Louis M. "Bud" Poortinga
Louis M. “Bud” Poortinga, son of Garrett R. and Johanna M. Petersen Poortinga was born April 9, 1913, in Newton and he and his family were residents of Osceola for a number of years. He died March 16, 2003, at Hi-Desert Medical Center. He was 89.
He moved to California in the early 1950s and was a 44-year resident of California and a 24-year resident of Joshua Tree, Calif.
Mr. Poortinga was an educator for the Ontario-Montclair School district 20 years. He was a member of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church, Kiwanis Club of Greater Yucca Valley and American Legion Post 761, Joshua Tree.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Pearla K “Peggy” Poortinga of Joshua Tree; a son John Poortinga and his wife Myrna Poortinga, of Ramona, Calif.; four daughters, Donna Kottom and her husband, Ken Kottom of Ramona, Patricia Martin and her husband, Stan Martin, of Coralville, Kathleen Martin and her husband, Dale Martin of Camarillo, Calif. and Deborah Chavez and her husband, Al Chavez, of Riverside, Calif.
He is also survived by his brother Ted Poortinga of Escondio, Calif; and a sister, Margaret Pirtle of Clearfield; 14 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on April 19 at Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Yucca Valley with Dr. Kenneth McCullen presiding.
Marvin Phillip Stephenson
Marvin Phillip Stephenson, son of Fred and Helen Neidt Stephenson was born June 17, 1926, in rural Clarke County and died March 15, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 76.
He received his education in a rural Clarke County school.
As a young man he helped his mother with the farm and then became a heavy equipment mechanic for more than 40 years. He worked on various construction projects throughout the Midwest. In 1988 a work- related injury forced Mr. Stephenson to retire. After he retired he opened a repair shop in Promise City and worked on small farm equipment and helped fix cars for local residents. He moved to Seymour and continued his repair shop for a few years before retiring completely.
He liked to fix-up old cars, fish in local farm ponds and spend time and reminisce with his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Merlyn Stephenson and three brothers-in-law.
Mr. Stephenson is survived by his wife, Dixie Stephenson of Seymour; two sons, Roger Stephenson and his wife, Melinda, of Blue Springs, Mo. and Dennis Stephenson and his wife, Penny, of Gladstone, Mo.; four daughters, Phyllis Paul and her husband, George, of Osceola, Marilyn Storm of Muskogee, Okla., Nancy Irvin and her husband, Arthur, of Venton, Va. and Mary Stephenson and her husband, Jeff Silkiner, of Dallas, Texas.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Melissa Kingland of North English, Melanie Mitchell of Creston, Sue Ann Glenn of Lafayette, Colo., Christopher Brown and Garret Storm, both of Muskogee, Okla., JoAnn Zebley of Symrna, Del., Tim Irvine of Venton, Kari Austin of Blue Springs, Jaclyn Stephenson of Independence, Mo., and Austin Stephenson of Gladstone; two step-grandchildren, George R. Paul of Winterset and Dory Bakley of Osceola and 14 great-grandchildren.
Other relatives include a brother, Melvin Stephenson and his wife, Margaret, of Bettendorf; three sisters, Marian Price and her husband, Hubert, of Osceola, Maxine Cisler and her husband, Allen, of Bettendorf and Marjorie Drorbaugh of Creston; four sisters-in-law, Nancy Stephenson of Rockford, Deon Smaniotto and Jennie Smaniotto, both of Seymour and Elaine Reese and her husband, Lyle, of Nyssa, Ore.; a brother-in-law, Dennis Fowler and his wife, Sharon, Nyssa.
Funeral services for Mr. Stephenson were March 20 at the Randolph Funeral Home in Seymour, Pastor Merle Prater of the Seymour Church of Christ officiating.
Casket bearers were George Paul, Aldo Smaniotto, John Schneider, Gary Smaniotto, Jeff Silkiner and Jeff Kingland, Interment was in the Southlawn Cemetery at Seymour.
Arrangements were by Randolph Funeral Home, Corydon and Seymour.
Kenneth Barnes
Kenneth La Verne Barnes, 78, died March 7, 2003, at his home in rural Reinbeck. The body was creamated and memorial services will be at 1 p.m. April 6 for family and close friends at the First Baptist Church in Reinbeck.
He was born to Isam “Ike” and Daisy Muselman Barnes on Oct. 23, 1924, in Dassel, Minn. He moved with his family to Iowa in 1936. He attended Oak Run Community School and graduated from Truro High School in 1942. He married Virginia D. Hughes on Aug. 29, 1953, in Eau Claire, Wis.
After serving his country in World War II, he worked at John Deere in Waterloo for 37 years.
He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Reinbeck, a member of the AMVETS chorus and the Melodeere Chorus in Waterloo.
Mr. Barnes enjoyed singing, family reunions, farming, crossword puzzles and his grandchildren.
The Barnes family, father and his three sons, may be remembered for their harmonizing at county fairs, talent shows and especially in Truro on Main Street on Saturday nights
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Terri Gay, an infant brother, Harold and brothers Glenn and Carroll.
He is survived by his wife; three daughters, Kathryn Radl of Guttenberg, Kristine Butterfield of Tama and Konnie Neal of Grundy Center; a son Kenneth Barnes of Independence; a daughter-in-law and two sons-in-law; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren and a sister, Esther Neidt of Truro.
Memorials contributions may be made to his church or to hospice.
