name.
Clarence Shearer
Clarence Shearer, son of Waldo F. and Mamie A. Kellner Shearer, was born Oct. 27, 1907, in Sioux City and died April 14, 2001, at the Illini Restorative Care Center in Silvis, Ill. He was 93.
Mr. Shearer received his bachelor’s degree from Morningside College in Sioux City in 1930. Following graduation he was employed with Standard Oil and Swift and Company in Sioux City. He married Grace Mildred Anderson on Oct. 24, 1936, in Minneapolis, Minn. They became the parents of a son, Robert.
Mr. and Mrs. Shearer moved to Osceola in 1939 where he owned and operated the Western Auto Store from 1939 until 1967.
Mr. Shearer became an active member of the community. He was a member of Lodge No. 77 A.F. & A.M. from 1930 and the First Christian Church since 1942.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife in 1986.
Mr. Shearer’s survivors include his son, Robert Shearer and his wife, Betty Shearer, of Moline, Ill., two granddaughters, Carrie Shearer of Chicago, Ill. and Rebecca Shearer of Eugene, Ore. as well as a host of friends.
Services for Mr. Shearer were graveside in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola on April 18, the Rev. Phil Coe officiating. Casket bearers were friends and family members.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Ruby Ellen Cothern
Ruby Ellen Cothern was born at Herrick, Ill., on March 19, 1910, the oldest daughter of Allie and Eva Miller. She died Easter morning, April 15, 2001, at the residence of her son, James H. Cothern and wife Della near Darby, Mont. She was 91 .
She married Walter Harrison Cothern on Feb. 12, 1930. Mrs. Cothern spent most of her adult life as a resident of Osceola, before moving to Hamilton, Mont. She enjoyed entertaining and was active in her church and in politics.
Mrs. Cothern is survived by her son, James, and his wife, Della; three granddaughters, Monique Charlotte Gorsline and her husband Michael of Bettendorf, Rachel Ellen Litchev of Bettendorf, and Hannah Cothern of New York, N.Y.; two sisters, Gertrude Layman of Hamilton, Mont., and Rose Filisky of Decatur, Ill., several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1991, and her brother, Ted.
Private family burial will be at the Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, with arrangements being made by the Dowling Funeral Home & Crematory of Hamilton, Mont.
Linda McDonald
Services were April 18 at Berean Assembly of God in Pleasant Hill for Linda Kay McDonald, 53, of Des Moines who died of cancer March 16, 2001, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. Burial will be at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Des Moines.
Mrs. Mcdonald was born in Osceola and lived in Des Moines all of her life. She was a sales clerk for the Salvation Army. Her favorite activities were singing and knitting.
She is survived by her husband, David; a son, Garth McDonald of Des Moines; her mother, Ethel Mitchell of Lucas; two brothers, Jim Mitchell of Red Oak and Kermit Mitchell of Lucas; three sisters, Dana Gibbens and Becky Barnes, both of Des Moines and Judy Johnson of Creston; and three grandchildren.
Robert Allen Stafford
Robert Allen Stafford, son of Oscar and Norma Leila Burns Stafford, was born July 17, 1926, in Chariton and died of a heart ailment April 14, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 74.
He graduated from Chariton High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as a radio repairman for many years.
Mr. Stafford lived in Des Moines for several years before he married Bethene Loree Phillips on Dec. 5, 1969, at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines. Mr. and Mrs. Stafford lived in the Edda apartments in Des Moines for 10 years before moving to West Des Moines in 1980.
The couple have been attending the United Methodist Church at Truro and Mr. Stafford enjoyed singing in church on Sunday.
His parents and his sister, Elizabeth Gray, preceded him in death.
Mr. Stafford is survived by his wife; a brother, Phillip Stafford of Chariton; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Graveside services were held April 17 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, Pastor Dennis Shepherd of Truro officiating. Casket bearers were friends and family members.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church in Truro.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie R. Robshaw
Johnnie Robert Robshaw, son of Henry and Ethel Morgan Robshaw, was born Feb. 2, 1929, at Peru and died April 16, 2001, of an apparent heart attack, at his home in Valley Springs, S.D. He was 72.
He grew up and received his education in Peru. He played baseball in school and moved up to Minor League Baseball.
