Bernice Brant
Bernice Cleo Brant, daughter of Frank Carpenter and Ollie Audlehelm Carpenter, was born August 29, 1913, in Osceola and died Oct. 2, 2003, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. She was 90.
She spent her childhood in Osceola. She graduated from Osceola High School and Osceola Junior College. She married William Howard Brant on April 11, 1936, in Osceola. the couple became the parents of three children, Dean, Dixie and Donna.
Mrs. Brant was a housewife and homemaker. Her husband preceded her in death in 1960 at which time Bernice began working at the restaurant in Truro and was a part time postal clerk. The postal clerk job became full time and she retired in 1980 after working more than 18 years at the post office.
Mr. and Mrs. Brant enjoyed square dancing. She was an active 4-H leader and a youth leader at her church. She was a member of the Congregational Christian United Church of Christ in Truro and a member of the Jolly Fu club.
Mrs. Brant loved sewing and reading westerns, especially Zane Gray novels. She liked going to the Truro Meal Site with friends and taking part in all the activities. Her grandchildren were a special part of her life.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, John and Walter Carpenter and a grandson, Bill Brant.
Mrs. Brant is survived by her son Dean Brant and his wife, Twila Brant, of Creston; two daughters, Dixie Murphy and her husband, Ed Murphy, of Urbandale and Donna Martin and her husband Herschel Martin, of Truro; seven grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Betty Carpenter of Osceola; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mrs. Brant were Oct. 6 at the Congregational Christian United Church of Christ in Truro, Pastor Carl Van Farowe, Meredith Drive Reform Church in Des Moines officiating. Organist Carla Vasey accompanied the congregation as they sang, Blessed Assurance and Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were Terry Brant, Dave Long, Mark Van Riessen, Scot Johnson, Jeff Pontier, John Goering and Kris Adamson. Honorary bearers were Susan Van Riessen, Sheri Long, Kristin Johnson, Tami Adamson, Ranae Pontier, Debbie Brant, Erin Goering and Tawny Brant.
Interment was in the Ebenezer Cemetery in Madison County.
Memorial contributions may be made to her church or Mercy Hospice.
Kale Funeral Homes of Osceola and Truro were in charge of arrangements.
Marilyn Howard
Marilyn Tillotson Howard, 59, died at her home in Mesa, Ariz. on September 28, 2003. She was born in Ketchikan, Alaska on January 6, 1944.
Mrs. Howard was enjoying decorating and settling into her new home. Her hobbies of quilting and handcrafts filled her, her family’s, and her friends’ homes with beautiful quilts, pillows, and wall hangings.
She attended Cottey Junior College in Nevada Mo. and Alaska Methodist University at Anchorage, Alaska
Mrs. Howard was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the P.E.O. Sisterhood. She supported her family’s membership in the Masonic Lodge, DeMolay, and Rainbow Girls.
Her parents, Frank and Bernice Tillotson, who grew up in the Osceola area, preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband of 38 years, John Reese Howard. She is also survived by her children William Howard of Lacey, Wash., Tammy Howard of Ketchikan, Jim Howard of Bothell, Wash., and Jeff Howard of Phoenix, Ariz.; two brothers Larry Tillotson and his wife, Cathy Tillotson, of Ketchikan and Lee Tillotson and his wife, Lorna Tillotson of California; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
The Chandler, Ariz. chapter of the Order of Eastern Star, will perform a private memorial service. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Ketchikan.
The family suggests donations in her memory be made to the American Heart Association or the Shriners’ Children’s Hospitals.
Dale Keller
Dale M. Keller, son of John F. Keller and Roxie Miller, was born Dec. 28, 1911, in New Virginia and died Oct. 1, 2003, at the Good Samaritan Center in Indianola. He was 91.
He attended school in New Virginia and graduated from high school in 1930.
He married Bernice Sinn on Jan. 1, 1936, in Chariton and they became the parents of four sons, Lary D., John F., Donald D. and Carol L. and two daughters, Mary J. and Marda M.
Mr. and Mrs. Keller farmed near New Virginia until they retired in 1988.
