Hoyle Crees
Hoyle Howard Crees,, the third of six sons, was born around Grand River on July 1, 1913, to Clyde and LuLu Crees. He died Feb. 2, 2004, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 90.
He married Gladys Elizabeth Worden on April 26, 1938, in Des Moines and they became the parents of two sons, Larry Wayne and Leland Richard. During the first years of their marriage they lived on a farm near LeRoy. Moving yearly, they farmed south of Grand River, Sewal and Hopeville, before making their home for 56 years on the Worden farm southeast of Weldon.
Mr. Crees served as director of Center School where his sons attended. He was a 4-H leader for several years. He purchased Ayrshire cattle which his sons showed at the county fair and state fair several years. He was always involved in all the activities his sons were in. He enjoyed watching the boys play football and wrestle in high school.
Mr. Crees did custom farming for a number of years around rural Weldon. He and Mrs. Crees sold milk and cream. He bought young stock cattle from Wisconsin and sold them as yearlings or two-year -olds.
He enjoyed having coon dogs and even on the coldest evenings went hunting. Mrs. Crees and other wives stayed home making sure there was hot coffee and a late-night snack ready. The couple enjoyed playing cards and picnics with neighbors in the Sew-In-Sew Club.
When the boys were in high school, it wasn’t unusual for four to six boys to show up for an overnight weekend. There was plenty of food and laughs.
When the grandchildren came along, ponies were bought for their enjoyment. Scooters made circles in the yard. All the grandchildren and their friends were welcome to go fishing and hunting and stay the weekend enjoying the farm.
The Crees’ always got together with the brothers, wives and cousins for the holidays.
His parents; son Leland; grandson Curtis; and brothers, Vere, Vendal, Eugene, Daniel and Joseph preceded him in death.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years who lives in Osceola; son, Larry Crees and his wife, Barb Crees, of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Rick Crees of Ankeny, Conni Crees of Des Moines, Scott Crees and his wife, Tina Crees, of Osceola and Kristen Crees of Des Moines; three great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Doris Crees of Chariton; nieces and nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Crees were Feb. 5 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Organist Virginia Webb accompanied Terry Roberts as he sang Old Rugged Cross and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were members of the family, Larry Crees, Rick Crees, Scott Crees, Tyler Olesen, Conni Crees and Tina Crees. Honorary bearers were Paul Eastin, Larry Eastin, Max Marshall, Jim Marshall, Bud Jackson and George Jackson. Interment was in Green Bay Cemetery in Clarke County.
Gerald Edwards
Gerald Thomas Edwards, son of Owen LeRoy Edwards and Amy Ramsey Edwards, was born Aug. 8, 1925, in Clarke County and died Feb. 6, 2004, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. He was 78.
Mr. Edwards was a lifetime resident of Clarke County, attending the Clarke County Schools and graduating from Osceola High School in 1943. He served his country with the U.S. Navy during World War II.
He married Nelda Ruth Horton on Dec. 2, 1949, in Osceola and they became the parents of two children, Jeff and Patrick.
Mr. Edwards was the owner of the Osceola and Knoxville Farm and Home Stores for many years. He was a member of the Osceola Rotary Club, Clarke County Development Corporation, and formerly served as Mayor of Osceola. He was the youngest mayor ever elected in Osceola during his tenure. He also served as an Osceola City Councilman.
Mr. Edwards was preceded in death by his parents; his wife in 1983; a brother, Carl Edwards and a sister, Catherine Randa.
He is survived by his sons, Jeff Edwards of Osceola and Patrick Edwards and his wife, Patricia Edwards, of North Liberty; four grandchildren, Jonathon Edwards of Ann Arbor, Mich., Michael and David Edwards of Iowa City and Elizabeth Edwards of North Liberty; two sisters, Mary Beeman of Waterloo and Velma Earle of Des Moines; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Edwards were at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Organist, Pennie Gonseth, accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Precious Memories and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Jonathon Edwards, David Edwards, Greg Flaherty, Michael Edwards, Bill Abbott and Lonny Reynolds. Honorary casket bearers were Dick Beeman, Dan Foster, George Neal, Bob Horton, Dave Gorsline and Si Hoffman.
Military rites were presented by Davis-Pence Post No. 69 American Legion. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Osceola Rotary Club for a scholarship to be established in Mr. Edwards’ name.
