Mae Alice (Garmire) Neff (1963)

NEFF, GARMIRE, BERRY, HENKLE, KREINER

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 10/1/2008 at 16:24:31

Earlham Echo – January 2, 1964

Obituary

Mae Alice Garmire, oldest child of Theophilus and Katherine Leeper Garmire, was born October 20, 1876 in Madison county, Iowa.

Her family moved to Colorado when she was a small child. Upon the death of her father, when she was 14 years old, the family returned to Iowa to make its home in Dexter.

On January 1, 1900, as the new century entered, she was united in marriage with John G. Neff. They established their home on a farm in Penn township. Into this home three children were born—Lester, Lois and Delma. In 1944, she and her husband retired from the farm and moved to Earlham. It was here that they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on January 1, 1950. After the death of her husband on March 3, 1953, she continued to live in her home. For the last 14 months, because of failing health, she had made her home with Hazel DeVault where she received most gracious care.

As a young woman, she became a member of the Methodist church at Dexter. Later she transferred her membership to the Church of Christ at Early Chapel. When the Church of Christ was organized in Earlham, she became a charter member and had a long record of faithful service to her church. She was a member of the Ladies Aid and enjoyed its various activities. She was also a member of the Earlham Garden Club. For many years she took pleasure in quilt making and in doing many kinds of fancy work.

Mrs. Neff’s home was noted for its hospitality. It was a place where all were welcome. She was a kindly person, a good neighbor and a loyal friend.

Her passing on December 19, 1963 at the age of 87 years, 1 month, and 29 days, leaves these children—Lester, of Flushing, Michigan; Lois Berry, of Sarasota, Florida; and Delma Henkle, of Earlham. She also leaves a daughter-in-law, Hilda Neff and a son-in-law, John Henkle; three grandchildren, Wilbur Henkle and his wife, Margaret, Walter Henkle and his wife Pearl, and Larry Henkle; three great grandchildren, Ronnie, Cindy and Danny Henkle; a sister, Mrs. Myrtle Kreiner of Hampton, Iowa. She was preceded in death by her father, mother, two brothers and a sister.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mae Neff were held Saturday, December 21, at the Earlham Church of Christ. Rev. John Casey conducted the services. Mrs. Clara Mapes was the pianist and Sumner Mapes was the soloist.

Betty Reynolds, Jan Sloan and Louise Frey had charge of the flowers. Casket bearers were Don Harris, Bob Reynolds, Larry Smith, Clarence Dorman, Harold Frey and Marlin Gilbert.

Honorary bearers were Fred Gonseth, L. O. Patten, Leonard Welch, Harlan Bingaman, Albin Olson and Merritt Harris. Mrs. Neff was laid to rest in the Penn Center cemetery.

Those from out of town who attended the funeral were Mrs. Dale Callison, Winterset; Mr. and Mrs. Wilbur Henkle, Hamburg; Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Ross, Dexter; Byron and Helen Jones, Boone; Mr. and Mrs. Vern Carlson, Madrid; and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Woods, Waukee.

Also Mr. and Mrs. Wendell McLaughlin, Mrs. Margaret Neff, Mrs. Virginia Chase, Mrs. Edna North, Mrs. Katherine Towey, Mrs. Grace O’Laughlin, Miss Mildred Metcalf and Mrs. Jeanette Fordyco, all of Des Moines.

Those from Hampton who attended were: Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Kreiner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Kreiner, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Kreiner and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Kreiner.

Out-of-state relatives attending were Mr. Walter Henkle of Virginia Beach; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Neff of Flushing, Michigan; and Mrs. Lois Berry of Sarasota, Florida.

Gravestone Photo
 

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