Orpha Myrle Coulter (1981)

COULTER, HADLEY, HARRIS, MENDENHALL, MAXSON, ADKINS, PEARSON

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 3/24/2007 at 15:14:30

Earlham Echo - March, 1981
Earlham, Iowa

Orpha Myrle Coulter, oldest of five children born to Charles and Grace Harris Hadley, was born on a farm in the Bear Creek Community, Union Township, Dallas County, Iowa, on July 6, 1904. She was called by her second name by friends and relatives.

Myrle attended Hillside and Bear Creek country schools and attended High School at Earlham, Iowa.

Myrle was united in marriage to Clarence Coulter, also from the Bear Creek Community, on February 20, 1924. They moved to a farm 1 1/2 miles southeast of Linden. During the seven years they lived on this farm, three children were born to them: Helen Eloise, Martha Vyrlee and Eldon Clarence. They had many friends, and enjoyed living near Linden, but missed their home community "Bear Creek".

In 1931 Clarence and Myrle and family moved back to the Bear Creek Community, where they lived in two different Coulter family homes, on adjoining farms, at different times. Another son, Marvin Edward, was born following this return to the Bear Creek community.

Myrle enjoyed her community and church activities and was always ready to help out where needed. She was a birthright member of the Bear Creek Friends Church.

Because of several years of poor health with Parkinsons' Disease and hardening of the arteries, Myrle entered the Stuart Community Care Center in January of 1971, and resided there the remainder of her life. She was much loved at the Care Center because of her cheerful ways, despite being very frail, and not being able to move by herself. At the Care Center, she was called mostly by her first name, "Orpha".

Myrle is survived by her four children and their spouses: Eldon Coulter and wife Marilyn, Marvin Coulter and wife Melanie, and Martha Mendenhall and husband Charles, all of the Bear Creek Community; and Eloise Maxon and husband Leon of Redfield, Iowa.

She especially enjoyed and had a great affection for her five grandchildren: Eldonna Coulter of Greenfield, Juanita Coulter of Pella, Lance Coulter of Earlham, Linda Mendenhall Adkins and husband Richard of Dexter, and Karen Mendenhall of Marshalltown. She also leaves one great grandchild, Benjamin Adkins.

In addition, Myrle is survived by her sister Helen Hadley, her brother Ober, he brother John and wife Maxine all of Dexter; her brother Freemont and wife Edith of Grand Junction and her sister-in-law Louise Pearson and husband Carl of LaGrange Park, Illinois; and by her beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Myrle passed from this life on March 10, 1981 to enter into the Rest of her Lord.

Services were held at the Bear Creek Friends Church on March 13, 1981 with Pastor Robert Voorhees officiating. Music was provided by Berneita Patience. Casket bearers were Franklyn Coulter, James Coulter, Lyle Hadley, Jerry Kenworthy, Thomas Kenworthy and Richard Wolfe.

Interment was at the Bear Creek Cemetery, Dallas County, Iowa.

Professional services by McKee Funeral Homes of Earlham and Dexter.