Gertrude Heckathorn
Gertrude L. Heckathorn, 92, of Calamus died Feb. 3, 2004, at Wheatland Manor in Wheatland of complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Mrs. Heckathorn was born Jan. 10, 1912, in Carthage, Ill. to Charles and Bertha Siple Bradshaw. She married Clifford Heckathorn on Nov. 12, 1929. Mr. Heckathorn preceded her in death March 1, 2001.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by an infant son, Harold and a son, Lloyd; three brothers, Boyd, Carl and Lowell and a sister, Helen Wilson.
Mrs. Heckathorn is survived by two daughters, June Smith of Calamus and Nevalee Legg and her husband, Wayne Legg, of Fort Collins, Colo.; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is further survived by sisters-in-law, Rosalie Bradshaw and her husband, Lowell Bradshaw, Von Dean Bradshaw and her husband, Carl Bradshaw, and Fern Heckathorn and her husband Wayne Heckathorn and a brother-in-law, Paul Heckathorn.
A graveside service will be held in the spring at the Van Wert Cemetery.
L. Margradell Hood
Margradell Hood, daughter of Elsie M. Melton and Sherman J. Baker, was born on July 2, 1909, in Mattoon, Ill. and died Feb. 5, 2004, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. She was 94.
She married E. Frank Hood on Aug. 16, 1928, at Clear Lake. Mrs. Hood lived in the Creston and Osceola area all of her married life.
Mrs. Hood was preceded in death by her parents; husband in August of 1994; son Keith in 1995 and a grandson, Chris Gonseth, in 2001; six brothers and two sisters.
Mrs. Hood is survived by three daughters, Mary Lou Fibiker and her husband, Donald Fibiker, of Callender; Sharon Sheesley and her husband, Bill Sheesley, and Karen Gonseth and her husband, Larry Gonseth, both of Murray; a son Bill Hood and his wife, Diane Hood, of Bayard; a daughter-in-law, Doris Hood of Diagonal; 11 grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hood were Feb. 7 at the Powers Funeral Home in Creston. Burial was in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton.
A memorial will be established in her name.
Leah Lamb
Leah Ratliff Lamb was born Nov. 26, 1907, in Osceola to Frank and Ethel Emary and died at the Regent Care Center in Waco, Texas on Feb. 7, 2004. She was 96.
She attended county school near Leslie. She married O.D. Ratliff in 1923 and he was the true love of her life. He preceded her in death in 1959. She married Edmond Lamb in 1964 and he died in 1984.
Mrs. Lamb was a loving wife and mother, putting her family’s needs before her own. She worked for a time as a secretary and as a nurse’s aid. She enjoyed golf, travel, dancing, bridge and bingo. During the past six years she enjoyed playing cards and 42 with all of her friends at Lake Shore Estates.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Leland Emary, and her constant companion, Coco.
She is survived by two sons, O. Dale Ratliff of Des Moines and L. Doyle Ratliff of Scottsdale, Ariz.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and a nephew.
Graveside services were held Feb. 11 in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Audrey May
Audrey C. Sinn May, daughter of Edward Sinn and Ida Monical Sinn, was born June 25, 1911, in Colorado and died Feb. 6, 2004, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center in Osceola. She was 92.
She grew up in the Truro area and graduated from Truro High School. She married Leonard Ellsworth May on May 7, 1957, in Bethany, Mo. She was a housewife and had worked as a nurse’s aid for Stroy Hospital in Osceola.
Mrs. May enjoyed gardening, baking pies and fishing. She attended the Assembly of God Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1997; daughter Bonnie; five sisters, Carrie, Blanche, Bernice, Grace and Nola; and two brothers, Russell and Myron.
Mrs. May is survived by her stepson, Dwaine May and his wife, Sherry May, of Osceola; two stepdaughters, Leah Page Hauldesheldt and her husband, Gerald Hauldesheldt, and Sheryl Morris and her husband, Dennis Morris, of Osceola; 11 stepgrandchildren; many great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. May will be at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 16 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Chuck DeVos of the Osceola Assembly of God officiating.
Casket bearers will be Donal May, Douglas May, Scott May, Mark O’Leary, James Page and Rick Roberts. Honorary bearers will be Todd Fletcher, Robert Curtiss, Edward Welch, Michael Hiatt and Michael O’Leary. Interment will be in the Chariton Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center.
Visitation will be open after 11 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with the family present to great friends from 5 to 7 p.m.
