Lucille Thomas
Lucille Thomas, daughter of Michael and Rae Combe O’Riley, was born March 19, 1926, in Los Angeles, Calif. and died of cancer March 1, 2003, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center in Osceola. She was 76.
She graduated from high school in California and married Wendell Thomas on March 6, 1959, at Sigourney.
A homemaker, Mrs. Thomas helped take care of elderly people in their homes.
She was a member of the Baptist faith.
Mrs. Thomas enjoyed latch hook, working in her garden and being outdoors.
She is survived by two daughters, Linda Lewis and her husband, Steve Lewis, of Osceola and Marie Hohla and her husband, Ken Hohla, of Laguna Niguel, Calif.; a stepson Gary Thomas and his wife, Diana Thomas, of Garden Grove; a stepdaughter, Marlus “Doad” Dale of Garden Grove; 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
No services are scheduled at this time. Her cremains will be buried at a later date in Oak Ridge Cemetery at West Liberty.
George Marvin Thompson Sr.
George Marvin Thompson, son of Don Junior and Ruby Mae Endres Thompson, was born Dec. 10, 1941, in Greenfield and died Feb. 25, 2003, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. He was 61.
He married Susan Jean Darrow of Fontanelle on Jan. 19, 1962, at the Hebron Methodist Church. They became the parents of three children, George Marvin Jr., Derek Jon and Dustin Dene.
Mr. Thompson moved to Leon with his family and started working for the Iowa Sate Patrol as a trooper in March 1973. He retired in February 1997 after 23 years of service to the Iowa State Patrol.
He enjoyed collecting gas pumps, signs, Coke memorabilia and other antiques. Mr. Thompson also enjoyed buying, fixing and selling old cars. He loved going to auctions, working with Merrill and getting morning coffee with Ron and Cecil. He enjoyed fishing and being with family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Dean Leroy and Richard Thompson.
Mr.Thompson is survived by his wife of Leon; three sons, George Thompson Jr. of Osceola, Derek Thompson and his wife, Connie Thompson of Creston and Dustin Thompson and his wife Hillary Thompson, of Leon; a grandson, Matthew Thompson of Creston; a brother, Donnie Thompson and his wife, Myrtle Lou Thompson of Greenfield; two sisters, Dolores Von Rentzell and her husband, Dale Von Rentzell and Barbara Farber and her husband, Al Farber, all of Earlham; mother-in-law, Jean Darrow, of Fontanelle; three sisters-in-law, Ginger Thompson and Sharon Linthicum and her husband, Mert Linthicum, all of Greenfield and Mary Carson and her husband Dean Carson, of Creston; other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Thompson were March 1 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Max Carmichael officiating.
Casket bearers were members of the Iowa State Patrol, Rick Conn, Larry Jones, Rich McCormick, Gary Petersen, Brian Shelley and Ron Thomas. Honorary bearers were Steve Barger, Dean Carson, Terry Collins, Merrill Hamilton, Wendell Jones, Mert Linthicum, Cecil Madden and Gene Warren. Interment was in the Leon Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
DONNA LEA OLIVER CHEEK
Donna Lea Cheek, 70, of Anabel, Mo. died Feb. 19, 2002, at the Clarence Care Center in Clarence, Mo.
The daughter of Herman and Nellie Sinift Oliver, she was born June 15, 1931, in Osceola. She married Charles Cheek on Feb. 4, 1951.
Mrs. Cheek was a member of the National Association of Retired Employees and served as their secretary-treasurer.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Gerald Oliver.
Mrs. Cheek is survived by her husband of Anabel, Mo.; a daughter, Susan Lea Dickson and her husband, Tom Dickson, of Keokuk; a son Randy L. Cheek and his wife, Gail Cheek, of Lancaster, Calif.; a brother, Max Oliver and his wife, Jean Oliver, of Osceola; a sister, Carolyn Holdridge and her husband, Ron Holdridge, of Peosta; a brother-in-law, Jack Cheek of Folsom, Calif.; a sister-in-law, Marion Oliver of San Diego, Calif.; five grandchilden and five great-grandchildren.
Prayer services were held Feb. 23 at the Carney-Armstrong Funeral Chapel in Macon, Mo.
FRED LEWIS SOPER
Fred Lewis Soper, oldest son of Fred A. Soper and Flossie L. Rood Soper, was born Nov. 27, 1914, in Shelby County near Harlan and died Feb. 28, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 87.
As a small child he moved with his parents to Crawford County and lived there until he was 16 when he moved to Lucas County and in 1938 moved to Clarke County. He married Lola Skinner on Dec. 4, 1935, in Bethany, Mo. and they became the parents of two daughters, Florence and Flora.
He worked hard at everything he did. He was engaged in farming, truck driving and carpentry work and loved them all. His joy and pride was his family and doing for others.
He was preceded in death by his mother in 1945 and his father in 1959; wife Lola Soper in 1987; a sister Ruth King in 1968; a daughter, Flora Allen in 1981 and a brother, Wayne Soper in 1991.
