Cindy Hampton
Cindy Hampton, the daughter of Ron and Rosalie Hampton of Murray, was born Aug. 29, 1958, in Des Moines and died of cancer June 7, 2002, at home in Murray.
Her body was cremated and a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. June 15 at Crest Baptist Church in Creston.
She moved with her family to Tucson, Ariz when she was 3-1/2 and lived there most of her life. She attended school in Tucson and graduated from Marana High School. She attended pharmacy school and became a pharmacy tech.
She was married to Jeffrey Sauth of Tucson until the marriage ended 13 years ago.
Ms. Hampton was affiliated with the First Baptist Church in Tucson.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Rose and Bernard Allen.
Ms. Hampton is survived by three children, Jennifer Hampton of Tucson, Amber Kauffman and her husband, Shannon Kauffman of Westminster, Colo. and Mike Sauth of Tucson; her father and mother; two sisters, Terri Fiebke, and her husband, Jim Fiebke, of Rochester, Minn. and Ronda Aschan and her husband, Roger Aschan, of Murray; a brother, Scott Hampton of Murray ; and nieces and nephews.
Lowell ‘Lefty’ Davenport
Lowell Keith “Lefty” Davenport, son of Roy and Bessie Viertz Davenport, was born Oct. 15, 1923, near Woodburn and died June 5, 2002, at Good Samaritan Luther Manor in Sioux Falls, S. D. He was 78.
He received his elementary education in Clarke County schools and graduated from Woodburn High School in 1943.
Mr. Davenport worked for various companies driving delivery trucks and for Underwood Auto Supply in Mount Ayr and Chariton before moving to Sioux Falls in the 1970s. He drove semi trucks for a company based in Sioux Falls until he retired.
He was preceded in death by his parents; special friend, Billie Hight; a daughter, Jennifer Lynn; three brothers, Merle, Hallie and Kenneth; two sisters, Erma Danner and Josephine Oneall, two sisters-in-law, Ella Davenport and Wilma Davenport; two brothers-in-law, Garold Oneall and Floren “Bud” Westbrook.
He is survived by two daughters, Annie Laurie Point and her husband, Dale Point, of Las Vegas, Nev. and Mary Elizabeth Griffus of Des Moines; a sister, Claudine Westbrook of Des Moines; a sister-in-law, Carrie Davenport and a brother, Cecil Davenport and his wife, Jean Davenport, all of Osceola; and many other relatives and friends.
Millers Funeral Home in Sioux Falls was in charge of the cremation. There were no services.
Raymond Flummer
Raymond Anderson Flummer, son of William Martin and Lena Florence Green Flummer, was born in Rae, Mo. and died at his home in Van Wert on June 5, 2002. He was 97. Mr. Flummer was able to finish his life in his own home and in his words, “There’s no place like home.”
He moved to western Iowa with his family when he was a teenager. He spent most of his adult life in southern Iowa as a farmer and breaking horses.
Mr. Flummer married Lela Mae Smith on March 16, 1935. The couple became the parents of four children, Mary Ethel, Norma Marie, Raymond Martin “Junior” and Kathryn Josephine.
The couple moved into Van Wert in 1963. He liked to fish with his wife, and family and play cards. He was a “tinkerer” and fixed things.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Lela on Jan. 10, 1995; his parents, an infant sister, Ethel Flummer; a sister, Josephine Fleming; two brothers, William and Albert Flummer; a stepsister, Jessie Perkins and his stepmother, Jenny Flummer.
Mr. Flummer is survived by three daughters, Mary Hughes and Norma Honn of Van Wert and Kathy Fullerton and her husband, Gary Fullerton, of Red Oak, Texas; a son, Junior Flummer and Rowena of Billings, Mo.; 15 grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Bessie Arnold of Iowa City; a sister-in-law, Helen Flummer of Leon; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were June 9 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Max Carmichael officiating. Pianist and vocalist, Myrtle Coy sang In the Garden, Beyond the Sunset and Will There Be Any Stars.
Casket bearers were grandsons, Ronald Dunlap, Jon Hughes, Danny Flummer, Donald Kelly, Troy Flummer, Glenn Kreuzer, Donald Fullerton, Larry Madison, John Honn and Ray Dean Parmer. Interment was in Van Wert Cemetery.
