Ernest L. Harger
Ernest LeRoy Harger, son of LeRoy and Carrie Elizabeth Johnson Harger, was born Aug. 18, 1910, near Grand River in Decatur County and died Aug. 28, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 93.
He married Genevieve Ramsey Roberts on Dec. 29, 1945, in Troy, Kan. Mr. and Mrs. Harger lived most of their married life in Clarke County where they farmed for 26 years before moving to Osceola where Mr. Harger worked for the Clarke County Conservation Board before he retired at 82.
He was a member of the Assembly of God in Osceola.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a sister, Rushia James; five brothers, Herman, Lowell, Orlo, Albert and Luke.
Mr. Harger is survived by two sons, Charles Lee Harger and his wife, Elizabeth Harger, of Des Moines and Rodney M. Harger and his wife, Marilyn Harger, of Osceola; a stepson, Larry Roberts and his wife, Marge Roberts, of Des Moines; a stepdaughter, Sondra Fleagle of Des Moines; eight grandchildren, Rocky Roberts of New Virginia, Becky Schulz of Lakewood, Colo, Brenda Gagne of Ankeny, Steve Fleagle of Cooks, Mich., Mark Fleagle of Des Moines, Stacee Sledge of Bellingham, Wash., Rod Harger of Wilton, Ark. and Ronda Lowry of Osceola; 13 great-grandchildren; a brother, Verle Harger of Buffalo, Okla; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held Aug. 30 at the Assembly of God in Osceola, Pastor Chuck DeVos of Osceola officiating. Organist was Deloris Smith. Musical selections were Beyond the Sunset and In the Great Triumphant Morning by Deloris Smith and Each Step I Take by Charlie and Rod Harger.
Casket bearers were Dennis Ramsey, Jerry Ramsey, Steve Fleagle, Mark Fleagle, Jimmy Lowry, Orville Harger, Rod Harger and Rocky Roberts. Honorary bearers were Dick Ramsey, Randy La Follette, Terry Grimm, Harold Harger, Doug Ramsey, Stacee Sledge, Bob Collins and Ronda Lowry.
Interment was in the Van Wert Cemetery.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Edward Niedt
Edward Bruce Niedt, son of Agnes Flaherty Niedt and Lysle Austin Niedt, was born in Murray on March 12, 1926, and died Aug. 17, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 77.
He graduated from Murray High School in 1943 and was a lifelong resident of the Murray community. He was a member of the Murray Church of Christ and was a U.S. Army veteran. He served in both World War II and the Korean War.
He married Nola McCollum on Nov. 5, 1944, in Murray and they became the parents of a daughter.
Mr. Niedt drove a gasoline transport for Threlkeld of Chariton until he retired. He had many friends and acquaintances in the communities where he delivered gasoline. He loved visiting with other truckers.
Gardening was his favorite summertime activity. He enjoyed the challenge of fixing things. He liked to fish and take trips to other parts of the country. He visited almost all of the United States during his life.
His father Lysle Niedt, his mother Agnes Niedt Johnson, his stepfather, Harold Johnson and two brothers-in-law, George McNeal and Wayne Gookin, preceded Bruce in death.
He is survived by his wife and daughter, Annita Niedt, both of Murray; an adopted granddaughter, Agie Sparks of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister Audrey Clayton and her husband, Clayt Clayton of LaMirada, Calif; two sisters-in-law, Merle Gookin and Edrie McNeal of Urbandale; eight nieces and nephews; other relatives and a host of friends.
Graveside services and burial were Aug. 20 at the Murray Cemetery, Pastor Dwayne Henrichs of Thayer officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to William Lochrie American Legion Post No. 405 in Murray.
Kale Funeral Home of Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Glen Pollard
Glen Ray Pollard, the youngest child of Clyde and Willa Jo Warden Pollard, was born Aug. 29, 1973 and died Aug. 28, 2003, as the result of an automobile accident. He was 29.
Mr. Pollard lived nearly all of his life in Wayne County on the family farm near Promise City. He was a 1992 graduate of Seymour Community High School and later attended Indian Hills Community College. He enjoyed working with computers and spending time with his family and his fiance, Kathy Houser and her daughter, Holly.
He always tried to be helpful in any way he could and was always there when someone needed help.