Mr. Keller was a member of the New Virginia United Methodist Church. He also was a member of the Angus Association and a past member of the Virginia Manor Board and the New Virginia school board,
He was preceded in death by his infant son, Carol; parents; stepmother, Lydia Miller Keller; two brothers, Worth and Donald Keller and two sisters, Wilma Bumbarger and Mildred Keller.
Mr. Keller is survived by his wife; three sons, Lary D. Keller and his wife, Linda Keller, of Indianola, John F. Keller of Osceola and Donald D. Keller of Ashland, Neb.; two daughters, Mary J. Hatcher and her husband, Richard Hatcher, of New Virginia and Marda M. Henningsen and her husband, Clyde Henningsen, of Bella Vista, Ark.; a sister, Mona Taylor and her husband Ervin Taylor, of Siloam Springs, Ark.; a sister-in-law, Alice Keller of Des Moines; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; one great-stepgrandchild; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Keller were Oct. 4 at the New Virginia United Methodist Church, the Rev. Skip Rushing officiated. Organist was Deb Downing. Vocalists, Reba Reed and Sharon Dunkin, sang Hymn of Promise and The Old Rugged Cross.
Casket bearers were Paul Keller, Jack Keller, Paul Stuart, Gerald Stuart, Robert Morrison and Galen Slye. Honorary bearers were Duane Proudfoot, Frank Barnard and Ralph Bryant.
Interment was in the New Virginia Cemetery.
Memorials contributions maybe made to the New Virginia United Methodist Church and New Virginia Rescue.
Kale Funeral Home in Osceola was in charge of arrangements.
Ona Powell
Ona Cline Powell, 90, of Chariton died Oct. 2, 2003, at Lucas County Health Center in Chariton. Funeral services were Oct. 6 at Fielding Funeral Home. Burial was in the Chariton Cemetery.
Mrs. Powell, the daughter of Elmer Ellsworth and Nettie Cline, was born Dec. 4, 1912, in Osceola. She grew up in Woodburn and married Everette Powell on Aug. 16, 1932. He died in 1987.
Mrs. Powell worked in charge of school lunch program for the Chariton Community Schools for more than 25 years. She helped with school banquets and enjoyed helping with the Chariton Fire Department’s yearly banquet.
Mrs. Powell was named Chariton’s “Mother of the Year” in 1983.
She enjoyed life. She was always ready for a bridge or pitch game and she continued to make baby booties for family and friends. She had lived at Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center for the past 10 years.
Mrs. Powell was a 50-year member of Eastern Star and a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
In addition to her husband, Mrs. Powell was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.
Mrs. Powell is survived by a son, J.D. Powell and his wife, Sharon Powell, of Des Moines; three daughters, Jo Darrah and her husband, Bill Darrah, of Chariton, Linda Nord and her husband, Rick Nord, of Norwalk and Kay Zinn and her husband, Milt Zinn, of Fountain Valley, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Ilma Elberta Agans
Ilma Elberta Hammond Agans, daughter of Arthur and Leah Rickey Hammond, was born Feb. 9, 1921, in Silvercreek, N.Y. and died Oct. 3, 2001, at her daughter’s home in Murray. She was 80.
She was educated in the schools of Silvercreek. She married Roscoe Agans on June 3, 1945, in Murray. The couple became the parents of two children, Marilyn and Richard.
She liked to bake cakes and bread for her neighbors and friends.
Mrs. Agans was an assembly worker at Murray Products for 16 years before she retired in 1988.
She had been a member of Eastern Star in Murray and participated in the Drum and Bugle Corp as a young woman in New York.
She was affiliated with the Baptist Church in Murray.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband in 1976; a brother, Clarence Hammond and an infant grandson, Randy Agans.
Mrs. Agans is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Brobst and her husband, Tyler Brobst, of Murray; a son, Richard Agans and his wife, Sue Agans, of El Dorado, Ark.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; a brother, Vern Hammond and his wife, Grace Hammond, of Eden, N.Y.; a nephew, Marion Stanford and his wife, Joyce Stanford, of Des Moines; her childhood best friend, Bessie Sterns of New York; other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Oct. 6 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Gil Hamilton of Murray officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied soloists, Melody Arevalo and Leah Brobst as they sang In the Garden and Old Rugged Cross.
