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MILDRED JOHNSTON ABARR
Mildred Opal Shields was born to Joseph and Clara (Beaman) Shields, south of the Oak Hill Church in Union county, Iowa, on August 17, 1902.
Mildred graduated from Ellston high school in 1924. She was united in marriage to Vaughn Johnston in 1925 and to this union three children were born. The family lived on a farm between Beaconsfield and Ellston and she was a farm wife raising her family and helping her husband.
Mildred loved music and enjoyed playing the piano. She played for the Tingley Kitchen Band and Friday Singers since 1978. Her last program playing the piano was July 3, 2001. She was a member of the Tingley United Methodist Church.
Vaughn passed away in 1974. Mildred lived on the farm until 1987 when she married Quentin Abarr and they made their home in Tingley. Quentin passed away the following year and Mildred has continued to live at her home in Tingley.
Mildred passed away suddenly at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines in the early morning on July 5, 2001.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, both husbands, a brother Bert and three sisters, Bessie, Louie, and Minnie.
Left to cherish her memory are her children, Don Johnston and his wife Naomi of Beaconsfield, Gene and his wife Nancy of Hermann, Missouri and Betty Oxenreider of Creston, Iowa; grandchildren, Craig Oxenreider of Aurora, Colorado, Debra Oxenreider Power and husband Mark of Ames, Iowa, Scott Johnston and wife Bernadette of Frankfurt, Germany, Tracey Johnston Rzonca and husband Janusz of Boulder, Colorado, Holly Johnston of Columbia, Missouri; great-grandchildren, Jenna Power and Conner Power of Ames; three stepchildren, Dorothy Nelson, Joyce Abarr, and David Abarr.
Funeral services were held Saturday, July 7, 2001 at the United Methodist Church in Tingley with Pastor Jeff Flagg and Reverend Eydie Stephens officiating. Isabelle Abarr was the pianist. Casket bearers were Kenneth McAlexander, Jerry McAlexander, Harold Brown, Ray Files, Bob Briant and Gary Mote.
Mildred was laid to rest in the Ellston Cemetery , Ellston.
Wilson-Watson & Armtrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
LETHA PEARL JOHNSON
Pearl was born on January 17, 1909 to David and Lottie (Dunahoo) Daniels in Athens township, Ringgold county, Iowa. She departed this life on July 7, 2001 at the Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Pearl was a lifelong resident of Ringgold county. She grew up and attended Kellerton school and graduated from Mount Ayr high school in 1926.
Pearl married Dwight Johnson on March 21, 1929 in the First Christian parsonage in Ringgold county. Born to them were three children, Robert Eugene, Lura Lou and Judith Ann.
Pearl and Dwight lived in Mount Ayr where Pearl worked at the Record -News and the Mount Ayr Cleaners. She was the co-owner of the Fashion Shop. Pearl enjoyed doing sewing and alterations for the people in Mount Ayr and surrounding areas. She enjoyed collecting porcelain slippers, cups and saucers, and cards that were sent to her for every occasion. She always liked a good game of cards with her friends. For the last five and one-half years, she has been a resident of Clearview Nursing Home where she has enjoyed doing crafts, putting out the monthly paper at Clearview, and winning her 50 cents at bingo.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husband (Dwight), daughter (Lura Lou), brother (Ival) and sisters (Ethel and Laura).
Survivors include son Robert Johnson and wife Jayne of Las Vegas, Nevada; daughter Judy Baldwin and husband Wayne of Strasburg, Colorado; brother Roy Daniels of McLouth, Kansas, 10 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend John Brillo officiating. Nancy Sackett, Mary Trullinger and Margaret Bickers were the musicians. Casket bearers were Tim Baldwin, Ron Johnson, Jacob Thompson, David Ward, Darrell Holden, John Johnson, Roy Johnson, Ron Thompson, Ed Ward and Lloyd Johnson.
Pearl was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Mount Ayr.
RUE KEITH MINOR
Rue K. Minor was born July 29, 1917, at Blockton, Iowa to Jesse and Florence Drake Minor. Rue lived most all of his life at Blockton, graduating from high school.
He worked for the C.C.C. and helped build the shelter houses and steps at Lake of Three Fires north of Bedford. Rue served his country in the 5th Air Force Repair during World War II.
