Helen E. Campbell
Helen E. Campbell, former Osceola resident, died June 5, 2002, in Sun City, Ariz.
The oldest of seven children she was born July 27, 1913, in Odebolt. She married Kermit Campbell on Feb. 16, 1938. They farmed most of their married life, first in northern Iowa and then when they moved to Osceola in 1964. Mr. Campbell died in 1976 and she moved into Osceola a few years later.
Mrs. Campbell moved to Sun City, Ariz. in 1993 to be near her family. She was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church and a member of the Rebekah Lodge.
Mrs. Campbell was preceded in death by her parents, three sisters, a brother, her husband and her oldest son, Fred.
Mrs. Campbell is survived by her son, Robert and his wife, Laureen, of Peoria, Ariz.; five grandchildren, Casey Campbell of Peoria, Kasandra Campbell of Ida Grove, Kris and Kurt Campbell of Sioux City and Stephen Campbell of Yuma, Ariz.; several great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Betty Collis of Phoenix, Ariz. and Mary Jo Pfannensteil of Arvada, Colo.
Graveside services will be held at 2p.m. July 5 in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Marjorie Jean Akes
Marjorie Jean Akes of Grimes, daughter of John Leslie and Esther Merle Cole Stark, was born Feb. 14, 1930, near Grand River and died June 23, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 71.
She was known as “Marge” and she was raised in Grand River. She lived and worked in Leon until she married Gerald Lester Akes on Feb. 25, 1950, in Leon. The couple became the parents of three sons, Steven, Stanley and Stuart.
The family lived in Centerville before they moved to Davis City where they owned and operated Akes Grocery.
They later moved to Grimes where she worked in the meat department at Dahl’s grocery in Des Moines. After she retired from one store, she went to work part time at another Dahl’s store in West Des Moines.
She liked gardening, canning, crocheting, crafts and ceramics and reading, mainly Danielle Steel novels.
Mrs. Akes was a member of the Grimes United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents; five brothers, Donald “Sandy”, Noel, Dale, Roland and Cliff Stark and a sister, Ruth Camp.
Mrs. Akes is survived by her husband, Gerald Akes, of Grimes; three sons, Steven Akes and his wife, Terri Akes, of Indianola, Stanley Akes and his wife, Sandie Akes, of Chariton and Stuart Akes and his wife, Becky Akes, of Hollister, Mo.; four grandchildren; three brothers, Neil Stark and his wife, Goldie Stark of Grand River, Ted Stark of Creston and Merlyn Stark and his wife, Lois Stark, of Eagle Grove; seven sisters, Oneta Redman and Doris Redman, both of Osceola, Ruby Stark of Clarion, Bessie Mason and her husband, Junior Mason, of Hewitt, Texas, Martha Reasoner of Indianola, Ellen Peterson and her husband, Dave Peterson, of Grand River and Jo Ann Brink of Raytown, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Leonard Camp of Osceola; sisters-in-law, Nina Stark of Douglas, Wyo., Helen Camden of Grand River and Myra Akes of Nampa, Idaho; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were June 27 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Pastor John W. Long officiated. Organist was Charletta Durell. Soloist was Cheryl Norman.
Casket bearers were Brandon Akes, Todd Akes, John Akes, John Camp, Kristin Akes, Marion Stark, Nick Akes, Rodney Stark and Ron Stark. Interment was in Leon Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
De Verne Lugar
DeVerne Lugar, son of Lee W. and Bertha Olive Lugar, was born Aug. 16, 1912, in Derby and died June 26, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 88.
He married Edith Lowe on Dec. 24, 1937.
He worked for the United States Postal Service in Derby for 30 years and he was also a farmer.
He was a longtime resident of Lucas County and moved to Osceola seven years ago when he retired from farming.
Mr. Lugar is survived by his wife, Edith Lugar of Osceola; a daughter, DeAnn Lugar of Des Moines; a sister, Volores Kent of Lucas; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were June 29 at Humeston Cemetery, the Rev. Silas Andersen officiated. Arrangements were by Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Derby Community Center or the American Cancer Society.
Betty Lou McBroom
Betty Lou McBroom, daughter of Eldon Thomas and Eva Marie Hyde Allen, was born Feb. 27, 1925, at Ackworth and died June 30, 2001, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 76.
She received her education in the Ackworth country schools and graduated from Indianola High School in 1942. She attended Simpson College and Lab Tech School.
