Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
OBITUARY ~ HONEY (RUSCO) SCHUSTER
Garwilda Babe (Honey) SCHUSTER was born November 21, 1907 at Athelstan, Iowa to John RUSCO and Hilda ANDERSON RUSCO, and departed this life February 28, 1987 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 79 years, three months and seven days.
Honey was born in Athelstan, Iowa and grew to maturity in Athelstan. She attended public school and church in Athelstan.
On November 24, 1925 she was united in marriage to Ralph SCHUSTER at Bedford, Iowa. Ralph and Honey lived most of their sixty-one years of marriage in the Maloy, Clearfield and Blockton communities. To this union was born one daughter, Jodene SCHUSTER BROWN.
Honey was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hilda RUSCO; one sister, Juanita CORDELL; four brothers, Guy, Roy, Ray, and one brother who died in infancy.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Ralph SCHUSTER of Blockton; her daughter, Jodene and husband Elton of Clearfield, and her three grandchildren and their families, Marilyn, Steve and Traci MALTZAHN of Creston; Carolyn, Jim, Dana and Danny NELSON of Clearfield, and Jerry, SHeila, Brooks and Amber BROWN, also of Clearfield. Honey also leaves to mourn her passing, two sisters, Mildred JONAS of Holt, Missouri, Deliliah HANKS of Kansas City, Missouri, and a host of nieces and nephews and many, many friends.
Honey was a resident of the Clearfield Clearview Nursing Home for the past two months. Prior to this, Honey and Ralph spent the past 26 years in Blockton.
Everyone who knew Honey could appreciated all the long hours she spent with her handiwork. Hone knitted and crocheted many items, many of which she gave away. She was especially proud of her beautiful afghans.
Honey was a kind and considerate wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her. God receive her soul. . . Peace has come at last.
Funeral services were held at the Blockton Christian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2. Kenneth SMITH played the organ while Marvel LAWRENCE and Mary WEAVER sang "Beyond the Sunset" and "The Old Rugged Cross."
Casketbearers were Jerry BROWN, Jim NELSON, Steve MALTZAHN, Wade ROOD, Henry YOUNG and Earl MATHENY. The Rev. Scott MARCUM officiated, and burial was in the Athelstan Cemetery at Athelstan, Iowa.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2011
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Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
OBITUARY ~ LETHA MAY (WOODS) SCHUSTER
Letha May WOODS SCHUSTER was born October 21, 1908 in Taylor County to David and Cora WOODS. She grew to womanhood in Athlestan, Iowa. She departed this life Jun 1 at the age of 73 years, seven months and 10 days, at the Lenox Care Center, Lenox.
She was united in marriage to Clyde SCHUSTER Setp. 11, 1931. They lived all their married life in Ringgold County until his death. To this union five children were born: Dean,Marie JACKSON, Dorothy HOBBS, Gene and Gary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde; one son, Gene; also a daughter, Dorothy; her mother and father; four brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her son, Dean and wife Mary; her daughter, Marie and husband Lawrence; her son Gary and Diana; also 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; a brother, Floyd; a sister, Mary HOWARD; nieces and nephews and a host of relatives and friends.
She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
Rev. Ward CAMPBELL and Rev. Mel SMITH officiated at a funeral service held at 2 p.m. June 3, 1982 at the Blockton Christian church. Music was by organist, Bernice LYNCH, and vocalists, Marvel LAWRENCE and Mary WEAVER.
Casketbearers were Roy MILLER, Henry YOUNG, M. K. SANDERS, Wayne KEMERY, Donald STEWART and Lyle CAVIN. Burial was in Athelstan Cemetery, Athelstan, Iowa.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, July of 2011
OBITUARY ~ VIOLA E. SCHONEBERG RICHARDSON ZERAN, WATERLOO
Viola E. SCHONEBERG RICHARDSON ZERAN, 89, of Waterloo, formerly of Bedford, died June 02, 2011, at Lakeview Landing at Friendship Village in Waterloo.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 9, at Parrott & Wood Chapel of Memories, 965 Home Plaza, Waterloo. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.overtonservice.com.
