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Joseph Yearian
December 20, 1979 - December 17, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with the family present from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, December 19, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell
Funeral Service: 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home, 1103 Broad Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Interment: following his service on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell
Memorials: In Joey's name to Grinnell Regional Hospice or to the American Brain Tumor Association, sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.
Joseph Dean Yearian was born the son of Larry and Constance Phipps Yearian on December 20, 1979 in Grinnell, Iowa. He was raised in Grinnell and he graduated from Grinnell High School with the class of 1997. He then attended Des Moines Area Community College in Ankeny, Iowa, where he received his Associates degree in culinary arts in 1999.
He continued to live in Des Moines and he worked at Village Inn Restaurant in West Des Moines as the associate manager for the past twelve years. He then moved back to Grinnell and has been under the loving care of his parents and family the past several months while fighting his battle with brain cancer.
Joey was an independent, fun loving and easy going person who dearly loved his family and good friends. He was an outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, San Francisco 49ers and Dale Earnhart, Jr. fan and he served the residents of Delaware Township as a volunteer fireman for the past four years.
Joey is survived by his parents, Larry and Connie Yearian of Grinnell; his siblings, Michael Yearian of Minneapolis, MN, and Melissa Yearian of Ankeny, IA; his maternal grandmother, Carolyn Dayton of Grinnell; his paternal grandmother, Icea Reed of Montezuma, IA; and several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Menzo Yearian; his maternal grandfather, Hollis Phipps; and his step grandfathers, Cloyd Reed and Marvin Dayton.
Wilford Wayne Mikel
February 16, 1931 - December 19, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday December 21, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Thusday December 22, 2011 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Grinnell, Iowa
Interment: Following the funeral service December 22, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa
Mike was born on February 16, 1931, on the family farm south of Grinnell to Harvey and Rachel Mason Mikel. He was raised on the farm and attended rural school. In 1949, he graduated from Grinnell High School. In January of 1950, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and served during the Korean Conflict. After the war he served on the U.S.S. Curtiss. He was awarded two purple hearts. On August 24, 1955, he was married to Agnes Hillmann at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. The couple operated a grain and livestock farm in Chester Township, north of Grinnell. They enjoyed wintering in Mesa, Arizona.
Mike was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, the Farm Bureau, the Sonora Grange and the Hawkeye Country Travelers. He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye, Iowa State Cyclone and Arizona Diamondback fan and enjoyed collecting John Deere toy tractors. His passions in life were his grandchildren, great grandchildren, rural life and traveling around the United States in his motorhome.
Survivors include his wife, Agnes Mikel of Grinnell; his seven daughters, Debra (Steve) Styers of Omaha, Nebraska, Laura (Ray) Hague of West Des Moines, Iowa, Connie (Craig) Weir of Grinnell, Diane Mikel of Springfield, Missouri, Brenda (Joe) Hicks of Wantage, N.J., Amy (Randy) Heil of Phoenix, Arionza and Sarah Mikel of Las Vegas, Nevada; his daughter-in-law, Brenda Hagedorn of Grinnell; 16 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; and one sister, Eleanor Mikel of Grinnell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Douglas Mikel; one daughter, Lousie Ruth Mikel, one sister, Theresa Mae Mikel; and one brother, Harvey Mikel.
Memorials may be directed to St. John's Lutheran Church or to St. Francis Manor and sent in care of Agnes Mikel, 921 Seeland Drive, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.
Floris Gail Swender
July 23, 1921 - December 17, 2011
Ladora, Iowa
Memorial Service: Pending for spring of 2012 , at
Floris Gail Swender, 90, of Ladora, passed into the hands of her Lord, Saturday morning, December 17, 2011. Born the first child of Folke Gustav Carlson and Ruth Shedenhelm, Floris was born July 23, 1921, in Ladora, and raised on the family hilltop farm, northeast of Victor. Floris was educated in a country school in her early years and graduated from Ladora Public School. Her mother died early in her life and she was left to help raise her siblings on the farm that lacked indoor plumbing or central heating.
