027Fayetta (Houchin) Scheel, daughter of Franklin and Francina Ethel Meredith Houchin, was born on November 13, 1915 in Taylor County near Gravity, Iowa. Fayetta entered eternal rest on August 7, 2011 at Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning, Iowa at the age of ninety-five years, eight months and twenty-five days.
Fayetta attended eight years at Gravel Point country school in Holt Township then attended Gravity High School, graduating in 1933. After high school Fayetta started working in homes, helping with house work and caring for the elderly.
In 1936, she was united in marriage to Thomas R. Reed and daughter, Wauneta was born to this union. The couple lived on a farm in Taylor County for seven years. They later divorced. Fayetta began working at Johnsons Café. This is where she met Arthur Scheel. The couple married and made Corning their home. Later they divorced.
Fayetta went to work for Carl and Mary Otto at the Coffee Shoppe for eight years. She then purchased Walton’s Café, formerly known as Johnsons Café, and operated the café for twenty years. After selling the café, Fayetta went to work for Colonial Manor in Corning as a cook. After fifteen months, she left the nursing home and began providing daycare in her home seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day. After four years, Fayetta went back to work at Colonial Manor as a CNA and Certified Medical Aid where she worked until she retired. Fayetta traveled for a while before providing home health care to the elderly. She also delivered the Omaha World Herald to rural routes for twenty years, the Des Moines Register and answered phones for Ledgerwood Ambulance Service.
Fayetta was a loving and nurturing person and lived her entire life as a caretaker. She adored her grandchildren. Over the years she helped raise her grandchildren, especially the three oldest.
Fayetta was an Honorary Member of Royal Neighbors. She enjoyed the card club at Westgate and attended the Corning Christian Church.
Left to cherish Fayetta’s memory is her daughter, Wauneta (husband Jim) Hatton of Corning, IA; seven grandchildren: Richard (Roxanne) Corum of Omaha, NE, Kim (Dallas) Russell of Palmdale, CA, Becky (Scott) McAlexander of Eugene, OR, Jeff (Cindy) Reed of Lincoln, NE, Cherokie (Brian) Davis of Lenox, IA, Danny (Reme) Hatton of Denison, IA, Deb (Tony) Beam of Denison, IA; fourteen great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; special niece, Kay Parrott of Corning, IA; numerous other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Fayetta was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers: Ivan and Cleo Houchin; sister, Geneva Smith; two grandsons: David Hatton and Steve Reed; first husband, Tom Reed; second husband, Art Scheel

Funeral services for Patricia Marshall, age 75, of Lenox, who died Monday, August 29, 2011 at the Alegent Health Mercy Hospital in Corning will be held Friday, September 2, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox United Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held at the Ritchie Funeral Home on Thursday from 3 to 7 with the family greeting friends from 5 to 7. Interment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Patricia Ann Bender Marshall was born November 3, 1935, in Richland Center, Wisconsin. One of five children born to Wesley and Kathryn Bender. She grew up in Wisconsin and met and married Leonard Gene Marshall April 28, 1953. They moved to Iowa in 1967, and raised seven children.

Patty worked many years as a bartender at Big Johns and then the Dally Post. She always had Sunday dinner for all the kids and everyone knew of her famous Patty's potato salad and pies.

Left to cherish her memory, three daughters, Patricia and Joan of Lenox; and Debbie of Des Moines; four sons, Micheal and wife Becky of Tingley; Robert and wife Mandy of Sharpsburg; David and wife Sandy of Lenox; and Richard and fiancée Shelly of Lenox . Brother Wesley Bender Jr. and wife Sugar of Walworth, Wisconsin; Adopted grandma Hilda Rundlett of Lenox, twenty-six grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, many numerous other family and friends.

Preceding Patty in death are her husband Leonard Gene Marshall in July of 2007; Parents Wesley Sr. and Kathryn Bender; Sister Jeanette Marshall; brother Ronald Bender; and brother Edward Bender; and a son-in-law, Gary Duncan.

Patty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
She was loved by everyone, and will be missed by all

Memorial services for Marilyn Imel, age 84, of Gravity, who died Monday, August 22, 2011 at Bergan-Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska will be held Saturday, August 27, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services. Interment of ashes will be held at 2L00 PM at the Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Marilyn Ferne Imel was born October 26, 1926 on her home farm near Sharpsburg, Iowa. She departed this life Monday August 22, 2011 at the Bergen Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. Marilyn was the youngest daughter of Harry and Ferne (Deaver) Pennebaker. Marilyn grew up in the Sharpsburg Community, Graduated from the High School and was a active member of the Sharpsburg Presbyterian Church.

On January 16, 1948 she was united in marriage to Clarence Imel in Bedford, Iowa. The Couple lived on the same farm north west of Sharpsburg for 54 years and moved to Gravity in 2003. To this union four children were born. Linda Laster and husband Grady of San Antonio, Texas. David Imel and wife Garlynn of Osceola, Iowa, Annette Steele and husband Wally of Omaha, Nebraska and Mark Imel and wife Debra of Belleville, Kansas.