John Leroy Luce
John Leroy Luce, son of Leon Miles and Carrie Marie Overholtzer Luce, was born Aug. 21, 1923, near Van Wert in Decatur County and died June 1, 2002, as the result of a four-wheeler accident on his farm. He was 78.
He attended one-room country schools in Decatur County and was the third generation to attend Fairview School. He graduated from Leon High School in 1943.
He married Mildred Louise Jones at the Leon Brethren Church on June 10, 1945, and they became the parents of three children.
Mr. Luce accepted the Lord as his Saviour and was baptized at the Fairview Methodist Church early in his life. He often quoted the 23rd Psalm which he memorized many years ago.. He attended the Leon Brethren Church for almost 60 years.
He began farming with horses at age 13 after his father died. Early in his marriage he spent three years off the farm living in Osceola working as a grocery clerk, a mechanic, a shipping clerk for Snowdens, a policeman and as security for the Clarke County Fair. Later while farming, he worked at the Humeston Sale Barn, Leon Ford Implement, as a driver for Borden milk routes and as a government sheep scabies inspector. He also worked at the Decatur County Fair, and for the last 14 years at the Iowa State Fair Ye Old Mill ride. He sold seed corn for 50 years, the last 30 for DeKalb.
Mr. Luce liked to travel. He visited 12 foreign countries and 49 states, missing only Alaska. He was a snowbird. He spent the last 14 winters in Arizona making new friends and playing shuffleboard.
He loved farming an died on his own farm doing what he loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Paul E. De Long; a sister, Jeanne Cherington and a brother-in-law, Al Cherington.
Mr. Luce is survived by his wife; two daughters, Carolyn De Long of Tulsa, Okla. and Donna Hudson and her husband, Chuck Hudson of Dorena, Ore.; a son, Gerald Luce of Decatur; seven grandchildren, Candace, Christopher and Caitlin De Long of Tulsa, Jason Luce of Indianola, Steven Luce of Dallas Center, David Hudson of Monument, Ore. and Rebekah Hudson of Dorena; a sister, Marie Kendall and her husband, Jack Kendall, of Cedar Rapids; and aunt, Ruth Myers of Leon; other relatives and friends including lifelong friend Charles Imhoff.
Funeral services for Mr. Luce were held June 8, at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Jack Kendall and Dale Short officiated. Pianist was Virginia Webb and soloist was Chuck Hudson who sang Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling and Jesus Is Calling.
Casket bears were Jason Luce, David Hudson, Randy Cherington, Ronny Cherington, Wayne Welborn and Dennis Deemer. Honorary bearers were Candace De Long, Christopher De Long, Caitlin De Long, Steven Luce and Rebekah Hudson. Interment was in the Leon Cemetery at Leon.
Steven Ernest Sponsler
Steven Ernest Sponsler of Humeston, son of Ernest Walter and Roberta Lee Cannon Sponsler, was born July 25, 1957, in Leon and died June 3, 2002, at Lucas County Health Center in Chariton. He was 44.
He attended Mormon Trail School and then Southwestern Community College in Creston for auto mechanics.
Mr. Sponsler worked for Wayne County on the bridge crew before he moved to California. He worked at Fieldcrest, Unical, Western Tube and Conduit and Hughes Aircraft in California.
While he was in California he met Beth Ann Wheat. They were married in 1981, and became the parents of two children, Matthew and Stephanie.
The family moved to a home south of Humeston on July 4, 1991. Mr. Sponsler worked at the Laborers Union in Des Moines, I.B. Snook Wood Products and in recent years was self-employed.
In his free time, he liked to fish, fly remote controlled airplanes, do woodworking, to garden and being with his friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents.
Mr. Sponsler is survived by his son, Matthew Sponsler of Humeston; his daughter, Stephanie Sponsler and friend, Jasper Eckstein, of Osceola; a sister, Jayne Sponsler of Girard, Kan.; his stepmother, Janet Sponsler of Humeston; three stepbrothers, Rick LaFee and his wife, Linda LaFee, of Humeston, Ron LaFee and his wife, Agnes Lafee, of Tujunga, Calif. and Roger LaFee and his wife, Sharon LaFee, of Osceola; ex-wife, Beth Wheat and friend, Gary Richman, of Humeston; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were June 6 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Joan White officiating.