She was united in marriage to Harold “Tiny” Swender on October 27, 1942, in Des Moines. After Tiny was drafted into WWII and sent to the west coast, Floris followed him to California and spent two years as a “Rosy the Riveter” in a bomber factory while he trained for the invasion of Japan. Upon their return to Ladora after the war, with help of family, they built their life-time home in Ladora where they raised their two sons, James and Steven.
A long-time Christian, Floris taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible school for many years at the Ladora Methodist Church, and was a member of the Ladora American Legion Auxiliary. A full-time homemaker, her home was renowned for being always immaculately clean and organized. Her mild manner and temperament were her strengths, if anything bothered her she rarely let it show. Her cup was always “half full” she was never negative, always cheerful and supportive, the eternal optimist. Some of the highlights in her life were traveling with her sister, Elsie, especially their driving trip to Seattle. She even flew to Seattle at the age of 89 for her brother, Wayne’s birthday. Although she was sure she “was such a bother” she loved every minute of it.
Those left to honor the memory of this gracious lady are her sons, Jim and Steve, sister, Donna, brothers, Wayne, Robert and Tom; her grandchildren, Patrick, Sara and Carrie; her great-grandchildren, Rachel, Callie, Devin and Sylvia. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Harold; her sisters, Elsie and Marilyn; and brothers, Edwin and Harold.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. In lieu of flowers, a donation in Floris’ name to the Ladora Methodist Church, Ladora, Iowa, 52251, would make her very happy.
Dr. John C. DeMeulenaere
September 02, 1915 - December 21, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 4:00 To 8:00 Monday evening with family present from 5:30 to 7:30 December 26, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home, Grinnell
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 27, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Grinnell
Interment: following funeral mass December 27, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery, Grinnell
Dr. John C. DeMeulenaere, 96, of Grinnell died December 21, 2011, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Mass of the Resurrection has been scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 27, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell with Rev. Nick Adam officiating. Organist will be Marilyn Kreigel accompanied by the St. Mary’s Choir. Pallbearers will be John Kelly and David DeMeulenaere, Scot, Andrew, Pat and John Rainbolt, David Cassorla, and William Smith. Honorary bearers will be Charles Bethel, Dr. Raymond Light, Merlin Manatt, Don Pederson, Paul Peiffer, Ned Postels, Robert Smith, Vic Verrette, Dr. Vic Wilson, and Wally Walker. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. A scripture service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Monday at the Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4:00 to 8:00 Monday evening at the Smith Funeral Home with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30. Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Regional Medical Center or St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
John was born September 2, 1915, on a farm, north of Brooklyn, the son of Clement and Mary Victoria Van De Walle DeMeulenaere. He attended rural school near his home and was a 1933 graduate of Brooklyn High School. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from the medical school there in 1939. He was a veteran of the United States Army during W.W. II serving in the south pacific as a front line medic. Upon discharge from military duties in 1946, he lived in Detroit for a year serving his medical residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
On July 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Catherine Kelly, in Fort Madison, Iowa and the couple made their home in Grinnell. He practiced medicine in Grinnell for 40 years and retired in 1987.
John was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grinnell. He was also a member of the AMA, a life-member of the Iowa Medical Society, Grinnell Regional Medical Center staff, and served on the St. Francis Manor and Seeland Park Board. He enjoyed walking, reading, traveling, and playing bridge.
Survivors include his wife, Cathy of Grinnell; six children, Diane (Warren) Weber of Albuquerque, New Mexico, Katie (Scot) Rainbolt of Papillion, Nebraska, Ann Marie (David Cassorla) DeMeulenaere of Chicago, John Kelly DeMeulenaere of Grinnell, David DeMeulenaere of Aspen, Colorado, and Joan (Doug) Stolberg of Pelham, New York; one sister, Margaret (John) Stirniman of Marion; ten grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Carol DeMeulenaere; two sisters, Madeline White and Darlene DeMeulenaere; and one brother, Leonard DeMeulenaere.