Casket bearers were Joseph Bailey, Ronald Jackson, Kenneth Penick, Drew Penick, Adam Brobst and Roland Mathes. Honorary bearers were Tracy Agans, Chad Agans, Sean Brobst, Jeff LaMastres, Santiago Arevalo and David Agans. Interment was in Murray Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
James ‘Jim’ Lewis Simms
James “Jim” Lewis Simms, son of Lewis Arden and Louise Beaman Simms was born April 4, 1941, in Clarke County and died of a heart attack Sept. 22, 2001, in Albuquerque, N.M. His last vision was of his beloved mountains. He was 60.
Simms was a psychotherapist and clinical psychologist for the past 30 years.Twenty plus of those years were in New Mexico.
He worked for the New Mexico prison system and was considered a professional witness for the court system in New Mexico. He had a private practice in Santa Fe.
He was a graduate of of Osceola High School, attended Northwest Missouri Sate College and was a graduate of the University of Kansas. He did his graduate work at the University of Denver. He practiced in Durango, Colo. and Santa Fe.
He played rugby for many years and his ashes were spread over the rugby field where he played.
A memorial service was held in Santa Fe on Sept. 28 and was attended by many of his fellow rugby players and fans as well as friends and colleagues.
He was preceded in death by his father.
He was very proud of his son, Peter, who is a West Point graduate and a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. In addition to his son he is survived by his mother, Louise Beaman Simms of Hiawatha, Kan.; a sister, Mary Lou Simms Carlson of Warner Robins, Ga.; two nieces, Allyson Carlson Kessler and Stacy Carlson Paustian of Georgia; and two great-nieces, Hannah and Saber Paustian of Georgia.
Larry ‘Tony’ Oscar Rice
Larry “Tony” Oscar Rice, son of Oscar Harrison Rice and Margaret Marie Kohl Rice, was born Aug. 25, 1935, in Fontanelle and died of a heart ailment Oct. 6, 2001, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 66.
Mr. Rice grew up on a farm near Fontanelle and attended country school. He served in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. He married Shirlely Ann Eckardt on July 20, 1957, at the Methodist Church in Greenfield. The couple became the parents of four sons.
Mr. and Mrs. Rice lived in Fontanelle until 1966 when they moved to Murray. He farmed, ran a fertilizer plant and was a mechanic.
Mr. Rice was a member of the William Lochrie Post No. 405 of the American Legion in Murray.
He enjoyed old cars and history and his grandchilden were the light of his life.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Shirley Rice of Murray; four sons, Brad and his wife, Lori Rice, and Bret Rice of Murray and his friend Judy Klemesrud; Mark Rice and his wife, Jill Rice, of Lee Summit, Mo. and Mike Rice of Minneapolis, Minn.; five grandchildren, Kayla and Maggie Rice of Murray, Kylie Rice of Lee Summit and Elyse and Cole Rice of Norwalk; a sister, Norma Weber and her husband, Eldon Weber, of Greenfield; two brothers-in-law, Robert Eckardt and his wife, Maryann of Des Moines and Dean Eckardt and his wife, Carolyn Eckardt, of Ankeny; nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
Services for Mr. Rice were Oct. 9 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Marty Burgus officiating.
Casket bearers were Randy Burchett, Scott Eckardt, Tracy Simmerman, Steven Eckardt, Mike Anderson, Pat Flaherty, Tom Maffett, Tim Moreland and Rich Wyatt. Honary bearers were Elvin Soll, Marvin Keller, Junior Burgus, Jim Anderson, Bob Moreland, Delano Chafa, Ellwood Bond, Bud Thomas and Elmer Nash.
Military graveside rites were by William Lochrie American Legion Post No. 405, Murray. Interment was in the Murray Cemetery.
Anna Anderson Martin
Anna Armilda Anderson Martin, daughter of Julius and Mary Davenport Fesler, was born May 2, 1905, in Decatur County and died Oct. 1, 2001, at Westview Acres in Leon. She was 96.
She grew up in Decatur County and married Earl Orville Anderson. They became the parents of four children, Vona, Pearl, Bert and Joyce.
Mr. and Mrs. Anderson owned and ran the Standard Filling station in Van Wert from 1950 until Earl’s death in 1963. She continued the station until 1979.