Marjorie Rinehart
Marjorie Rinehart, 83, mother of LaVonne Herndon of Osceola, died Feb. 8, 2004, at her son’s home in Newton. Services were at 11 a.m. Feb. 11 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton, the Rev. Gene Bryant of the First Christian Church in Newton officiating.
Interment was in the Newton Union Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Jasper County or to the Moose Lodge No. 923.
Mrs. Rinehart was born Oct. 24, 1920, in Knoxville to Loren Isaac and Aura Alice Dickey Hegwood. A resident of Newton since 1943, she graduated from Dallas High School in 1938. She married James C. Rinehart on Oct. 22, 1940, in Ottumwa and they became the parents of four children.
Mrs. Rinehart was a homemaker. She was a member of the First Christian Church, Philo Christo Circle, Moose Lodge, past member of the Ikettes and Jasper County Senior Citizens.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1985; a grandson, Troy Herndon in 2003; daughter-in-law, Connie Beaderstat, three brothers and a sister.
She is survived by three sons, LeRoy Rinehart and his wife, Shirley Rinehart and Lynn Rinehart and his wife, Nancy Rinehart, all of Newton, and Charles Rinehart and his wife, Sheryl Rinehart, of Ankeny; a daughter, La Vonne Herndon of Osceola; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
Thomas Samuel Barr
Thomas Samuel Barr, son of Samuel Pearl Barr and Zada Ethel McMurtrey Barr, was born Oct. 9, 1913, in Clarke County and died Feb. 3, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 89.
He grew up on his father’s farm in Knox Township near Lacelle where he also attended Clarke County rural schools.
He married Edna Grace Sanders on Dec. 7, 1938, at Princeton, Mo. and they became the parents of two children, Richard and Sandra.
When he was nine he began driving his father’s tractor. He loved his tractors.
He remained a dedicated farmer throughout his life. He loved to till the soil, plant the seeds and watch them grow until harvest time. He was especially proud of the time he was featured in a national magazine, Grace Fertilizer, a monthly publication after he bought one of the last International tractors made. He was so proud of this magazine he would show it to all who came to visit.
Mr. Barr left the farm for 20 years and became a successful road and soil conservation contractor. He enjoyed moving earth for the betterment of soil conservation. He later returned to the farm as a full-time farmer. Mr. Barr’s two favorite pastimes were riding his motorcycles or ATVs and flying his Piper Cub airplane.
He leaves many friends and family remembering his jokes and the stories he told throughout the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Sylvia and two brothers-in-law, Bill Gray and Melvin Worden.
Mr. Barr is survived by his wife; a son, Richard Barr and his wife, Kathy and a daughter, Sandra Barr Roller and her husband, Brett Roller, all of Osceola; four grandchildren, Robin Barr Linskens and her husband, Gerard Linskens, and Lance Martin and his wife, Julie Martin, all of Osceola, Major Eric Barr and his wife, Julieanne Barr, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Shawni Martin Hord and her husband, Scott Hord, of Parkton, N.C.; nine great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Barr were Feb. 8 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe of Osceola officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied vocalist Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Precious Memories and Take My Hand Precious Lord.
Casket bearers were Dan Garrett, Chris George, Dennis Martin, David Curnes, Doyle, Curnes and Kelly Curnes. Honorary casket bearers were Donald Dale, Clarence Scholl, Lynn George, Olin Eddy, Richard Zopff, Donnie Goodrich, Charles Garrett, J.D. Eddy and Larry Redman. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Association.
Richard Barr
Richard Thomas Barr, son of Thomas Samuel Barr and Edna Grace Sanders Barr, was born Aug. 2, 1941, in Osceola and died Oct. 15, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 62.
He received his education in rural Clarke County at the Groveland and Leslie Schools. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1959 and from Iowa State University in the winter of 1964.
He married Kathleen Lucile Price on Sept. 8, 1962, at the Little Brown Church in Nashua. They became the parents of two children, Robin and Eric. Mr. and Mrs. Barr were also privileged to become the parents of four foreign exchange students, Juan, Jens, Adyl and Enrique.
Mr. Barr was a lifetime resident of Clarke County and farmed there most of his life. He was currently grounds supervisor at Lakeside Casino and Convention Center and former partner with Dr. Fred Wood at the Alley Bowl for two years.
He attended the United Methodist Church in Osceola.