Helen Chvala
September 13, 1917 - December 23, 2011
Brooklyn, Iowa
Visitation: 2:00 p.m.- 7:00 p.m., Thursday, January 05, 2012 at Smith Funeral Home - Victor
Funeral Service: 1:30 p.m., Friday, January 06, 2012 at Smith Funeral Home - Victor
Interment: , at a later date
Helen Chvala, 94 of Brooklyn, died on December 23, 2011 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center in Grinnell.
Helen was born on September 13, 1917 to Ed and Laura Koeppen, Novak and was raised in the Clutier area. On April 24, 1943, she married Adolph Chvala at the United Methodist Church in Tama. They made their home in Hartwick, where she worked as a part time bookkeeper for F.K. Stokely Lumber Company. Helen was known at Brookhaven Care Center in Brooklyn, for her wit and dry sense of humor.
Helen is survived by two sons, Don (Lori) of Idaho Falls, Idaho, and Mark (Marcella) of Victor; five grandchildren; and five great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; a sister Esther; and brothers; Russell and Allen Novak.
Memorials may be directed to the Helen Chvala Memorial Fund.
Kenny L. Lohrey, Sr.
September 24, 1939 - December 25, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Virginia Lohrey of Grinnell; 3 children, Lydia Lohrey of Hamilton, New Jersey, Dr. Charlotte Lohrey of Nashville, Tennessee, and Kenneth Lohrey, Jr. of Costa Rica; 8 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; his mother, Lena Estridge of Milford, Ohio; and his siblings, Angela Erskine of Goshen, Ohio and Bobby Lohrey of Kentucky. He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest L. Lohrey; and his brother, Eddie Lohrey.
Mary Grosenbach
December 31, 1917 - December 27, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday December 29, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday December 30, 2011 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Interment: Following the funeral service December 30, 2011 at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell, Iowa
Mary was born on December 31, 1917, in New Sharon, Iowa to Earl and Mary Sullivan Parkhurst. The family lived in various communities in Central Iowa and she attended public schools. Following her education she assisted the family with household chores and later worked for the Grinnell Glove Factory. On March 5, 1938, she was married to Gerald A. Grosenbach in Memphis, Missouri. The couple farmed in the Grinnell area and moved to their present farm north of Grinnell in 1958. She has resided at Windsor Manor for the past three years.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Grinnell and she enjoyed tending to her flower garden, cooking, baking and making Christmas candy. She also was a big fan of Lawrence Welk and square dancing.
Survivors include her son, Jerry (Carolyn) Grosenbach of Grinnell; two granddaughters, Sally Grosenbach of Los Angeles, CA and Trude (McClain Smouse) Grosenbach of Omaha, Nebraska; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Arthur and Willard Parkhurst; and two sisters, Margaret Sedrel and Inez Erickson.
Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice or to the Grinnell United Methodist Church.
Marvin Davis
September 14, 1927 - December 29, 2011
Ladora, Iowa
Graveside Service: 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at Ohio Cemetery, rural Ladora
Memorials may be designated to the Marvin Davis Memorial Fund, PO Box 485, Victor, Iowa 52347.
Marvin was born on September 14, 1927, in rural Ladora, to Ralph and Emma Dietrich Davis. He grew up on the family farm and attended a country school near his home. Marvin worked on the farm most of his young life.
Marvin honorably served in the United States Army from 1950 until 1952 and was stationed in Germany. On January 28, 1953, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Shull. In 1971, Marvin moved his family to Ladora and he began working for Iowa County Farm Services, where he drove a tanker truck for many years.
He enjoyed doing yard work and spending time with his family.
Marvin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kathryn Davis of Ladora; his daughter, Debra (Ron) McMann of Marengo, Iowa; 5 grandchildren; 2 step grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; 3 step great grandchildren; his daughter-in-law, Janet Davis of Nixa, Missouri; his sister-in-law, Louise Davis of Marengo, Iowa and brother-in-law, Richard (Cindy) Shull of Arizona. Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Dennis Davis; and his brothers, Lavern and Calvin Davis.