She married Harold R. Martin at the Calvary Baptist Church in Leon where they were members. Shortly after they were married, she was baptized by the Calvary Baptist minister in the river south of Decatur.
Mrs. Martin liked gardening, baking and canning. No food ever went to waste. She loved feeding her family and is remembered for her many delicious pies, cakes and chicken and noodles. She also crocheted doilies and rugs, giving most of them to her family.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two husbands; two daughters, Pearl Stiles and Vona Chaney; a grandson, Paul O. Stiles; a great-grandson, Robert Chaney; a great-great-granddaughter, Cheyenne Schuldt; 10 sisters, Minnie, Hazel and Cora Fesler, Ora Green, Stella Pearson, Ollie Parson, Gretchen McDowell, Goldie Anderson, Edith Fulton and Pearl Abels and four brothers, Charlie, Orville, Dwain and Dwight Fesler,
Mrs. Martin is survived by a son, Bert Anderson of Van Wert; a daughter, Joyce DeVore and her husband, Gerald DeVore, of Osceola; eight grandsons, Dennis Chaney, Lyle Chaney, Dean Chaney, Rod DeVore, Lynn DeVore, all of Osceola, Dale Anderson and Jerry Anderson, both of Des Moines and Earl Stiles of Leon; eight granddaughters, Janiece Ehm, Jan LaPlaunt, Sharon Schuldt and Carol McBroom, all of Osceola Renee Johnson of Garden Grove, Jane Fors of Des Moines and Julie Mott and Jill Marchant, both of Arkansas ; 23 great-grandchildren; several great-great-grandchildren; four sisters-in-law, Irene Redman of Osceola, Mary Anderson of Leon, Ruth Fesler of Creston and Mabel Anderson of Des Moines; nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.
Graveside services were Oct. 5 at Van Wert Cemetery, the Rev. Max Carmichael officiating. Bearers were grandsons, Dennis Chaney, Lyle Chaney, Dean Chaney, Rod DeVore, Lynn DeVore, Dale Anderson, Jerry Anderson and Earl Stiles. Arrangements were by Slade-O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon.
Lucille Pack
Lucille Pack, daughter of George C. and Neva V. McConnell Pack, was born May 9, 1925, in Creston and died Oct. 3, 2001, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines. She was 76.
She was a seamstress who made and repaired clothing in commercial factories, private businesses and her home. She last worked for the Mission Laundry in Phoenix, Ariz. for six years before she retired in 1987, and moved to Newton.
She also lived in Osceola and Guthrie Center between 1967 and 1987.
Ms. Pack loved roses and ceramics. She made many ceramic pieces at the Jasper County Senior Citizens.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Newton, the Jasper County Senior Citizens, R.S.V.P. and T.O.P.S. 207.
Preceding her in death were her parents; two sons and a daughter in infancy; a sister, Ilene DeVore and a brother and sister in infancy.
Ms. Pack is survived a brother, Don Pack and his wife, Mabel Pack of Wichita, Kan; a sister, Vaundeen Kastner and her husband, Ernie Kastner, of Newton; other relatives and friends.
Services were Oct. 6 at the First Baptist Church in Newton, Pastor Syd McCrorey, assistant pastor of Community Heights Alliance Church in Newton, officiating. Burial of the cremains will be private at a later date at Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola. Arrangements were by Wallace Family funeral Home in Newton.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church in Newton or to the Jasper County Senior Citizens.
Reba Luella Pettis
Reba Luella Pettis, daughter of Charles Elmer and Mary Inez McVey Miler, was born July 2, 1913, in Clarke County and died of a sudden heart attack Oct. 3, 2001, at her home in Osceola. She was 88.
She attended country school in Clarke County and lived all of her life in and around Osceola.
She married Vernie James Pettis on Sept. 4, 1938, at the parsonage of the Foursquare Church in Osceola. The couple became the parents of two children, Roger and Marilyn.
Mrs. Pettis was a homemaker and a member of the Foursquare Church in Osceola.
Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband in 1975; five brothers, Lloyd, Everette, Dwight and two in infancy and a sister, Marion Travis.