Marilyn is survived by her husband Clarence of the home, her four children and their spouses and eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

She loved to talk about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom were a light to her eyes and hearing about their stories and the things they do. The grandchildren are Michelle Vignon, Jennifer Laster, Mike Thomsen, Tammy and Dustin Steele, Molly Marquiss, Emily and John Imel. Her Great Grandchildren are Seth and Charlie Thompsen, Harlee and Eleanor Steele, and Roslyn Marquiss.

She had taught Sunday School at the Church and in recent years played the Church Organ. which she enjoy doing.

She enjoyed talking to her friends and enjoyed their visits. Marilyn was a wise shopper and knew where to get the best buys.

Marilyn loved to cook and we remember her cake dessert, salads, bean casserole and other goodies. She loved her cats and they were a delight to her life. Marilyn enjoyed the fresh air, sitting on the front porch, and visiting with her friends

Funeral services for Leo Sobotka, age 84 of Lenox, who died Friday, August 19, 2011 at the Lenox Care Center will be held Monday, August 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lenox.. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 AM until service time with the family greeting friends. Interment will be held at the North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Leo Frederick Sobotka was born March 28, 1927, in Ringgold County, Iowa, the son of Fred Sobotka and Ruth (Kendall) Sobotka. Leo lived his entire life in Ringgold and Taylor County, Iowa. He grew up attending Star Country School and on June 5, 1948 he was united in marriage to Waunita Brand at the Methodist Church Parsonage in Diagonal, Iowa. Together Leo and Waunita celebrated 63 years of marriage. Early in their marriage Leo was employed for a short time at Kokesh Farms near Diagonal and later on the Fred Bruner farm near Clearfield. Later, when the family moved into Lenox, Leo was employed by the Caines and Reeds Service Oil Stations. After his retirement, Leo mowed many lawns, cemeteries and church yards in the community. During the winter months he cleared snow for them. Leo and Waunita were also custodians at the Lenox Christian Church for many years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church. Leo enjoyed bowling and his many friends he made throughout the years at the Lenox Bowling Alley.

Left to cherish Leo's memory are his loving wife Waunita of Lenox; three sons, Alan Sobotka of Jamesport, Missouri; Paul Sobotka and wife Cathy of Sheldahl, Iowa; and Roger Sobotka and wife Carla of Lenox; one grandson, Chris Sobotka and wife Myndi of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; nine granddaughters, Barbara Baumgardner and husband Mark of Cambridge, Iowa; Jennifer Sobotka and friend Kevin Masemann of Nevada, Iowa; Jolene Johnson and husband Jay of Cordova, Tennessee; Julie Showers and husband Michael of Weldon, Iowa; Jody Horstman and husband Kevin of Prairie City, Iowa; Jamie Morris and friend Robbie of Dubuque, Iowa; Aimy Anderson and friend Steven of Des Moines, Iowa; Leslie West and husband Brian of Des Moines, Iowa; and Nicole Snyder of Red Oak, Iowa; twenty-four great-grandchildren. Leo is also survived by a daughter-in-law, Dorothy Sobotka of Cainsville, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Jorene Sobotka of Creston, Iowa; two sisters, Marilyn Hollinger and husband George of Omaha, Nebraska; and Martha Belle Davis of Sidney, Iowa; a sister-in-law Bernita Tharp and husband Don of Sho Low, Arizona; along with many other family members and friends.

Preceding Leo in death are his grandparents, Joseph and Mary Sobotka; his parents, Fred and Ruth Sobotka; a son Robert John Sobotka; three grandchildren, Casey Ryan Sobotka, David Sobotka and Linda Sobotka at infancy; a great-granddaughter, Bailey Hilton; three brothers, Melvin, Eldon and Franklin Sobotka; a sister, Naomi Sobotka; and a step-mother Rhada Sobotka.

Leo will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends

Memorial services for Dennis Walker, age 58 formerly of Shenandoah, who died Sunday, August 14, 2011 in Springfield, Missouri will be held Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Bedford City Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the Ritchie Funeral Home starting at 12:30 PM. Military rites will be accorded by Offutt Air Force Base Honor Guard.

Dennis Craig Walker was born August 18, 1952, in Maryville, Missouri the son of Claude C. and Iola M. (Strong) Walker. He passed away August 14, 2011 at the age of 58 years, 11 months and 27 days in Springfield, Missouri after several months of illness.

He grew up attending school in Shenandoah and when he was a senior in high school signed up the United States Air Force. In November of 1971, he completed his basic training at Sheppard AFB in Texas. In May of 1972, he was assigned to a Hospital in Torryon Air Base in Spain. In July of 1980, he was assigned to the USAD Hospital in George AFB in California. In 1985, he was reassigned as Director of Education at Cannis NCO P.M.E. Center.

Dennis was also an Honor graduate of Dental Superious Course USAF School at Sheppard AFB Texas. He was awarded numerous medals during his service of twenty years, retiring in 1991.

Preceding Dennis in death are his father; a sister Carolyn, step-father; grandparents; two sisters-in-law, Karen and Debra Walker.

Left to cherish Dennis' memory are his mother Iola M. Thomas of Shenandoah; two brothers, Charles E. Walker of Shenandoah; and Allan H. Walker and wife of Great Bend, Kansas; five nieces and nephews, Bruce and Nick Walker; Claudia Frieze and Patty Newberry all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; and Jason Walker of Great Bend, Kansas; along with many other relatives and friends.

Dennis will be sadly missed by his many friends and family