Musician, Joanie Boggs and Helen Ruth Boggs sang Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Mike Abel, Mitch Siddens, Robert Boyce, Ivan Snook, Don Gwinn, Josh Snook, Gary Richman and Paul Snook. Interment was in Humeston Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Frank D. Tillotson
Frank DeForest Tillotson, the son of Ethel and Pearl Tillotson was born in Clarke County on Aug. 6, 1913 and died May 27, 2002, in Ketchikan, Alaska. He was 88.
He graduated from Osceola High School in 1931, lettering in basketball, football, and track. “Fossi” was a member of the record holding 440-yard relay team at the Drake Relays with Jack Tillotson, Leland Davenport, and Warren (Skeets) Haltom.
He married Bernice Gibson of Osceola in 1937. He worked with telephone companies in Iowa and he and his wife moved to Ketchikan in 1940, where he spent 40 years helping to build Ketchikan’s public telephone system. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and prospecting. Mr. Tillotson also worked with youth groups including a Boy Scout troop in Osceola.
He was Past Master of the Ketchikan Masonic Lodge, member of the Ketchikan Shrine Club, Past Patron of Aurora Chapter of Eastern Star, a member of the Pioneers of Alaska and the First United Methodist Church of Ketchikan.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, his parents; sisters, Ada Black and Pauline Badger; and brother, Jack Tillotson.
He is survived by two sons, Larry Tillotson, and his wife, Catherine Tillotson, of Ketchikan; Lee Tillotson and his wife, Lorna Tillotson, of Oakland, Calif.; daughter, Marilyn Howard and her husband, John Howard, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and grandchildren, John and Brian Tillotson, Matthew and Wyatt Tillotson, Emillia Masse, and William, Tammy, Jim and Jeff Howard. Also surviving are nephews and nieces including Orville and Ron Black of Osceola, and other relatives and friends.
A memorial service was held June 1, at First United Methodist Church of Ketchikan. There will be a service this fall in Osceola followed by interment at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
The family requests memorial donations to either the Osceola Public Library or Shriners’ Hospital for Children.
Michael Byerly
Michael E. Byerly, son of Donald Ernest and Katherine Lea Strong Byerly, was born March 7, 1959, in Osceola and died June 11, 2003, at the University of Nebraska Hospital in Omaha, Neb.. He was 44.
He received his education in the Clarke Community Schools and graduated with the class of 1977. He had a strong faith. He attended the Murray Church of Christ and was baptized when he was 11 years old.
He began his career as a postal carrier in 1979 and continued as a rural carrier until his death. He spent most of life in Clarke County. As a youth he played baseball, basketball, football and was involved in 4-H and F.F.A.
He loved boating, fishing, hunting, trapping, searching for antlers and water and snow skiing. He was an excellent nature photographer and had photos published in a wildlife magazine.
Mr. Byerly had a quick wit and a wonderful sense of humor. He was happiest outdoors and joking around with his friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
Mr. Byerly is survived by his parents of Osceola; a sister, Michelle “Shelley” Leanne Wilson and her husband, Steve Wilson, of Leon; twin nephews, Austin and Colton Wilson and a niece Mindy Wilson, all of Leon; four aunts, Wanda Myers and her husband, Dan Myers, of Green Valley, Ariz., Janice Young and her husband Wyman Young, of Mesa, Ariz., Lois Stevenson and her husband, Leo Stevenson, of Lamoni and Arlene Tilford and her husband, Leo Tilford, of Lamoni; as well as other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Byerly were June 14 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Jimmy Miller, minister of the Murray Church of Christ officiated. Organist was Pennie Gonseth. Musical selections were Lord, Build Me a Cabin In Glory and I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Vocalists were Dale Short and Max Carmichael.
Casket bearers were Brian Oehlert, Tim Dunbar, Mel Miller, Roc McBroom, Mike Patterson and John McMath. Honorary bearers were Gary Chew, Victor Hutchins, Jon Handrock and Chuck Woods. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family for a memorial to be decided at a later date.