Mr. Robshaw worked for the railroad for a few years before being drafted into the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. He served in the Pacific Theatre. After an honorable discharge he began working for the John Deere Company in Des Moines.
He married Juanita Miller on June 20, 1953, in Peru. The couple moved to Omaha, Neb. where he worked for Vickers for more than 10 years. He also served with the Coast Guard on the Missouri River.
Mr. and Mrs. Robshaw later moved to the Sioux Falls, S.D. and Valley Springs, S.D. area. He began working at DuAl Manufacturing in 1965. He became disabled after a heart attack in 1973.
Mr. Robshaw was interested in sideband radio and was a HAM radio operator for many years. He liked lawn work and gardening, traveling and tinkering with mechanical items.
Preceding him in death were his parents; four brothers, Merrill, Orville, George and Marvin and three sisters, Edna, Ruby and Mildred.
Mr. Robshaw is survived by his wife, Juanita of Valley Springs; two sons, George Robshaw and his wife, Cindy Robshaw and Johnnie M. Robshaw and his wife, Carol Robshaw, all of Sioux Falls; four daughters, Lorretta Egert and her husband, Greg Egert, of Sioux Falls, Teresa Gehrke and her husband, Carl Gehrke, of Beaver Creek, Minn., Brenda Mathers and her husband, Bill Mathers, of Valley Springs and Robin Anderson and her husband, Bob Anderson, of Harrisburg, S.D.; 16 grandchildren; a sister, Mary Rhone, of Peru; a sister-in-law, Doris Robshaw of Bondurant; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.
Vera Wilma Wilson Marquis
Vera Wilma Wilson Marquis, the only child of Sherman Thomas and Mary Jane Gardner Wilson, was born on a farm near Osceola on Nov. 30, 1904, and died April 10, 2001, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. She was 96.
She was educated in the public schools of Clarke and Decatur Counties. She graduated from Osceola High School in 1923.
She taught school in rural Decatur County and also in Weldon before she married Eugene Marquis on June 15, 1926, in Osceola. Mr. and Mrs. Marquis established their home on a farm near Osceola and lived there until 1991 when they moved to the care center in Osceola. Vera moved to the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit after Mr. Marquis died in 1991.
Mrs. Marquis enjoyed cooking and was a very good neighbor. She always had ice cream and something sweet when someone stopped by.
She was a member of the Ophir Chapter No. 267 of the Order of the Eastern Star in Osceola; Order of White Shrine of Jerusalem, Alpha Shrine in Chariton; Shriners Crippled Childrens Auxiliary in Des Moines; Woodburn Unit of the Clarke County Hospital Auxiliary and a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband in 1991.
Mrs. Marquis is survived by her cousins, Horace Redman and his wife, Wanda Redman, of Van Wert; several close friends, Dorothy Brierly and Billie and Alice Chase of Osceola and Rose Holmes of Chariton.
Funeral services for Mrs. Marquis were April 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Reverend Phil Coe officiating. Organist was Pennie Gonseth and musical selections were Ivory Palaces and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were Kenneth Van Winkle, Billie Chase, Eldon Graves, Chuck Graves, Roger Davis and Larry Van Werden. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Wava Wynona Belieu
Wava Wynona Belieu, daughter of Frank Henry and Wanda Berniece Neal Work, was born July 30, 1936, in Indianola and died from complications following heart surgery April 15, 2001, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 64.
She was educated in the rural schools of New Virginia and graduated from New Virginia High School with the class of 1955.
She married Robert Leo Belieu on Jan. 3, 1956, at the United Methodist Church in Indianola. The couple became the parents of five children.
Mrs. Belieu lived in Warren County most of her life except for six years when she and Mr. Belieu lived in Des Moines.
A homemaker, she was the head cook at Interstate 35 Schools from 1993 until she retired in 1998. She was a member of the Medora United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. Some of her many interests were sewing and gardening, especially working with flowers. She had cooking and canning down to a science. She was well-known for her beet pickles.
Preceding her in death were her infant brother, Kenneth Work, father in 1972 and a son Michael in infancy; a son Frank in 1999.