Ruby Boggs
Ruby May Fuller Boggs, eldest daughter of James Harvey Fuller and Nellie May Bevard Fuller, was born Jan. 21, 1908, near Weldon in Clarke County and died March 29, 2003, at the Crest Haven Care Center in Creston. She was 95.
Ruby attended school in Iowa and Missouri and graduated from LeRoy Consolidated School in 1927. She married Clare Boggs on June 7, 1932, in Princeton, Mo.
Mr. and Mrs. Boggs managed the Davey Jones restaurant in Leon. She was a cook at several places including the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Des Moines. She was a homemaker and enjoyed playing the organ.
Mrs. Boggs accepted Christ at an early age. She was baptized in the First Baptist Church in Brookfield, Mo., later became a member of the Baptist Church of Allerton and then the Christian Union Church in Indianola.
Mrs. Boggs was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1987, two sisters; three brothers and a niece Delores whom she raised.
Nieces and nephews as well as other relatives and friends survive Mrs. Boggs.
Funeral services for Mrs. Boggs were April 1 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Jim McCutchan of Creston officiating. Organist was Virginia Reynolds and musical selections were Softly and Tenderly and His Eye Is On the Sparrow.
Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro was in charge of arrangements.
Andrew Jeffries
Andrew “Andy” William Jeffreys, son of Earl Emmanuel Jeffreys and Zula Marie Edwards Jeffreys Painter, was born Feb. 25, 1924, in Osceola and died March 29, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. He was 79.
He was a lifetime resident of Osceoela where he attended the Clarke County schools. He graduated from Osceola High School in 1942 and attended Osceola Junior College before he entered the US Navy. He was a veteran of World War II. He served in the 112th Seabees in the islands of Pacific.
Mr. Jeffreys worked for Hy-Vee and Snowdons before becoming a sales representative for Leslie Paper Company. He enjoyed singing in the the choir of the United Methodist Church, golfing at the Osceola Country Club and dancing to the sounds of the Big Band era.
He married Dorothy Mae Kellogg Davenport on Dec. 22, 1967, at the Methodist Church in Osceola. He enjoyed parenting her two daughters, Annie Laurie and Jennifer Lynne.
He was Worshipful Master of the Masonic Lodge No. 77 in 1965 and a member of Ophir Chapter No. 267 of the Order of the Eastern Star. Mr. Jeffreys was a member of the American Legion Davis-Pence Post No. 69 and the Rotary Club.
Mr. Jeffreys was preceded in death by his father in 1927; his mother in 1963; a brother, Jack in 1979; a daughter, Jennifer Lynne in 1971; two uncles, Warren “Pink” Edwards and C. Fred Freel; and an aunt Zelma Edwards Freel.
He is survived by his wife; a daughter Annie Laurie Points and her husband, Dale Points, of Henderson, Nev.; a grandson, Jason Jones and his wife Kimberly Jones of Overland Park, Kan.; a granddaughter, Jacalyn Gibbons and her husband, Jack Gibbons, of Ankeny; three great-grandchildren; cousins; nephews and special friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Jeffreys are today (Thursday) at 10:30 a.m. at the Osceola United Methodist Church with a Masonic ceremony. Interment with full military honors will be in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Honorary bearers are Paul Audelhelm, Dick Beaman, Yeesang Choi, Fred DeHann, Jerry DeWitt, Bob Evans, Dan Foster, Russ Froyd, Sunghew Kim, Ed Lunquist, Don Lynn, Joe Reynolds, Stan Samuelson, Clayton Scott, Mickey Thomas and Bob Wuthrich.
Visitation is from 6:30 to 8 Wednesday night.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Andy Jeffreys Memorial Scholarship Fund for Clarke Community High School or to the United Mehodist Church in Osceola.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola is in charge of arrangements.
Edward McKinney
Edward McKinney of Murray, son of Merle McKinney and Patricia Repplinger Cornelison, was born June 10, 1947, in Macksburg and died March 25, 2003, in Creston. He was 55.
Mr. McKinney worked for Hallet Materials for many years as a machine operator.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Cloyd McKinney.
Mr. McKinney is survived by his parents, Merle McKinney of Creston and Patricia Cornelison of Winterset; a daughter, Tina Houg and her husband, Don Houg, of Winterset; four sons, David McKinney and his fiance, Jeanette Jones of Council Bluffs, Terry McKinney and his wife, Sarah McKinney and C. J. McKinney all of Winterset and Cory McKinney and his fiance, Heather Waltz of Lorimor.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren; a sister, Sandi Tucker and her husband, Wayne Tucker, of Lorimor; three brothers, Allen McKinney and Merrill Cornelison and his wife, Sandy Cornelison, all of Lorimor, and Marvin Cornelison and his wife, Mitzi Banes of York, Neb.
Funeral services were held March 29 at Ochiltree Funeral Service and Aftercare in Winterset, the Rev. Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Burial was in the New Hope Cemetery at Lorimor.
Connie Patterson
Connie Patterson, daughter of George Ashley and Mary Elizabeth Hall Ashley, was born April 8, 1920, in Derbyshire, England and died March 27, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 82.