Dale Crider
Dale Allen Crider, son of Dewey and Esther Crider, was born Jan. 8, 1942, at Bland, Mo. and died June 14, 2003, at his home near Humeston. He was 61.
He graduated from Stover High School in Missouri in 1961. He worked for LP & H Construction in Missouri for ten years installing power lines.
He married Ruby Lois Zea on Oct. 4, 1975, in Ames. They moved to Humeston in September of 1976. Mr. Crider adopted his wife’s children in 1977 and became a devoted father and grandfather.
Mr. Crider has lived in the Humeston area for the past 26 years and worked for Clarke Electric Cooperative in Osceola as a purchasing agent.
He was a member of the Humeston Baptist Church. He enjoyed his work and enjoyed RVing and gardening. He loved being a grandpa, spending time with the family and doing grandpa things.
He was preceded in death by his father and three grandchildren, Jeffery Aaron Crider, Emily Marie Crider and Victoria Crider.
Mr. Crider is survived by his wife of Humeston; a daughter, Sue Olson and her husband, Ron Olson, of Jewell; three sons, James Michael Crider of Paris, Texas, Charles “Bud” Crider and his wife, Tina Crider of Humeston and Kenneth Wray Crider and his wife, Sharon Crider, of New Virginia; eight grandchildren, Casey Olson of Jewell, Krista Olson of Ames, Jessica Crider, Katilyn Crider, Chelsea Anders, Nick Anders and Isaiah Crider, all of Humeston and Michaela Crider of New Virginia; his mother, Esther Crider of Tipton, Mo.; two brothers, Darrell Crider of Sunrise Beach, Mo. and Dewaine Crider and his wife, Mary Crider, of Tipton; Carolyn Rhodes and her husband Dale Rhodes, of Sedalia, Mo.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Crider were June 18 at the Humeston Baptist Church, Pastor Art Anderson officiating. Organist Carla Kruize accompanied Jerry Shipley as he sang Praise God I’m, Ready To Go, Just a Closer Walk with Thee and Precious Memories.
Casket bearers were Richard Kline, Larry Keller, Steve Wilkins, John Heilman, Roger Phillips and Don Lange. Honorary bearers were Tom Killebrew, Steve White, Bill Elliott, Darrell Hanson and Bill Carlton. Interment was in the Humeston Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family to be decided at a later date.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Janet Isaacson Hemphill
Janet Eileen Hemphill, the daughter of Roy and Clare Isaacson, was born Dec. 7, 1935, in Osceola and died May 7, 2003, in Hayward, Calif. She was 67.
She graduated from Osceola High School in 1953 and moved to California in 1955. She was an executive secretary for two large businesses until she became the secretary of Union Local No. 50 of Hotel-Motel Workers in Oakland, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ray Hemphill and a brother, Tom Isaacson.
Mrs. Hemphill is survived by her daughters, Teresa Gutierrez of San Leando, Calif. and Tammi Hemphill of Las Vegas, Nev. two sons David Hemphill of Fremont, Calif. and Daniel Hemphill of Elko, Nev.; a sister, Mary Eckerson of Lake Carrol, Ill., a brother, John Isaacson of Indianola; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Lee Peterson
Lee Densmore “Pete” Peterson was born Aug. 12, 1916, near New Bedford, Ill. and died after a lengthy illness June 4, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 86.
Mr. Peterson received his early education in Illinois and graduated from Drake University in Des Moines in 1941.
He worked for Cowles Broadcasting and the Des Moines Register and Tribune. He was circulation services manager and scholarship chairman of the Register and Tribune until he retired in 1981. After he retired he worked part time at Ramsey Pontiac until 1993.
He was a licensed-lay minister for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He served as interim minister in 16 different churches before he became pastor of the Christian Church in Woodburn in 1963 and the rural church at Last Chance near Derby in 1965. He retired from the ministry in 1996.
During his 33 years of ministry at the Woodburn church he not only served the church but served the entire community and surrounding area. Wherever he was needed he was there.
He guided the Woodburn Christian Church when fire destroyed the building on May 12, 1970, until a new building was dedicated in September 1971.
He married Maria Pedersen on March 18, 1944. She preceded him in death.