Mr. Barr was a pioneer in no-till farming in Clarke County. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, fishing, gardening and bow hunting. He was a past 4-H leader, a former member of the Clarke County Fair Board, Southern Iowa Hay Association and Rambling Riders Motorcycle Club.
He was preceded in death by his father, and son-in-law, Rob Shultice.
He is survived by his wife, of Osceola; his mother, of Osceola; a daughter, Robin Barr Linskens and her husband, Gerard Linskens, of Osceola; a son Eric Barr and his wife, Julieann Barr of Newport News, Va.; a sister, Sandra Barr-Roller and her husband Brett Roller of Osceola; five grandchildren, Blake and Brooke Shultice and Megan Linskens of Osceola and Alexis, Eisen and Braeden Barr of Newport News.
In addition he was survived by four foreign exchange students, Jens Clasvorbeck and his wife, Silke Clasvorbeck, of Guttersloh, Germany, Juan Martinez and his wife, Wendy Martinez, of Oaxaca, Mexico, Enrique Bolanos of Mexico City, Mexico and Adyl Ibadah of Casablanca, Morocco; a niece Shawni Martin Hord and her husband Scott Hord, of Parkton, N.C. and a nephew, Lance Martin and his wife, Julie Martin of Osceola; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Barr were held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Hugh Stone officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied vocalists, Anne O’Neill, Martha White and Sue Modeland as they sang In the Garden, Wind Beneath My Wings and Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin.
Casket bearers were David Curnes, Doyle Curnes, Kelly Curnes,William Abney, Lynn George, Rick Barrett, Richard Murphy and Bill Ogbourne. Honorary bearers were Jim Hagen, Jerry Hagen, Jim Schipper, Fred Wood, Charles Garrett, Craig Snell, Richard Marvin, Kevin Klemesrud, Rusty Haltom, Dean Hayward, Bill Short, Bob West, Rod Bassett, Jackie Beeker, John Jass, Fred Sutherland, Chuck Taylor, Dennis White, Jerry Webb, Con Smith and Orval McDowell. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Richard Barr Memorial for the Clarke County Fairgrounds.
William "Bill" Christian
William “Bill” Christian, the son of William Christian and Donna Yearns, was born July 26, 1961, in Unionville, Mo. and died Oct. 7, 2003, at his home in Baxter. He was 42.
He graduated from Baxter High school in 1980. He was a cook and kitchen manager for Perkins for almost 20 years.
Mr. Christian loved his dogs, truck, fishing, football, basketball and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
He married Kim Thielen on March 28, 2002, in Baxter.
He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents and his brother, William Lee Christian.
He is survived by his wife; a son Brandon Evans of Independence, Va.; a stepson, Clayton Cooper of Baxter; a stepdaughter, Jenny Welch of Cedar Rapids; his father, William Christian of Allerton; mother, Donna Bucklin and stepfather, Gerald Bucklin of Warsaw, Mo.; four brothers, Doug Christian and his wife, Brandi Christian of Allerton, Ron Christian and his wife, Fran Christian, of Truro; Scott Christian and his wife, Choel, and Mark Christian and his wife, Dawn Christian, all of Corydon; a sister, Sarah Howell of Baxter and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Christian were Oct. 11 at Ashton Chapel in Baxter, the Rev. Sonny Walker officiating. Interment was in the Ashton Chapel Cemetery in rural Baxter.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or to Mercy Hospice and may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton.
Inez Clarke
Inez Marie Clarke, daughter of Jesse M. and Elsie May Monical Goodrich, was born June 7, 1906, in Truro and died Oct. 19, 2003, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center in Osceola. She was 97.
She graduated from Osceola High School and then sought employment in Chicago and New York. She found work with a family in New York who took her with them to Germany. She also lived in California.
She married Alvin Curnes in 1935 in Council Bluffs. He died in 1949. After his death she helped build the cabins in Arnold’s Park that she owned and operated for 25 years. She married J.D. Clarke in 1952 in Arnolds Park. Mr. Clarke died in 1983.
An artist throughout her life, Mrs. Clarke worked as a riveter during World War II. She enjoyed fishing and hunting. She was a member of the hospital auxiliary, VFW and Red Cross at Arnold’s Park.
She was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands, a brother, Carl Goodrich and a nephew, Gary Goodrich in infancy.