Mrs. Belieu is survived by her husband, Robert Belieu of New Virginia; two sons, Jeff Belieu and his wife, Carol Belieu, of Des Moines and Mark Belieu and his wife, Mary Belieu, of New Virginia; a daughter, Misty Belieu and her friend, Ryan Norris, of St. Charles; five grandchildren, Joshua and Sean Belieu of Des Moines; Michael Belieu of New Virginia, and Kaitlyn and Tiffany Belieu of Des Moines; a sister, Deloris Sanford and her husband, Roy Sanford, of Waukee; mother, Wanda Work of New Virginia; other relatives and a host of friends.
Services were graveside in the New Virginia Cemetery on April 18, the Rev. Skip Rushing officiating.
Jacki Alery Everett
Memorial services for Jacki Alery Everett who died of acute respiratory failure Aug. 22, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola were Aug. 27 at Liberty Cemetery in Liberty Township.
Ms. Everett, the daughter of Everett and Teeny Alery, was born Nov. 30, 1959, in Des Moines. She had lived in Osceola since 1984.
She liked horses and gardening.
Ms. Everett was a member of the Assembly of God Church in Osceola.
She is survived by a daughter, Carly Mae Everett of Floris; her parents; Everett and Teeny Alery of Liberty Township; a sister, Vicki Simmerman of Murray; a brother, Michael Alery of Woodburn; other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jacki Alery Everett Memorial Fund.
Richard “Dick” Howard
Richard “Dick” Stephen Howard, son of Esmond E. and Jennie E. Wise Howard, was born July 17, 1924, in St. Charles and died Aug. 24, 2001, at Kavanagh House in Des Moines. He was 77.
He grew up in St. Charles and attended school there.
Mr. Howard married LaMarian McFarlin on Nov. 17, 1945, in Des Moines and the couple became the parents of two daughters, Sandra and Shelly. Mr. and Mrs. Howard lived in St. Charles until 1978 when they moved to Des Moines.
He was a salesman for Consolidated Supply in Des Moines. He was a member of the St. Charles Lions Club, a 50-year member of the Model Lodge No. 315 A.F. & A.M. at St Charles and a member of the Royal Order of the Jesters and the ZaGaZig Shrine in Des Moines. He was also a board member of the Bidwell Riverside Commu-nity Center in Des Moines.
Mr. Howard was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines.
Preceding him in death were his parents; his wife, LaMarian in 1984; and two brothers, Wayne and Earl.
Mr. Howard is survived by two daughters, Sandra Smith and her husband, Fred Smith, of St. Charles and Shelly Whitmore and her husband, Jim Whitmore, of Englewood, Colo.; six grandchildren, Brad Smith of Denver, Colo., Ryan Smith of West Des Moines, Sara Smith of Ankeny, Mitchell Whitmore, Abigail Whitmore and Emma Whitmore, all of Englewood; a brother, Elmer “Bim” Howard of Indianola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 28 at Grace United Methodist Church in Des Moines, the Rev. William Steward and the Rev. Jackie Bradford officiating. Organist David Kvernstoen accompanied Mary Seibert as she sang Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art.
Casket Bearers were Wayne Howard, Dwayne Howard, Rich Howard, Bill Seibert, Walter Seibert and Rich Anderson.
Masonic Graveside Rites were by Model Lodge No. 315 A.F. & A.M. Interment was in St. Charles Cemetery. Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes, Osceola and Truro.
Memorial contributions may be made to Bidwell Riverside in Des Moines.
Leo C. Mitchell
Leo C. Mitchell, son of Marion and Martha Wright Mitchell, was born Jan. 7, 1930, at home in Lucas and died Aug. 23, 2001, at his home in Lucas. He was 71.
He served in the United States Army from 1948 until 1960. He was a Foreign War Veteran proudly serving his country during the Korean War.
While in the Army, Leo learned to be an electrician. He toured California, Virginia, Japan, Germany and France. While stationed in France, he helped landscape General Eisenhower’s chateau. He became a close friend of General Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie and their son, David.
Mr. Mitchell was discharged from the U.S. Army in October 1960. He enlisted in the United States Air Force Reserves in February 1964 and learned about atomic weaponry and received additional training. He was discharged on Feb. 1, 1965.
He married Myrtle Spoon on April 20, 1957. The couple became the parents of five children, Matthew, Timothy, Brice Wesly, Martha and Naomi.