Mr. Peterson is survived by a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Mullen and her husband, Rich Mullen, of Altoona; a granddaughter, Mary Jo Little and her husband, Scott Little; two grandsons, Kevin Lee Mullen and his wife, Charlette and Timothy Mullen; and six great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by the grateful congregations of the Woodburn Christian and Last Chance churches.
Funeral services for Mr. Peterson were June 7 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home in Altoona, the Rev. John Scherb officiating. Eulogist was the Rev. Scott Davis of Mason City, a convert of Mr. Peterson’s. Organist was Lois Hoksbergen and soloist was Wendy Wallace. Music selections were In the Garden and Beulah Land.
Casket bearers were Condon Clark, Jim Wallace, Tim Mullen, Gary Parsons, Kevin Mullen and Scott Little. Interment was in the Altoona Cemetery.
Michelle Pitzen
Michelle Lynn Pitzen, daughter of Bruce A. and Patricia K. Vaughn Fick, was born April 22, 1972, at Boone and died June 12, 2003, of injuries sustained in an an automobile accident near Peru. She was 31.
She graduated from Bondurant-Farrar High School in 1990 and then graduated from the dental hygienist program at Des Moines Area Community College.
She married Troy J. Pitzen on May 30, 1998, at the United Methodist Church at Santiago and the couple became the parents of three children, Kolt, Kade and Kyle.
Mrs. Pitzen and her family moved from Ankeny to Peru where they have made their home for the past five years.
She was a dental hygienist for Dr. Thomas Mohr in Pleasantville. Mrs. Pitzen enjoyed working with horses and being with her family. She was a member of the National Barrel Horse Association and the Peru United Methodist Church in Peru.
Her special joys were her three sons.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Betty and Walter Vaughn and Arnold and Violet Fick and her mother-in-law, Bonita Pitzen.
Mrs. Pitzen is survived by her husband and son Kolt and twin sons, Kade and Kyle of Peru; her parents of Mitchellville; a brother, Brent Fick and his wife, Denise Fick, of Mitchellville; a sister, Karie Fick and her friend, Jeff Hosbond, of Mitchellville; father-in-law, Howard Pitzen of Effie Minn. as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pitzen were June 17 at the Peru United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dennis Shepherd officiating. Organist was Peggy Mason. Musical selections were The Dance performed by Bruce Brown and Amazing Grace performed by Mandi McDaniel.
Casket bearers were Randy Williams, Steve Bush, Wade Porter, Matt Porter, John Ross and Mike Connolly. Interment was in the Peru Cemetery.
Contributions may be made to the family for a memorial to be decided at a later date.
Arrangements were made by Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro.
Loreta Reimenschneider
Loreta Ruth Riemenschneider, the daughter of Ralph Arthur and Norma Elsbeth Gerke Anselme, was born Oct. 4, 1928, in Marshall County, and died June 11, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 74.
She grew up in the State Center and Marshalltown areas and graduated from the State Center High School. She married Kenneth James Riemenschneider on March 2, 1947, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in State Center. Mr. and Mrs. Riemenschneider farmed near Osceola until 1976 when they moved into Osceola and Loreta began working at Furnas Electric Company as an inspector. She retired in 1992 and moved to Lake Rathbun. Mrs. Riemenschneider returned to Marshalltown in 2000 because of her health.
She was a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church and enjoyed crocheting, reading, quilting and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Kenneth, who died April 28, 1994. .
Mrs. Riemenschneider is survived by two sons, Cary Riemenschneider and his wife, Jeri Riemenschneider, of Marshalltown and Larry Riemenschneider and his wife, Barb Riemenschneider of Fairfield; two daughters, Pamela Johnson and her husband, Larry Johnson of Chandler, Ariz. and Tamera Schmudlach and her husband, Jim Schmudlach of Grinnell, Iowa; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dale Anselme and his wife, Dolores Anselme of Marshalltown and Lloyd Anselme and his wife, Bev Anselme of State Center, and two sisters, Shirley Sellers, Moravia and Bonnie Kunch, and her husband Gene Kunch of State Center.
Funeral services for Mrs. Riemenschneider were at the Pursel-Davis Funeral Home & Crematory, the Rev. Daniel Johnson, Redeemer Lutheran Church, officiating. Graveside services and interment was in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens at Marshalltown.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Redeemer Lutheran Church.