Mr. Soper is survived by his daughter, Florence Hawkins of Osceola; four grandchildren, Gene Garrison and Cristi Allen, both of Osceola, Bradley Garrison and his wife, Julie Garrison, of Davenport and Charles Hawkins of Millerton; four great-grandchildren, Randy and Julie Scadden of Osceola and Nathan and Clayton Garrison of Davenport; six sisters, Grace Chumbley of Osceola, Vera Hupton of Upland, Calif., Aldora Tripp of Kanawha, Alice Gracey of Truro, Nellie Critz of Indianola and Eula West of Cameron, Mo.; two brothers, Max Soper of Indianola and William Soper of Milford, Neb.; other relatives and a host of friends.
Mr. Soper was cremated and his cremains will be intered in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola at a later date.
NINA LOUISE ELLIOTT
Nina Louise Boswell Elliott was born on June 14, 1924, on a dairy farm near Lancaster, Wis. to Arthur Gilbert and Ethel Adeline Umphress Boswell. She died Feb. 26, 2002, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. She was 77.
She and her family moved back to Iowa and lived on farms in Decatur County where she attended rural schools and graduated from Lamoni High School in 1941.
She became a member of the Church of Christ while in her teens. She transferred from the Davis City congregation to the Leon congregation after her mother moved to Leon following her father’s death.
In 1943 she received her teacher’s certificate and started teaching in rural schools. She received her professional certificate in 1963.
She married Ivan Curtis Elliott on Feb. 6, 1948. They lived on a farm south of Decatur all of their married life. Mrs. Elliot taught at Valley Rural School until 1949. She returned to teaching in 1953. Mrs. Elliot joined the Grand Valley Elementary staff in 1959 and taught there until she retired in 1986.
She enjoyed reading, baking and fancy work.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Esther Fetters and Juanita Foltz and a brother, Joe Boswell.
Mrs. Elliott is survived by her husband in Decatur; three sisters, Milda Imhoff of Osceola, Billie John of Cedar Rapids and Veta Johnson of Dallas, Ore.; three brothers, Gerald Dawson of Lamoni, Thomas Boswell of Ottumwa and Hugh Boswell of Independence, Mo.; nieces, nephews; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 2 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Hubert Hackler and the Rev. Max Carmichael officiating. Vocalists were David and Marie Fetters. Music selections were In the Garden, Take My Hand, Precious Lord and Whispering Hope.
Honorary bearers were Keith De Berg, Sean Elliott, Ronald Edgington, Bill Hill, John Elliott and Kevin Watson. Interment was in the Keokuk National Cemetery at Keokuk on March 4.
DWIGHT VREDENBURG
Dwight C. Vredenburg, 88, died Feb. 28 at Lucas County Health Center in Chariton of complications of a stroke. Vredenburg was the son of Hy-Vee co-founder David Vredenburg and served as chief officer of Hy-Vee from its incorporation in 1938 until his retirement in 1989.
Dwight Charles Vredenburg was born Jan. 17, 1914, on a farm near Lamoni. His father, David, was a farmer and merchant who owned and operated general stores in several small Iowa towns during Dwight’s childhood.
In 1923, David Vredenburg became president of Lamoni’s General Supply Co., which operated stores under the auspices of the RLDS church. Young Dwight's first job in the grocery business was sacking beans in the back room of the Lamoni Supply Store.
In 1930, David Vredenburg teamed with Charles Hyde and opened a general store in the Ringgold County town of Beaconsfield. This small store was the first in what was to become one of the country's largest and most successful grocery chains -- Hy-Vee. The company opened Osceola Supply Store, on the south side of the downtown square in January 1935. Osceola is the second oldest “Hy-Vee” store, behind Lamoni.
Dwight Vredenburg graduated from Lamoni High School in 1931, received associate’s degree in business from Graceland University, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa in 1935. Upon graduation, he became manager of a general store in Unionville, Mo. that he co-owned with his father, David.
In 1936, Dwight moved to Centerville to manage the larger Hyde & Vredenburg Supply Store there. While in Centerville, he renewed his friendship with fellow Graceland University graduate Ruth Taylor. Dwight and Ruth were married April 25, 1937.
By 1938, there were 15 stores in the Hyde & Vredenburg chain, owned by various partnership combinations. To simplify operations, these partnerships dissolved, and individual ownership interests were traded for stock in a new corporation -- Hyde & Vredenburg, Inc. Dwight Vredenburg, only 23, was elected by his fellow managers to become president of the new corporation. During World War II, Vredenburg took a leave of absence from the company to serve as an ensign in the U.S. Coast Guard. In 1945, Hyde & Vredenburg, Inc. purchased the Chariton Wholesale Grocery operation in Chariton, and the company relocated its headquarters from Lamoni to Chariton. The corporate office remained in Chariton until its relocation in 1995 to West Des Moines; Hy-Vee’s main distribution complex still operates at the original Chariton site.
In 1953, the various Hyde & Vredenburg supply stores in Iowa and Missouri began operating under a new name -- Hy-Vee. The name is a contraction of the co-founders’ names. The corporation was later renamed Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc., and eventually the name was shortened to Hy-Vee, Inc.
In 1978, Vredenburg was elected Hy-Vee’s first chairman and chief executive officer. In 1983 Ron Pearson succeeded him as president of the company, but Vredenburg retained the titles of chairman and CEO until his retirement on Oct. 2, 1989.