On February 8, 1942, Rue married Ruby I. Amick in the chapel that he helped build at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After his duty with the Air Force, they returned to Blockton. Rue worked for 34 years with the U.S. Postal Department, in several positions but mainly as a rural carrier. In addition to Rue's employment with the post office, he worked at Blockton Oil Company, and then opened Minor Oil Company. In 1960, he and wife Ruby opened the laundromat in Blockton and then owned and operated the Minor Econ-O-Wash in Bedford until 1972.
Rue was active in the community and served as school board president in 1952. He was a past Mason and has been a member of the American Legion Post #443 in Blockton for 56 years. Rue and Ruby enjoyed their retirement and after living in the same house in Blockton for 45 years, they moved to Quiet Harbor Estates in Creston six years ago.
Rue passed away on July 7, 2001 at Greater Community Hospital in Creston.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant granddaughter Sarah Anne Wiebe and a brother Le Moine "Bud" Minor.
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 59 years, Ruby; two daughters, Patricia Ann Larceri and husband Vito of Vero Beach, Florida and Marilyn Kay Wiebe and husband Michael of Bloomington,
Minnesota; three grandchildren, Jo Ann Statton of Chicago, IL, Katrina Elizabeth Wiebe and Alexander Michael Wiebe, both of Bloomington,
Minnesota; two sisters, Cleone Cunningham of Clarinda, Iowa and Leona Klepinger of Marshalltown, Iowa; two brothers, E.F. Minor and wife Betty of Clarinda and Dwight Minor and wife Thelma of Rathbun, Iowa; a sister-in-law Edna Minor of Hamlin, Texas; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at the Christian Church in Blockton with Reverend Scott Marcum officiating. Musicians were Kenneth Smith and Jodie Lawrence. Casket bearers were Vito Larceri, Eldon Stroburg, Orlin Henson, Michael Wiebe, Jerry Kemery and Earl Drake. Honorary pallbearers were Alexander Wiebe and Wayne Kemery.
Military graveside rites were given by American Legion Post #443Blockton.
Rue was laid to rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery , Blockton.
ROBERT THOMAS SHAY
Robert Thomas Shay, son of Margaret (Hart) and Robert Emmett Shay, was born December 8, 1917, northeast of Maloy, Iowa. He graduated from Maloy high school in 1935.
On December 31, 1944, he married Norma Lucille Jones. He was a farmer and cattleman. He lived on a farm near Maloy before moving to Creston five years ago. He was a member of the Catholic church and American Legion Ringgold Post #172. He was a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Army.
Robert died July 6, 2001, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa.
Survivors include his wife Norma Shay of Creston; a son Robert E. Shay of Tingley, Iowa; two daughters, Janice (husband David) Lindemoen and Carol (husband Jim) Sheldon of Des Moines; a sister, Sister Rosemary Shay of Johnston, Iowa; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Mary Warin January 29, 2001, and Rita Shay June 15, 2001; and a brother-in-law John Warin in 1986.
A funeral Mass was held Monday, July 9, 2001 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mount Ayr with Reverend Thomas Dooley officiating. Victoria Thompson was the lector and gift bearers were Patricia Cuomo, Hollie Gaskill and Melanie Sheldon. Musicians were Nancy Sackett and John Allen. Casket bearers were Roby Shay, Cody Shay, Tory Shay, Cassidy Shay, Jim Sheldon and David Lindemoen.
Military graveside rites were given by Ringgold Post #172 American Legion.
Robert was laid to rest in the St. Mary Cemetery , Maloy.
VICTORIA MICHELLE TAYLOR
Victoria Michelle Taylor, the baby daughter of Kellie Jameson and Chuck Taylor of Creston, Iowa, died Friday, July 6, 2001, at the age of 38 days at Mercy Hospital Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
Victoria was born May 29, 2001 in Creston.
She is survived by her parents, Chuck Everett Taylor and Kellie Mae Jameson; one sister Brittany Ann Taylor; maternal grandparents, Duane and Mickey Jameson of Fontanelle, Iowa, great-grandmothers, Wilma Jameson of Fontanelle and Dorothy Endres of Winterset and great-great-grandmother Leona Farwell of Winterset; paternal grandparents, Jeff and Linda Ibbotson of Creston and great-grandmothers, Ruby McGowen of Lincoln, Nebraska and Jessie Ibbotson of Creston.