He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew, Jason Riddle-DeLong and great-nephew Cael Pollard and his fiance’s sister, Kendra Parham.
He is survived by his fiance, Kathy Houser and her daughter Holly of Corydon. He is also survived by three sisters, Mary DeLong and her husband, Willard DeLong of Davis City, Thelma Saxton and her husband, Steve Saxton, of Leon and Lois Knott and her husband, Kermit Knott, of Ottumwa; three brothers, Rick Pollard and his wife, Lily Pollard, of Amarillo, Texas, Willie Pollard of Des Moines and Joseph Pollard of Promise City; his fiance’s parents, Marsha and Eugene Parham of Corydon ; nieces and nephews; aunts and uncles and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Pollard were Sept. 1 at Randolph Funeral Home in Corydon with Charles Snethen officiating. Musicians were Natalie and Shane Brown. Musical selections were Amazing Grace and The Dance.
Casket bearers were Rodney Carr, Jake Trimble, Bryan Charron, Gene Parham II, Michelle DeLong, Elizabeth Wailes and other nieces and nephews. Honorary bearers were Eugene Parham, Dwight Thomas, John Bridges and Frank Cox. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Mary Ellen Woods
Mary Ellen Woods, daughter of Frederick James Vawn and Mary Ellen Flynn Vawn, was born Sept. 29, 1906, in Clarke County and died Sept. 1, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. She was 96.
She received her education in the Clarke County country schools, graduated from Osceola High School in 1925 and received Normal Training in Osceola.
She married L.C. “Buss” Woods on April 14, 1931, at the Methodist parsonage in Osceola and they became the parents of two sons, William and Bert.
A lifetime resident of Clarke County, she was a teacher until she was married and then became an active farm wife. She and Mr. Woods lived on a farm in Clarke County until they moved to Osceola in 1990. She enjoyed cooking, canning, gardening and sewing.
Mrs. Woods was a member of the East Chapel D.O.C., the East Chapel Ladies Aid and the United Methodist Church in Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1994; infant son Bert Edward Woods; three brothers, Fred J. Vawn, Walter Vawn, and Henry Thompson Vawn; and two sisters, Helen Francis Stegall and Katherine Lucille Megrew.
She is survived by her son, William “‘Bill” Woods of Papillion, Neb.; ex daughter-in-law, Wava Woods of Bellevue, Neb.; granddaughter, Jennifer Lynn Marchese and her husband, Tom Marchese, of Omaha, Neb.; three great-grandchildren, William Michael Woods, Sarah Marchese, Katie Marchese and Christopher Marchese, all of Omaha; two sisters-in-law, Pauline Patterson of Osceola and Nota Dutton of Des Moines; two brothers-in-law, Roy Woods of Creston and Ross Woods of Mesa, Ariz. as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Woods will be held at 10 a.m. Friday (Sept. 5) at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Hugh Stone of Osceola officiating. The organist will be Ann Johnson and musical selections will be The Lord Is My Shepherd and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers will be Gary Hembry, Gail Hembry, Ron Van Winkle, Bill Carper, and Tom Marchese. Honorary casket bearer will be William M. Woods. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Gloria Carolyn Cochran
Gloria Carolyn Cochran, daughter of Hazel Thurlow Day and Waldo Emerson Day was born Oct. 6, 1925, in Knox Township of Clarke County and died Aug. 30, 2002, of complications of diabetes, at Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center where she had lived for the past six months. She was 76.
She received her education in the Clarke county schools and graduated from Osceola High School. She married Lowell Cochran on March 25, 1946. They were the parents of a son, Randy.
Mr. and Mrs. Cochran lived on the family farm near Lacelle in Clarke County until 1992 when they moved to Osceola. They also lived for a short time in the state of Washington. She worked as a clerk at the former Utica Store in Des Moines, was employed by the State of Iowa Job Service and Bond’s Jewelry Store in Osceola.
Mrs. Cochran was active in 4-H work for many years in Clarke County and was a member of the United Methodist Church in Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant son.
Mrs. Cochran is survived by her husband, Lowell of Osceola; three cousins, Bill Kreutz of Des Moines, Patricia Day Manahl of Des Moines and Philip Day Jr. of Frederick, Md.; a sister-in-law, Darlene Loeschen of Urbandale; other relatives and a host of friends.