Mrs. Clarke is survived by four brothers, Vern Goodrich and his wife, Mabel Goodrich, of Omaha, Neb., Ross Goodrich and his wife, Laura Goodrich and Paul Goodrich and his wife, Audrey Goodrich, all of Osceola and Everett Goodrich of Lucas; three sisters, Hazel Leonard and her husband, Harold Leonard, of Chariton, Annabelle Ross of Lake Jackson, Texas and Margaret Leonard of Lucas; nieces and nephews; and friends.
A funeral service for Mrs. Clarke was held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola on Oct. 22, the Rev. Neville Clayton of Osceola officiating.
Cremation followed the service and scattering of her cremains will be at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarke County Hospital Auxiliary.
Lois V. Gray
Lois V. Gray, 69, of Altoona, died of cancer Feb. 3, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. Services for Mrs. Gray were Feb. 7 at the Altoona United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Altoona Cemetery.
Mrs. Gray was born in Decatur County and lived in Des Moines and Decatur County before moving to Altoona where she lived for 34 years. A homemaker, Mrs. Gray enjoyed gardening, going to casinos, bowling and spending time with her family.
Mrs. Gray is survived by her husband, Wiley Gray of Altoona; five sisters, Elouise Bethards of Seymour, Lucille Baughman of Osceola, Betty Lou Halsted of Des Moines, Kay Fenn of Nevada and Imogene Beardsley of Midway, Ark.; and four brothers, Doyle Hembry of Creston, Gail Hembry, Fred Hembry and Gary Hembry, all of Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan B. Koman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
Funeral arrangements were by the Altoona Funeral Home.
Arta Hays
Funeral services for Arta Hays, 100, of Calvin Community in Des Moines, who died there Feb, 9, 2003, will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Westminster Presbyterian Church, of which she was a member. Burial will be in the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines.
Mrs. Hays was born in Osceola and lived in Des Moines for most of her life. She was a retired accountant with Globe Machinery and Supply Co. She was a member of Order of the Eastern Star and White Shrine. She had been active in the Business and Professional Women and the Society of Women Accountants. She enjoyed traveling and reading.
She is survived by a grandson, Thomas Collier of Ames and great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends an hour prior to services on Friday at the church, and memorial contributions may be made to her church. Dunn’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Bernard "Ben" Hughes
Bernard “Ben” R. Hughes, son of Roy Wesley Hughes and Vera Iona Sickels, was born Dec. 25, 1926, in Adair County and died from a heart attack Feb. 5, 2003, at his home in St. Charles. He was 76.
He graduated from Bridgewater High School and received a computer science degree from Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny.
He married Dorthy Elizabeth Copeland at the Bridgewater Christian Church on Jan. 2, 1955, and they became the parents of four children.
Mr. Hughes served his country in the Army Air Corps during World War II. He most recently worked for Werner Enterprises driving a truck. He lived in St. Charles for the past 11 years and before that he lived for 20 years in Truro.
Mr. Hughes was a former member of the Lions Club in Truro, Odd Fellows Lodge in Bridgewater and a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Martensdale.
He was a Boy Scout leader and softball coach. He enjoyed woodworking and reading westerns. Mr. Hughes loved telling jokes, working in his garden, playing cards, visiting with people and attending Blue -grass and country music festivals.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Mr. Hughes is survived by his wife; three daughters, Duly Zwiefel and her husband, Alan Zwiefel, of Ankeny, Dana Warren of St. Charles and Dori Hughes of Adair; a son, David Hughes and his wife, Sara Hughes, of Truro; eight grandchildren, Traci Harre of Marshalltown, Alexandra Zwiefel of Ankeny, Heather Isaac and her husband, Nile Isaac, of New Virginia, Aaron Malcolm and his wife, Malinda Malcolm, Kiersten Warren and Shelby Warren, all of St. Charles and Joshua and Jacob Hughes of Truro; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Wayne Hughes and his wife, Reva Hughes, of Garden Grove; as well as many other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial services were held for Mr. Hughes at the Truro Congregational United Church of Christ on Feb. 11, Roselyn Harbart of Johnston officiating. Vocalist was Mr. Hughes’ granddaughter, Kiersten Warren. She sang Go Rest High On That Mountain, One More Day, Just As I Am and The Dance.
Honorary bearers were Ken Patterson, Harvey Handley, Doug Thiel, Edwin Williams, Richard Williams, Larry Hughes and Donald Williams. Interment of the cremains will be at a later date in Garner Cemetery at Bridgewater.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
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.
