Ellen Marie (Herring) Leighty (1977)

LEIGHTY, HERRING, WASSON, REED, WIGTON, MARTIN

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 9/28/2009 at 13:08:02

Earlham Echo – September 1977

OBITUARY

Ellen Marie, daughter of George Edwin Herring and Francis Ethlend French Herring, was born September 8, 1916 at Dexter, Iowa, and passed away at her home in Dexter, September 12, 1977, at the age of 61 years and 4 days.

She spent her entire life in and around Dexter. She graduated from Redfield high school. She taught country school one year before her marriage on September 5, 1936 to James Earl Leighty. To this union were born three daughters, one who died in infancy.

Ellen was a member of the Dexter United Methodist church serving in many capacities, one of which was president of the United Methodist Women. Her greatest interest was in the Sunday school department, where for over forty years she brought love and happiness to many children. She was a member of many organizations always taking an active part in their activities. She belonged to UMW, PEO, D.T. Club, Iris Garden Club, and Dexter Woman’s Club.

She enjoyed and was always willing to give her time, ideas and leadership to community projects. She worked on the Dexter Centennial, Bi-Centennial, and was instrumental in helping start the Dexter park, and Dexter museum.

Preceding her in death were her parents, a daughter and one sister, Jocelyn Wasson. Surviving are her husband and two daughters and sons-in-law, Marilyn and Gary Reed of Waukee and Shirley and Jim Wigton of Stuart; four grandchildren: Sheryl and Steven Reed of Waukee and Michael and Julie Wigton of Stuart; three brothers, Gayelord of Dexter, Leslie of Miami, Florida, and Willard of Yakima, Washington; by James’ sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Rex Martin of Apple Valley, California; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.

She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a loyal friend.

She loved life and lived each day to the fullest and was an inspiration to all who knew her.