In 1968, Mr. Mitchell and his family moved back to the house in Lucas where he was born and he lived there until he died.
He worked many places and was a jack-of-all-trades. His last job was at Jimmy Dean Packing Plant in Osceola where he retired in 1992.
Mr. Mitchell was a member of the New Life Full Gospel Church in Humeston and was a Cub Scout Master of Pack 148 and Boy Scout Chief of Troop 149 of Lucas.
Preceding him in death were his parents, brothers and sisters and four grandchildren.
Mr. Mitchell is survived by his wife, Myrtle Mitchell of Lucas; three sons, Matthew Mitchell and his wife, Anita Mitchell, of Milo, Timothy Mitchell and his wife, Colleen Mitchell, of Lucas and B.W. Mitchell and his wife, Shelly Mitchell, of New Virginia; two daughters, Martha Smith and her husband, Steve Smith, of Milo and Naomi Rickard of Lucas; 13 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; a sister, Lena LaRue of Chariton; many other relatives and friends.
A private family service followed cremation. Overton Funeral Home of Indianola was in charge of arrangements.
Martin Edward Northway
Martin Edward Northway, son of George and Ida Walker Northway, was born April 7, 1927, in Boone and died Aug. 22, 2001, at his home in Osceola. He was 74.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II. He married Rose Marie Goodrich on April 2, 1955, at Indianola. The couple became the parents of six children.
Mr. Northway was a bookbinder for Meredith Publishing Company in Des Moines. He retired in 1985 after working for 45 years.
Mr. and Mrs. Northway lived in Des Moines, Truro and New Virginia before they moved to Osceola in 1977.
Mr. Northway was a member of the Church of Christ at Osceola and served on the board of directors at Bethphage.
Preceding him in death were his parents and his wife, Rose, on Aug. 11, 1997.
Mr. Northway is survived by two sons, Steven Edward Northway and his wife, Dixie Northway, of Osceola and Robert Northway of Corpus Christi, Texas; four daughters, Claudette Mix and her husband, Larry Mix, of Clear Lake, Linda Coe of Twisp, Wash., Sandy Jane Baldwin of Osceola and Loretta Mae Keller of Ottumwa; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Georgia James of Altoona, Mary VanCannon of Madrid and Mae Keith of Newton; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Aug. 28 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Doug Hamilton of the Church of Christ officiating. Vocalists were the Church of Christ Quartet. They sang Old Rugged Cross and It is Well.
Casket bearers were Daniel Keller, Jeffery Dowding, Christopher Elben, Bret Northway, Marc Gregerson and Richard Headrick. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Romanian Children’s Fund.
Leo Quayle
Leo Quayle, son of Claude and Edna Quayle, was born July 9, 1934, in Weldon and died Aug. 23, 2001, at Southwest Mississipi Regional Medical Center in McComb, Miss. He was 67.
He attended Weldon schools and graduated from Weldon High School in 1953.
He retired as a Lt. Commander of the U.S. Navy after 20 years and retired from Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center as a nurse anesthetist after 21 years. He studied at Caraway Methodist Medical Center in Birmingham, Ala., George Washington University in Washington, D.C. and Bethesda Naval Hospital in Annapolis. Md.
Mr. Quayle was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church in McComb.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Mr. Quayle is survived by his wife, Cindy Quayle of McComb; his mother, Edna Quayle of Weldon; a son, Chris Quayle and his wife, Dawn Quayle, of Clinton, Miss.; a daughter, Jennifer Quayle Eisler and her husband, John Eisler, of Picayune, Miss.; three grandchildren, Andrew and Adam Eisler and Brittany Quayle; two brothers, Jerry Quayle of Fort Worth, Texas and Theodore Quayle of Weldon; a sister, Dorothy Willis of Clio and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Aug. 25 at Hartman Chapel, the Rev. Don Bishop and Dr. David Millican officiating.
Casket bearers were Waymon Watkins, Renan Richmond, Don Richmond, Gary Felder, Charlie Culetta, Ralph Jones, Sanfred Sheffield and Charlie Dunagin. Honorary bearers were Jesse Singleton, Gary Jacobs, Wayne Johnson, Paul Smith, Royce McKee, John Medeiros and Price Wilson. Burial was in Hollywood Cemetery in McComb.