Esther Livia Cook
Esther Livia Cook, daughter of John Howard and Nola Clymore Gearhart, was born Jan. 9, 1918, in Clarke County and died Feb. 8, 2002, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. She was 84.
She attended Ward Center Country School and Osceola High School.
She married Abner “Abbie” Stubbs on Oct. 11, 1934. They became the parents of four sons. Mr. Stubbs died in 1960.
She married Glenn Schader in 1970. They loved to travel and visited many of the states. Mr. Schader died in 1970.
She married Burtsel Cook in 1972 and they lived on his farm for 15 years. After his death in 1988, she returned to her home in Osceola.
Mrs. Cook was a member of the Osceola Church of Christ. She liked to grow flowers and raise a garden. She also liked knitting, crocheting and sewing.
She worked at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola as a nurses’ aide for 17 years.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husbands were her parents; two brothers, Paul Gearhart and Loran Gearhart and a stepson, David Cook.
Mrs. Cook is survived by four sons, Vance Stubbs and his wife, Judith Stubbs and Leslie Stubbs, all of Des Moines, Waid Stubbs and his wife Debra Stubbs, of Warsaw, Va. and Danny Stubbs and his wife, Lucy Stubbs, of Corydon; 12 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; three stepdaughters, Mildred Whitehead and her husband, Everett Whitehead, and Karen York, all of Cocoa, Fla. and Lucille Sargent and her husband, Bill Sargent, of Indianola; four stepsons, Norman Cook and his wife, Karalee Cook, and Danny Cook and his wife, Patty Cook, of Truro, John Cook and his wife, Amy Cook, of Council Bluffs and Andrew Cook of Des Moines; 20 stepgrandchildren and 20 stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Walsie Gearhart of Carlsbad, N.M.; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Feb. 12 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Doug Hamilton of Osceola officiating. The Osceola Church of Christ Singers sang Hand in Hand with Jesus, As the Life of a Flower and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Dale Bonnett, Harry Imhoff, Rollin Daly, Russ Flaherty, Ken Wright and Brett Grimm. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Dora Retland Beadel
Dora Retland Beadel, daughter of Lewis Retland and Annie Josephine Johnson Retland, was born June 18, 1909, in Adams County and died Feb. 5, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. She was 92.
She attended Adams County rural schools and graduated from Corning High School. She received her normal teacher’s training. She worked at McLellan’s Drug Store in Corning.
She married Ronald Edward Beadel on June 3, 1935, in Sioux Falls, S.D. and the couple became the parents of two children, Linda and Richard.
Mr. and Mrs. Beadel moved to Clarke County after their marriage and opened Beadel’s Dairy Bar, which they operated until Mr. Beadel’s death in 1957. Dora worked for Snowdons and had worked for Younkers as a retail sales clerk until she retired in 1975.
Mrs. Beadel was an active Republican, a member of the Book Lovers Club and bridge clubs. She was a member of the Osceola United Methodist Church and enjoyed antique auctions.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1957; son, Richard in 1947; three brothers, Arthur, Lewis and Francis Retland and two sisters Ollie Peterson and Jesse Frederick.
Mrs. Beadel is survived by her daughter, Linda Mariniello and her husband, Tony Mariniello, of Bartlett, Ill.; three grandchildren, Christine Orozco and her husband, Juan Orozco, of Hoffman Estates, Ill., Eric Johnson of Chicago, and Ryan Johnson of Glen Elyn, Ill.; two great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Phyllis Nicks of College Station, Texas; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Beadel were Feb. 8 at Kale Funeral home in Osceola, the Rev. James Louk of Osceola officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Whispering Hope and O’ Holy Night.
Casket bearers were Eric Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Doug May, Don May and Juan Orozco. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Opal Marie Ellis
Opal Marie McCauley Ellis, daughter of Sarah Terrell and Grover McCauley, was born April 20, 1911, in Lucas County and died Feb. 10, 2002, at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 90.
She grew up with five brothers and two sisters in Lucas, Clarke and Marion counties. She went to school and graduated from Woodburn High School in 1930.
She met Chester Ellis known as Chig and knew he was the one for her. They were married on March 3, 1931, in Creston. They were married during the Depression and were poor like everyone else, but young and in love.
They spent their married lives farming and she worked 11 years at Riggs Guest Home in Chariton. She also worked at Osceola Manor and the Country Chef.