She grew up and completed her formal education in Derbyshire. She met Lester Patterson while he was stationed overseas serving in the Army during World War II. They were married Nov. 4, 1944, at St. Peters Cathedral in England. They became the parents of three children, Mary Thomas and Michael. After Mr. Patterson was discharged from the service, He returned to the United States in 1945 and Mrs. Patterson joined him in the spring of 1946.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson lived in Decatur, Ill., where she worked at Dutch Mills candy store while he attended electronics school. They returned to the family farm in Clarke County in 1950 due to the ill health of his father. After his father died they made the move permanent and spent the rest of their married life on the farm.
Mrs. Patterson loved the farm and being outdoors. She took great joy in the animals on the farm and could always be counted on to mother the runt of the litters. She enjoyed quilting and knitting, gardening and her incredible variety of plants and flowers. She took great pride in being a citizen of the United States.
She was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola and was a member of the Ophir Chapter No. 276 of the Order of the Eastern Star for more than 50 years. She was also a long time member of the neighborhood Smile A While Club.
Mrs. Patterson was preceded in death by her parents; three sisters, Elsie, Mary and Joyce; a brother Ernest and a brother-in-law, Ron Staton.
She is survived by her husband; a daughter, Mary Denny and her husband, Howard Denny, of Osceola and two sons Thomas Patterson and his wife, Sharon Patterson and Micahel Patterson and his wife, Donna Patterson, all of Osceola; nine grandchildren, Matthew Denney of Davis City, Trenton Denney, Bernie Denney, Tevyn Denney, Amantha Denney, Brandon Patterson and Tyler Patterson, all of Osceola, Ashley Denney of Omaha, Neb. and Brent Patterson of Indianola; two great-grandsons; nieces; nephews; and cousins still in England; and a host of friends at home and abroad.
A celebration of life for Mrs. Patterson was April 1 at the First Christian Church in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe officiating. Organist Virginia Reynolds accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Abide With Me.
Honorary bearers were Matthew Denney, Trenton Denney, Brent Patterson, Brandon Patterson, Tyler Patterson and Bernie Denney. Eastern Star services were by Ophir Chapter No. 267. Interment of the cremains will be in Freemont Cemetery in Clarke County at a later date.
Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes In Osceola and Truro.
William Seymour
William Russell Seymour, son of William Everett and Alta Cecil Butcher Seymour, was born March 23,1919, in Garden Grove Township in Decatur County and died March 12, 2003, at the Kavanagh House in Des Moines. He was 83.
Known both as Bill and Russell, he was raised in Davis City and graduated from high school there.
He married Dorothy Mae Pettis in Rawlins, Wyo. They moved from Wyoming to Oklahoma, then to Washington State and to Council, Idaho where their first son, Russell Eugene, was born. They became homesick and returned to Iowa where their second son, Don Dean, was born. Mr. Seymour was currently living in Indianola.
Mr. Seymour worked for the railroad for 38 years. He retired at age 60 in March of 1979 as yardmaster. After retiring he had the time to do what he loved, hunting, fishing, and traveling. He also did some farming.
He was a member of the Eagles Lodge in Osceola and Yardmasters of America Union.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife in January 1990; a son Russell in Oct. 1990; three sisters, Alta Eulalia Boswell, Minnie Marie George and Mary Rosettie Ricks and a brother Henry Coral Seymour.
Mr. Seymour is survived by his son, Don Seymour and his wife, Barbara Seymour, of Mesa, Ariz.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two great-stepgrandchildren; other relatives and many friends.
Martha Allie Harp
Martha Allie Brammer Harp, the daughter of Perry and Mable Brown Brammer, was born March 11, 1916, in Grand River and died Feb. 8, 2002, in Frazee, Minn. She was 85.
She was raised and attended school in Grand River. She married James Harp on Sept. 16, 1932, in Bethany, Mo.
They moved to Cedar Falls where she worked for a nursery. They then moved near Vergas, Minn. and made their home on Big McDonald Lake. They moved back to Iowa and then back to Vergas where they made their home.
Mrs. Harp liked many things, especially collecting antique glassware. She liked to play the piano, go fishing, have friends over for coffee and she liked cats.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, James, on June 18, 1990; four brothers and sisters and one grandchild.
Mrs. Harp is survived by a son, Jack Harp and his wife, Betty Harp, of Rocklin, Calif.; four grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; three stepgreat-grandchildren; a sister, Alma Greene of Grand River; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Feb. 12 at the United Methodist Church in Vergas, the Rev. Barbara Bolz officiating. Organist was Patty McVane. Casket bearers were Loren Menz, John Bruhn, James Hoffmann, Jack Vasconcellas, Peter Fankhanel and Steve Bruhn. Interment was in Vergas Village Cemetery. Arrangements were by Furey Funeral Home in Vergas.
Wayne Everett Miller
Wayne Everett Miller of Odessa, Texas, son of Everett and Lois Miller, was born May 27, 1948, in Osceola and died March 19, 2002. He was 53.
He served in the U.S. Army from 1971 to 1978.
Mr. Miller married Sharon Baugh of Osessa on March 18, 1983.
He worked for Barnett Sand and Gravel.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a nephew.
Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Sharon Miller of Odessa; three daughters, Amber of Odessa, Dena Miller of Gladstone, Ore. and Tamatha Miller of Bruchsal, Germany; a son, Mike Miller of Odessa; two granddaughters; three sisters, Mary Ann Marvin, Connie Penick and her husband, Jim Penick, all of Osceola and Susi Adams and her husband, Ron Adams, of Oakland; brother and sister-in-law, Sonny and Teresa Baugh of Odessa; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 22 at Hubbard-Kelly Funeral Homes Chapel, the Rev. Mike Bartlett officiating. Interment was in the Sunset Memorial Gardens in Odessa.