Mr. Vredenburg and his wife, Ruth, were active volunteers and donors to many causes. They established an endowed Chair of Music at Graceland University in Lamoni and gave the city of Chariton a gift in 1998 for construction of a new swimming pool. Through the Vredenburg Foundation, they have helped the public library in Lamoni replace a building originally donated by David Vredenburg in 1941 in honor of his wife and Dwight’s mother, Kate Vredenburg.
Mr. Vredenburg is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ruth, of Chariton; son John and his wife, Linda, of Chariton; son Chuck and his wife, Rhonda, of Storm Lake; daughter Martha Vredenburg and her husband, Michael Kraklow, of Muscatine; and one granddaughter, 11 grandsons and three great-grandsons.
Funeral services were Monday, March 4 at First United Methodist Church in Chariton. Interment will be in the Chariton Cemetery.
Jesse Denman
Jesse R. “Dick” Denman, 76, died of heart failure March 4, 2004. Services were March 8 at Westover Funeral Home in Des Moines with burial in Resthaven Cemetery.
Mr. Denman was born Oct. 16, 1927, in Des Moines and graduated from Drake University. He owned One Trip Plumbing Company for 25 years and later was the secretary-treasurer of Associated Bank Corporation of Iowa. A proud veteran and member of the VFW, he also belonged to the Associated Mechanical Contractors of Iowa, the Masons, the Za-Ga-Zig Shrine and Plymouth Congregational Church.
An avid sportsman and conservationist, Mr. Denman retired to rural Murray in 1985 and pursued his love of the outdoors as a charter member of the Clarke County Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited.
He loved his family and helping others.
Mr. Denman is survived by five children, Jesse Denman Jr. and his wife, Nena Denman of Earlham, Julia Culbertson and her husband, the Rev. Bob Culbertson, of Windsor Heights, Cathy Ferguson of Reno, Nev., Gary Denman of Greeley, Colo. and Jim Denman and his wife, Sherry Denman, of Urbandale.
He is also survived by his sister, Doris Crittenden and her husband, Jim Crittenden, of San Rafael, Calif.; 14 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or the Clarke County Pheasants Forever.
Harriet Dorman
Harriet Lorene Dorman, formerly of the Peru and Truro areas died in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 6, 2004, at the age of 95. She was born Nov. 16, 1908, in Dallas County. She graduated from Earlham High School in 1926 and taught country school in Iowa for several years.
After her marriage in 1930 to Herman Dorman, she spent most of her life as a homemaker, mother and farmwife in the Madison County area of Peru and Truro. Mrs. Dorman was active in Thursday Girls, was a 4-H leader of the Ohio Pollyanna’s for many years and was a member of the Truro Congregational Christian Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Dorman retired to Phoenix in 1967 where they were active in church and civic affairs. Mrs. Dorman was a member of and officer of the Kachina Republican Women and volunteered many years at the polls on election day.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years.
She is survived by her six children, Lowell Dorman and his wife, Nedra Dorman, and Shirley McClure and her husband, Eugene McClure, of Phoenix, Ariz., Howard Dorman and his wife, Lee Dorman, of Belmond, Dixie Madsen and her husband, Bill Madsen, of Cedar Falls, Jim Dorman and his wife, Janis Dorman, of Casa Grande, Ariz. and Carol Sue Thacker and her husband, Carter Thacker, of Bossier City, La.; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; .
Funeral services were held March 10 at Greenwood Memory Lawn in Phoenix. The family requests that donations be made to Mrs. Dorman’s church, Desert Christian Fellowship, 1445 W. Northern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021 or Hospice of Arizona, 2222 W. Northern Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85021.
John Peterson
John William Peterson, son of Harry Hansen Peterson and Minnie Marie Kochlner Peterson, was born April 17, 1916, in Hopeville and died March 6, 2004, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 87.
He grew up in the Hopeville area and attended Union County Country Schools. He married Lila Arlene Davis on Aug. 12, 1939, in Afton and they became the parents of two children, Helen and Margaret.
Mr. Peterson was a farmer and also worked as a veterinary assistant for Doc Wright in Lorimor for many years. He also worked as a butcher for the Winterset Locker for several years.
Mr. and Mrs. Peterson lived on the family farm near Lorimor from 1962 until 1981 when they moved to Osceola. While on the farm they were members of the Friendly Circle Neighborhood Club. Over the years Mr. Peterson enjoyed his saddle horses, riding in parades and going to horse shows. He attended the United Methodist Church in Lorimor.
Mr. Peterson was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Rolo Peterson in infancy and Charles LeRoy Peterson; two sisters, Wuanita Peterson as a toddler and Elvina Mae Sheets.
He is survived by his wife of Osceola; two daughters, Helen Arlene Silkett and her husband Jack Silkett, of Red Oak and Margaret Marie Findley of Osceola; six grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren;
In addition he is survived by two brothers, Clifford Peterson and his wife, Mildred Peterson, of Murray and Henry Peterson of Mount Ayr; two sisters, Leota James and her husband, Paul James and Leona Holland, all of Murray; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Peterson were March 9 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor David Hutchinson of the First Baptist Church in Osceola officiating. Organist was Pennie Gonseth and musical selections were In the Garden and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers were Bill Holland, Kenny Stroup, Chris Carrico, Lee Wilkins, Wayne Peterson and Lloyd Harrison. Honorary bearers were Doc Wright and Gary Sheets. Interment was in the Hopeville Cemetery at Hopeville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Dennis Ruth
Dennis G. Ruth, 58, of Des Moines died March 4, 2004, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Des Moines from a massive heart attack. Funeral services were March 8 at Berean Assembly of God Church in Pleasant Hill. Burial was in the Oakwood Cemetery at Pleasant Hill.