Viola E. ZERAN, daughter of Amanda (MEIER) and Emil C. SCHONEBERG, ws born Dec. 23, 1931, on the family farm near Tripoli.
Viola moved to Waterloo in 1929 and attended school ther.
On Feb. 28, 1941, Viola married Marvin Weldon RICHARDS at the First Lutheran Church in Waterloo, where she was a member. Marvin died Dec. 19, 1986.
Viola worked for John Deere during WWII for four years and was a nurse's aide at Allen Hospital for 20 years, retiring in 1985.
On May 10, 1991, Viola married Warner ZERAN of Bedford. Warner died May 22, 2000.
Viola lived in Bedford until Jan. 15, 2001, and then returned to Waterloo, residing at Friendship Village.
After returning to Waterloo, Viola also became a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Viola is survived by her son, Kyle L. (wife Mary) RICHARDSON of Austin, Texas; daughter-in-law Diane RICHARDSON of Lena, Ill.; grandsons, Chad (wife Stephanie) RICHARDSON of Lawrence, Kan., Todd (wife Katie) RICHARDSON of Evansville, Ind., and Brett RICHARDSON of Lena, Ill.' three great-grandsons, two great-granddaughters; step-daughters, Evonne JENNET and Joan BATHUM; four step-grandsons and 11 step-great-granchildren.
In addition to her husbands, Viola was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Leslie and Lavern SCHONEBERG and son Gary RICHARDSON.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012.
Mount Ayr Record News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Guelda Myrtle MOON was born September 1, 1908, in Ringgold County, Iowa to Allen Phillip and Lena Lee (LINK) STEPHENS. She departed this life September 30, 2004 in the Clearview Nursing Home, Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 96. She lived in Taylor and Ringgold counties her entire lifetime. Guelda was a home maker and a member of the Christian Church, Blockton, Iowa. On April 11, 1926, Guelda was united in marriage to George MOON. Two sons and two daughters were born to this union. He preceded her in death in March 1984.
Also preceding her were her parents and two brothers, Gayland and W. A. STEPHENS.
Surviving are daughters Phyllis FAUBION of Blockton, Iowa, and Martha PARMAN of Mesa, Arizona; sons, Eugene MOON of Mesa, Arizona and Bill MOON of McAllen, Texas; sisters, Gwenive DINKEL of Logan, Iowa and Galene VARNER of Sun City, Arizona; 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren.
Guelda was dearly loved by all her family and friends and will be greatly missed. She was highly respected in her community and made apositive impact on all who knew her.
Funeral services were at 1 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2004 at the Christian Church, Blockton, Iowa with Reverend Scott MARCUM officiating. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Blockton, Iowa. Arrangements were with Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
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OBITUARY ~ ILAH LaMOYNE (RIDPATH) STEPHENS
Ilah LaMoyne RIDPATH was born on June 25, 1916 to John and Lillie DEWITT RIDPATH near Pella, IA and passed away on November 20, 1996 in Creston, IA.
The family moved to the Clearfield area when she was two. Ilah attended country school in Grant township, Ringgold county, and high school in Clearfield until 1933 when they moved to Oskaloosa, IA and she continued school there.
Ilah married Donald STEPHENS on November 9, 1935 at Bedford, IA. This union was blessed with three sons, Dale, Larry and Darrel.
At age 55, Ilah went back to school and graduated as a licensed practical nurse. In addition to being a wife and mother, she served as a babysitter, pre-school teacher's aide, school board member, 4-H committee woman, Sunday School teacher, church elder, and nurse.
She was a member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Ilah was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don in 1982, and a sister, Majorie BONNETT.
Survivors include her sons, Dale and his wife Sarah of Scranton, IA, Larry and Darrel both of Clearfield; four granddaughters, Janet and her husband Lance HENSEN, Julie, Jeri and Jodi STEPHENS; two great-grandchildren, Stephanie and Ian HENSEN; three sisters, Veda RIDPATH of Marion, IN, Sarah RIDPATH of Greenville, IL and Orpha HARGRAVE of Independence, MO.