Mrs. Pettis is survived by a daughter, Marilyn Kirkpatrick and her husband, Loudean Kirkpatrick, of Osceola; a son, Roger Pettis and his wife, Beulah Pettis, of Des Moines; four grandchildren, Randal Kirkpatrick and his wife, Tamela Kirkpatrick, of Osceola, Shawn Kirkpatrick and his wife, Sherry Kirkpatrick, and Dean Kirkpatrick and his wife, Sharon Kirkpatrick, all of Des Moines and Dawn Roberts of Mason City,; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Pansy Spoon of Osceola; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Miler of Leon and Mary Miler of Cottonwood, Ariz.; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Oct. 5 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Chuck DeVos of Osceola officiating. Pennie Gonseth, organist, accompanied Tawny Brant as she sang, In the Garden and Amazing Grace.
Casket bearers were William Brant, Elmer Miler, Larry Kelso, Darrell Kelso, Don Kelso Jr. and David Kelso. Honorary bearers were Dawn Roberts, Shawn Kirkpatrick, Dean Kirkpatrick and Randal Kirkpatrick.
Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery in Osceola.
Ruth Stearns
Ruth H. Baker Stearns, daughter of Jacob Edward and Rebecca Ellen Hines Baker, was born at the family home in Clarke County on Jan. 10, 1923, and died Oct. 7, 2001 at the Osceola Nursing and Rehab Center. She was 78.
She received her education in Clarke County schools and graduated from high school in 1940. She attended Osceola Junior College for a year before beginning her teaching career.
She married Harold G. Stearns and they became the parents of three children.
She was a teacher in rural schools in Clarke and Lucas Counties for 11 years and in the Clarke Community School System from 1965 to 1985. She continued her education and received a degree from Northwest Missouri State University in 1979.
Mrs. Stearns was a member of the First Christian Church in Osceola.
She was preceded death by her parents; three sisters, May Cooper, Twylia Perdue and Ila Zike; two brothers, Rolla Baker and Harley Baker, two sons-in-law, Robert Baker and Kenneth Mason and a daughter-in-law, Mary Stearns.
Mrs. Stearns is survived by two daughters, Sharon Christensen and her husband, Robert Christenson, of Lucas and Charlene Foland and her husband, Richard Foland, of Russell; a son, Keith Stearns and his wife, Sylvia Stearns, of Las Cruces, N. M.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Jim Baker and his wife, Mindy Baker, of Lucas, Brenda Baker and fiance, Jud Freeman, of Woodburn, Steve Baker and wife, Renda Baker of Murray; Becky VanderLinden and her husband, Rick Vanderlinden of Knoxville, Ken Mason and his wife, Kari Mason, of Chariton, Brian Stearns and his wife, Karen Stearns, of Goodyear, Ariz., Cindy Hrnicheck and her husband, Mike Hrnicheck, of Boston, Mass. and Ruth Ann Stearns of Las Cruces, N.M.; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She is also survived by her sister, Marie Cooper of Osceola; a number of nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Mrs. Stearns lived a life of devotion and service to others.
Funeral services for Mrs. Stearns are at 11 a.m. today (Oct. 11) at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Neville Clayton officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth will accompany Pastor Brian McCracken as he sings I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone and How Great Thou Art.
Casket bearers are Bill Oehlert, Charles Purdue, Chuck Edwards, Herman Baker, Roy Weston and David Stearns. Interment is in Maple Hill Cemetery at Osceola.
Warren W. ‘Wally” Wallace
Warren W. “Wally” Wallace died Sept. 16, 2001. He was born in Weldon on Feb. 14, 1915. He was 86.
He served as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Force during World War II as an air traffic controller.
Mr. Wallace was a Shriner and longtime member of the Certified Grocers Association. When he retired he and his wife, Maxine, moved from the Los Angeles area to Visalia, Calif. and made many new friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Maxine.
Mr. Wallace is survived by two brothers, Bob Wallace and Paul Wallace of Visalia; two sisters, Dorothy Keeler of Weldon and Gerry Eyler of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
There were no services at his request. Interment of the cremains will be “back home” next May in Weldon. Arrangements were by Miller Memorial Chapel, Visalia.
Keith Baker
Keith Charles Baker, 81, of Grand River, the son of Sherman William and Gerna Vivian Boles Baker, was born Aug. 24, 1922, at Grand River and died Oct. 6, 2003, at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.