A memorial service for Mrs. Cochran was held Sept. 1 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Jim Louk of Osceola officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied soloist Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Precious Lord Take My Hand, Great is Thy Faithfulness and How Great Thou Art.
Honorary bearers were Ross Cochran, Dale Loghry, Cory Kreutz, Mike Kreutz, Randy Rath and Jim Hall. Interment of the cremains was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Cynthia Sue Heckman
Cynthia Sue Heckman, daughter of Randall Dwaine Updike and Joyce Elaine Hein Updike, was born May 1, 1965, in Des Moines and died Sept. 2, 2002, at University Hospital in Minneapolis, Minn of complications of cystic fibrosis. She was 37.
She graduated from Interstate 35 High School in 1983 and from Iowa State University in 1988 with a bachelor’s degree in horticulture.
She married Wendell Tracy Heckman on Nov. 14, 1987, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Osceola. The couple became the parents of two sons, Grant and Garrett.
Mrs. Heckman was a corn research associate for Pioneer Hybrids in Algona for seven years. The family lived in Burt for five years before moving to New Virginia three years ago.
She was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Osceola and was active in FFA as a youth and served as her chapter president.
She was always interested in gardening and flowers and she liked craft painting. Her family will treasure her faith, devotion to family and sweet disposition.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, William and Nora Hein and sister, Christie Renee Updike.
She is survived by her husband, Wendell Heckman and two sons, Grant and Garrett Heckman of New Virginia; her parents, Randall and Joyce Updike of Osceola; a brother, Kevin Updike and a sister, Liana Updike, both of Osceola; grandparents Earl and Enid Updike of Van Wert; parents-in-law, Melvin and Erma Heckman of St. Charles, as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services are at 10 a.m. today (Sept. 5) at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor J.R. Wheeler of Immanuel Lutheran Church officiating.
Casket bearers are Jay Sparks, Brian Updike, Tyler Heckman, Darren DeVore, Wesley Heckman and Ryan Heckman. Honorary bearers are Justin Updike and Jim Steinberger.
Interment will be in the New Virginia Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Cystic Firbrosis Foundation.
George G. Page
George Glen Page, the son of Thelma Howe and Glen Page, was born July 14, 1952, in Monteray County, California, and died Sept. 1, 2002, of heart failure, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City. He was 50.
He moved with his family to Osceola when he was three. He graduated from Clarke Community High School in 1970. He married Diane Potts on Jan. 19, 1974 in Osceola. He was a construction worker and had lived in Des Moines the past ten years.
Survivors include a son, Todd Wills, of Osceola and daughter, Megan Page, of Sioux City, as well as aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Donald, and sister, Donna.
Graveside services will be held Friday, 1 p.m., at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola, pastor Ed West of Weldon officiating. The body was cremated and there is no visitation.
Kale Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Jack Groom Tullis Jr.
Jack Groom Tullis Jr., the son of Jack Groom Tullis Sr. and Pearl Minnie Hicks Tullis, was born Sept. 21, 1913, in Leon and died Aug. 22, 2002, at the Beverly Healthcare Chateau in Norfolk, Neb. He was 88.
He married Pat Murphy and the couple became the parents of four children, Marcia, Tom, Jim and John. He later married Verna Ahrens and they became the parents of two daughters, Karen and Kathy. He married Catherine Guynes and they became the parents of two sons, Jack and Harry.
Mr. Tullis worked as salesman for Butternut Bread Company, on the railroad in Wyoming, as a meat cutter, owner of a dry cleaners and later was a grocer. His last endeavor was as an Alaskan pipeline steward. He retired 22 years ago and settled in Norfolk, Neb.
He was a member of the Grand River Masonic Lodge No. 78.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Mary Patricia Church.
Mr. Tullis is survived by eight children; 17 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Sally Pettus and her husband, Larry Pettus, of Kansas City and two brothers, Harry Tullis and his wife, Elizabeth Tullis, of Ogden, Utah and Jim Tullis of Fairfield; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Tullis were held Aug. 31 at Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon, the Rev. Joan White officiating.
Casket bearers were his sons, Tom Tullis, John Tullis, Jim Tullis, Jack Tullis and Harry Tullis. Interment was in the Decatur Cemetery at Decatur.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Faith Regional Hospice in Norfolk.