Ms. McBroom was a lab technician for several years, but most of her life she was a homemaker. She lived in Ashfork, Ariz. from 1974 until 1986, when she moved to Kingman, Ariz. She returned to live in Osceola in 1991.
She was a very active member of the Osceola Eagles Lodge Aerie No. 3495 and a member of Tri Delta Sorority. She was affiliated with the Ackworth Friends Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents and a brother-in-law, Willard Coppock.
Ms. McBroom is survived by two sons, Scott McBroom and his wife, Jennifer McBroom and Krell McBroom and Sandy McBride; a daughter, Machelle Ashley, all of Osceola; 13 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; two sisters, Barbara Coppock of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Pat Webb and her husband, Jack Webb, of Des Moines; other relatives and friends.
A graveside memorial service for the cremated remains will be at 10 a.m. July 6 at Ackworth Cemetery, the Rev. John Long of Indianola officiating. Arrangements were by Kale Funeral Homes Osceola and Truro.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ackworth Friends Church or Ackworth Cemetery Association.
Elwood Smith
Elwood Clark Smith, son of Merwin and Eva Shelton Smith, was born April 16, 1932, in Des Moines and died June 5, 2001, at his home near Terril. He was 69.
He received his education in Milford country school and graduated from Terril High School in 1949. He was very active in 4-H as a youth.
After high school he served in the Korean War.
Mr. Smith married Marietta Dodge on Jan. 15, 1956, in Terril. They bought a farm near Terril in 1957, where they raised hogs and corn. He was an avid steward of the soil. He was named Master Swine Producer in 1960 and was a Charter Member of Palo Alto County Pork Producers.
He began working at the Ruthven Coop Elevator in 1994 and worked there until he retired in 1997.
Mr. and Mrs. Smith enjoyed traveling during their retirement. He enjoyed his Harley “Hawg”, his John Deere “50”, golfing, square dancing, ballroom dancing, reading and watching Matlock, Wheel of Fortune, The Price is Right and Who Wants to be a Millionaire. He treasured time spent with his grandchildren and playing Skip-Bo with his wife,
Mr. Smith was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Ruthven where he served as Sunday School Teacher and M.Y.F. Counselor.
Preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Leonard.
Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Marietta Smith of Terril; a son, Dr. Steven Smith and his wife, Noreen Smith, of Osceola; three daughters, Denese Gable and her husband, Tom Gable, of Des Moines, Lyn Isom and her husband, Brian Isom, of Mediapolis and Shannon Magner and her husband, Jeff Magner, of Marion; 11 grandchildren; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were June 8 at the United Methodist Church in Ruthven, the Rev. Ray Stauffer officiated. Karen Carr was pianist. Vocalists were Lyn Isom and Shannon Magner.
Casket bearers were Gary Holck, Craig Thu, Arlin Kulow, Dave Nelson, James Toland, Harold Cassens, Allan Puterbaugh and Virgil Wahlman.
Honorary bearers were grandchildren, Jennifer Gable, Chelsea Smith, Stephanie Gable, Colton Smith, Cassidy Smith, Brandon Gable, Cody Smith, Katerina “Katie” Isom, Kortni Isom, Nicholas Isom and Josie Ann Magner.
Interment was in Fairview Cemetery in Terril. Arrangements were by Martin-Mattice Funeral Home.
Norma Williams
Norma Kaye Williams, daughter of Charles Winifred and Leota Maxine Culver Maness, was born June 24, 1938 and died of a respiratory ailment June 28, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 63.
She received her education in the Maloy, Murray and Osceola schools and graduated from Osceola High School.
She married Chester L. Reed on Jan. 23, 1957. The couple became the parents of four children, Chuck, Monty, Kayla and Larry.
She married Richard D. Williams on Sept. 11, 1982.
She was a homemaker. She lived most of her life since sixth grade in Clarke and Decatur counties except for a brief time when she lived in Tennessee.
Ms. Williams loved being around children and drove a school bus for nine years. She also owned and operated two restaurants during her lifetime.
For the last two years, she helped care for her granddaughter, Jessica.
She was very active in the Eagle’s Auxiliary and was past president and a charter member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagle’s Auxiliary.
She liked to fish and read, crochet and spend time with family and friends.
Ms. Williams was affiliated with the Christian Church.