Services were held at the United Presbyterian Church in Sharpsburg, IA on November 22, 1996. Officiating was Rev. Tim MAXA. Musicians were Robert LOCKHART and Linda SPRING.
Casketbearers included Allen BROWN, John LYDDOn, Ron BROWN, John WILSON, Kenny NELSOn and Dwight MATHENY. Honorary pallbearers were Gene CROCKETT, George CROCKETT, Marvin WYER, Duane CROCKETT, Jim WYER, Randy WYER, Danny NELSON, Steve HARGRAVE, Roger BREACH, Dennis BROWN, Mike PERDEW and Todd JACKSON.
Flower attendants were Nickie and Paige HENDERSON.
Interment was in Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, Iowa. Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home made arrangements.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012.
John Dale STEPHENS, age 71, of Scranton, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, October 8, 2009, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson.
Born on December 11, 1937, in Taylor County, near Clearfield, Iowa. He was the son of Donald and Ilah (RIDPATH) STEPHENS. He grew up in Taylor County and graduated from Clearfield High School in 1956. He then served in the United States Air Force for four years. After his military carrer, he attended Northwest Missouri State College and graduated with a B.S. in Education. On August 19, 1963, he and Sarah FERGUSON were married at the United Presbyterian Church in Clearfield. Later he earned his Masters degree in Mathematics from the University of Nothern Iowa. Dale was a high school math teacher for 29 years, 17 of them in Scranton, and retired in 1995.
After retirement he worked at Don's Hardware in Jefferson for 14 years.
He was a member of Phi Sigma Esilon, NEA, ISEA, Kiwanis, Kids With a Connection, and the Community Players Theater Group in Jefferson. He was a long-time member of the Scranton UM Church and served as a worship leader, sang in the choir, and worked with youth. In 2009, he and his wife transferred their membership to the First Presybyterian church.
He enjoyed woodworking, painting quilt blocks, mission trips, Helping Hands, and volunteering throughout the community. One of his greatest joys was spending time with his family, especially his 10 grandkids.
Surviving are his wife Sarah STEPHENS of Scranton; a daughter Janet HENSEN and her husband Lance of Seymour, Indiana; a daughter Julie VERDOORN and her husband Marty of Bentonville, Arkansas; a daughter Jodi STEPHENS of Lawson, Missouri; a daughter Jeri DOBSON and her husband Aaron of Lawson, Missouri; a brother Darrel STEPHENS of Clearfield, Iowa; and grandchildren: Stephanie, Ian, Zoe, Colin, Andrew, Jason, Diesel, Ilah, Nathan, and Kannon.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Larry.
"I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me."
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
John Ross STEPHENS, 72, 1770 250th Street, Shannon City, died of lung cancer Oct. 20, 1998, at his home.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Oct., 24 at the Platte Center Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Peter BRANTNER will officiate with burial in the Harmony Cemetery, rural Shannon City. There is open visitation 1 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Powers Funeral Home, 601 New York Avenue. The family will receive friends 1 to 8 p.m. daily at the home. Memorials may be directed to the Platte Center Presbyterian Church, Union County Fair or Green Valley Hospice in lieu of flowers.
Mr. STEPHENS was born Feb. 4, 1926, in Delphos to Lloyd E. and Lola Maude (SPENCER) STEPHENS. He graduated from Afton High School in 1944. On Jan. 31, 1949, he married Ruby M. CRITTENDEN in Osceola. He farmed most of his life in Union County and also worked as a carpenter for many years, retiring in 1988. He moved to his home south of Creston in 1955. He was a member of the Platte Center Presbyterian Church, Pippin' Poppas, Patherette Pals, Union County Saddle Club and Union County Historical Society. He was a 4-H leader for 20 years, served on the Union County Fair Board, was an officer with the Union County Pork Producers and district director for the Iowa Pork Producers Council. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from September 1945 to 1946.