Wayne H. Yates
Wayne H. Yates, of Ashland, Neb., the son of Lena D. Gardner Yates and Pearl L. Yates, was born Sept. 25, 1907 in Leslie, and died Sept. 2, 2002, in Ashland. He was 94.
Mr. Yates graduated from the Osceola High School in 1926. He married Eula Lenora Neff on April 22, 1928. He was a brakeman and conductor for the Union Pacific Railroad for 25 years. He was a member of First Christian Church in Council Bluffs and was a life member of the Elks Lodge in Creston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife who died July 5, 1994; a sister, Louise Yates Wilson. He is survived by a son, Reginald Yates and his wife, Betty Yates, of Ashland, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday, 2 p.m., at the First Christian Church in Council Bluffs, the Rev. David Erickson, officiating.
Marcy Mortuary in Ashland is in charge of arrangements.
Donald Adams
Donald Alonzo Adams, the son of Adrian Sibbit Adams and George Wilson Adams, was born Jan. 15, 1920, in Osceola Township of Clarke County and died Sept. 6, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines.
He was 83.
He was a 1937 graduate of Osceola High School and was a mechanic before he retired.
No funeral services were held.
He is survived by a brother, George, of Fort Madison.
Caldwell-Raddatz Funeral Homes in Des Moines are in charge.
Mansel R. Burchett
Mansel R. Burchett, son of Francis Excelis and Addie Elizabeth Woods Burchett, was born Aug. 30, 1918, in Decatur County and died Sept. 3, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 85.
Mr. Burchett graduated from Grand River High school in 1936 and attended Simpson College at Indianola.He married Berniece Lavonnne Fullerton on Aug. 2, 1943, in Grand River.
Mr. Burchett taught in rural schools in Clarke County for five years before entering the United States Army in August of 1942. He served for two years in the anti-aircraft artillery and was stationed in Washington, D.C., and then was transferred into the 89th Indianhead Infantry Division, K Company as a squad leader in the European Theatre. After he was honorably discharged from the service he farmed north of Grand River until he moved to Creston and worked as a custodian for the Creston Community Schools. He continued to farm at nights and on weekends until he was 78.
Mr. Burchett was a member of the First Christian Church of Creston.
He was preceded in death by his son, Kirby Duran Burchett, on Oct. 24, 1971; parents; parents-in-law; two sisters-in-law, Bernice Burchett, and Phyllis West; a brother-in-law, Oren West and a nephew, Doyle Burchett.
Mr. Burchett is survived by his wife in Creston; two daughters, Margena Kaye Miller of Dickson, Tenn. and Debra Sue Tjelmeland and her husband, Ron Tjelmeland, of Zearing; two brothers, Arthur Reece Burchett of West Burlington and Ira Leroy Burchett and his wife, Betty Burchett, of Des Moines; six grandchildren and one stepgrandchild.
Services for Mr. Burchett were Sept. 6, at the First Christian Church in Creston, Dr. Byron Lamun officiating. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery at Creston.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church or Creston Community Schools.
Powers Funeral Home of Creston was in charge of arrangements.
Margaret Marie Easton
Margaret Marie Easton, daughter of Isaac Newton Blood and Eleanor Couch Blood, was born Dec. 19, 1916, in Des Moines and died Sept. 1, 2003, at Morrison’s Landing in Veneta, Ore. She was 86.
She graduated from Ankeny High School. She married Charles Edward Easton on Aug. 26, 1938 and they became the parents of two children, Sara Eleanor and Charles Newton.
Mrs. Easton was a homemaker. She and Mr. Easton lived in several Iowa towns, Ames, Des Moines, Cumming, St. Charles and Murray. Mrs. Easton moved to Osceola in 1990 and then to Eugene, Ore. in 1998. She had been a resident of Morrison’s Landing since December 2002.
Mrs. Easton was a member of the Presbyterian Church in St. Charles and Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; sister, Edna Van Wey and brother in infancy, Isaac Newton Blood.
Mrs. Easton is survived by her daughter, Sara Eleanor Larsen and her husband, Richard Larsen of Eugene; a son, Charles Newton Easton and his wife, Paula Easton, of Kennedale, Texas; three sisters, Leota Doran of Lincoln City, Ore., Lorena Bullington of Johnston, and Grace Berkenbosch of Adel; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; as well as many other relatives and friends.