Preceding her in death were her grandfather Jimmy Taylor and great-grandparents, Keith Jameson, Lloyd Endres, Clarence McGowen and Boyd Ibbotson.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at the Powers Funeral Home in Creston with Reverend Robert Sauser, pastor of First Baptist Church of Creston officiating.
Interment was in the Fontanelle Cemetery , Fontanelle.
Memorials may be made to the family.
ALVIN LEE TULL
Alvin Lee Tull, 86, of Creston, Iowa died July 8, 2001, at Crest Haven Care Center in Creston.
Mr. Tull, son of Minnie Pearl Smith and Ruben Turner Tull, was born October 3, 1914, in Hatfield, Missouri. Alvin was the seventh of 10 children and the last survivor. Most of his childhood was spent in the Hatfield area.
On June 8, 1935, he married Clara Irene Baker and four children were born to this union. Most of his adult life was spent in Ringgold and Union counties in Iowa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister; six brothers, Oral, Roy, Ray, Willie, Les, Archie; two sisters, Pearl Tull McChesney and Lucy Tull Allen; and a granddaughter Teresa Tull.
Alvin was active in the farming industry and was involved in raising cattle, hogs and sheep. He was progressive in his thinking as he invested in three of the Harvestore silos when they were being sold across the country and we all kidded him about his three big blue "fruit jars."
In the late 1940s and early 50s Alvin was a leader in the turkey raising industry. He designed, built and managed two turkey buildings which were ultra modern for the day. The second one housed 5,000 birds and he along with his wife and family raised two flocks per year, which was a great achievement at the time. The operation created much interest and was visited by turkey growers from all over the Midwest.
Alvin was community minded and he served as mayor of Tingley, Iowa during the time the new highway was built from Highway 169 into Tingley. Having his own "gang" of five proved to be a challenge at times while he served as mayor.
Alvin was a giving person who helped many who came to him in need.
We are deeply grateful to each of you who have taken time to share with us as we remember our father. He made us proud as a husband, mentor, coach and friend, and as we review the experience we stand in awe.
Survivors include ex-wife Irene; four sons, Howard (wife Jenesse) of Tingley, Ronald (wife Jeanie) of Annandale, Virginia, Von (wife Judi) of Afton, Iowa, and Glen of Creston; one daughter Janet (husband Jim) Sissel of Creston; eight grandchildren: Jim Tull, Joyce Tull Frost, Jenelle Tull Sobotka, Mitchell Tull, Angela Tull Knodel, Andrea Sissel Morrison, Allyson Sissel Tilk; four stepgrandchildren: Randy Hansen, Ivan Hansen, Gary Hansen, Tammy Hansen Steele; 14 great-grandchildren: Jessie Tull Haidsiak, James (Toad) Tull, Ashley Parker, Amber Parker, Richard Brittsan, Chenell Tull, Moriah Morrison, Amanda Morrison, Megan Tilk, Cody Tilk, Justin Frost, Jolene Frost, Jamie Sobotka, Drew Sobotka; four great-great-grandchildren: Shad Tull, Sadie Frost, Jacie Haidsiak and Alee Haidsiak.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 11, 2001, at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr with Reverend Eydie Stephens officiating. Casket bearers were Mitch Tull, Jim Tull, Duane Tilk, Doug Frost, Justin Frost, David Morrison and James "Toad" Tull. Honorary pallbearers were Rod Davis, Art Hays, Willis Allen, Jim Dugger, Dale Tull, Don Hamilton, Ken Kiburz, John Henry, Wes Gilbert, David Knodel, Jon Sobotka and Josh Haidsiak.
Alvin was laid to rest in the Tingley Cemetery , Tingley.
MYRTLE MAE AKERS
Myrtle Mae Akers, age 101, of Mount Ayr, Iowa, was born on August 25, 1899 to Frank and Blanche (McDowell) Bryant near Grand River, Iowa. She passed away on November 25, 2000 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center in Mount Ayr.