Survivors include his wife, Ruby M. STEPHENS of Shannon City; two sons, Dannie (wife Vickie) STEPHENS and Reggie (wife Carol) STEPHENS, all of Creston; four daughters, Kathie BRYANT and fiance Gene DWYER of Bettendorf, Dixie (husband Kim GRYTDAHL) STEPHENS of Las Vegas, Nev., Shellie (husband Steve) BILLINGS of Dallas Centery and Julie (husband Robert) DeYOUNG of Oak Plark, Ill.; mother-in-law, Iva CRITTENDEN of Creston; three brothers, Joe STEPHENS of Dunkerton, Lloyd (wife Mary) STEPHENS Jr. of mount Ayr and Bill (wife Gaylene) STEPHENS of Winterset; a sister, Clarice (husband Lawrence) MINNICK of Creston; a sister-in-law, Florence WILLETS of Creston; and 11 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Earl, Spencer and Sherrill STEPHENS; and a sister, Muriel.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
Bill STEPHENS, 75, of Winterset died on cancer on June 24, 2006, at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston.
Services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, June 29 at Collins Oak Park Chapel, 505 E. Court St., Winterset. The Rev. Terry KERR will officiate the service. Burial will be in Pleasant View Cemetery in Madison County.
W. A. [William Albert] "Bill" STEPHENS, the son of Lola Maud (SPENCER) and Lloyd Ernest STEPHENS, was born March 24, 1931, in Mount Ayr. On April 16, 1951, he married D. Gaylen RINGBERG in Osceola. A resident of Winterset for the past 42 years, he had resided in Union and Ringgold counties prior to moving to Madison County. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. Bill had been a farmer, carpenter and school bus driver. He was a member of American Legion Post 184 of Winterset, Madison County Pork Producers (1964-84), and the Pitzer United Presbyterian Church.
He was preceded in death by five brothers, Spencer, Sherrill, Joe, Lloyd Jr., and John STEPHENS; and a sister, Muriel STEPHENS.
He is survived by his wife, Gaylene, of Winterset; two sons, Randy STEPHENS and Robert STEPHENS, both of Winterset; three daughters, Nancy NORRIS of Kent, Diana JACKSON of St. Charles, and Beverly KERSHUN of Des Moines; a sister, Clarice MINNICK of Creston; and 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
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Iowa, Martha and Eugene PARMAN of Arizona and Bill and Helen MOON of Texas and brother-in-law,
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in his name to the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International
[publication and date unknown]
Madge ETHINGTON VARNER, went on to be with the Lord, uniting with loved ones on September 10, 1987. She died in Salt Lake City.
She was born March 17, 1915 in Clearfield Iowa to Clarence Harvey ETHINGTON and Jessie Fern WOODS. She married John M. VARNER June 28, 1931 in Creston, Iowa He died on May 7, 1977.
She was a former employee of ____ I. Magnin Co. in Seattle, Washington and Glade Candy Co. in Salt Lake City. She retired in 1971. She loved her family and her little dog. She was a member of the First Baptist Church.
She is survived by: son, Milford D. VARNER, Stansbury Park; daughter, Mrs. James L. (Mickey) WEST, West Valley City; 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her brother Boyd.
Funeral for Mrs. VARNER was held Monday at the Tate Mortuary chapel.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Paul Lloyd VARNER was born on May 14, 1916 at Delphos, Ringgold County, Iowa, to Omer "Pop" and Nina STEPHENS VARNER, the fourth in a family of five sons. He passed away Sunday, February 15, 1981 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mt. Ayr, Iowa, three months prior to his 65th birthday.
With his family, he moved to Diagonal in 1929, was a member of "Pop's" basketball team in his high school years, graduating with the class of 1934.
After attending Iowa State Teachers College at Cedar Falls for a year, he served a year's apprenticeship under Ivan L. CREW, Diagonal Funeral Director, before enrolling at the Hohenschue Carpenter School for Mortuary Science at St. Louis, Missouri, where he graduated in 1939.
On June 22, 1940, he was united in marriage with Verla Dean TAYLOR, the wedding place at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. & Mrs. James R. TAYLOR in Diagonal. The VARNERS observed their 40th anniversary in June of last year.
A son, Bradford, and a daughter, Janet, was born to the union with the family making their home in Diagonal for several years including the two years, 1944 and 1945, when Paul served in the United States Navy in World War II.