The couple became the parents of one son, Jerald Chester, on June 28, 1937.
The family shared their faith and love of God at he Goshen Baptist Church where they became members on Oct. 25, 1953.
She lived a full and busy life. She enjoyed her family, visiting with friends, traveling, being an active member of the church, teaching Sunday school and coffee time.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband of 46 years in 1977; son Jerry in 1989; three brothers, Jerald, Virgil and Howard McCauley and one sister, Paulie Hall.
Mrs. Ellis is survived by her daughter-in-law, Fran Ellis of Weldon; three grandchildren, Teri Walker of Corydon, Doug Ellis and his wife, Christy Ellis, of Sioux City and Jackie Myer of Mount Ayr; nine great-grandchildren; two brothers, Boyd McCauley of Winterset and Jim McCauley and his wife, Dorothy McCauley, of New Virginia; a sister, Margaret Curtis of Apache Junction, Ariz.; two sisters-in-law, Frances Ellis of Indianola and Blanche Horn of Allerton; a brother-in-law, Don Hall of Carlisle; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Feb. 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Paul Schoen of Ankeny officiating. Bonnie Skinner, organist, accompanied Mary Jo Querrey and Patricia Lutz as they sang Each Step I Take and Over the Sunset Mountain.
Casket bearers were Doug Ellis, Richard Toney, Mike Hall, Roger McCauley, Jack Ellis and Larry McCauley. Honorary bearers were Bill Oehlert, Bob Oehlert, Marlin Querrey and Jim Skinner. Interment was in Goshen Cemetery in Goshen.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Baptist Church.
Gerald Freeman Sr.
Funeral services were held Feb. 7, 2002, at Richardson Funeral Home in Carlisle for Gerald Wayne “Dick” Freeman Sr. of New Virginia who died Sunday, Feb. 3, 2002, of leukemia at Veterans Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 82.
Mr. Freeman was born in Ackworth and lived in Warren County for many years. He had lived in Rockaway Beach, Mo. for five years before moving to New Virginia. A retired carpenter, he was a Army veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion Branson Hollister Post 220.
He is survived by his wife, Dortha; six sons, Gerald Jr. of Des Moines, Wallace and Randy, both of Indianola, Rodney of Collins, Ricky of Prairie City and Timothy of Milo; seven daughters, Elvira Howe of Carlisle, Marjorie Kelley of Brasellon, Ga., Pandia Bender and Pamela Bostwick, both of Rockaway Beach, Rhonda Casazza of Osceola and Dortha Gillum-Freeman and Doreen Terrell, both of Des Moines; 56 grandchildren; 78 great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-grandchildren.
Burial was in the Sandyville Cemetery.
Max McClure
Max Donald McClure, son of Lois and Blanche Knodle McClure, was born Feb. 26, 1927, in Decatur County and died of cancer Feb. 7, 2002, at Powell Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 74.
He grew up on a farm northwest of Decatur, where he lived until he joined the Navy in 1945. After the service he received his A&E mechanic’s license, but he returned to farming near Grand River.
Mr. McClure married Gwendolyn McGauhey on May 24, 1945. They became the parents of two children, Donald Craig and Linda Denise.
He joined the Iowa Highway Patrol in 1952 and was stationed in Knoxville. He resigned and joined Allied Mutual Insurance in 1957, as a fieldman. The company moved him to Denver, Colo. in 1962, to open a branch office. As a field representative, he received many awards as Fieldman of the Year.
Mr. McClure joined Collier Insurance Company as Vice President of Insurance in 1972.
The couple moved to Montrose, Colo. where he was an insurance adjuster for Colorado Farm Bureau until he retired and moved back to Leon in 1986.
Mr. McClure then drove the Central Decatur school bus for children with disabilities for nine years.
He loved to fish and golf, his coffee group and visiting with friends.
He joined the church as a young man and stayed faithful. He was a member of the Trinity Christian Church. His goal in life was to bring other people to the Lord.
Preceding him in death were his parents; six brothers, Wade, Darold, Romaine, Gale, Monte and Charles McClure and two sisters-in-law, Vernice McClure and Maxine McClure.