U.S. Bond
Ugene Samuel “Gene” Bond, son of Ulysses Samuel and Lillian Mae Bond, was born June 17, 1918, and died May 28, 2003, at Windy Acres Care Center in Forest Lake, Minn.. He was 84.
A native of Osceola, he received his education in Osceola schools and graduated from the Elgin Watchmaking College in Elgin, Ill. in 1939 at the age of 21. As a young boy, at the age of 9, he contracted polio which nearly took his life and left him with a badly scarred right shoulder diminishing his ability to raise his right arm above a 45-degree angle. This made his chosen profession of watchmaking an even greater challenge.
Financial times were difficult in the late 1930’s as well and his pursuit of his lifelong career in jewelry and watchmaking was assisted and made possible by a scholarship to the watchmaking school from the Osceola Masonic Lodge of which he, his father, Ulysses, and his uncle, Lou Bond, were lifetime members and supporters. His mother, Lilllian, also scrimped and saved to help pay for the tuition and fees.
He operated U.S. Bond Jewelry for more than 50 of the 103 years of its operation in Osceola and was honored in Who’s Who of Iowa Businessmen as one of Iowa’s oldest operating businesses. He retired and sold the business in 1992. The jewelry store was located on the north side of the Osceola square in the present location of The Mall-Berry Tree.
Mr. Bond married Velma Neff (later changing her first name to Valerie) on Sept. 20, 1942. Four children were born of this union; Susan Bond-Roberts who lives near Lake Tahoe, Calif., Ugene Samuel “Sam” Bond, Jr. of Forest Lake, Minn., Jeffrie Bond of Grangeville, Idaho; and Julie Norton of Altamonte Springs, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. Bond divorced in 1973.
He married Edna Ahlers on June 11, 1977, together they operated the jewelry store in Osceola until they retired to Worthington in 1992. Gene’s only sibling, a sister Maxine Engwall, lives in Hutchinson, Minn.
He and his first wife Velma (Valerie) were members of the First Christian Church.
Mr. Bond dedicated his entire life to carrying on the family jewelry and watchmaking business tradition founded by his father in 1889 and, after his father’s death in 1923, continued by his mother, Lillian, until her death in 1943. He was committed to the Osceola business community for five decades of his life, to his family, and to his staunch adherence to virtues of honesty, integrity, and sound character. He was a quiet, private man, recognizing the value of providing service to the Osceola community and in the quality of enduring, life-long friendships of which he had many.
Mr. Bond was preceded in death by his parents; his second wife, Edna, on January 11, 1999; and his first wife, Velma (Valerie), on Dec. 5, 1999.
In addition to his sons and daughters and sister, Mr. Bond is survived by grandchildren and great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held June 2 at Mattson Funeral Home in Forest Lake, Minn. A private, family graveside service was held with interment at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola on June 4, 2003.
The Bond family would appreciate memorial contributions being made to the Osceola Masonic Lodge.
Letha Hitt
Letha Marie Hitt, the daughter of John Edward and Nora Elizabeth Calhoun Kyner, was born Aug. 21, 1918, on a farm east of LeRoy in Decatur County and died June 15, 2003, at the Indianola Good Samaritan Center. She was 84.
She attended LeRoy Consolidated School and graduated from there in 1935. She married Glenn Edward Hitt on May 16, 1936, at Bethany, Mo. They were the parents of a son.
Mr. and Mrs. Hitt started farming with his parents and brother. They moved to the Calhoun family farm south of LeRoy in 1938 where they lived until they purchased a farm north of LeRoy in 1955. After Mr. Hitt’s death on June 10, 1969, Mrs. Hitt continued to live on the farm until the fall of 2000 when she moved to Humeston. After she suffered a stroke in 2002 she made her home at care facility in Chariton and then moved to the Good Samaritan Center.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by her father in 1969; mother in 1995; brother Eugene in 1997 and his wife Helen in 1993; and two brothers-in-law, Roy and Walter Hitt in 2002.
Survivors include her son, Charles Hitt and his wife, Ada Hitt; three grandchildren, Rodney Hitt and his wife Roberta Hitt, Wendy Sponsler and her husband, Daniel Sponsler and Ben Hitt and his wife Heather Hitt; all of the Humeston area; nine great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services and interment were June 18 at the Humeston Cemetery, the Rev. Joan White officiating. Casket bearers were Ben Hitt, Rodney Hitt, Beryl Kyner, Nile Kyner, Steve Kyner and Dan Sponsler.
Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon was in charge of arrangements.
Alice Mason
Alice June Mason, daughter of Leonard Everett and Gladys Lucille Hall DeLong, was born June 2, 1929, in Osceola and died June 17, 2003, at her home in Osceola. She was 74.
She received her education in the Clarke County schools and graduated from Osceola High School with the class of 1947.
She married Danny Mason on Oct. 29, 1966, at Osceola.
Mrs. Mason was a lifetime resident of Osceola. She worked for several years as a waitress and then a number of years at Miller Products and for the past 28 years she has been a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Richard DeLong and a brother-in-law, John L. Binns.
Mrs. Mason is survived by her husband; two sons, Steve DeVore and his wife, Joy DeVore of Osceola and Stan DeVore and his wife, Cindy DeVore, of Red Oak, Texas; six grandchildren, Stephanie Gilbert of Osceola, Todd DeVore of Norwalk, Brad DeVore, Kristen DeVore and Matt DeVore of Des Moines and Tim DeVore of Red Oak; seven great-grandchildren; a sister, Dixie Binns of Osceola and a brother, Darrell DeLong of Osceola; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mason were held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied Rhonda Lowry at she sang Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Todd DeVore, Brad DeVore, Kenneth Irwin, Mike Gilbert, Matt DeVore, Ron DeLong and Tim DeVore. Interment was in the Woodburn Cemetery.
Kenneth Scott
Kenneth Baker “”K.B.” Scott, the son of Pearl Albert and Margaret M. Baker Scott, was born Jan. 10, 1916, in Blaine County, Montana and died June 19, 2003, at his home in Leon. He was 87.
Mr. Scott attended high school in Garden Grove, but graduated from Pleasanton High School in 1934. He farmed in northern Missouri and southern Iowa for several years. He moved to Leon where he owned and operated a tank wagon business for Phillips 66. He worked for Interstate Bakers and then for Ruan Transport Company until he retired.
He married Evelyn Mae Higdon on July 19, 1936, and they spent most of their life in Decatur County. The couple became the parents of five children, Kenneth Dale, Anna Margaret, Karon Kay, Betty Joan and Dale Eugene.
He married Mildred Bennett Lentz in Leon on Aug. 4, 1997. Her son John Scott and his wife Sue, granddaughter Teresa and her family all became a part of his family.
Mr. Scott was a member of St. Brendan’s Catholic Church and was active in the community. He spent several years as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Leon Volunteer Fire Department and delivered Meals on Wheels. He enjoyed playng cards and visiting with people.
He was preceded in death by his wife Evelyn in 1992; a son, Kenneth Dale Scott; two daughters, Karon Kay Bethards and Betty Joan Scott; a grandson, Rodney James Gudenkauf; son in-law, Gerald Bethards; his parents; a sister Pauline Allen and husband George and brother-in-law, Morgan Jones.
Mr. Scott is survived by his wife, Mildred Scott of Leon; a daughter, Anna Margaret Gudenkauf and her husband Richard Gudenkauf, of Topeka, Kan.; a son, Dale Scott and his wife, Gayla Scott, of Leon; a stepson John Scott and his wife, Sue Scott, of St. Augustine, Fla.; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a brother Clayton P. Scott and his wife, Rose Scott, of Osceola; three sisters, Ione Jones of Ankeny, Dorothy Claycomb and her husband, Archie Claycomb of Blythedale, Mo. and Doris Caldwell and her husband Howard Caldwell, of Gastonia, N.C.; other relatives and friends.
A memorial service for Mr. Scott was June 23 at St. Brendan’s Catholic Church in Leon, the Rev. Thomas Dooley officiating. Organist was Sandy Kunze and Cantor was Cindy Arnold. Hymns were Be Not Afraid, When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder, I Am the Bread of Life and How Great Thou Art.
Interment of the cremains was in the Leon Cemetery.
Slade-O’ Donnell Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Frank Sowers
Frank Gale Showers, son of Chelc Gale Showers and Rosalene Belle May Sanders Showers, was born May 18, 1916, at St. Louis, Mo. and died June 17, 2003, at Care Center North in Winterset. He was 87.