Mr. Ruth was born in Osceola on March 13, 1945. He served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1965. He worked in bindery for Capital City Graphics where he was loved and admired by his coworkers.
He was preceded in death by his father, Walter Ruth, his sister Dianne and his brother, Donald.
Mr. Ruth is survived by his wife, Carol Ruth; two daughters, Jennifer Gilbert of Des Moines and Kelly Love of Cedar Rapids; two sons, Lance Ruth of Des Moines and Kevin Ruth of Cedar Rapids; his mother, Mary Ruth of Osceola; six brothers, Ron Ruth and his wife, Sharon Ruth, of Des Moines, Bill Ruth and his wife Kathie Ruth, of Altoona, Steve Ruth and Terry Ruth of Weldon, Randy Ruth and his wife, Pat Ruth, of Geneva, Minn., Scott Ruth and his wife, Becky Ruth, of Sahuarita, Ariz.; five sisters, Janice Deemer and her husband, Ivin Deemer, of Lucas, Carol Ruble and her husband, Bill Ruble, Linda Hamilton and her husband, Frank Hamilton, Mary Burkheimer and her husband, Dennis Burheimer, all of Osceola and Donna Hines and her husband, JR Hines, of Knoxville.
He will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
Hamilton’s Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Lewis Baker
Raymond Lewis Baker, son of Joe and Anna Clouse Baker, was born March 12, 1916, in Clarke County and died March 7, 2003, at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton. He was 86.
He was raised in Clarke County near Liberty and received his education in Clarke County rural schools. He married Pearl Pauline Cornelison on April 20, 1942, at St. Charles, Mo.
Mr. Baker spent his life as a farmer for 14 years in Warren County and for 40 years in Lucas County. He also worked as a machinist for Johnson Machine Works in Chariton and retired from there after 20 years.
He loved farming and especially enjoyed horses on the farm. Fishing was a favorite pastime.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife in 1998 and a brother, Marion Baker.
Mr. Baker is survived by two sisters, Audra Goodrich and her husband, Paul Goodrich of Osceola and Corda Hoffman and her husband, Floyd Hoffman of Oskaloosa.
Graveside services for Mr. Baker were held March 11 in the Murray Cemetery, with the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association.
Arrangements were made by Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro.
Robert Gale German
Robert Gale German, son of Vern W. and Grace M. Brown German, was born Feb. 3, 1931, in Hopeville and died March 4, 2003, at his home in Des Moines. He was 72.
He attended school in Hopeville and Murray and served in the Korean War.
He married Thelma “Toni” Morris on Feb. 26, 1960.
Mr. German was a retired custodian from Drake University. He was a member of Community Church of Christ and the American Legion.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Bill German.
Mr. German is survived by his wife; a daughter, Bobbie German and a grandson, Bo Garland, all of Des Moines.; a brother, Bernard German and his wife, Helen German of New London; three brothers-in-law, Marvin Morris and his wife, Cherie Morris, of Des Moines, Darrell Morris Sr. and his wife, Bettie Morris of Osceola and Charles B. Morris Sr. and his wife, Connie Morris, of Indianola; two sisters-in-law, Gearldine Putney of Indianola and Deloris Reasoner and her husband, Donald Reasoner, of Osceola; nieces and nephews; and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. German were March 7 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, Pastor Darrell Davis, Pastor Ted Avel and Pastor Charles Morris Jr. officiating. Musical selections were In the Garden, Amazing Grace, The Old Rugged Cross and Mansion Over the Hilltop.
Casket bearers were Mike Taylor, James Reasoner, Rick German, Douglas Reasoner, David German and Randy German. Honorary bearers were Bo Garland, Bruce Fillman, David Felton, Darrell Morris Jr., Ronald German, Michael Taylor, Jon Allison, Douglas Powers and Mark Graeve. Interment was in Hopeville Cemetery.
Bernard German
Bernard Morris German of New London, son of William Vern and Grace Marie Brown German, was born March 15, 1934, in Clarke County and died at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. He was 69.
He attended grade school at Hopeville and graduated from Murray High School in 1953. Mr. German married Helen Morris on April 29, 1960, in Osceola.
He was a machinist for Burlington Northern Railroad for 42-1/2 years before he retired in 1996. As a young man he worked for the Hopeville Cemetery. He served in the U.S. Army for two years.
Mr. German was a member of the Hopeville United Methodist Church in rural Clarke County and the Amvets. His favorite activities were camping in Hopeville, gardening and visiting. He especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play sports.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bill and Bob German and a son Stephen German.
Mr. German is survived by his wife of New London; a son, Ronald D. German and a daughter, Rhonda Powers and her husband, Doug Powers, all of New London; five grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. German were July 26, 2003, at Hopeville United Methodist Church, Pastor Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Interment with military rites was conducted at the Hopeville Cemetery.