Pauline Scritchfield
Pauline “Polly” Scritchfield of Centerville, daughter of Alonzo and Anna Zimmerman Bradley, was born April 15, 1899, in Centerville and died March 25, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. She was 102.
She married Erac Scritchfield on Dec. 23, 1975, in Appanoose County.
Mrs. Scritchfield was a member of Glenwood Chapter 277, Order of the Eastern Star, and was a past president of the Extension Club.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband; a stepson, Doude Scritchfield; seven brothers and sisters, Robert Bradley, Barbara Bradley, Floy Gotthlag, Estina Dove, Lawrence Bradley, Alonzo Bradley and Forest Bradley.
Mrs. Scritchfield is survived by a stepdaughter-in-law, Erma Scritchfield of Osceola; a stepdaughter, Louise Morrison and her husband, Donald Morrison, of Oskaloosa; 11 stepgrandchildren; seven stepgreat-grandchildren; a stepgreat-great-grandchild; two sisters-in-law, Grace Bradley and Helen Bradley, both of Centerville; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were March 28 at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home in Centerville, the Rev. Jim Gubser officiating. Interment was in Promise City Cemetery.
A memorial has been established to the Centerville Nursing and Rehab Center or the Evangelical Covenant Church and contributions may be left at or mailed to the funeral home.
Joseph Torres
Joseph Torres, son of Bedardo and Maria Manriquiz Torres, was born July 21, 1914, in Silao, Gto, Mexico and died of a heart attack March 30, 2002, at St. Joseph Hospital in Omaha, Neb. He was 87.
The family moved to Avoca. Mr. Torres was four when is mother died in the flu epidemic. His father returned to Mexico and later married Constancia Arizona and returned to Avoca. Nine more children were added to the family with Mr. Torres being the oldest in this family of 12.
He graduated from Avoca High School with the class of 1932 and worked for Swift and Company after high school. While working his route, he met Leora Kuhr, but they didn’t really become sweethearts until they became dance partners. The couple were married Oct. 5, 1940, in the Avoca Catholic parsonage. They became the parents of one daughter, Cheryl.
He entered the United States Army in January of 1943 and served for 3-1/2 years in the 133rd General Hospital Unit as a surgical technician. His unit was the one of the major surgical units to receive the casualties from the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
After his discharge from the Army, he was in the reserves for 17 years. He worked as a deputy sheriff in Pottawattamie County for 13 years before he retired in 1975.
He was on the Avoca City Council for three years and served on the Trinity Lutheran Church Council. He was a 20-year W.W. II Army retiree, a member of the National Sheriff’s Association, the Historical Museum, the American Legion of Avoca and the AmVets of Walnut.
Mr. Torres loved family and organized Torres family reunions. His other interests included working with his raspberries and investing in the stock market.
Preceding him in death were his parents; two sisters, Ann Garcia and Maria Torres and a brother, Timothy Torres.
Mr. Torres is survived by his wife, Leora Torres of Avoca; a daughter, Cheryl Johnson and her husband, Dick Johnson, of Lincoln, Neb.; two grandchildren; eight brothers and sisters, Trinidad Osbahr of Avoca, Frances Tombrinck, Kathleen McCoy, all of San Diego, Calif., Louella Torres of Atchinson, Kan., Emil Torres of Omaha, Neb., Bruno Torres of Houston, Texas, Frank Torres of Madrid, Spain and Tom Torres of San Francisco, Calif.; a cousin, Leona Platt of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were April 3 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca. Military graveside rites were by Fred Funston Post No. 227 and Walnut AmVets at Graceland Cemetery in Avoca. Arrangements were by Knutson Funeral Home in Avoca.
Vern West
Funeral services for Vern M. West, 70, of Des Moines were March 30 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Interment was at Altoona Cemetery.
Mr. West was born Oct. 22, 1931, in Promise City and died March 19, 2002, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines.
He lived most of his life in Des Moines. He was a retired truck driver with Hawkeye Wood Shavings.
Mr. West was an Air Force veteran of the Korean War.
He liked to go fishing and boating and spending time at his home at Lake Rathbun.
Mr. West is survived by his wife, Delores West of Des Moines; a son, Mike West of Des Moines; two stepsons, Ron Fees of Urbandale and Ken Fees of Lake Geneva, Wis.; a stepdaughter Terri Charter of Des Moines; a half sister, Marjorie Hartwig of Conrad; two half brothers, Gerald Scadden of Osceola and Earl West of Seattle; 12 grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Larry Gile
Services were at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Powers Funeral Home in Creston for Larry E. Gile, 54, who died March 29,2002, of complications of cancer at his home in Creston. Burial was in Oakland Cemetery at Quincy.
Mr. Gile was born in Davenport and had lived in Creston for many years. He worked for the Iowa Department of Transportation and was a volunteer firefighter, emergency medical technician and Boy Scout leader. He loved computers.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon; a daughter, Barbara Thompson of Des Moines; three sons, James Best of Creston, Robert Best of Van Nuys, Calif. and Steven Best of Indianola; a brother, Charlie Gile of Cromwell; six sisters, Sandra Camp of Des Moines, Connie Filter of West Des Moines, Patricia Hall of Council Bluffs, Karen Peterson of Grand River, Gloria Grubb of Osceola and Vicki Zollman of Mount Ayr.