Myrtle was married to Elmer Otis Akers on August 29, 1918. They lived and farmed in Decatur and Ringgold counties. Myrtle helped with the farm work and raised chickens. In 1966 they retired and moved to Grand River. They were married for 64 years, and after Elmer passed away on March 22, 1983, Myrtle continued to live in her home.After a few years, she moved to Parkview Senior Housing in Leon, Iowa. In 1996 she moved to Mount Ayr and was a resident of Mount Ayr Health Care Center until her death.
She enjoyed good health all of her life. On her 101st birthday, she was still able to read all of her cards. She was always quick to laugh and joke and always very interested to hear about farming and the livestock she loved. She was a member of the Grand River United Methodist Church and the Friendship Club in Grand River. Myrtle enjoyed crocheting, gardening, cooking and quilting.
Preceding her in death were her parents, Frank and Blanche Bryant; sister Hazel Hopkins; two brothers, Dewey and Raymond Bryant; three nephews, Cloyd, Calvin, and infant Howard Boord; and niece Merlin Hembry.
Left to mourn her passing are nephews, Harold T. Akers and wife Theola of Kellerton, Iowa and Ernest Bryant of St. James,
Minnesota; four nieces, Eva Klaras and husband Gerry of St. James,
Minnesota, Marjorie Reasoner and Mary Baker and husband Eugene, all of Mount Ayr, and Patricia Reynolds of Marysville, Michigan; and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held at the Slade-O'Donnell Funeral Home in Leon on Wednesday, November 29, 2000 with Reverend Terry D. Roberts officiating. Interment was in the Grand River Cemetery , Grand River.
MARIETTA JOSEPHINE (HEINISCH) (WILLIAMS) BROWN
Marietta was born January 11, 1908, on the old Jagger home farm, a few miles south and west of Kellerton, Iowa, in Ringgold county. Her grandfather, Silas Jagger, had purchased this farm in 1861.
Marietta was the fifth child of Gustav Otto Heinisch (born June 19, 1869, in Wapakoneta, Ohio) and Josephine Jagger (Grandma Heinisch, born March 22, 1873 in Ringgold county).
Marietta had one sister and five brothers: Gustav Otto Heinisch, Jr., born September 21, 1900; Margaret Ellen Heinisch, born September 24, 1902; Cletus (Frank) Heinisch, born February 14, 1905; Kermit Benjamin Heinisch, born May 28, 1906; Hubert Christian Heinisch, born May 25, 1909; and Howard Leonard Heinisch, born February 23, 1913.
The Heinisch family moved to Kellerton when Marietta was about a year old. Her dad Gustav Heinisch built and operated a general store there. He was also a carpenter by trade and built several homes and buildings around Kellerton including one of the principle buildings downtown. It is still on the east side of "Main Street," and has the words "Heinisch Block" spelled out in small mosaic tile at the front.
Marietta became a member of the Kellerton Christian Church and on June 23, 1921 she was baptized by E. E. Lister. Mr. Lister's wife had taught Marietta's Sunday school class for several years.
Marietta grew up in Kellerton and in 1925 she graduated from Kellerton high school.
After Marietta graduated from high school, she went to work for a dentist from Iowa City who had come to Kellerton to set up practice in the old hotel building. Later, Marietta went to Omaha, Nebraska to work. Her brothers Frank and Kermit were in Omaha at the time. Frank had found her a job, taking care of a doctor's children while she was attending business school. Shortly thereafter Grandma Heinisch fell and broke her arm and Marietta returned to Kellerton to help out at home. About that time she also went to work for May Wheeler in the Kellerton telephone central office.
In 1927, her brother Kermit returned to Kellerton from Chicago, Illinois. Kermit and Marietta decided to go to Portland, Oregon to visit their sister Margaret. They purchased a Model T automobile in which to make the trip. After many flat tires, terrible roads and many hours spent in an uncovered car, they finally made it to Boise, Idaho. The old car was in bad need of repairs so they decided to find work in Boise. Kermit did construction work while Marietta worked for C. C. Anderson & Co. Department Store.
While in Boise, Kermit and Marietta met a brother and sister (Bob and Ruth Williams) and a short time later Kermit married Ruth. Then in the spring of 1928, Marietta married Ruth's brother Bob. On December 18, 1929, Marietta gave birth to her first child, Robert L. (Bob ) Williams.