A memorial has been established in his name.
Arrangements were made by Elliott Chapel in New London.
Milton Hickman
Milton Lyle Hickman, second child of John Lawer Hickman and Eva Beal Hickman, was born Feb. 7, 1913, near Murray and died July 21, 2003, at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton. He was 90.
Mr. Hickman spent his youth in Murray and attended rural schools near Murray. He moved to Osceola and lived there most of his life. He was a farmer and fence builder and was always available to put up hay or go to a rodeo in Nebraska.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Russell and Chester Hickman and two sisters, Bessie McDougal and Violet Fetters.
Mr. Hickman is survived by a brother-in-law, Bob Fetters of Milo; a sister-in-law, Ailene Hickman of Turnerville, Ga.; as well as five nieces and nephews and a host other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Hickman were July 26 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Jeff Dowell officiating. Organist was Karaly Juhl and vocalist was Don Juhl. Musical selections were Lead Me Gently Home and It Is Well With My Soul.
Casket bearers were Charlie Fetters, Nathan Fetters, Dave Harkness and Bill Ruble. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Harley Homewood
Harley Homewood, son of Earl Rilea Homewood and Lois Marie Williamson Homewood, was born Dec. 12, 1935, at Hopeville and died July 26, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola.
He graduated from Arispe High School in 1954.and married Margaret Cora Anderson on May 22, 1957, in Osceola. They became the parents of three daughters, Janeice, Susan and Mary.
He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1958 to 1966. Mr. Homewood, a retired farmer, was educational director for United Electronics Institute in Des Moines from 1968 to 1982. He was employed by Clarke Electric Cooperative in Osceola for a number of years and by Farmers Cooperative for five years.
Mr. Homewood lived in West Des Moines from 1968 until 1982 when he moved to Thayer. He attended the United Methodist Church at Hopeville, and was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Creston, Ophir Chapter No. 267 Order of the Eastern Star at Osceola and William- Lochrie American Legion Post No. 405 at Murray.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife in 1998; a brother, Roger Homewood; an aunt, Lorraine Bowker; a niece, Barbara Werner, a nephew, Steven Licht and a sister-in-law, Barbara Homewood.
Mr. Homewood is survived by his three daughters, Janeice Czarnecki of Murray, Susan Booth and her husband, Richard Booth, of Thayer and Mary James and her husband, George James, of Grand River; 10 grandchildren, Richard “Eddy” Booth, Leslie Popkes and Melissa Maass, all of Des Moines, Crystal and Garrett Czarnecki of Murray; Cecelia Fuller and Katelyn Jo Booth of Thayer and Courtney James, Jared James and Jason James, all of Grand River; seven great-grandchildren; friend and companion, Ina Ray of Creston.
Other survivors include a sister, Lois Morris and her husband, Ron Morris of Thayer; two brothers, Edward Homewood of Chicago, Ill. and Russell Homewood and his wife, Jude Homewood, of Kennewick, Wash.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. July 31 (today) at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating. Organist is Pennie Gonseth.
Casket bearers are Ron Thomas, Joe Werner, Ed Booth, Daniel Duncan, Tom Werner and Dan Ashby. Honorary bearers are Jared James, Jason James, Garrett Czarnecki, Gregory Booth, Dick Booth and George James. Military rites will be presented by William Lochrie American Legion Post No. 405. Interment will be in Hopeville Cemetery in rural Clarke County.
Open visitation after 9 a.m. Wednesday at Kale Funeral Home with the family present to receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. in the evening.
Contributions may be given to the family for a memorial to be decided at a later date.
Helen Lafferty
Helen Lafferty, daughter of William McKinney and Verna Catherine Fizer Lafferty, was born July 16, 1939, at the family farm home in rural Union County and died there on July 21, 2003. She was 64.
She attended Pleasant Valley No. 1 country school and graduated from Thayer High School in 1957. She attended Drake University. She married Orville Earl Harger in September of 1960 in Madison County and they became the parents of a daughter, Kinley.
She was a customer service representative in the magazine and book fulfillment department for Meredith Publishing, which later became NEO Data and E.D.S.
She lived in Des Moines for many years before moving back to the family home four years ago. She attended First Federated Church while she lived in Des Moines and Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church when she moved to Thayer.
Mrs. Lafferty was an accomplished pianist. She loved her pets and enjoyed the outdoors, mountains and pine trees.
Helen was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Timothy; a brother, Larry Lafferty and nephews, Robert and Michael Alexander.
Mrs. Lafferty is survived by her daughter, Kinley Cobler and her husband, Chris Cobler of Ottumwa; a granddaughter, Rachel Cobler of Ottumwa; a brother, Al Lafferty of Longmont, Colo.; three nieces, Jodi Brown of Creston, Carolyn Garnaas of Bettendorf and Alice Carson of Woodburn; a nephew, Bill Lafferty of Des Moines; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Lafferty were July 24 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating. Pianist was Keri Riddle and vocalists were Angela Pederson, Stacie Peterman and Rhonda Glosser. Musical selections were Amazing Grace and It Is Well With My Soul.