Mr. McClure is survived by his wife, Gwen McClure of Leon; a son, Craig McClure and his wife, Teresa McClure, of Parker, Colo.; a daughter, Linda Kloosterman and her husband, Craig Kloosterman, of Denver; one granddaughter; two great-grandsons; one stepgrandson and four sisters-in-law; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were Feb. 11 at Trinity Christian Church, west of Decatur, the Rev. Terry Roberts officiating. Virginia Webb, organist, accompanied Debbie Young as she sang Under His Wings and The Lord’s Prayer and Rev. Roberts as he sang People Need the Lord.
Casket bearers were Terry McClure, Dick McClure, Jack McClure, Dan McClure, Karlos McClure and Denny McClure. Honorary bearers were Ronnie McClure, Mike Hembry, Neil Green and Trenton Norman. Interment was in Decatur Cemetery. Arrangements were by Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Christian Church.
Raymond McKnight
Raymond Joe McKnight, son of John Henry McKnight and Eithel Pauline Depperman McKnight, was born Nov. 9, 1928, at the family home in Liberty. He died Feb. 6, 2002, of complications of a heart ailment at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 73.
He grew up in the Liberty area and attended Liberty School. He lived all of his life in Clarke County.
He married Donna Faye White on March 26, 1954, in Hiawatha, Kan. The couple became the parents of a son.
Mr. McKnight was a farmer and owner and operator of the Liberty Store. He served in the US Navy during World war II and was a member of the former Liberty United Methodist Church.
His garden was a number one priority and his yard was very important to him. Mr. McKnight enjoyed playing board games with family and friends at the store and at home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Glenn, Dale and Dwight and brothers-in-law, Willard and Lewis White.
He is survived by his wife; a son, Bradley McKnight and his wife, Brenda McKnight, of Osceola; a granddaughter, Amanda Rae McKnight of Osceola; a brother, Earl McKnight and his wife, Odean McKnight, of New Virginia; three sisters, Phyllis Stump and her husband, Neil Stump and Betty Downard and her husband, Roger Downard, all of Osceola and Helen Day and her husband Buford Day, of Bondurant, nine sisters-in-law, Hilda McKnight and Zola McKnight, both of Osceola, Helen McKnight of Liberty, Leota Thompson and her husband, Ted Thompson, of Winterset, Shirley Shields and her husband, Bill Shields, of Lucas, Marge Kennedy and her husband, Donavan “Swede” Kennedy, of Colorado Springs, Leola Brown and her husband, Otis Brown, of Arkansas, Darlene White of Shannon City and Eloise White of Creston; a brother-in-law, Ken White of Mesa, Ariz.; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Memorial services for Mr. McKnight were Feb. 6, 2002, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Skip Rushing of New Virginia officiating. Pianist Ann March accompanied vocalists Amanda Rae McKnight and Janice Watkins. as they sang Bringing in the Sheaves, There You’ll Be and I Will Remember You.
Casket bearers were Floyd Buttrey, Bob Mobley, Tom Steinbach. David Cowden, Max Blair, Larry Goodrich and Dwight “Shorty” Clark.
Interment of the cremains will be at a later date in the Liberty Cemetery.
Ronald Wesley Smith Sr.
Ronald Wesley Smith Sr. of Big River, Calif., was born Jan. 31, 1945, in Osceola and died Jan. 14, 2002, in Kingman, Ariz. He was 56.
Mr. Smith attended school in Murray and then enlisted in the U.S. Army.
He married Linda Marie Propst on Feb. 11, 1964, in Princeton, Mo. They became the parents of a daughter, Mindy and a son, Ron Jr. The couple would have celebrated their 38th anniversary next month.
Mr. Smith was Director of Construction for Watt Land Development in California for 23 years. He moved to his home in Big River permanently in 1995 and began working for Mohave Pizza.
He was preceded in death by his father, Everett Wesley Smith and two nephews, David and Shawn Smith.
He is survived by his wife of Big River; daughter, Mindy Baker and her husband, Jim Baker, of Lucas; son, Ron Smith Jr. of Big River.; two grandchildren, Michael Ganino of Chicago, Ill. and PFC Jennifer Ganino, currently stationed in Vilsec, Germany; two stepgranddaughters, Bonnie and Kayleigh Baker of Lucas; mother, Irene Smith of Murray; a brother, Ray Smith of Murray; six sisters, Bettie Morris of Osceola, Shirley Batani of Woodward, Linda Smith, Ann Smith and Robin Shannon, all of Murray and Debbie Gibbons of Lorimor; and nieces and nephews.
A memorial service for Mr. Smith was held at the Woodburn Christian Church on Jan. 19.
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.