Services for Mrs. Easton were Sept. 6 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Bill Kerns of Chariton officiating. Organist was Gordon Russell. Musical selections were The Lord’s Prayer, Catherine Russell, soloist, and Saved by Grace, Chuck Easton, soloist.
Casket bearers were Paul Berkenbosch, Lyle Berkenbosch, Andy Van Wey, George Hunt, Mike Blaess and Mel Bauman. Interment was in Union Cemetery in rural Clarke County near Murray.
Cecil Oren Gates
Cecil Oren Gates, son of Milton Terry Gates and Sarah Elizabeth Myers Gates, was born July 22, 1915, in Lewis and died Sept. 8, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. He was 88.
As a youth, Cecil received his education in Menlo and graduated from Menlo High School. He served his country with the U.S. Army during World War II.
Mr. Gates lived in Waukee for a number of years while he worked as a Linotype operator for the Register and Tribune in Des Moines. After he retired he married Jessie Bernice Daniels on May 14, 1973, in Winterset. The couple made their home in St. Charles. They owned and operated a restaurant for four and a half years after they were married.
Mr. Gates was a member of the American Legion Post No. 281 in New Virginia. He also enjoyed woodworking building toys, camping and fishing.
Mr. Gates helped raise 14 foster children over the years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Pearl Gates and two sisters, Velma Burns and Hazel Stetzel.
Mr. Gates is survived by his wife in St. Charles; five sons, Jack Daniels and his wife, Joyce Daniels, and Claude Daniels and his wife Barbara Daniels, and Ed Daniels and his wife, Peggy Daniels, all of St. Charles, Larry Daniels and his wife, Sandy Daniels, of Des Moines and Art Daniels and his wife, Linda Daniels of New Virginia; three daughters, Julie Daniels of St. Charles, Bea Gracey of Norwalk and Joyce Daniels of Iowa City; 23 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and eight great-great-grandchildren; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Services for Mr. Gates were held Sept. 10 at St. Charles Parish Church in St. Charles, the Rev. Darold Snow officiating. Organist Anne Johnson accompanied vocalist Janet Downs as she sang Old Rugged Cross and In the Garden.
Casket bearers were Todd Daniels, Troy Daniels, Chad Daniels, Mike Daniels, Sam Daniels, Jack Daniels, Jeff Daniels, Jake Daniels and Bob Daniels. Honorary bearers were Conrad Jungmann, Ben Daniels, Corey Gracey, Shawn Gracey and Joseph Daniels. Interment was in the St. Charles Cemetery.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Connie Marie Glenn
Connie Marie Smith Glen, daughter of Warren Wesley Smith and Margaret Laurene Duree Smith, was born Aug. 7, 1942, in Osceola and died Sept. 8, 2003, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 61.
She graduated from Truro High school in 1961. She married Larry Glenn on May 20, 1961, and they became the parents of seven children, Kelly, Butch, Tony, Jeff, Scott, Heidi and Cory.
Mrs. Glenn was a devoted wife and mother. The size of her family never prevented outings in town with everyone in matching outfits. Her all-time favorite outing was the Iowa State Fair. Mr. and Mrs. Glenn raised their children on the family farm until they moved to Osceola in 1985. When her children were grown Mrs. Glenn continued to care for others at Bethphage. She enjoyed shopping, sewing, collecting bears and attending her grandchildren’s activities. She was a member of St. Bernard Catholic Church in Osceola.
She was preceded in death by her parents; parents-in-law; brother-in-law, Leland Glenn; sister-in-law, Evelyn Glenn; twin granddaughters, Kristen and Michelle; brother, Joe and nephew, Randy Smith.
Mrs. Glenn is survived by her husband; two daughters, Kelly Mason and her husband, Chris Mason, of Weldon and grandchildren, Kyra and Carlee of Weldon and Heidi Hembry and her husband Dale Hembry and grandchildren, Cydney and Daylee of Osceola; sons, Butch Glenn and his wife, Wendy Glenn and grandsons, Josh Glenn of Leon and Noah Glenn and Sean and Aaron Grigsby of Eads, Tenn.; Tony Glenn and his wife, Deanna Glenn and granddaughters, Kelsi, Stephanie, Ashley and Breanna, Jeff Glenn and his wife, Angela Glenn and grandchildren, Andrea, Brian and Kevin and Cory Glenn and Kassy and grandsons, Colton and Dallas, all of Osceola; Scott Glenn and friend Tina Walker and grandchildren, Kyle and Cortney Glenn, Nathan, Jordan and Brianah Walker of Leon.