Casket bearers were Bill Lafferty, Jerry Henrichs, Bill Porter, Larry Lake, Gordy Berry and Aaron Lafferty. Honorary bearers were Raymond Wake, Paul Fisher, Gary Garnaas, Bob Carson, Jason Brown and Steve Brown. Interment was in Hopeville Cemetery in rural Clarke County.
Michael Paul
Michael Lee Paul, son of Howard Lee Paul and Janel Rae Frohling Paul Riley, was born March 24, 1981, in Marshalltown and died July 27, 2003, at Midwest Opportunities in Creston where he had been a resident since 1995. He was 22.
He received his education in the Creston schools and had been employed in the Workshop at Midwest Opportunies. Before he lived in Creston he lived in Marshalltown.
Mr. Paul was affiliated with the Osceola United Methodist Church. He enjoyed the time he spent with his twin brother, Aaron Paul, loved spinning in circles in his wheelchair and laughed when someone sneezed or coughed.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Michel Frohling and Lee Paul; an aunt, Christine Frohling and a cousin, Kate Frohling.
He is survived by his mother Janel Riley and her husband, Rod Riley of Cape Fair, Mo.; father, Howard Paul of Des Moines; twin brother, Aaron Paul of Creston; and brother, Adam Paul of Osceola; grandmothers, Bernece Frohling of Lohrville and Marian Paul of Marshalltown; three uncles, Steven Frohling and his wife, Anna Frohling, of Osceola and Nicholas Frohling of Bellevue; Dennis Paul and his wife, Judy Paul, of Marshalltown; two aunts, Debbie Tvrdik and her husband, Sam Tvrdik, of Gowrie and Lynn Sanders and her husband, Bruce Sanders, of Marshalltown; seven cousins; other relatives and a host of friends.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. July 31 (today) at the United Methodist Church in Osceola, the Rev. Hugh Stone will conduct the service. Organist Lisa Wallace will accompany vocalist, Joy Tokheim as she sings, Amazing Grace and Hymn of Promise.
Visitation will be July 30 from 7:30 to 9 p..m. at the church.
Contributions may be made to the family for a memorial to be decided at a later date.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Clair Smith
Richard Clair Smith, son of James ‘Cap” Smith and Ena Bradshaw Smith was born Nov. 9, 1941, in South Township, Madison County and died July 27, 2003, following heart surgery at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 61.
Mr. Smith received his education in the Truro schools and graduated from Truro High School in 1960. He continued his education and graduated from United Electronics.
He married Helen Walker on Aug. 18, 1963, at the the Linn Grove United Methodist Church. The couple became the parents of three children, Tami, Galen and Dennis.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith lived in Norwalk for two and a half years before moving to Martensdale 37 years ago. He was employed by Standard Register in Des Moines for 15 years and JCPenney Home store for two years. Currently he was employed as a warehouseman for Citi Card.
Mr. Smith was always active in the Martensdale community. He was a charter member of the Martensdale Lions Club, past District Governor of the Lions Club; a member of the Lions International Youth Exchange Council for 20 years; a member of the Welfare Masonic Lodge No. 628 A.F. & A.M. in Norwalk; past councilman and currently he was serving as mayor of Martensdale. When he found free time from his civic duties he enjoyed going to auctions and collecting antiques, especially dolls.
He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife of 39 years; a daughter, Tami Chance and her husband, Bob Chance of Cambridge; two sons, Galen Smith and his wife, Kelly Smith, and Dennis Smith and his wife, Angie Smith, all of St. Charles; five grandchildren; a sister, Bonnie Kirscher and her husband, Marvin Kirscher, of Osceola; two aunts, Esther Read of Winterset and Edna Honnold and her husband, Duane Honnold, of Macksburg; nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Smith will be at 10 a.m. Aug., 1 (Friday) at the Norwalk United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dwayne Madsen of Norwalk officiating. Organist Kay Petterson will accompany vocalist Dorothy Calkins as she sings How Great Thou Art and Tell Me the Story of Jesus.
Casket bearers will be Charles Vasey, Lowell Walker, James Wood, Robert Onstot, Dwayne Walker and Frank Palicz. Masonic rites will be presented by Welfare Lodge No. 628 A.F. & A.M. at Norwalk. Interment will be in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Lions Iowa Foundation.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola and Truro was in charge of arrangements.
Karma Jean Gibson
Karma Jean Gibson, daughter of John Arthur Williams and Ethel Marie White Williams, was born Dec. 2, 1945, in Adair County and died March 5, 2003, at her home in New Virginia from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease) She was 57.
Mrs. Gibson attended country school through eighth grade and graduated from Stuart High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in education in 1968 from Simpson College in Indianola. She also received a master of science degree from Drake University and a doctorate of philosophy from Pacific Western University.
She moved to New Virginia with her family in 1978 where she resided until her death. She had previously lived in Des Moines, Mitchellville and Indianola.
Mrs. Gibson owned and operated her own business, Job Search Associates, Inc., which she and Mr. Gibson operated from their home.
She was a certified rehabilitation counselor, Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analysts and a certified disability management specialist.
Mrs. Gibson loved to travel, needlepoint, garden and create ceramics.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an older brother, Jackie Williams and a younger sister, Marie Williams.