Joseph Wilgenbusch
October 09, 1982 - December 26, 2011
New York City, New York and formerly of Victor
Visitation: 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Victor
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, January 04, 2012 at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Victor
Graveside Service: a later date , at
A Mass of Resurrection for Joseph “Joey” Wilgenbusch, 29, of New York City, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4, at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Victor. He died Monday, December 26, 2011, at his home. His heart failed. Father Brian Shepley will officiate at the service. The Smith Funeral Home in Victor is in charge of the arrangements. Burial will be held at a later time. Plans are underway for a memorial service to be held in New York City in the coming weeks. Visitation will be at St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Victor today from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., with a prayer service at 7 p.m. The family will also receive visitors at the church one hour prior to the Funeral Mass. Joseph was born in Marengo on October 9, 1982. He was the fourth child of Dr. Loras “Duke” Wilgenbusch and Susan (Murphy) Wilgenbusch of Victor. He grew up in rural Victor, and graduated from HLV High School in 2001. An outgoing and loving child, Joseph’s natural gifts for performance were quickly apparent. He sang, danced and acted, and played several musical instruments. He particularly enjoyed high school theater and athletics. He played basketball in high school and volleyball throughout his adult life. He graduated from Iowa State University, as had both of his parents and all of his siblings, in 2005. During his college years, he performed in many university and community productions in the Ames area. He received a degree in vocal performance, and upon graduation, moved to New York for further study and to begin his professional career. He received his Master’s Degree in vocal performance from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, in 2009.
Upon graduating from Eastman, Joseph moved to New York City, where he resided until his untimely death. He was a resident performer at Quisisana Resort in Maine in 2008 and 2009. As a 2010 Finalist in the Lotte Lenya Competition, Joseph showcased both his acting and singing talents across a wide stylistic range. He toured with the ArtsPower children’s theater company in 2010, and in the summer of 2011, was a resident artist with the Ohio Light Opera in Wooster, Ohio. He also performed in various church choirs and performance groups in New York City. He was the founder and artistic director of the Wadsworth Repertoire Theatre, which specialized in new theatrical and musical works. Prior to his death, he was organizing a touring theater company to perform for the elderly. While Joseph’s professional career was brief, he was quick to earn the respect and admiration of his fellow performers.
Joseph was born with a congenital heart defect which required two heart surgeries while he was a child. This defect led to the unforeseen heart attack that took his life. Throughout his life, Joseph quickly made friends wherever he went. Joseph will be remembered for his warm and caring demeanor, his generosity, his quick wit, and his love for family and friends.
Wilgenbusch is survived by his parents; brother Ryan (Melanie) Wilgenbusch of Glenwood; sister Laura (Marty) Helle of Austin, Minnesota; sister Nicole Wilgenbusch of Fort Collins, Colorado, grandmother Mabel Wilgenbusch of Dubuque, nieces Danica, Jordyn, and Jadyn; best friend Catherine Compton, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Memorials may be directed to the American Heart Association or the HLV Citizen's Scholarship Foundation.
Edward Roche
November 29, 1932 - December 31, 2011
Grinnell, Iowa
Visitation: 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday January 03, 2012 at Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, Iowa
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 07, 2012 at Turlock Funeral Home in Turlock, California
Interment: 12 noon on Saturday January 07, 2012 at Turlock Memorial Cemetery in Turlock, California
Edward was born on November 29, 1932, in Antioch, California to Manwel and Sally Morales Roche. He was raised and educated in Antioch. He also attended the University of Southern California.
He lived in Antioch, Brentwood and Eureka, California before moving to Grinnell, Iowa in 2005. He worked as a machinist in the pulp mill industry and retired from the Crown-Zellerback Company.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Roche of Grinnell; one son, Larry Roche of Antioch; two daughters, Robin Custer of Antioch and Wendy Hornsby of Fortuna, Califoria; 15 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; his mother, Sally Pearson of Turlock; and one sister, Andrea Swanson of Turlock.
He was preceded in death by his father; and one son, Daniel Roche.