Other relatives are her brother, Steve Smith and his wife, Judy Smith of Weldon; a sister-in-law, Sandi Smith of Derby; a sister, Rita Audlehelm and her husband, Gary Audlehelm of Van Wert; a brother, Mike Smith of Corydon; stepmother, Iris Smith of Humeston; as well as other relatives and friends.
Funeral Mass is today (Thursday) at 10:30 p.m. at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Osceola.
Casket bearers are Butch Glenn, Tony Glenn, Jeff Glenn, Scott Glenn, Cory Glenn, Dale Hembry and Chris Mason.
Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Visitation will be open on Wednesday with family greeting friends from 6 to 8 a. m at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit.
Miles Roland Horn
Miles Roland Horn, 59, of Leon, the son of Claude Clarence and Mary Alice Brent Horn was born Sept. 29, 1943, in Dayton, Ohio and died at his home on Sept. 8, 2003.
Mr. Horn grew up in Kansas City, Mo. where he became an avid movie fan. He graduated from Ruskin High School in 1961. He went to Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Mo.and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education of Spanish in 1964.
He married Mary Ruth Hutchison in 1963 in Webster Groves, Mo. They both taught at Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, N.J. before he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force Intelligence. The couple spent three years in Turkey. It was there they adopted their daughter, Aydan Junidean when she was three months old. The family moved back to Kansas City in 1971 and Mr. Horn found a teaching job at Central Decatur High School in Leon. Their son, Timothy C. came to them as a one-month-old foster child in 1972. They adopted Tim in 1976 with the help of Lee Elson.
While at Central Decatur Mr. Horn taught Spanish, Russian, mass communications, speech and was the director of school plays. He was 2001 Central Decatur teacher of the Year. Mr. Horn was one of Iowa’s top candidates for the teacher to go on the space shuttle Challenger. He was currently mayor of Leon and had served an earlier term in the 1980s. He was a member of the Leon Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Horn loved trains plants, music and taking his granddaughter Haylee on picnics at the lake. His passion was movies. He had loved movies since childhood and his lifelong dream was to build and manage a multiscreen theater when he retired. He currently owned the El Teatro Real Theater in Bethany and managed the SCIT Theater in Leon.
He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Aydan on March 17, 1990; grandson, Blake on March 19, 2003; and father-in-law, Robert C. Hutchison Jr.
Mr. Horn is survived by his wife; son Tim Horn and his wife, Micki Horn and granddaughter, Haylee, of Leon; a brother Brent and Anne Horn of Shawnee, Kan; nephew, Kyle Horn and family from Kansas as are other family members; mother-in-law, Edna Hutchinson of Florida; Susan Moyle of Leon and other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Horn were held Sept. 10 at the Central Decatur High School Gymnasium in Leon, the Rev. Jack De Pond and Loring Miller officiating. Trent Norman read the obituary. Pianist was Susan Sullivan Lane. John Nielsen sang The Lord’s Prayer and Linda Bachman sang Hymn of Promise and On Eagles Wings.
Casket bearers were Sam Arnold, Lee Elson, Corey Lindsey, Gary Lindsey, Loring Miller, Doug Moffett, Larry Moffett, Dick Monroe, Larry Richard and Jack Van Laar. Interment will be in the Leon Cemetery at a later date.
Slade - O’Donnell Funeral Home in Leon was in charge of arrangements.
Waunita Bacon
Waunita Bacon, daughter of George Elias Touet and Mae Della Cooley Touet, was born July 11, 1918, in Osceola and died Sept. 13, 2003, at the Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. She was 85.
She received her education in the Osceola schools and graduated from Osceola High School in 1936.
She married Ellwyn McPherson in 1936 and they became the parents of a son, David. She later married Scott Walker Jr. and they became the parents of a daughter, Barbara. She married Charles Bacon in 1953 and they had two daughters, Debra and Kimberly.
Mrs. Bacon lived in Des Moines for about five years and was a hostess at the Younker’s Tea Room. After returning to Osceola she was employed by Snowdon’s, Inc. as a payroll clerk for a number of years.