Mrs. Gibson is survived by her husband, John of New Virginia; a daughter, Nikki DeBoer and her husband, Ken DeBoer, of Lynd, Minn.; a son Lanny Gibson of Denton, Texas; a granddaughter, Zoe DeBoer; a brother, Robert Williams of Phoenix, Ariz.; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Dale Emerson McBroom
Dale Emerson McBroom, eight-year-old son of Maury Randall McBroom and Terri Lynn Osgood McBroom, was born Sept. 19, 1994, in Des Moines and died March 3, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines of injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Dale was a second grader at Clarke Community School. He loved working with his dad, loved playing with his cousins, loved fishing and playing with his puppy, Free. He also loved to go mushroom hunting with his dad.
Dale was a boy who loved doing boy things. He loved climbing trees, playing Legos, video games, playing the computer and trading cards. He loved riding his bike and riding four wheelers, playing in his tree house, playing on the swing and playing ball. He enjoyed school, playing with friends and listening to music.
Dale lived all of his life with his parents in Weldon and attended the Weldon Christian Church.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Dale and Jean McBoom; great-grandfathers, Clell McBroom and Vernon Osgood and great-grandparents, Charles and Berniece Yates.
Dale is survived by his parents and a brother, Seth McBroom, all of Weldon; grandparents, Emerson and Donna Osgood of Weldon, great-grandmother, Lela McBroom of Summerdale, Ala. and Cora Osgood of Moncks Corner, S.C.; aunts and uncles, Roger and Pat McBroom of Big Rock, Ill., Cheryl and Scott Carlton of Centerville, Tami McKinney of Las Vegas, Nev., Pam and Randy Jackson and Steve Osgood, all of Weldon, Stan and Tracy Osgood of West Des Moines and Melissa and Tony Winship of Osceola; as well as great-aunts and uncles; cousins; other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were March 7 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Ed West of Weldon officiating. Vocalist Kelly McDowell sang Jesus’ Rocking Chair and Wish You Were Here.
Casket bearers were Stan Osgood, Steve Osgood, Roger McBroom, Scott Carlton, Randy Jackson and Tony Winship. Burial was in the Metier Cemetery in Decatur County.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dale’s name to the Clarke Community Schools.
Susan Fenimore Young Hagen
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. March 16 at the Methodist Church in Peru for Susan Fenimore Young Hagen, 78, who died May 20, 2001, at her home in San Antonio, Texas. A funeral service was held May 22, 2001, at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home in San Antonio followed by cremation. Burial of the cremains will be in the Peru Cemetery.
The daughter of Grover and Rae Hoover Fenimore, she was born Aug. 5, 1922, in Walnut Township in Madison County near Peru.
She was educated at the rural school near her home and graduated from Peru High School in 1940. She married Lloyd S. Young of Des Moines in 1941. She lived and worked as a secretary in Des Moines most of her adult life.
She married Lee Hagen in 1966 and they retired and moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1972. After his death in 1994, she moved to San Antonio to be near her daughter.
Preceding her in death were her parents, both husbands; an infant son and four brothers.
Mrs. Hagen is survived by a daughter, Jane Young Duante of San Antonio; six grandchildren; one great-granchild; a sister, Jean Porter of St. Charles; two brothers, Paul Fenimore of Ephrata, Wash. and Bill Fenimore of Chicago, Ill.; five sisters-in-law, Artie Fenimore of Mitchellville, Carolyn Fenimore of Indianola, Beverly Fenimore of Urbandale, Ellen Fenimore of Ephrata and Gayle Fenimore of Jacksonville, Fla.; other relatives and friends.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola and Truro is in charge of local arrangements.
Inez Mae Hay
Inez Mae Hays, daughter of Edward and Blanche Shoemaker Clark, was born Nov. 25, 1916, in Ringgold County and died March 5, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 85.
She grew up in Ringgold County and attended country school. She was a housewife and a member of the Assembly of God Church in Kellerton.
She lived in Tennessee for four years before she moved to Osceola 18 years ago.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Sears Hays, a brother, Roy and five sisters, Dorothy, Alda, Goldie, Della and Jen.
Mrs. Hays is survived by two sons, Dellitt Thompson and his wife, Norma Thompson, of Troy, Tenn. and Ed thompson and his wife, Anna Thompson, of Creston; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Mary Banner of Mount Ayr and Lucy Clarke of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were March 8 at Maple Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes-Osceola and Truro.
David A. ‘Tommy’ Johnson
David A. “Tommy” Johnson, the son of David Columbus Johnson and Elvessa Newsome Johnson, was born Oct. 31, 1916, at Derby and died of respiratory complications March 4, 2002, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. He was 85.
He served in the United States Army during Wold War II, serving in Panama and the Philippine Islands.
Mr. Johnson married Thelma Reese on March 29, 1941 in Des Moines. They became the parents of two daughters, Susan and Cynthia.
A lifelong resident of Lucas and Wayne Counties, he had owned the Humeston Livestock Auction since 1950. He rebuilt the barn in 1972.
Mr. Johnson loved golf, going to Green Valley, Ariz., family and cribbage.