Preceding her in death were her parents and step-parents; a son, Larry Reed in 1976; a sister, Donna Maness and a brother-in-law, Gerald Kephart.
Ms. Williams is survived by two sons, Chuck Reed and his wife, Rhonda Reed, of Van Wert and Monty Reed of Osceola; a daughter, Kayla Reed of Osceola; four grandchildren; a sister, Karen Kephart of Cherokee; two step-sisters, Suzanne Legge and her husband, Robert Legge, of Hobbs, N.M. and Betty Hembry of Osceola; a step-brother, Leland Richard George of Wheaton, Ill.; other relatives and a a host of friends.
Funeral services were July 2 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Doug Hamilton of Osceola officiated. Pennie Gonseth was organist and vocalist was Stacey Gregg.
Casket bearers were Steve Lewis, Brady Lewis, Craig Lewis, Jose Ramos, Terry Lewis and Ronal Gilbert. Honorary casket bearers were Wendell West, Barry Anderson, Kevin Vanderlinden and Gene Carson. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to Osceola Eagles Lodge Aerie No. 3495 in Osceola.
Charles Brown
Charles ‘Chuck’ David Brown
Charles “Chuck” David Brown, son of Ira and Margaret Campbell Brown, was born Nov. 28, 1913, near Macksburg and died July 16, 2003, at his home in Osceola. He was 89.
He received his education in the Macksburg schools and proudly served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II. He married Viola May White on June 1,1941, in Bethany, Mo. The couple became the parents of five children.
Mr. Brown, a longtime resident of Osceola, had lived here for the past 56 years. He owned and operated Chuck’s Radiator Shop in Osceola for a number of years and had been employed by Underwood Auto Supply in Osceola for several years.
Mr. Brown was a former member of the Osceola Volunteer Fire Department and he enjoyed hunting, camping traveling and riding motorcycles in his spare time.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Darrell David Brown; two grandsons, Darin and Jeff Brown; four brothers, Dale Simpson, Elmer, Raymond and Robert Brown.
Mr. Brown is survived by his wife in Osceola; two sons, Larry Brown and his wife, Sandy Brown, of Afton; Francis Brown and his wife, Janice Brown, of Osceola; two daughters, Twyla Smith and Patricia Jones of Osceola; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a brother, Jesse Brown of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Clara Lewis of Hudson, S.D.; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Brown were July 18 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Rod Rindahl of Osceola officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied soloist Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Peace in the Valley.
Casket bearers were Marty Oehlert, George Paul, Pete Ahrens, Rod Glazebrook, Elva Sheets, Gale Hembry, Rick Glazebrook and Rod Harger. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Linda Dale
Linda McCrae Dale, daughter of Catherine and Philip McCrea of St. Charles, was born Feb. 20, 1948, in Des Moines and died June 18, 2003, in San Antonio, Texas. She was 55.
Mrs. Dale was raised in rural Iowa and received her bachelor of science degree from Iowa State University at Ames in 1970. She completed an internship in Portland, Ore. to become a registered dietician and was a member of the American Dietetic Association.
She joined the U.S. Air Force in 1972 as a 2nd Lieutenant, was promoted to Captain and served as a dietician at Cannon Air Force Base in Clovis, N.M. and Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio. Her career included work with former P.O.W.s returning from Vietnam.
After completing her military service she worked at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio and Wilson Memorial Hospital in Floresville, Texas, where she lived.
She is survived by her husband, Gene Dale of Floresville; two sons, Steven Thrall of Fort Worth, Texas and Neil Miller of Detroit, Mich.; her parents; two sisters, Marcia McCrae of Wasilla, Alaska and Jeanne McCrae Welle and her husband, Randy Welle, of Port Townsend, Wash.; two brothers, James McCrae of Glendale, Ariz. and William McCrae and his wife, Mary Jane McCrae, of Port Orchard, Wash.; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. Aug. 2 at the St. Charles Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Fellowship Hall at the St. Charles Parish Church in St. Charles.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Jackson Township Fire Department or the donor’s favorite charity.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola and Truro is in charge of local arrangements.
Lela Yates
Former Osceola resident Lela Esther Yates, 93, of Pinehurst, N.C. died July 17, 2003, at the University of North Carolina University hospital in Chapel Hill, N.C.
One of nine children of George and Alice Lewis Schaffer, Mrs. Yates was born on July 26, 1909, in Osceola. She grew up and attended country schools in the Clarke County area.