She was a member of the Osceola Country Club and two bridge clubs, as well as, the First Christian Church in Osceola. She enjoyed playing cards, horses, dancing and family activities.
Mrs. Bacon was preceded in death by her husbands and a daughter Kimberly Sue.
She is survived by her son, Dave McPherson of Colorado Springs, Colo., two daughters, Barbara Weidenhaft and her husband, Rich Weidenhaft, of Oskaloosa and Debra Sheetz and her husband David Sheetz, of Osceola; nine grandchildren, Mark McPherson of Colorado Springs, now serving in the U.S. Military, Mike McPherson of Los Angeles, Calif., Michele McQuail of Charlotte, N.C., Jodie Kingery and Becky Konek, both of Monroe, Tracy Swan of Lincoln, Neb., Candace Shaw of Ames, Jaimie Shaw of Osceola and Aubrey Sheetz of San Diego, Calif.; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bacon were Sept. 16 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe officiating. Organist was Pennie Gonseth.
Casket bearers were Kevin Kingery, Colt Kingery, Dave Swan, Jim Touet, Kurt Konek and Jim Kimball. Honorary casket bearers were Dick Touet and Don Kelso. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Jessie Powell Hitt
Jessie Davenport Hitt, the third of five children, was born to Jesse F. “Jack” and Melissa Moore Davenport on Dec. 17, 1907, in Lucas County and died Sept. 10, 2003, at Clarke County Hospital Extended Care Unit in Osceola. She was 95.
She was educated in the Woodburn School through 11th grade; she went on to Osceola where she received normal training for the 12th year. She joined the Woodburn Christian Church at an early age.
She married Glen Powell on Feb. 15, 1926, and farmed with him for 52-1/2 years with the exception of four years during the Depression. During this time, the couple became acquainted with Richard Dean Heimbach, 2-1/2 years-old, and helped rear the lad.
They returned to the farm in 1941. Dean Heimbach also went to the farm during the summer. Dean’s mother let him go to the farm for 10 consecutive summers. The couple had no children of their own so they had the pleasure of having Dean during summers. Mr. Powell died May 31, 1978.
On Nov. 1, 1980, she married Roy Hitt and acquired two stepsons, James and Donald. Mr. Hitt died Aug. 21, 2002.
Mrs. Hitt was preceded in death by her parents; her first and second husbands; two brothers, Willie Davenport, Glenn Davenport and John Davenport; sisters-in-law, Coryl Davenport, Winnie Davenport, Wilma Jane Davenport, Wilma James and Helen Powell; sister, Ema Spoon; brother-in-law, Merle Spoon; nephews, Donald Davenport and Billy Davenport; niece, Deloris Ruble and stepdaughter-in-law, Marilyn Hitt.
Mrs. Hitt is survived by two stepsons, James Hitt of Humeston and Donald Hitt and his wife, Ann of Woodburn; sisters-in-law, Katherine Davenport of Tucker, Ga. Twyla Powell of Seattle, Wash. and Doris Powell of Woodburn; brother-in-law, Raymond Powell of Seattle; nephew, Glenn Davenport and his wife, Lynette Davenport, of Osceola; nieces and nephews; and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Hitt were Sept. 13 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Gary Freeland officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied Emil Rinderspacher as he sang Beautiful Isle of Somewhere, How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me.
Casket bearers were Michael Davenport, John Davenport, Jesse Davenport, Brian Davenport, Jack Davenport and Allen Hitt. Honorary bearers were Paul Blankenhagen, Gary Taylor, Ron Henry, Rusty Haltom, Harley Pippen, Herman Danner, Ora Goode, Jared Griffin and David Henry. Interment was in the Woodburn Cemetery.
Ronald R. Maffett
Ronald R. Maffett, the oldest child of Harold Edward Maffett and Nellie Alice Siefkas Maffett, was born March 30, 1923, in Hopeville and died Sept. 13, 2003, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 80.
He graduated from Murray High School in 1939. Mr. Maffett lived in the Murray area all of his life. He married Leora Little, daughter of Charles and Iva Loomis Little in Bartlesville, Okla.; They were the parents of two children, Thomas Eugene and Kathi Lynn.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was assigned to the Armored Corps and stationed in Burma during his three years of service. After being honorably discharged as a staff sergeant, he returned to Murray where he owned and operated the Murray Cafe until 1970. Mr. Maffett also was the Postmaster of Murray and was a rural mail carrier until he retired in 1986.