In May 1957, the family moved to Clearfield where he continued to work as funeral director, and for a time also operated a furniture store. In 1979, Paul and Jay WATSON entered into partnership with funeral homes, Clearfield, Diagonal, and Tingley, under the name Varner-Watson, an association both found mutually rewarding.
He was a funeral director in Ringgold and Taylor counties for more than 40 years and a member of the Iowa and National Funeral Directors Associations.
In 1961 he was the prime motivator in establishing a nursing home facility in Clearfield by organizing interested persons. That facility grew to include a larger one in Mt. Ayr, with both continuing to serve these and neighboring communities.
Paul was active in community affairs, a member of AF&AM, Eastern Star, Des Moines Consistory and the American Legion.
In the VARNER family, his parents preceded him in death with him and his family caring for them in their declining years, a care and concern which was continued for his mother following the death of his father. Also preceding him in death were his brother, John, and two nephews.
Surviving are his brothers and their wives, Charles and Martha of Hemet, California, Clay and Lelah, Decorah, Iowa, Alvin and Galene, Burlington, Iowa; a sister-in-law, Madge VARNER, Tooele, Utah, and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are the members of the TAYLOR family.
In the immediate family, he is survived by his wife, Verla Dean, their son, Brad and his wife, Sherry of Cheyenne, Wyoming; their daughter, Jan, and son-in-law, Jerry SLAYBAUGH, of Independence, MO, and three grandchildren, Lori and Greg SLAYBAUGH and Bobbi Jo VARNER. A fourth grandchild, Jeffy VARNER, lost his life, April 30, 1972 at the age of 7 1/2 years with the memory of his short life vivid in the hearts of those who loved him.
The close knit family group found great pleasure in each other through the years, with each grandchild a continuing joy. In these last months of critical illness they gave Paul constant care and support and he in turn rose above the circumstances to give them continued companionship and love.
Paul held each and every one of his fellowmen with respect, making and keeping many friendship. He had a quick and ready wit which he used only to delight, never to deride or belittle.
He possessed an ever awareness of those about him, thus bringing comfort to those in sorrow and grief. His unabtrusive presence went beyond the practice of his profession.
His friends were many and they will join his family in living the memory of him among us, his concerns, his care.
With Paul VARNER gone the world is a poorer place.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 17, 1981 at the Clearfield School. Interment was made at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Mount Ayr Record News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Florence Rebecca DAILEY, daughter of Conner STEPHENS and Ida BLAKER, was born in Taylor County on Nov. 10, 1905, and passed away Sept. 1, 1981 at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, Iowa, at the age of 75 years and 10 months.
Florence spent her early years on a farm north of Blockton, Iowa, and went to the East Gay country school through the eighth grade. She attended the Blockton high school and graduated from the Queen city College of Dressmaking and Tailoring in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1924. Florence moved to St. Joseph, Mo. in 1925, where she was a resident for many years and in 1973 she returned to Blockton, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to O. L. DAILEY on August 10, 1947.
Florence was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, David E. STEPHENS and Paul B. STEPHENS; and two sisters, Mable and Mary.
Left to cherish her memory are: her husband, O. L. DAILEY of Blockton, Iowa; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard W. and Dixie DAILEY of Colorado Springs, Colo.; two grandsons, Stephen Lee DAILEY and Wife, Kathy of Houston, Te., and Mark Alan DAILEY of Abbyville, La.; two sisters, Elma WILKINSON of Cheyenne, Wyo. and Euphan JUDY of Bedford, Iowa; two sisters-in law, Faith [portion of obituary missing].
She operated Rebecca's Needle in St. Joseph, Mo. and was employed at Einbenders of St. Joseph as designer and dressmaker. Florence and O. L. owned and operated Uncle Dudley's Toggery in Maryville, Mo.
Florence was a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in St. Joseph, Mo. She was a long time member of the Eastern Star and served as Worthy Matron Arene Chapter 388, Order of the Eastern Star of St. Joseph in 1936. She was also Grand Representative of the St. Joseph chapter. When she returned to Iowa, Florence remained in the Eastern Star and was a member of Mount Ayr Order of the Eastern Star #356 at the time of her death.