She married Gene Yates on June 30, 1929. He died in 1977. She and Mr. Yates owned and operated office supply and stationery stores in various towns in Iowa including Perry and Estherville. After Mr. Yates’ death she moved back to Osceola where she lived until 1992 when she moved to Raleigh, N.C. She moved to Pinehurst in 1999.
Mrs. Yates was a homemaker and was affiliated with the First Christian Church in Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents and eight brothers and sisters, Lloyd, Earl, Pearl, Harley, “Louie” and Gerald Schaffer, Wilma Casey McFarland and Helen Schaffer.
She is survived by a son, Robert Yates and his wife, Rachael Yates, of Pinehurst; five grandchildren, Jeff Yates of Texas, Megan Page of Angier, N.C., Cara Crotty of Columbia, S.C., Thomas Weekman and Jim Weekman, both of Raleigh; six great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial graveside services and burial of her cremains will be at a later date in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Neva Irene Grimm
Neva Irene Grimm, the daughter of Samuel Edward and Edna Diantha Bartholow Briner, was born Nov. 30, 1904, in Decatur County and died July 21, 2002, at the Afton Care Center in Afton. She was 97.
She was the eldest of five children. She was raised in rural Grand River and attended country school.
She married Louie Everett Grimm on Nov. 8, 1923. They became the parents of three children, Alma Rowena, Erma Ivene and Lowell Everett.
Mrs. Grimm was a dedicated homemaker. She also worked and chored. She was a member of the Grand River Valley Club, Sand Creek Club and Rebekah Lodge of Hopeville. In later years she attended the Pleasant Valley Christian Church, south of Thayer.
She always had a houseful of family and friends. She cooked for all that dropped-in and canned, froze food and made her clothes. Neighbors would bring their clothing for her to alter. Mrs. Grimm made quilts and afghans and crocheted doilies. She liked to play cards and games and to fish.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1984; granddaughter, Loretta Duree; grandson, Dwight Selsor; great-great-granddaughters (twins) Misty and Tiffany Grimm; great-grandson, Blaine Bingham; son-in-law, Burton Selsor; sister, Katherine “Kate” DeBuck; and three brothers, Lowell, Burl and Lloyd Briner.
Mrs. Grimm is survived by two daughters, Alma Selsor of Thayer and Erma Duree and her husband, Leo “Whimpy” Duree, of Chariton; a son, Lowell Grimm and his wife, Clara Mae Grimm, of Chillicothe, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Hunt of Afton and Ava Grim of Arvada, Colo. and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. today (Thursday) at Slade O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Pastor Dwayne Henrichs officiating. Burial is in the Grand River Cemetery, Grand River. Visitation was Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. The family will greet friends from 7 to 8 p.m.
A memorial fund has been established by the family.
Patience Lynn Barcus Cox
Patience Lynn Barcus Cox, daughter of Craig Alan and Terri Lee Barcus, was born Aug. 6, 1975, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines and died of complications of a liver ailment July 16, 2002, at her home in Midway Park, N.C. She was 26.
She attended and graduated from Clarke Community High School in 1993 and then attended Graceland College in Lamoni for one year.
She worked at Hardees in Osceola, Scan Graphics in Des Moines and as a bank teller at Marine Federal Credit Union in Midway Park.
She loved softball, reading mystery novels, watching movies and spending time with her family and friends. She was a devoted and loving wife, daughter and sister and will be remembered always for her warm and kind heart, her good sense of humor and her sparkling smile.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola.
Preceding her in death was her maternal grandfather, Harold Ehrsam.
She is survived by her husband, Charles David Cox of Midway Park; her parents, Craig and Terri Barcus of Osceola; a sister, Aleesha Cervera and her husband, Delio Cervera, of Fayetteville, N.C.; grandparents, Wanda Ehrsam of Greenfield and Paul and Jean Barcus of Mesa, Ariz.; aunt, Connie Sheriff and friend Verl Hockett of Greenfield; uncle David and aunt Jennifer Ehrsam of Greenfield; father-in-law, Charles Cox and his wife, Joann Cox, of Osceola; mother-in-law, Dawn Harmon and her husband, John Harmon, of Pasco, Wash.; brother-in-law, Robert Cox and his wife, Jessica Cox, of Midway Park; cousins; and many friends.