He grew up and lived most of his life in the Grand River area. He moved to California after he graduated from Grand River High School in 1940. He joined the U.S. Navy on Dec. 29, 1942, and served in Norman, Okla. until he was discharged on March 16, 1946.
He married Gertrude Margaret Mahan on May 5, 1946, in Mount Ayr and they became the parents of three children, Monte, Deanna and Barry. The family lived on a farm near Grand River except for 1959 and 1960 when they lived in town while Mr. Baker worked at Rath Packing Company.
He loved to hunt and fish. He and Mrs. Baker camped at the Iowa State Fair every summer. They also attended his Navy reunions in Oklahoma every two years.
Mr. Baker was a member of the Veterans Affairs Commission, American Legion, Grand River Lions, and the Decatur County Conservation Board. He served on the Clarke Electric Board for 14 years.
Preceding him in death were his parents, wife on March 9, 2001, and a brother, Eugene Baker.
Surviving Mr. Baker are his children, Monte Baker and his wife, Mary Joe Baker, of Creston, Deanna Renshaw and her husband Vern Renshaw, of Minburn and Barry Baker of Grand River; nine grandchildren; a newborn great-granddaughter; a sister, Pauline Andrew and her husband, Giffin Andrew of Grand River; sisters-in-law, Mary Baker of Mount Ayr, Bettye Coates and her husband, Jack Coates, of Allen, Texas and Dorothy Caskey and her husband, Wendell Caskey of Hallsville, Mo.; a brother-in-law, Jim Mahan and his wife, Marilyn Mahan, of Leon; other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were Oct. 10 at the Grand River United Methodist Church, the Rev. Rick Hawkins officiating. Musician was Charletta Durell and hymns were How Great Thou Art, The Lord’s Prayer and Old Rugged Cross.
Casket bearers were Mr. Baker’s grandsons, Brandon Renshaw, Jamie Renshaw, Bret Renshaw, Dusty Gonseth, Clint Brown, Jordan Eggman and Travis Eggman.
Honorary bearers were Gene Hewlett, Slim Houck, Gordon Merical, Wayne Palmer, Loren Parkhurst, Dave Peterson, Robert Taylor and Doyle Wookey. Interment was in Oak Hill Cemetery, near Grand River. Military honors were by Charles Ladd Post No. 215 Grand River American Legion.
Slade - O’Donnell Funeral Home of Leon was in charge of arrangements.
Gerald Heinle
Gerald ‘Jerry” Heinle, son of Arthur and Adeline Kitzan Heinle, was born Sept. 16, 1938, in Hebron, N.D. and died Oct. 6, 2003, at Veterans Medical Center in Des Moines. He was 65.
He received his early education in the country schools near Hebron and furthered his education by attending a local high school in Hebron.
Following his education, Mr. Heinle served his country for eight years with the U.S. Air Force in the Vietnam War. After his time with the military Mr. Heinle was a resident of Colorado for many years before relocating to Woodburn where he has lived for the past 20 years.
He enjoyed reading, raising Shorthorn cattle and collecting antique toys.
Mr. Heinle was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Kenneth.
He is survived by two daughters, Teri Fix of Woodburn and Amber Heinle of Gackle, N.D., an adopted son, Ron Heinle of St. Joseph, Mo.; longtime companion, Kathy Reynolds of Woodburn; Kathy’s daughter, Amanda Reynolds of Woodburn; two brothers, Vernon Heinle and his wife, Carol Heinle, of Auburn, Wash. and Gilbert Heinle and his wife, Pauletta Heinle of Kent, Wash. as well as other relatives and friends.
Memorial services for Mr. Heinle were held Oct. 10 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola with words of comfort by Pastor Rod Rindahl of the Evangelical Free Church in Osceola. Burial of Mr. Heinle’s cremains will be at a later date.
Carl Nutter
Carl L. Nutter, 95, died Oct. 4, 2003, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.
He was a lifelong resident of Swan and graduate of Swan High School. He was a farmer and pilot who hosted many fly-ins at his private airport on his farm. He helped write Iowa Aviation History Vol. 1 with Ann Pallagreno. He was also a retired Civil Air Patrol member.