He was a member of the Humeston Christian Church, American Legion, Masons, Za-ga-Zig Shrine, Elks and the Livestock Marketing Association. His auctioneering came from the school of hard knocks.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two sisters, Marjorie Sharp and Emily Lazear.
He is survived by his wife, Thelma Johnson of Humeston; two daughters, Susan White and her husband, Dan White, of rural Humeston and Cynthia Barton and her husband, Dwayne Barton, of Indianola; three granddaughters, Ann Dieleman and her husband, Mike Dieleman, of Kansas City, Mo., Kristin Parvin and her husband, John Parvin, of Blue Springs, Mo. and Sarah Wagner and her fiance, Trail Degondea, of Kansas City; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Gusta Flack of Derby; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 8 at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton, Pastor James Nelson and Pastor John Long officiating.
Casket bearers were Dan White, Dwayne Barton, Si Hofmann, Ed Roberts, Brad Cooper and Larry Van Werden. Honorary bearers were Sam Langtry, Jack Perkins and Raymond Johnson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mormon Trail Pool, the Humeston Fire Department or Humeston First Responders.
Winona Naylor
M. Winona Naylor was born Aug. 11, 1907, near Terra Haute in Decatur County and died March 8, 2002, in Leon. She was 94.
She spent her early years growing up in southern Iowa and Colorado. after receiving her teaching certificate, she began to teach school. She later went on to graduate from Drake University and received her degree in education. She had a long an successful career, teaching children for more than 40 years.
She moved back near Terra Haute with her late husband, Amos, after she retired.
Faith, family and friends were important to her. She was an accomplished china painter, giving lessons to others well into her eighties. She loved nature, traveling, rockhounding, photography and compiling scrapbooks and photo albums for her family.
She was involved through the years in the Iowa Mineral Society, Clarke County Retired Teachers, Iowa China Painting Association and Rebekahs.
Mrs. Naylor is survived by a son, Gene Naylor and his wife, Terri Naylor, of Lineville; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Marie Wilkens and a brother, Fred Alley, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 11 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Terry D. Roberts officiating. Virginia Webb, pianist, played Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Tina Hazelton, Catherine Naylor, Brian Naylor, Alex Naylor and Scott Bethards. Interment was in Leon Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
LaViece Reasoner
LaViece Reasoner, daughter of Owen and Edith Boles Chew, was born March 10, 1917, in Hopeville and died March 9, 2002, at the Greater Community Hospital in Creston. She was 84.
She was educated in the country school in Hopeville and married Lloyd Fletcher on Jan. 2, 1937. They became the parents of two children Denny and Barbara. Mr. Fletcher died in 1964.
She married Olin Reasoner on Jan. 14, 1967, at the Hopeville Methodist Church.
Mrs. Reasoner’s family were a special part of her life. When the family would get together, her granddaughter, Tina, always wanted her to make her raised donuts, which she would always do.
She liked playing the electric keyboard she had just recently gotten. She liked her cats and she loved her flowers.
She was a longtime member of the Hopeville Ladies Aid, where she spent many hours quilting and visiting with friends. She was also a member of the South Club.
Mrs. Reasoner had accepted Christ as her Savior and was a member of the Hopeville Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Lloyd Fletcher; son, Denny Fletcher; brother, Dale Chew and two sisters, Daleth Buol and LaVonne Coyle.
Mrs. Reasoner is survived by her husband, Olin Reasoner of Murray; a daughter, Barbara Updike and her husband, Troy Updike, of Murray; two grandchildren, Tina Dougherty and her husband, Scott Dougherty, of Clemson, S.C. and Brian Updike and his wife, Shari Updike, of Centerton, Ark.; three great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were March 13 at the Hopeville United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, played Sentimental Journey and Have I Told You Lately That I Love You. She accompanied Ronda Lowry as she sang Wind Beneath My Wings and The Rose and Bradley Porton as he sang What A Day That Will Be and The Old Rugged Cross.
Casket bearers were Dwain Reasoner, Doug Reasoner, Jim Reasoner, Mark Reasoner, George James and Steve Bonnett. Honorary bearers were Brian Updike, Scott Dougherty, Rod Culbertson, Chad Culbertson, Gary Chew, Ben Adamson, Ryan Summy, Mark Chew and Denny Griffin. Interment was in Hopeville Cemetery. Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes-Osceola and Truro.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hopeville Methodist Church.
Mary Lee Roe Spencer
Mary Lee Spencer, the daughter of Robert and Leoan Roe, was born June 26, 1937, in Decatur County and died of heart failure at her home in Des Moines on March 4, 2002. She was 64.
She graduated from LeRoy High School in 1954, and attended a business school in Des Moines where she made her home the rest of her life.
She was a clerk at KVI Insurance when she retired in 1998.
Mrs. Spencer was a member of the Union Park Baptist Church in Des Moines.
She enjoyed gardening and spending time with family.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, William Penn Spencer and a daughter, Susan.
Mrs. Spencer is survived by a son, William Spencer; a daughter, Kathy Spencer; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter, all of Des Moines; three sisters, Maxine Evans and her husband, Raymond Evans, of Osceola, Ann Hitt and her husband, Don Hitt, of Woodburn and Betty Jo Warren of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 8 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines, the Rev. Frank Cook officiating. Lois Hoksbergen was organist. Interment was in Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.