Funeral services were July 20 at the Osceola United Methodist Church, the Rev. Jim Louk officiating. Teri Dinham, organist, accompanied Joy Tokheim as she sang Lord’s Prayer and She’s Always a Woman.
Casket bearers were Bryant Sheriff, Eddy Saylor, Matt Ashton, Robert Cox, Mike Chappina and Joe Luevano. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation.
Geraldine Eva De Ruff
Geraldine Eva De Ruff, the daughter of Jesse and Mamie Schaffer, was born in Clarke County on Feb. 21, 1922, and died July 2, 2002, after a long illness. She was 80.
She graduated from New Virginia High School and attended Simpson College. She taught in rural schools before moving to California in 1947 where she met and married Paul A. DeRuff, a career Navy man, on Aug. 31, 1950. They lived in Japan, Midway, Hawaii and California.
Mrs. DeRuff returned to Iowa in 1970. She was a loving, caring and generous person.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband.
She is survived by a stepson, Robert DeRuff in California; a sister, Evelyn Bryant of White City, Ore.; a brother-in-law, Ralph Bryant of Osceola; and a brother, Harold Schaffer and his wife, Marilyn Schaffer, of New Virginia ; stepgrandchildren; nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held July 5 at Fremont Cemetery in Clarke County, with Pastor James Louk officiating. Mosher Funeral Home of Chariton was in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Brown
Funeral services were held July 19 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Greenfield for Barbara Marie Brown, 59, of Fontanelle, who died July 16, 2001, of cancer at Greater Community Hospital in Creston. Interment was at Fontanelle Cemetery. Arrangements were by Steen Funeral Home in Fontanelle.
Mrs. Brown was born in Atlantic and lived most of her life in Adair County.
She was a homemaker who liked to go to garage sales.
Mrs. Brown is survived by her husband, Jack Brown Sr. of Fontanelle.; seven sons, Jake Brown, at home, Jack Brown Jr. of Prescott, Allen Brown of Osceola, Tim Brown of Greenfield, Richard Brown of Winterset, Justin Brown and Bill Brown, both of Fontanelle and Daryl Newbury who was raised by Mrs. Brown; seven daughters, Jessica Brown, Jamie Brown and Kaydie Brown, all at home; Jodie Hoadley of Orient, Janice Rasmussen of Fontanelle, Mary Thompson of Oakland and Lisa Fry of Afton; 26 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; her mother, Melva Casey of Massena; a brother, John Casey of Cumberland; three sisters, Pat Hohn of Stuart; Rose Holste of Massena and Mary Juhler of Melcher; other relatives and friends.
Margaret Crees
Margaret Grace Griffin Crees, the sixth child of James Arthur “Art” and Daisy Mary Drury Griffin, was born Oct. 12, 1916, on a farm near Yuma, Colo. and died July 16, 2001, at Westview Acres Care Center in Leon. She was 84.
Her family moved to Nebraska. When she was almost five years old they moved in a covered wagon to the southern Iowa, northern Missouri area.
She lived most of her life in Decatur County where she graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1934.
She married Creal Ray Crees on Aug. 10, 1934. The couple became the parents of seven children, Mary Margaret, Crealetta, Richard, Ronald, Bobby, Carol and Randy.
She dedicated her entire life to her husband and children. She also liked raising a big garden and flowers.
Mr. and Mrs. Crees also lived in Estherville and California. After her husband died, she returned in 1977, to live in Grand River. She moved to Hillside Apartments in Leon in September 1999. She moved to Westview Acres Care Center in January 2001.
Mrs. Crees accepted the Lord in 1930. She was a member of the Grand River United Methodist Church and later a member of the Decatur United Methodist Church.
Preceding her in death in addition to her husband were her parents; one son, Richard Crees; a great-grandson, Michael Annalora; a sister, Inez Rowan and four brothers, infants Chester and Bryan Griffin, LeRoy Griffin and Graydon Griffin.