He is survived by his stepson, Ed West and wife, Eula West, of Weldon; brother, Bill Nutter of Pleasantville; sisters, Wilma Crone of Pleasantville, Irene Feight of Urbana, Mo., and Ruth Shera of Swan; three grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene and sisters, Edna Muffler and Dessie Thomas.
Graveside services were held Oct. 11 at the Swan Cemetery. Richardson Funeral Home in Carlisle was in charge.
Memorials may be made to the Pleasantville Fire and Rescue.
Lester Patterson
Lester Laverne Patterson, son of Thomas and Blanche Lowe Patterson, was born Feb. 20, 1918, at the family farm in Clarke County and died Oct. 9, 2003, at the Afton Care Center in Afton. He was 85.
He received his education in the Clarke County schools and graduated from Osceola High School in 1936. He went on to attend Osceola Junior College.
Mr. Patterson entered the U.S. Army in 1941 and served until the end of World War II. While stationed overseas in England he met Connie Ashley. They were married Nov. 4, 1944, at St. Peters Cathedral in Derby, England. They became the parents of three children, Mary, Thomas and Michael. Upon honorable discharge from the service, he returned to the United States in 1945 and Mrs. Patterson joined him in the spring of 1946.
Mr. and Mrs. Patterson lived in Decatur, Ill. while he attended electronics school. They returned to the family farm in Clarke County because of the ill heath of his father. After his father died they made the move permanent and spent the rest of their married life on the farm.
To supplement their farm income Mr. Patterson owned and operated Patterson Radio & TV Service located in a small shop on the farm. He was always willing and able to effect repairs on any device that featured an electrical cord with a plug on the end, not only in his shop but also making house calls to many of his loyal customers. He continued this service until 1995 when a stroke limited his physical capabilities. Following the stroke he remained in his home on the farm where he was cared for by Mrs. Patterson until her death.
He was a 50-year member of Osceola Lodge No. 77 A.F. & A.M. in Osceola. He also served many years as a trustee, clerk and election board member for Washington Township.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife in March of this year.
Mr. Patterson is survived by his only sibling, a brother, Robert Patterson and his wife, Norma Patterson, of Ida Grove; three children, Mary Denney and her husband, Howard Denney, Thomas Patterson and his wife, Sharon Patterson, and Michael Patterson and his wife, Donna Patterson, all of Osceola; 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Matthew Denney and his wife, Angela and their son Gabrial, of Davis City, Trenton Denny and his wife, Courtney and their son Noah Denney, Tevyn Denney and Amanda Denney, Brent Patterson and Brandon Patterson and Tyler Patterson, all Osceola; and Ashley Denney of Blair, Neb.; as well as many long standing neighbors and friends.
Services for Mr. Patterson were Oct. 14 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, the Rev. Phil Coe officiating.
Honorary bearers were Matthew Denney, Trenton Denney, Brent Patterson, Brandon Patterson, Tyler Patterson and Bernie Denney.
Masonic services were by Osceola Lodge No. 77 A.F. & A.M. Military honors were presented by Davis Pence American Legion Post No. 69. Interment of his cremains will be at a later date in Fremont Cemetery in Clarke County.
Freddie Potter
Freddie Harve Potter, son of Frederic Wilber Potter and LaVeta Nathel Butler Potter, was born June 13, 1941, in Mercer County, Mo. and died Oct. 7, 2003, at the Genesis West Medical Center in Davenport. He was 62.
He spent his early years near Leon and attended the Leon schools. He married Elsie “Ellie” Marie Cook, on April 12, 1964, at the United Methodist Church in Osceola. They became the parents of two sons, Robert and Fred.
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Potter moved to the Davenport area where he began his career with John Deere. He retired from John Deere on July 1, 1997, after 311/2 years. Following his retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Potter became full-time RV’ers, spending seven months at Sunset Lakes Resort in Joslin, Ill. and five months during the winter in Florida.
Mr. Potter was a proud man who enjoyed helping others. He was always there for anyone he knew, for any reason, no matter what.