EDITH MAE FENN
Edith Mae Fenn, daughter of Burlin and Ethel McDougal Surfus, was born April 1, 1919, at Bristow and died Nov. 16, 2001, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. She was 82.
She spent her early years in Butler and Clarke counties and graduated from Osceola High School in 1936. She attended junior college in Osceola and cosmetology training in Ottumwa.
She married Dwight L. Flesher on Oct. 13, 1940. The couple became the parents of four children, James, Gregory, Cindy and Janet.
Mr. Flesher died in 1959. She married Clarence Fenn on Aug. 15, 1970, in Osceola.
Mrs. Fenn lived most of her married life in Murray where she operated her own beauty salon in her home for 21 years before she retired in 1981.
She was a longtime member of the United Methodist Church in Murray, a 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, the C-U Tuesday Bridge Club and the United Methodist Women.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Dwight L. Flesher; a sister, Maxine Marie Brown and a brother-in-law, Hillis G. Brown.
Mrs. Fenn is survived by her husband, Clarence Fenn of Osceola; two sons, James Flesher and his wife, Clelia Flesher, of Murrieta, Calif. and Gregory Flesher and his wife, Luisa Flesher, of Mesa, Ariz.; two daughters, Cindy Biersma and her husband, Bill Biersma, of Farmington, Minn. and Janet Brooks and her husband, Steve Brooks, of Mesa; a stepdaughter, Peggy Wetzel and her husband d, Robert Wetzel, of Omaha, Neb.; a stepson, David Fenn and his wife, Patricia Fenn of Manilla; a brother, Claire Surfus and his wife, Lucy Surfus, of Oskaloosa; 14 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 19 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Beyond the Sunset and Just a Closer Walk with Thee.
Casket bearers were Jim Anderson, Junior Burgus, Mark Johnson, Max Fenn, Raymond Rider and Oliver Thomas. Interment was in I.O.O.F. in Indianola.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Methodist Women-Murray and Ophir Chapter O.E.S. in Osceola.
DAISY ELLEN SWAIN McQUERN
Daisy Ellen Swain McQuern, daughter of T.H and Jane Hallowell Swain, the eighth of twelve children, was born April 26, 1894, in Clarke County and died Nov. 14, 2001, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines She was 107.
She received her education in the Clarke County Schools and graduated from Osceola High School in 1913. She attended Grinnell College. Her working career included teaching school, bank employment, inspector at the Iowa Ordinance plant during World War II and later operating a hotel in Osceola for 35 years.
She married Floyd McQuern on Sept. 25, 1920, and they became the parents of three daughters, Mary Ellen, Madge and Jane.
Mrs. McQuern lived in Osceola most of her life. She moved to the Village Retirement Center in Indianola in 1992.
She was a longtime member of Research Club, the Osceola Woman’s Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, Two in One Bridge Club, and PTA. She sang in her church choir.
She liked china painting, writing poetry, crocheting and reading.
Mrs. McQuern was well known for entertaining and continued to entertain audiences just recently. She liked to visit nursing homes, clubs and churches where she sang and played the piano, amusing everyone with her skill of playing the piano with her feet.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Floyd after 63 years of marriage; her daughter, Madge Dodson; three brother, and eight sisters.
Mrs. McQuern is survived by two daughters, Mary Ellen Larson and her husband, Lee Larson, of Des Moines and Jane Friedmann and her husband, Fred Friedmann, of Louisville, Ky.; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 17 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor John Long of Indianola officiating. Musical selections included Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanying Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Blessed Assurance and Mrs. McQuern’s own taped selection.
Casket bearers were Don Bredle, Mike Dodson, Yuri Bredle, Dan Dodson, Dave Rhein and Joe Kline.
Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery.
GEORGE NELSON
George Martin Nelson, son of Frank Lars Nelson and Mary Christensen Nelson, was born Feb. 22, 1927, in Colome, S.D. and died Nov. 13, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des moines. He was 74.
He attended grade school and graduated from high school in Herman, Neb. He moved to the Osceola area in 1945, when he was almost 18 years old.
Mr. Nelson married Patricia Jane “Patsy” Miller on June 8, 1950, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osceola. The couple became the parents of six children.