Mrs. Crees is survived by three daughters, Mary Margaret Clabaugh and her husband, Don Clabaugh, of Estherville, Crealetta King and friend Jim Fenney of Lake Forest, Calif. and Carol Bear of Edgewater, Fla. and Don Bear of Winterset; three sons, Ronald Crees and his wife, Pat Crees, of Highland, Calif., Bobby Crees and his wife, Russ Crees, of Ann Arbor, Mich. and Randy Crees and his wife, Lia Crees, of Grants Pass, Ore.; 19 grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Louanna Alley and her husband, Claude Alley, of Leon; a sister-in-law, Katherine Griffin of Leon; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were July 20 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, Pastor Robin Thomas officiated. Pianist Charletta Durell sang God Will Take Care of You and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were grandsons, Bill Bassett, Jeremy Bear, Tyler Bear, Randy Clabaugh, Bobby Blu Crees, David Crees, Josh Crees, Mark Crees, Richard Crees and Sean Crees. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery near Grand River.
W. Bernard Curtis
Former Osceola resident, Walter Bernard Curtis, son of Jesse Glen and Jessie Edith Smith Curtis, was born May 8, 1913, and died June 27, 2001, at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, Ariz. He was 88.
He grew up in Lucas County, attended Arnold Country School and graduated from Lacona High School.
Mr. Curtis married Margaret McCauley on Sept. 20, 1941. The couple became the parents of three children, Alan, Gary and Susan.
He was a farmer and an automobile and truck mechanic until he retired in 1973.
Mr. Curtis liked to play pool with his buddies at the Sundowner Country Villa Mobile Home and RV Park in Apache Junction, Ariz. He also liked to play cards, especially cribbage, canasta, dominoes and pinochle, with his friends.
Mr. and Mrs. Curtis belonged to the Do’Sceola Square Dance Club for 22 years. They spent their winters in Apache Junction for 17 years. Apache Junction has been their permanent home for the last three years.
He was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Keith and Kenneth.
Mr. Curtis is survived by his wife, Margaret Curtis of Apache Junction; two sons, Alan Curtis and his wife, Melody Curtis, of Vienna, Va. and Gary Curtis and his wife, Rebecca Curtis, of Iowa City; a daughter, Susan Curtis of Phoenix, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Viola Roe of Osceola; a dear friend of the family, Dee Sunday of Phoenix; other relatives and many friends.
Memorial services were July 21 at the First Christian Church in Osceola, Pastor Phil Coe officiated. Pastor Neville Clayton gave the eulogy. Organist Belva White, soloist Emil Rinderspacher, Mr. Curtis’ daughter-in-law, pianist Rebecca Curtis and Mr. Curtis’ granddaughters, violinist Tiffany Martin of Decorah and cellist Larissa Curtis of Iowa City, performed musical selections for the service.
Interment of the cremains will be at a later date at Chariton Cemetery. Apache Junction Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.
Georgia Green
Georgia May Kimmel Green, daughter of George and Jennie Bell McMaster Kimmel, was born May 14, 1908, near Minburn in Dallas County and died July 19, 2001, at Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 93.
She was the youngest of six children. She moved to Clarke County as a young girl and lived in the Clarke and Decatur County areas for most of her life.
She married Clarence Green on Jan. 28, 1930. The couple became the parents of three children, Harold Richard, Jennie Lynn and Betty Lou.
Mrs. Green was a homemaker and a true companion to her husband, always going with him.
She farmed by his side as they raised chickens, milked cows and put up hay. They moved to their farm northwest of Van Wert in 1951 and lived there until Mr. Green retired in 1976.
They moved to Osceola after he retired and she remained here the rest of her life. She moved to Osceola Nursing and Rehab in October 1999.
Mrs. Green loved flowers and spent many long hours tending to them and her garden. She was a wonderful cook who didn’t use recipes and everyone gathered at her house for Sunday dinners.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Clarence, on June 21, 1995; three brothers, John, Marion and Charley Kimmel; two sisters, Mary E. Heston and Cora Merle McVey and two daughters-in-law, Margaret Green and Virginia Green.
Mrs. Green is survived by her son, Harold Green and friend Betty McAuley of Grimes; two daughters, Jennie Perry and her husband, Jim Perry, of Tucson, Ariz. and Betty Kelleher and her husband, Bill Kelleher, of Conroe, Texas; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Green of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were July 23 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Terry Roberts officiated. Organist Charletta Durell sang Old Rugged Cross, Rock of Ages and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were grandchildren, Brenda Cerrato, Chuck Green, Tom Green, John Kelleher, Patrick Kelleher, Richard Perry and Vickie Perry. Honorary bearers were great-grandchildren and Gary McVey, Darrell McVey, Daryl Nerness and Ronald Dean Parmer. Interment was in Van Wert Cemetery.