Mr. Potter loved life and enjoyed it to the best of his ability. He and Mrs. Potter lived their dream life by traveling to many places in the past few years. He loved spending time with his family, camping, playing games (he was the Roly boly champ last year), playing cards, dominos and rummy cube. His favorite pastime was riding his golf cart on the Rock River Trails with his dog, Goldie. In past years Mr. and Mrs. Potter loved to ride touring motorcycles and they were past members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. Most importantly Mr. Potter was a Christian.
He was preceded in death by his father and father-in-law.
Mr. Potter is survived by his wife of Joslin, Ill.; two sons, Robert Potter of Fairfield and Fred Potter and his wife, Vicki Potter, of Bettendorf; three grandchildren, Christopher Anderson of Davenport and Brandy and Ryan Denekas, of Bettendorf; mother, LaVeta Potter of Seymour; two sisters, Janice Lira and her husband, Ron Lira, of Numa; La Voy Buckingham of Winterset; mother-in-law, Vera Cook of Osceola; brother-in-law, Gary Cook and his wife, Conda Cook of Osceola; four nephews; as well as other relatives and a host of friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Potter were held Oct. 11 at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Pastor Rod Rindahl officiating. Organist Pennie Gonseth accompanied soloist, Rod Harger as he sang Just As I Am and The Old Ragged Cross.
Casket bearers were Jeremy Cook, Kiley Cook, Scott Buckingham, Shawn Buckingham, Marion Wilkins, Lee Wilkins. Honorary bearers were Larry Bundy and Jeff Overstreet. Interment was in the Leon Cemetery.
Eldon Sabin
Eldon Sabin, 74, of Estherville died Oct. 13, 2003, at his home. Funeral services will be Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the First Christian Church, the Rev. Charles Gilbert officaiting. Burial will be at East Side Memorial Cemetery in Estherville.
Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Oct. 16 at Henry-Olson-Fuhrman Funeral Home in Estherville.
Mr. Sabin, the son of Ervin and Alma Mae Jones Sabin, was born July 29, 1929, at Elmore, Minn. He moved with his family to the Armstrong area where he attended school and graduated from high school. He was married to Gladys Elsenhower at the Christian Church in Estherville.
The couple farmed in the Armstrong and Swea City areas before moving to the Estherville area in 1956. They farmed near Estherville until 1972 when they moved to Garden Grove where they farmed until 1983 when they returned to Estherville. Mr. Sabin worked for Estherville Foods, Emmet County Implement and since July of 1999 he has been empoyed by Wal-Mart.
Mr. Sabin was a member of the First Christian Church where he was a deacon, past president of the Emmet County Fair Board, past member of the Wallingford Co-op Board of Directors and past member of the American Breeders Association. In his free time Mr. Sabin enjoyed fishing, carpentry work and bird watching. He and Mrs. Sabin were long time supporters of the Iowa Lakes Community College basketball program. In his younger days he enjoyed playing softball.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a son, Gary and his father-in-law, Arnold Elsenhower.
Mr. Sabin is survived by his wife; two sons, Dennis Sabin and his wife, Carla Sabin, of Newton and Roger Sabin and his wife, Karen Sabin, of Estherville; a daughter, Nancy Beydler and her husband, Patrick Beydler, of Osceola; 15 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Orma Jean Quastad and her husband, Max and a brother, Arden Sabin and his wife, Donna, all of Armstrong; his mother-in-law, Helen Elsenhower of Estherville.
Roy Sponsler
Roy J. Sponsler, 68, of Chariton died at his home Oct. 9, 2003. Funeral services were Oct. 13 at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. Burial was in the Chariton Cemetery.
Mr. Sponsler, the son of Winfield Lott Sponsler and Pearl Marie Weaver, was born April 1, 1935, in Humeston.
Mr. Sponsler served in the U.S. Army from Nov. 9, 1954, to July 5, 1956. He was a truck driver and worked for Hy-Vee for 30 plus years.
He was a member of the Chariton Saddle Club, Truckers Union Teamsters Union 147 and AQHA.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Horton Sponsler of Chariton, two sons, Bryan Keith Sponsler of Humeston and Scott Winfield Sponsler of Lucas; two daughters, Roxanne Irving and Cindy Parker, both of Chariton; a sister, Marie Gray of Evansdale; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lucas County 4-H.