On August 7, 1930, Marietta's father Gustav died. Marietta and her baby son returned by train to Kellerton to be with grandma. A short time later Bob Senior also arrived in Kellerton. On May 31, 1933 a daughter Marlene Ruth Williams was born.
These were depression times and jobs were hard to come by. Bob was just doing odd jobs while looking for regular work. Soon after Marlene was born he returned to Boise to find work. A few years later Marietta and Bob were divorced.
During these depression years, Marietta and her two children lived with her mother Josephine and worked at whatever various jobs that were available. She cooked in the little cafe (where the post office is now located) receiving the sum of $4 per week, with only Christmas as a day off. Later, when the "Hi Vee" first started in Kellerton she worked there in the grocery store.
During the winter of 1940 and the spring of 1941, Marietta was able to obtain training in Iowa City as a nurse, and after that she worked for Kellerton's only doctor, Dr. C. M. Walker. Marietta worked for the doctor until his illness in 1944 forced him to retire. Dr. Walker was Kellerton's physician for more than 40 years.
Marietta also worked part-time as a postal clerk in the Kellerton Post Office during the period when Lyle Spencer was postmaster.
On August 12, 1944, Marietta married Lee Brown, a Kellerton school classmate. They were married by Celia Fugate in the Kellerton Christian Church. A couple of years later, in 1946, the family, Lee, Marietta, Bob and Marlene moved to their house just east of the town park.
Several years later Marietta and Lee bought a farm one and one-half miles southeast of Kellerton and while they didn't live on the farm, they spent many enjoyable years raising cattle and a few hogs and doing a lot of fishing in the two ponds on the farm.
Lee passed away in 1981 (Kellerton's centennial year) and he is buried in the Kellerton Cemetery . Marietta was buried next to Lee.
Bob Williams, Sr., passed away in Spokane, Washington on June 16, 1982.
Marietta's two children graduated from Kellerton high school and both moved from Kellerton not too long after.
Robert (Bob) Williams married Jeanne M. Butimore on December 27, 1952 and they live in Fullerton, California.
Marlene Williams married Clarence (Bud) Greimann on June 16, 1963. They lived in Des Moines, Iowa for a few years and then returned to Kellerton.
Marietta has been a member of the Christian Church in Kellerton since 1913, more than 85 years. She has held many offices there, taught Sunday school, helped with Bible school and when well she seldom missed a Sunday. Marietta had a talent for whistling and she used to whistle the hymn "Whispering Hope" at church.
Marietta also belonged to the Rebekah Lodge for over 50 years. She enjoyed cards, marble games and bingo and used to find a way to play these games quite often.
In June and July of 1987, Marietta enjoyed a trip to Europe including the Bavarian countryside from which her Heinisch ancestors came. Her grandmother Margaret Heinisch was born August 1, 1838 in Weimersheim, Bavaria.
Marietta's four grandchildren are: Ellen Williams Volmert, born January 8, 1954; John Williams, born January 4, 1963; Tamara Greimann Clark, born October 17, 1965; and Tracy Greimann Goddard, born February 17, 1967.
Marietta's seven great-grandchildren are: Katherine Volmert, born January 8, 1985; Aaron Clark, born May 2, 1986; Anne Volmert, born July 26, 1988; Kaitlin Clark, born August 4, 1989; Tianna Goddard, born December 6, 1989; Tyler Goddard, born January 18, 1994; and Alexandria Williams, born October 25, 2000.
Marietta lived to see most of the 20th century, from horse transportation to landing a vehicle on the moon, from the telegraph to the computer and the Internet. She usually had the opinion that "life was good" but that there was a better place waiting at the end.
Services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, December 7, 2000, at the Christian Church in Kellerton with Pastor Terry Roberts officiating. Carla Johnson will be the organist. Casket bearers are Myron Ingram, John Worthington, Tom Goddard, Howard Brown, John Clark and Sam Merrill.
Honorary pallbearers are Duane "Doc" Johnson, Harold Deemer, Doyle Konopasek, Jack Hughes and Lawrence Combs.
Marietta was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery , Kellerton.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