Helen Ramsay Slaymaker
Former Osceola resident, Helen Ramsay Slaymaker, daughter of William and Laura Craig Ramsay, was born Feb. 18, 1909, in Albia and died July 14, 2001, at Season’s Happy Home in Leesville, S.C. She was 92.
She was a graduate of the University of Iowa in Iowa City and married Donovan D. Slaymaker in September 1934, in Oskaloosa. They moved to Osceola after their marriage in 1934. The couple became the parents of two daughters, Suzanne and Julianna.
She was a member of D.A.R., a member of P.E.O., a member of the Osceola Country Club and an alumni of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Iowa. She had been a member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola and she was a former member of the Christian Church in Oskaloosa.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Donovan in 1991 and one son, William.
Mrs. Slaymaker is survived by two daughters, Suzanne Frost and her husband, Jack Frost, of Berry, Ala. and Julianna Gillespie and her husband, Lawrence Gillespie, of Lexington, S.C.; two grandchildren, Kelly Moore and and her husband, Father G. Thomas Moore, of Cayce, S.C. and Ken Olson and his wife, Jacquie Olson, of Coon Rapids, Minn.; four great-grandchildren, George and Anna Moore of Cayce and Ariana and Adam Olson of Coon Rapids; four nieces; two nephews; her caretaker, Judy Wingate of Gilbert, S.C.; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were July 19 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, Pastor Ted Welch officiated.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideon Society.
Louise Diehl Liggitt
Louise Catherine Diehl Liggitt, daughter of Frank and Golda Neff Diehl, was born June 7, 1920, in Clarke County and died of complications of a stroke July 23, 2001, at the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola. She was 81.
Mrs. Liggitt received her education in the Clarke County schools and graduated from Osceola High School. She taught in rural schools for six years.
She married Edwin Liggitt on Aug. 19, 1942, at Meridian, Miss. and they became the parents of two children, Carmeletta and Gary.
Mrs. Liggitt lived her entire life in Clarke County. After teaching she became a farmwife and homemaker. She loved driving tractors, milking cows and growing flowers. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola and a lifelong member of East Chapel DOC Club.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Bernard Diehl.
Mrs. Liggitt is survived by her husband, Edwin of Osceola; a daughter, Carmeletta Liggitt of Osceola; a son Gary Liggit and his wife, Gwenna Liggitt, of Honolulu, Hawaii; a sister-in-law, Marie Diehl of Osceola; a brother-in-law, Robert Liggitt and his wife, Lois Liggitt, of Osceola; an uncle, Wayne Yates of Council Bluffs, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services for Mrs. Liggitt were at 11 a.m. July 25 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe officiating. Organist Belva White accompanied Brian McCracken as he sang Wings of a Dove and Just a Closer Walk With Thee.
Casket bearers were Roger Diehl, Lonnie Liggitt, Randy Diehl, Doug Hamilton, Bill Myer, and Dale Loghry. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Beatrice ‘Bea’ Woods
Beatrice “Bea” Woods, 81, formerly of Lorimor, died of complications following hip surgery Aug. 5, 2001, at West Bridge Care Center in Winterset where she had lived for the past 1-1/2 years.
Services for Mrs. Woods were graveside in the Lorimor Cemetery Wednesday Aug. 8, the Rev. George Hendrickson officiating.
She was born on March 16, 1920, near Murray in rural Clarke County to Horace and Rachel Metts McConnell.
She married Charles William Woods on Dec. 13, 1939, in Bethany, Mo.
She was a housewife and worked as a cook for the Lorimor schools. Mrs. Woods enjoyed crocheting and visiting her neighbors and always wanted to be in the “know”.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband on June 10, 1977 and five brothers and sisters.
Mrs. Woods’ immediate survivors are a daughter, Donna Rowland and her husband, George Rowland, of Lorimor; two sons, Jerry Woods and his wife, Sharon Woods, of Thorton, Colo. and Dick Woods and his wife, Linda Woods of Ormond Beach, Fla.; two brothers, Don McConnell of California and Frank McConnell of Mountain Home, Ark.; three sisters, Arlene Simmerman, Betty Jones and Barbara Gibbons, all of Murray; eight grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Breast Cancer Research with the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements were made through Ochiltree Funeral Service and AfterCare in Winterset.