He was a member of the Murray Fire Department for 20 years; he served as fire chief from 1967 to 1983. He was awarded the Governor’s Leadership award in 1979.
Mr. Maffett was an active member of the American Legion Post No. 405 in Murray for 55 years. He was also a past member of the Murray Housing Board.
He enjoyed spending time with his family and was an avid sports fan, especially of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. He also enjoyed reading and fishing.
Mr. Maffett was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law, Roger Gaumer.
He is survived by his wife of Murray; a son, Thomas Maffett and his wife, Gloria Maffett, of Lorimor, a daughter, Kathi Gaumer of Murray; four grandchildren, Jill Maffett, Tracy Maffett, Jeremy Gaumer, Jacki Gaumer and a great-granddaughter, all of Des Moines; a sister, Joyce Parker of Powderly, Texas; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Maffett were Sept. 17 at Kale Funeral Home, Pastor, Marty Burgus of Osceola officiating. Organist was Pennie Gonseth.
Casket bearers were Steve Parker, Curt Burgus, Dale O’Neall, Dennis Jeter, Randy Dunfee and Bill Sheesley. Military graveside rites were by William-Lochrie American Legion Post No. 405 of Murray. Interment was in the Murray Cemetery.
Maurice Wendell Proudfoot
Maurice (Bill) W. Proudfoot, born in Osceola, died August 22, 2003, at his summer residence in Lincoln, Michigan. He was 83.
Bill attended Osceola Junior College and received his baccalaureate degree from Simpson College in 1940. He also graduated from Harvard Graduate Business School as part of a wartime officers’ training program for the U. S. Navy. He served as Lieutenant JG on the USS Colorado and earned five battle stars during the World War II conflict.
In 1940, he married his high school sweetheart, Marjorie Hannah Dalby. They were parents of two sons, William Scott and Thomas Millard.
Following the war Bill became an auditor for C. C. Anderson Department Stores, in Boise, Idaho. In 1952 he was named Controller of Weinstock Lubin & Company in Sacramento. He held numerous executive positions over the next 34 years. While in Sacramento he served on many committees involved in the improvement and growth of the city. In 1967 he was named Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Broadway Stores in Southern California, one of the largest department store groups in the country. While in Los Angeles, he served as Director on the boards of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, the Boy Scouts of America, the Better Business Bureau, and the National Retail Merchants Association, among others. He also was active in the Downtown Association, and helped to organize the hosting of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles.
In 1978, Bill accepted the Presidency of John Wanamaker of Philadelphia, the oldest and second largest department store in the U. S. During his six years as President, he continued to be active in numerous civic organizations, including serving as a director of the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. In 1984 he was asked to return to Los Angeles to serve as Chairman of the Broadway Division of Carter Hawley Hale. In 1986 he and Marg retired to Palm Desert, California. Marg passed away in 1994.
Bill was a devout Christian and active in his church throughout life. He served as Chairman of the Christian Business Men's Committee for several years in Sacramento, Philadelphia and Alhambra, California. He also served many years as a Trustee for Simpson College, his Alma Mater, where he and Marg endowed a scholarship fund. Appreciating the importance that education had played in his own life, he made college possible for many students through both formal and informal scholarships.
Bill was a lifelong sports enthusiast, having played football, softball, and basketball throughout school. He was proud of having been horseshoe champion of the Pacific Fleet. A high point in his life was to help produce the Millrose Games in Madison Square Garden during his tenure at Wanamaker. Another was when he was asked to throw out the first ball during a Phillies baseball game. He also enjoyed playing golf and dancing to big band tunes, which he continued throughout his retirement.
He will be remembered by friends and family for his quick wit and generous nature.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 6 years, Mary Elaine, of Palm Desert, CA, brother Max of Twentynine Palms, CA, son William and family of Aptos, CA, son Thomas and family of Bozeman, MT, and “adopted” son James Clubb and family of Sacramento, CA. He will be truly missed by numerous nephews, nieces and extended family.
A memorial service will be held at the Evangelical Free Church (the old Presbyterian Church), 230 S. Fillmore, Osceola, on Saturday, September 20 at 11:00 am. S-38pd