He was a farmer and carpenter and retired only after being forced to by illness. He loved hunting and fishing and horses and had a great passion for his cattle.
He was a charter member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and served the church as an elder for many years. He was also a member of the Clarke County Sheriff’s Posse, National Farmer’s Organization (N.F.O.) and served many years as a Green Bay Township trustee.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two brothers, Chester Nelson, in World War II and Franklin Nelson; a sister, Vera McKay and a brother-in-law, Joe Miller.
Mr. Nelson is survived by his wife, Patsy Nelson of Osceola; three sons, George Mark Nelson and James Nelson and his wife, Brenda Nelson, all of Osceola; Frank “Gus” Nelson and his wife, Sally Nelson, of LaPorte City, ; three daughters, Jennie Jones and her husband, John Jones, of Osceola, Ruth Anderson and her husband, John Anderson, of Humeston and Julie Nelson of Des Moines ; ten grandchildren, Katherine Ann Nelson of Osceola, Carly Jane Anderson of Humeston, Monika Jones, Heather Jones and Laura Lee Nelson, all of Des Moines, George Michael Nelson of LaPorte City, Amy Jo Mangrich and her husband, Brent Mangrich, of Waterloo, Rebekah Jones of San Antonio, Texas, Dustin Samuelson and Dalton Samuelson, both of Mankato, Minn.; two sisters, Mildred Shumaker and her husband, Bill Shumaker, of Des Moines and Dora Paulsen and her husband, Harold Paulsen, of Blair, Neb.; a brother-in-law, Les McKay of Bismarck, Ark.; two sisters-in-law, Tana McCann and her husband, George McCann of Osceola and Sandra Coultis and her husband, Rob Coultis, of Kansas city, Kan.; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 16 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied Mr. Nelson’s grandchildren as they sang Old Rugged Cross, Just As I Am and Shall We Gather at the River.
Casket bearers were George Michael Nelson, Brent Mangrich, Matt Janssen, Matt McCann, Dustin Samuelson and Dalton Samuelson. Honorary bearers were Tony Stearns, Geary Phillips, Randy Short, Dick Gunderson, Kenny Winters, Helmut Mueller, Carl Parmer and Eldon Proctor. Interment was in New Virginia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarke County Hospital.
LANE LYNN SCHULDT
Lane Lynn Schuldt, son of Louis “Louie” and Pearle Hatfield Schuldt, was born Jan. 28, 1930, in Decatur County and died Nov. 11, 2001, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. He was 71.
As he was growing up he attended country school in Decatur County. He joined the Army in the early 1950s.
Mr. Schuldt married Mary Lou Scadden of Murray on March 6, 1954. The couple became the parents of three sons, Rickey Lane, Rodney Lynn and Randy Ray.
At the age of 13, he began an occupation he would grow to love, as a farrier for more than 50 years, he traveled from town to town shoeing horses for hire.
Throughout his life he enjoyed buying, selling and working with his horses and cattle. As a young man he stayed active in rodeos as a bull rider and stock contractor. Later he worked with the cattle for the Little Britches part of the rodeo. Mr. Schuldt and his sons liked breeding horses and going to horse sales. One of his favorite pastimes was visiting with friends at the Weldon Corner.
Preceding him in death were his parents; a son, Randy Ray Schuldt in 1982 and three brothers, infant Willard Wayne, Layton and Lyman Schuldt.
Mr. Schuldt is survived by his wife of Van Wert; two sons, Rick Schuldt and friend, Karen Wanless and her daughter, Megan and Rodney Schuldt and his wife, Karen Schuldt, all of Van Wert; five grandchildren, Breann Schuldt of Cedar Rapids, Tannor Schuldt, Mindy Hamilton and her husband, Wade Hamilton and Trent Schuldt, all of Van Wert and Amy Norman and friend Jacob Moore of Decatur; one great-grandson, Jacob Lane Moore of Decatur; a brother, Boyd Schuldt and his wife, Elaine Schuldt, of Van Wert; two sisters, Darlyne Norman of Decatur and Wanda Lou Schuldt of Osceola; two sisters-in-law, Sharon Schuldt of Osceola and Wanda Mae Schuldt of Bentonville, Ark.; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 14, The Rev. Terry D. Roberts officiating. Connie Hook, Organist, accompanied Bud Hook as he sang On the Wings of a Snow White Dove.