She was an active member of the Iowa Federation of Republican Women and was a member of the Bedford Republican Women. She was also very active in Blockton community affairs and was a member of the Blockton Community Betterment Club.
Florence was a kind and considerate person, a joy to be around, and she will be missed by those who knew her.
Rev. Mel SMITH conducted the service held at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 4, 1981, at the Blockton Christian church. Music was by organist Mrs. Paul BEEMER and vocalists, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth SMITH.
Casketbearers were Leo DILLON, Tom MILLER, Paul SMITH, Cecil STEVENS, Wayne KEMERY and David LOUTZENHISER. Burial was in the Rose Hill Cemetery at Blockton. Wilson-Watson Service was in charge.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
AFTON - Lois STEPHENS BENNETT, 82, of Purdy, Mo, formerly of Afton, died Nov. 13, 1996, at Cox-Monett Hospital, Monett, Mo.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Powers Funeral Home, 612 N. Dodge Street, Afton. The Rev. Mark DAMSCHRODER, pastor of the United Methodist Church in Afton, will officiated the service. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Afton. There is open visitation after 2 p.m. today and 9 a.m. Saturday with the family receiving friends 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the family.
Mrs. BENNETT was born Dec. 15, 1913, in Blythedale, Mo., to Frank and Bessie (FOWLER) HOHN. She was educated in country schools in northern Missouri. On July 2, 1932, she married Spencer STEPHENS in Missouri, and he preceded her in death on April 13, 1982. On March 3, 1985, she married Donald M. BENNETT in Afton.
She was a farm wife for 50 years in Ringgold and Union counties, employed with the Dairy Queen Cafe in Afton, Avon Cosmetics, Evelyn's Fashions in Afton and the Green Thumb Program of southwest Iowa. She lived most of her life in Ringgold and Union counties, moved to Mesa, Ariz. in 1985, and to Purdy, Mo. in 1988. She was a member of the Afton United Methodist Church, the Highland Township Neighborhood Club, Union County 4-H Clubs, Union County Saddle club, Peppy Steppers of Creston, Diagonal Cloverleaf Square Dance Club and the Afton Federated Garden Club.
Survivors include her husband, Donald BENNETT of Purdy, Mo.; five daughters, Evelyn (husband Kenneth) FLUCKEY of Bella Vista, Ark., Irene (Morris) CONKLIN of Afton, Carol (husband Elmer) JOHNSON of Omaha, Neb., Larraine (husband Richard) HARTMAN of Ames and Jane (husband Dean) SCOTT of Schaller a son, Allen (wife Patricia) STEPHENS of Le Grand; a brother, Dean (wife Grace) HOHN of Mount Ayr; three sisters, Pauline COOK of Cameron, Mo., Doris RAMSEY of Soulsbyville, Calif., and Wanda of Alaska; 18 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
Besides her first husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; a son, Ivan STEPHENS; a grandson; a great-grandson; and three sisters.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
Charlene Marie LINKVIS BROTT, 74, of Blue Springs, Mo., formerly of Clearfield, died March 10, 2008, in Blue Springs, Mo.
Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 28, at Clearfield United Methodist Church. The Rev. Gerry KAHLER will officiate. Burial will be in Clearfield Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the family for Breast Cancer Research Fund of Clearfield United Methodist Church.
Charlene Marie LINKVIS BROTT, daughter of Opal (LINK) and Charles LINKVIS, was born on August 12, 1933, in Ringgold County.
On June 8, 1952, she married Charlie W. BROTT. She lived most of her life in Clearfield.
Survivors include her daughters, Janice (husband Curt) PURDUM, Bobbie (husband Randy) BARKER and Luann (husband Kent) GROWE; son Jeff BROTT (wife Terri) BROTT; sisters, Evelyn (husband Don) DOWELL and Bernadine (husband Joe) SOBOTKA; brother Gene (wife Marlene) LINKVIS, and Joe (wife Bonnie) BAILEY; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Vaunceil BROTT; brother-in-law Leonard ZIGLER; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; step-father Cecil BAILEY; husband and infant son, Charlie BROTT Jr.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Clearfield Enterprise
Clearfield, Iowa
Clifford GAULE, 75, of Marshalltown, formerly of Clearfield, died early Sunday morning, Sept. 11, 1988, at a Marshalltown hospital.
Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Wilson-Watson Funeral home, Clearfield. Bob RICHARDSON will officiate with burial in the Clearfield Cemetery. A family night will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. A memorial has been established in his name.
Mr. GAULE was born April 4, 1913, near Blockton to James H. and Mary (PERKINS) GAULE. He married Leota KNIGHT Feb. 3, 1934, in Creston. They farmed in Ringgold County until 1954 when they moved to Clearfield [portion missing] Marshalltown where he was employed with the Iowa Veterans Home as a greenhouse and nursery keeper, retiring in 1975.
Survivors include his wife, Leota of Marshalltown; a son, Michael (wife Liana) GAULE of Annadale, Minn.; two daughters, Phyllis (Mrs. Sam) BATHURST of Clearfield and Beverly (Mrs. Ronald) MONK of Marshalltown; a daughter-in-law, Deloris GAULE of Salem, Ill.; a brother, Earl GAULE of Clearfield; three sisters, Darlene MOBLEY and Bertha TAMERIUS of Marshalltown, and Mabel WOOD of Clearfield; a sister-in-law, Josephine GAULE of Springfield, Ill.; 17 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Mount Ayr Record News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Leota Lavon KNIGHT, eldest daughter of Verne and Florence FERBER KNIGHT, was born in Ringgold County, IA on July 27, 1916. She departed from life on March 17, 1998 at Creston, IA.
On February 3, 1934, she was united in marriage to Clifford GAULE. To this union four children were born: Phyllis (husband, Sam) BATHURST, Beverly (husband, Ronald) MONK, Floyd Lee (wife, Deloris) and Michael.
They farmed for many years. Later they moved to Marshalltown, IA where they both were employed at the Iowa Veterans Home.
Clifford passed away in 1988. When Leota got to the place where she couldn't care for herself she moved to the Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield where she received excellent car and made her home for the past two years.
Left to found are her children; two daughters-in-law, Deloris GAULE and Liana GAULE; 17 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also a sister, Ethel and husband George STILL; a brother-in-law Earl and wife Nioma GAULE; sisters-in-law Mabel and husband Howard WOOD, Darlene MOBLEY and Josephine GAULE; several nieces and nephews.
Preceding her in death were her husband Clifford, a son Floyd Lee and her parents.
Funeral services were held in the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Clearfield on Friday, March 29, 1998. Officiating was Robert RICHARDSON. Interment was made in Clearfield Cemetery, Clearfield, Iowa.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012
Creston News Advertiser
Creston, Union County, Iowa
Lois SWARTZ, 93, of Mount Ayr, formerly of Blockton, died Jan. 7, 2004, at Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, at Wilson-Watson and Armstrong Funeral Home, 205 W. Monroe St., Mount Ayr. The Rev. Scott MARCUM will officiate the service. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery at Blockton. There is open visitation with the family receiving friends 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home in Mount Ayr. Memorials may be directed to the Christian Church in Blockton.
Mrs. SWARTZ, daughter of Mary Pearl (DEFENBAUGH) and Ray Martin SHAFER, was born Nov. 5, 1910, near Redding. She graduated from Blockton High School in 1929 and Chillecothe Business College in Chillecothe, Mo. In 1932, she married David STEPHENS. In 1977, she married Roy SWARTZ. She was a homemaker and member of the Christian Church in Blockton, Eastern Star, Blockton Garden Club and Brigde Club.
Survivors include a son, Robert (wife Kathleen) STEPHENS of Bella vista, Ark.; a daughter, Mary (hubsand Karl) DREIER of Lago Vista, Texas; five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands; a son, Richard David STEPHENS; and a brother, Archie W. SHAFER.
Submission by Ann Wyer, April of 2012