Memorial contributions may be made to United Church of Christ-Congregational.
La Vonne Ruth McWilliams
LaVonne Ruth McWilliams, daughter of William and Lois Teske Rosburg, was born Aug. 18, 1937, in McCallsburg and died of cancer March 30, 2002, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 64.
She graduated from Osceola High School in 1955. She married Donald Eugene McWilliams on June 5, 1955. They spent two years in Germany when Mr. McWilliams was stationed there with the U.S. Army. After they returned to the states they became the parents of a daughter, Pamela Jean.
Mr. and Mrs. McWilliams farmed side by side throughout their lives together. She continued farming after he died in 1997.
She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. She was director of the church’s Vacation Bible School and children’s Christmas programs for many years. She also served in numerous roles of the Women’s Guild and local Leslie Auxiliary.
An active high school basketball player, she maintained her love of the game as a spectator.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Pat Dykstra; a brother, Don Rosburg; three brothers-in-law, Bill Edwardson, Wayne Heintz and John Kistler and a sister -in-law, Nona Kistler.
She is survived by her daughter, Pam Klinker and her husband, Dennis Klinker and two grandchildren, Dennis and Jessica Klinker, all of Osceola; five sisters, Marie West of Monument, Colo., Mildred Silkebakken and her husband Silky Silkebakken, of DeLeon, Texas, Juanita Olson and her husband, Max Olson, of Cambridge, Dorothy Edwardson of Ponca City, Okla. and Peggy Woods of Osceola; a sister-in-law, Marlys Sharon of Carlisle and a brother-in-law, Bill Dykstra of DeLeon; as well as a host of family and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs.McWilliams were April 2 at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osceola, Pastor J.R.Wheeler officiating. Organist Carol Wheeler accompanied soloist Ruth Ellis as she sang Precious Lord Take My Hand and The Lord’s Prayer and the congregation as they sang Jesus Lives, the Victory’s Won.
Casket bearers were Tim Kluender, Ron Kluender, Marvin Ellis, Chuck Woods, Richard Courtney and Gary Eckels. Honorary casket bearers were Max Olson, Bill Dykstra, Richard Zopff, Silky Silkebakken, Olin Eddy and Elmer VanBuren. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osceola or the American Cancer Society.
Kale Funeral Home in Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Lottie Virginia Emm
Lottie Virginia Emm, daughter of Oscar Brooks and Ellis Gorr Brooks, was born Jan. 17, 1921, on the family farm near Van Wert and died March 28, 2002, at Westview Care Center in Indianola. She was 81.
She graduated from Murray High School and married Charles W. Emm on Dec. 27, 1941, in Bethany Mo. They became the parents of two children, Virginia and Kay Marie.
Mr. and Mrs. Emm lived in Chicago, Ill. and many east coast cities before moving to Des Moines in 1950.
She was a member of the West Des Moines Christian Church and a member of the Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Mrs. Emm enjoyed her wildflower garden and loved doing needlework.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a daughter, Kay Marie McMahon and a brother Evart Brooks.
Mrs. Emm is survived by her husband in West Des Moines; a daughter, Virginia Arnold of West Des Moines; four grandchildren, Jill Thompson and John Arnold Jr., both of Colorado, Greg McMahon of East Dubuque, Ill. and Jennifer McMahon of Florida; seven great-grandchildren; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Emm were April 1 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Jim Frats of West Des Moines officiating. Organist Myrna Dick accompanied soloist Pastor Brian McCracken as he sang In the Garden and Beyond the Sunset.
Casket bearers were Roger Brooks, David Thompson, Loren Horton, John Arnold Sr., David Emm, John Clarke and Charles Hitt. Interment was in the Murray Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Dwain Daughton
Dwain Leland Daughton, son of Emmett and Alice Jackson Daughton, was born Aug. 25, 1910, in Richland Township, Decatur County and died April 4, 2003, at Nodaway Nursing Home in Maryville, Mo. He was 92.
After graduating from Grand River High School in 1926, he attended Simpson College at Indianola and graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls in 1930.
He married Kathryne Irene Brown in December 1935 and they became the parents of three children.
Mr. Daughton was a school principal, teacher and coach at Charter Oak until 1936 when he began working for the Civilian Conservation Corps as an education supervisor at camps in northern Minnesota. After the outbreak of World War II he served with the Red Cross in Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska. He joined the U.S. Navy and served as a watch officer, gunnery officer and division officer. While on a troop transport ship in the Pacific Theater, he participated in the battle at Okinawa. He was honorably discharged as a lieutenant in 1946.
He and his family moved back to Grand River and began a 23-year career as a training supervisor and contact officer with the Veterans Administration. He retired in 1969. He moved to Maryville in 1990 and was admitted to the care facility in November 2000.
Mr. Daughton enjoyed reading and playing cards. In addition he was a highly valued partner in Trivial Pursuit for his knowledge of history and geography.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, James L. Daughton and an infant brother Dwight.
Mr. Daughton is survived by his three children, James Daughton and his wife, Della Daughton, of Eden Prairie, Minn., Bruce Daughton and his wife, Mary Pat Daughton, of Billings, Mont. and Sheila Kelley and her husband, Alfred Kelly, of Maryville; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Daughton were April 7 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Terry D. Roberts and James M. Daughton officiating.