Casket bearers were Dave Beers, Perry Parmer, Dave Fisher, Ronald Dean Parmer, Garry Hainline, Bill Ward, Bob Jackson and Doug Yeager. Interment was in Van Wert Cemetery.
BERNICE SHEPHERD
Bernice Electa Shepherd, the daughter of Melvin Leroy and Verna Sonner Lewis, was born April 7, 1914, in Osceola and died Nov. 16, 2001, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 87.
She received her education in the Osceola schools. She married Darrell Shepherd on Nov. 24, 1934, in Kirksville, Mo. The couple became the parents of two children, Robert and Barbara.
Mrs. Shepherd, a homemaker, was a lifetime resident of Osceola. She was a member of the Osceola County Club where she was an avid golfer and she was also a member of the Osceola Presbyterian Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Darrell in 1993 and a sister, Willene Simpson.
Mrs. Shepherd is survived by a son, Robert Shepherd of Osceola; a daughter, Barbara Mack and her husband, Ron Mack, of Flower Mound, Texas; four grandchildren, Michelle Amato of Atlanta, Ga.; Shelly Dye and her husband, Mark Dye, of Hastings, Neb., Michael Channon and his wife, Holly Channon, of Wilson and Kelli Mack of College Station, Texas; six great-grandchildren, Andrew, Ashley and Aaron Dye of Hastings, Sarah and Samantha Amato of Los Angeles, Calif. and Zachary Channon of Wilson; a sister-in-law, Ivalee Shepherd of Osceola; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Nov. 19 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, The Rev. Bill Kerns of Chariton officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang How Great Thou Art and Wind Beneath My Wings.
Casket bearers were David Johnson, Marvin Johnson, Con McDowell, Bob Evans, Lloyd Querrey and Gary Petersen. Honorary bearers were Don Lynn, Jerry Wolfe and Bill Davenport. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Rev. David Wakefield
David Lee Wakefield, 68, of Grand River, son of Ralph Richard Wakefield and Anna Rosetta Lintz Wakefield, was born March 9, 1933, in Muscatine and died Dec. 27, 2001, at Veterans Administration Medical Center in Knoxville.
The Rev. Wakefield enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1950 and served his country for six years during the Korean War. He was stationed on ships and submarines in Korea and Japan.
While home on leave he married Luetta Mae Cain in Muscatine at the of her pastor uncle. Mrs. Wakefield moved to California while he was based out of San Diego.
After he was discharged he attended two years of business college in Walnut, Calif. He and Luetta moved to Pasadena where David attended L.I.F.E. Bible College. He graduated four years later.
Rev. Wakefield began as assistant pastor at Bostonia, Calif. Assembly of God Church. He became pastor of Ramona, Calif. Assembly of God Church where he helped build a new church.
A son, Wallace Eugene, was born Jan. 24, 1966. The family moved to Grand River in the late 1960s, returned to Ramona for awhile and then returned to Iowa. Rev. Wakefield pastored the Macedonia Assembly of God Church for seven years, building a large congregation.
His love for California took the Wakefields back to Fresno and then to Dilley, Texas. In 1981 the family returned to Grand River and Rev. Wakefield pastored the Assembly of God Church for six more years. After he retired, he continued to provide pulpit supply for other churches and served as pastor for weddings and funerals.
Rev. Wakefield was driven to go out calling and did so tirelessly. He called on the sick at home, in hospitals, and at veterans’ facilities. He was a good-hearted man who loved people. He deeply enjoyed his career as a soul-winning minister. Rev. Wakefield served as Chaplain for the Charles Ladd American Legion Post No. 215 in Grand River and participated in the ministerial alliances of the communities he served.
Rev. Wakefield was an avid gardener and enjoyed yard work. He always carried and used his camera and Bible.
He was preceded in death by his parents and several nephews.