He married Ruth Louise Hammond on Sept. 12, 1942, in Yakima, Wash. They became the parents of a daughter, Shirley.
A veteran of World War II, Mr. Showers served his country in the U.S. Army. Mr. and Mrs. Showers have lived in St. Charles for the past 47 years. He was a tire builder for Armstrong Tire and Rubber in Des Moines for many years.
He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Winterset and the St. Charles Parish Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Helen, Ella Mae and one in infancy and a brother in infancy.
Mr. Showers is survived by his wife of St. Charles; his daughter Shirley Johnson and her husband Michael Johnson, of St. Charles; three granddaughters, LeAnna Bowman and husband, Brandon Bowman, of Escondido, Calif., Lori McMahan and her husband, Jon McMahan, of Hillsborough, New Jersey and Lindsey Johnson of St. Charles; a great-granddaughter, a brother Chester Showers and his wife, Donna Showers, of Osceola; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Showers were June 20 at Kale Funeral Home in Truro, the Rev. Darold Snow and Pastor Doug Helton officiating. Organist Laurie McKinney accompanied Lynette Shafer as she sang His Eye Is On the Sparrow.
Casket bearers were Larry Adair, David Showers, Dennis Hochstetler, John Wiedman, Jim Calahan, Don Calahan, Dwayne Calahan and Roger Calahan. Interment was in the Peru Cemetery.
Wendell Turner
Wendell R. Turner, the son of John and Grace Turner, was born July 22, 1912, at Adair and died June 20, 2003, at the Health Care Center in Mount Ayr. He was 90.
He graduated from high school and attended Iowa State University in Ames for two years. He eloped with Joan Jones to Bethany, Mo., where they were married. The couple became the parents of 13 children.
Mr. Turner was a farmer. While farming near Van Wert, he helped his parents and after their deaths, he farmed near Diagonal. He was a typical farmer with cows to milk and work around the farm to do. He also did construction work and detasselled corn in the summer.
He was a loving husband and father. He liked to write and was proud of a letter he wrote about Reagonomics that made it into the Congressional Record.
Mr. and Mrs. Turner’s 60th wedding anniversary was special to him as that was the only time the entire family was together.
He was a member of the United Methodist Church.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three daughters, Judy at four months and twin daughters, Jean and Joan at birth; and four brothers, Carrol, Herbert, Eric and Max.
Mr. Turner is survived by his wife, Joan of Tingley; six sons, Charles Turner of New Market, Robert Turner and his wife, Sally Turner, of Osceola, Max Turner of San Diego, Calif., Richard Turner and his wife, Karen Turner, of Kansas City, Mo., Van Turner and his wife, Dawn Turner, of Eldora and Raymond Turner of Shenandoah; four daughters, Mary Will and her husband, Lloyd Will, of Denton, Texas, Jane Workman and her husband, Bill Workman, of Carbondale, Ill., Audrey Cammack and her husband, Larry Cammack, of East Peoria, Ill. and Patricia Lewellyn and her husband, Larry Lewellyn, of Austin, Texas; 34 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Turner were held June 25 at the United Methodist Church at Tingley, the Rev. Brian Oliver officiating.
Honorary casket bearers were Charles Turner, Max Turner, Van Turner, Robert Turner, Richard Turner and Raymond Turner. Burial was in the Tingley Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the United Methodist Church in Tingley.
Wilson-Watson and Armstrong Funeral Homes was in charge of arrangements.
Marvel Bryson
A graveside memorial service was held June 26 in the Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines for Marvel Bryson, 90, who died June 23, 2002, at the Ramsey Home in Des Moines.
She was born Nov. 20, 1911, in Woodburn and grew up, and attended school there. She moved to Des Moines where she lived most of her adult life. She was a homemaker and was at one time a hostess at a restaurant.
Mrs. Bryson was a member of the First Methodist Church, Eastern Star and The Des Moines Womens Club.
Mrs. Bryson was preceded in death by three husbands.
She is survived by a sister, Irene Waugh of Des Moines and nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ramsey Home, 1611 27th St., Des Moines.
Caldwell-Raddatz Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