Casket bearers were Bruce Daughton, Daniel Daughton, James Daughton, Michael Daughton, William Daughton, Alfred Kelly, Douglas Kelly and Jeffrey Kieffer. Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to the Meals On Wheels program or a charity of choice in memory of Mr. Daughton.
Samuel Austin Edgington
Samuel Austin Edgington, son of Isaac H. Edgington and Cora Mae Austin Edgington, was born on the family farm near Osceola on Nov. 28, 1917, and died April 4, 2003, at his home in Osceola. He was 85.
Mr. Edgington attended country school in Clarke County and graduated from Osceola High School. He grew up on the farm and enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with horses. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II with the 14th Calvary, Troop B. He was a member of the “horse” calvary before he was sent to Germany.
He married Joan Baker on Nov. 28, 1946, and they became the parents of two children, James Austin and Linda Diane.
Mr. Edgington began working for the U.S. Post Office and worked his way to Postmaster. He retired as Postmaster of the Osceola office in 1976 after 31 years of government service.
Mr. Edgington was an active member of the Osceola community. He received the Community Service Award in 1961. He was a lifetime member of the V. F. W., a member of the Davis Pence Post No. 69 of the American Legion and the Clarke County Historical Society. He was also a member of the Farm Bureau, the Retired Federal Employees Association and the Osceola Chamber of Commerce. He had been an assistant Scout Master and with all of his other activities and accomplishments he made time for his joy of farming and being outdoors with his horses.
He enjoyed time with his family and studying his genealogy. He was the family historian and was interested in history and collecting. He was an active supporter of the Clarke County Historical Society and had several items on loan to the museum. He also collected stamps, coins, matchbooks and pens.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Don Edgington and his wife, Neva Edgington. His brother Joe died three days after Sam on April 7, 2003.
He is survived by his wife; a son James Austin Edgington of Denver, Colo.; a daughter, Linda Diane Hernandez of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Terry Edgington of Osceola, Angela Renee Canelos of Oxford, Mass., Eric James Edgington of Des Moines and Beau Austin Edgington of Jackson, Miss.; three great-grandchildren; a sister, Alice Bown of Winterset; as well as nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Edgington were April 9 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. George Neal of Osceola officiating. Organist Virginia Reynolds accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang He Touched Me and Because He Lives. Casket bearers were Terry Edgington, Eric Edgington, Randy Bucholz, Brian West, Steve Maxwell and Brian Watkins. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Thomas Hammond
Thomas Ottis Hammond of Grand River, the son of George and Laura Harrington Hammond, was born Feb. 7, 1928, in Beaconsfield and died April 2, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 75.
He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corp. from May 21, 1952 to April 27, 1954. Mr. Hammond was a home builder and had worked for the Wahldinger Corporation for 29 years.
He was a member of the Pigeon Association, a superintendent for the Warren County Poultry Association and had been the mayor of Hartford. He enjoyed raising chickens, ducks, geese and pigeons.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Audie Hammond.
Mr. Hammond is survived by his wife, Debra Hammond of Grand River; four sisters, Edith Wood of Tingley, LaVonne Hargis, Lottie Hammond and Betty Hammond, all of Hartford; three brothers, Lowell Hammond, Bill Hammond and his wife, Karen Hammond and Gerald Hammond and his wife, Sandy Hammond, all of Hartford; nieces; nephews; other relatives and friends.
Memorial services were April 5, 2003, at the First Assembly of God in Des Moines. Brooks Funeral Care University Chapel was in charge of arrangements.
Cathy Lynn Burchett
Cathy Lynn Burchett McCabe, the daughter of Wayne and Gayle Burchet, was born February 17, 1948, in Leon. She was 55.
She grew up on the family’s cattle ranch just north of Grand River. She was active in 4-H, music, sports, and clubs and excelled in each at Grand Valley High School. She attended the University of Iowa on an academic scholarship in the school of fine arts majoring in painting with an emphasis in art education. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1970 with a bachelor or arts degree with High Distinction. After seven years working in the insurance industry in Connecticut and Kentucky, she returned to Iowa to teach art and distributive education at Winterset Community High School. She later became the assistant principal there. She earned a masters degree in educational administration from Drake University in 1980.
Mrs. McCabe moved to Arizona in 1982. She was the marketing teacher-coordinator at Corona del Sol High School in Tempe. She became the Assistant State Supervisor of Marketing Education and State DECA Advisor in 1984, and then served as the State Supervisor of Marketing Education. Mrs. McCabe joined Creighton School District in 1991, serving as a student advisor at Creighton Middle School and assistant principal at Larry C. Kennedy School. She became principal of Knox Elementary School in Chandler in 1996, a position she held until she died.
Mrs. McCabe loved children, her grandchildren and the nearly 700 children at Knox. She loved music. Mrs. McCabe was devoted to her family and gave the best of herself to others, asking little in return. She believed in the importance of public schools, and held teaching and teachers in the highest esteem. She was a master teacher and a master educator.
She was preceded in death by her father.
Mrs. McCabe is survived by her husband, Michael McCabe of Gilbert, Ariz.; two sons, Douglas and Andrew and daughters-in-law, Alexa and Amy, all of Seattle, Wash.; two grandchildren Alexander and Ava; a sister, Anne Barton and her husband, Lester Barton, of Chandler, Ariz.; her mother, Gayle Burchett of Mt. Ayr, and her parents-in-law, Frank and Louise McCabe of Gilbert.