Rev. Wakefield is survived by his wife of Grand River; a son, Wallace Wakefield and his wife, Jacqueline Wakefield, of Sembach Air Force Base, Germany; a granddaughter, Mallory Jo Wakefield; a grandson, Trae Lee-Conner Wakefield of Germany; two sisters, Patricia Stewart of Washington State and Gloria Lint and her husband, Clyde Lint, of Altamont, Mo.; a brother, Richard Wakefield and his wife, Jo Ann Wakefield, of Palo Verde, Ariz.; an adopted brother and sister, Daniel Wakefield and wife, Cindy Wakefield, of Mesa, Ariz. and Janeen McDonald and husband, Travis MacDonald, of Neosho, Mo.; sister-in-law, Betty Mason and husband Elwyn Mason of Russell; parents-in-law, Wallace “Bud” and Margreet Cain of Van Wert; and other relatives and many friends.
Services for Rev. Wakefield were Dec. 31 at the VanWert Assembly of God Church in Van Wert, the Rev. Jerry Lambert, the Rev. John Elkin, and Rev. Ramon Booth officiated. Musician Becky Danley performed Great Is Thy Faithfulness and At the Midnight Cry. Congregational hymns led by Dennis Fierce, were What A Day That Will Be and Oh, That Will Be Glory for Me.
Casket bearers were his nephews, Phillip Mason, Kenneth Mason, Clifford Skidmore, William Lee Skidmore, Timothy Lint, Gregory Lint, Ronald Lindt and Phillip Wakefield.Honorary bearers were Bob Tompkins, Dennis Danley, Dennis Fierce, Ronnie Jackson and Jimmie Lee. Interment was in the Van Wert Cemetery with military honors by Cowl-Scott Post No. 80 and Veterans of Foreign Wars of Leon.
Slade O’Donnell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Dee Leon Hunsaker
Dee Leon Hunsaker, 81, of Mount Ayr, son of Luther D. and Iwa Dell Wybrew Hunsaker, was born Aug. 2, 1920, at Skofield, Utah and died Dec. 21, 2001, at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr.
Mr. Hunsaker served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After he was discharged he went back to Utah where he worked in a coal mine. Later he began driving truck.
In the early 1970s he married Sally Ann Hill. She had two children Lysa and Mike who lived with them.
Mr. Hunsaker was an excellent bowler and pool player. He liked hunting and doing paint-by-number pictures. He was a member of the Elks Lodge in California.
He was a fifth generation Latter Day Saints Church member. Mr.Hunsaker was a simple man without many wants.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include is wife, Sally Hunsaker of Mount Ayr; three stepchildren, Lysa Ward and her husband Mike Ward, of Grand River, John Hill and his wife, Mary Paul, of South Burlington, Vt. and Mike Owens of Phoenix, Ariz; five stepgrandchildren; a sister, Gwen Papadakis of Lake Elisnor, Calif.; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Hunsaker were Dec. 26 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs officiating.
Casket bearers were Jesse Henrichs, Matt Henrichs, Jeff Ward, Wayne Barnes, Mike Marshall and Ron Brown. Interment was in Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton.
Eric Jason Phillips
Eric Jason Phillips, son of Karla Bassett and Marty Phillips, was born Sept. 26, 1976, in Osceola and died Dec. 30, 2001, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 25.
He was a lifetime resident of Osceola and had attended the Clarke Community Schools.
He had worked in construction. Mr. Phillips enjoyed being outdooors and being with his friends. He enjoyed mushroom hunting and would always bring back plenty. He was baptized at the Saint Bernard Catholic Church in Osceola at a young age.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Brandon Ray Phillips and his grandmother, Gloria LeFebvre.
Mr. Phillips is survived by his mother Karla Bassett and her husband, Rod Bassett; his father, Marty Phillips and his wife, Trish Phillips, all of Osceola; a brother, Jerad Phillips of Iowa City; grandfather, Ray LeFebvre and grandparents, Geary and Ann Phillips and great-grandfather, Arthur Morgan, all of Osceola; as well as many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.
Services for Mr. Phillips are at 10:30 a.m. (today) Thursday at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Osceola, the Rev. Father Lyle Peters officiating. Music is Would You Lay With Me In a Field of Stone by D. A. Coe.
Casket bearers will be Larry Mongar, Nathan Boyce, Richard Foland, Nick Penick, Dillon Eckhart and Ryan Carson. Honorary bearers will be Clayton Carson, Keith Jackson and James Hart. Interment is in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
An open visitation is at Kale Funeral Home after 11 a.m. Wednesday with the family present to receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. A prayer service is at 7:30 p.m.