Funeral services were at Gilbert Presbyterian Church on April 8, In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Mrs. McCabe’s honor to the Cathy L. McCabe Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Knox Elementary School, 700 West Orchid Street, Chandler, AZ, 85225. Make checks payable to CEF.
Additionally there will be a memorial service in Iowa on Saturday, April 12, at the Grand River United Methodist Church at 2p.m. A fellowship hour will follow in the church basement.
William "Bill" Priest
William Harold “Bill” Priest, of Leon, son of William Everett and Gertrude Venn Priest, was born Feb. 2, 1919, near Creston in Union County and died April 1, 2003, at Westview Acres in Leon. He was 84.
He attended Lincoln School in Union County He moved with his parents to Decatur County in 1938. He met Maudie Irene Ellars as a result of that move and they were married May 25, 1940, in Creston. They became the parents of a daughter and two sons, Clarence William, Janet Irene and Darwin Lester.
Mr. and Mrs. Priest lived on various farms in Decatur and Ringgold counties for the first 23 years of their marriage. They were named to the positions of county home steward and matron for Decatur County in 1963. The Decatur County Home closed in 1975. They were employed by Union County as steward and matron until the Union County Care Facility closed in 1984.
Mr. Priest retired to his home in Leon in 1984. He was an avid fisherman. His favorite pastime was fishing with his friend, Earl Nussbaum.
He was a member of the Leon Assembly of God. He trusted Jesus Christ as his personal savior and truly believed in God’s grace and love for him.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Vera Eighme; six brothers, Arthur, Elton, John, Carl, Vern and Marion. His son, Darwin Lester was stillborn on Jan. 4, 1948.
Mr. Priest is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Maudie Priest; a son Clarence William “Dick” Priest and his wife, Sally Priest and daughter, Janet Menkens and her husband, Jim Menkens, all of Leon; and his sister, Edna Perkins of Afton.
Other survivors include his seven grandchilden, Joy Gibson of Ankeny, Joyce Goedken, of Greeley; Michael Priest of Chairton, Mark Priest of Waterloo, Joni Priest of Elgin, Ill. Brenda Brown, Nevada, Mo. and Douglas Brand of Rapid City, S.D.; 16 great-grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; four great-stepgrandchildren; nephews and nieces; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Priest were April 5 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Richard Queener and the Rev. Max Carmichael officiating.
Organist, Virginia Webb accompanied Don Wilson as he sang How Great Thou Art and Terry Roberts who sang Safely Home.
Casket bearers were Mr. Priest’s grandsons and great-grandsons, Michael Priest, Douglas Brand, Mark Priest, Nathan Gibson, Jason Gibson and Luke Priest. Interment was in the Leon Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Leon Assembly of God.
Betty Einersen
Services were Friday at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola for Betty J. Einersen, 78, of New Virginia who died of complications of diabetes April 1, 2002, at her home in New Virginia. Burial was in the New Virginia Cemetery.
Mrs. Einersen was born in Warren County and lived in Chicago before moving to New Virginia in 1970. She was a waitress with the Truck Stop in New Viriginia and worked at several restaurants in Chicago before retiring. Her hobbies were fishing, crocheting and hunting mushrooms.
She is survived by her husband Alfred; two sons Charles P. Richardson of Shorewood, Ill. and Gary Richardson of Clinton; two brothers, Doyle “Bob” Albright of Urbandale and Darrell Albright of New Virginia; a sister, Joyce McCormick of Indianola; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Betty Einersen Memorial Fund.
Iola Blanche ‘Penny’ Beeman
Iola Blanche Beeman, the daughter of William Ora Kinzie and Eva Mae Johnston, was born Oct. 26, 1933, in Anita and died of congestive heart failure April 6, 2002, at her home in Chariton. She was 68.
Better known as Penny to her family and friends she attended Anita Schools and graduated from Van Wert High School in Van Wert.
She married Dan W. Erwin and they became the parents of four children. She later married Robert L. “Abner” Beeman.
Mrs. Beeman lived in Osceola for 20 years before she moved to Chariton 2-1/2 years ago after Mr. Beeman died.
Mrs. Beeman was well-known in the area for her produce markets and the restaurants she operated. She was also a school bus driver for the Clarke Community Schools for many years.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by sons, Richard, Steven and Douglas Erwin and her brother, Ralph Kinzie.
She is survived by a son, Kenneth Erwin and his wife, Diana Erwin, of Truro; two grandchildren, Shanna Adcock and her husband, Willis Adcock, of Ottumwa, and Travis Erwin and a friend, Chrystal Hastings of Van Wert; three great-grandsons; five nieces; great nieces, nephews other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were at 6:30 p.m. at April 10 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Chariton where she was a devoted member. Brother Joe Schaffer conducted the service. The body was cremated and no visitation was scheduled.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Kale Funeral Home in Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Chester G. Johnson
Funeral services for Chester G. Johnson, 87, of Chariton are today (April 11) at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. Evangelist Joseph Smith will officiate the services. Interment is in Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery in Des Moines.
He was born the son of Arthur and Violet Johnson, on July 5, 1914, in Hines and died April 8, 2002, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
Mr. Johnson worked as a delivery driver for Harvest Bakery Company before working at Firestone from 1952 to 1973.
He moved to Chariton from Des Moines seven years ago.
He was a member of Community of Christ Church in Chariton, Lions Club and Williamson Historical Society.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife, Alice Johnson of Chariton; a son, Chet R. Johnson, of Buhler, Kan.; six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Gene Johnson and Herman Johnson, both of Williamson; other relatives and friends.
Larry Edwin Boggs
Larry Edwin Boggs, son of Ralph and Ardell Robins Boggs, was born May 11, 1934, in Weldon and died March 27, 2002, at his home in Plant City, Fla. of a respiratory ailment. He was 67.
He attended school in Clarke County and entered the U.S. Marine Corps in 1953 where he served for eight years. He married Helen Outen of Matthews, N.C. on June 5, 1955, and moved to North Carolina and then to Florida. He retired from Albertson’s Food as an over the road truck driver.
Mr. Boggs was a member of the East Baptist Church in Plant City where he was very active with the youth groups.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother-in-law, Ralph Klingston.
Mr. Boggs is survived by his wife; two sons, Barton Boggs and Mark Boggs, both of Plant City; a daughter, Rebecca Vollmar of Winter Haven, Fla.; three grandchildren; three sisters, Barbara Klingston and Sherry May and her husband Dwaine May, all of Osceola and Donna Sage and her husband, Jim Sage, of Des Moines; an uncle, Edwin Robins and his wife, Deloris Robins, of Murray; two aunts, Audra Robins of Weldon and Margaret Robins of Leon; other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Boggs were March 30, 2002, at East Baptist Church and interment was in Hopewell Memorial Gardens at Plant City.
Lucile Mildred Lippold
Lucile Mildred Lippold of Grand River, the daughter of John Aloisius and Emma Besieda O’Conner, was born Sept. 5, 1912, in Chicago, Ill. and died April 3, 2002, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon. She was 89.
She grew up in Chicago and married Alfred Eugene Lippold on May 4, 1945. The couple became the parents of two children Theodore, “Ted” on Aug. 8, 1947 and Richard Allen on May 19, 1949.
After the deaths of her husband in 1977 and son, Richard Allen in 1979, she moved to Grand River and operated the Auto Locksmith Shop.
She enjoyed crafts, cooking and baking. Mrs. Lippold was a member of the Women’s Legion, Cozy Corner Craft Club and the 20th Century Club. She worked at the Lions Hall and the Senior Citizen’s Center. She also helped with Grand River Fun Days.
Mrs. Lippold loved to get out and go. She enjoyed being around friends and traveling. “If wheels were turning she was going” to Chicago or anywhere.
In addition to her husband and son she was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, John O’Conner and three sisters, Blanche Miller, Dorothy O’Conner and Katie O’Conner.
Mrs.Lippold is survived by her son, Ted Lippold and his wife, Donna Lippold, of Lamoni; a granddaughter, Genevieve “Genny” Seibel and her husband, Emmett Seibel, of Grand River; a grandson, John Muir of Bozeman, Mont.; four great-grandchildren; three stepgrandchildren, Tim Hol and his wife, Kim Hol, Terry Hol and his wife, Lisa Hol, Tony Hol and his wife, Janine Hol and Tom Hol and his wife, Angie Hol, all of the Oskaloosa area; nine great-stepgrandchildren; other relatives and friends.
A visitation and prayer service was held April 8 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, with the Rev. Lyle D. Peters conducting the service.
Mass will be said at St. Irene Catholic Church in Warrenville, Ill. at 10 a.m. today (April 11) the Rev. Jim Antiporek officiating.
Casket bearers are Adam Hol, Matthew Hol, Steven Elam, Jon Angove, Max Keaton, Jake Keaton, Ken Klewin and Tom Miller. Honorary bearers are Danny Priester and Frank Schadeck. Interment is in Queen of Heaven Cemetery at Hillside, Ill.
Marjorie R. Burchett
Marjorie Ruth Burchett, the daughter of Leo Harold and Nina Lenore Van Patten Morris, was born Oct. 6, 1934, in Warren County and died of cancer April 1, 2002, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 67.
She graduated from Indianola High School in 1952. She married Everett La-Vere Burchett on May 5, 1953. The couple became the parents of five children.
Mrs. Burchett was a homemaker and lived most of her life in the Medora farming community. She was a member of the Medora United Methodist Church, the Red Hatters Society of New Virginia and an active member of the Medora Ladies Aide. She enjoyed quilting, gardening and cooking.
She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents.
Mrs. Burchett is survived by her two sons, Randy Burchett and his wife, Lori Burchett, and Doug Burchett, all of rural New Virginia; three daughters, Linda Petricca and her husband, Mike Petricca, of Roseville, Calif., Sandra Condon and her husband, Ray Condon, of Indianola and Ruth Volk and her husband, Greg Volk, of Eagan, Minn.; 13 grandchildren; a brother, Harold Morris of Indianola; four sisters, Ardena Kemmerer of Milton, Wash., Anne Niemeyer of Sunrise Beach, Mo., Edna Core and Harriet Herold of Indianola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Burchett were April 5 at the First United Methodist Church in Indianola, the Rev. Skip Rushing officiating. Eric Burchett gave the remembrance and Annette Kerr was organist.
Casket bearers were Eric Burchett, John Burchett, Rob Petricca, Nick Petricca, Alex Burchett, Brad Burchett. Interment was in the New Virginia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to New Virginia Rescue and Medora Ladies Aide.
Overton Funeral Home in Indianola was in charge of arrangements.
