Awtry, Mary Lou 1934-2005

AWTRY, LEATHERS, KNOWLER, VAN CLEAVE, BLACK, HAWORTH, CARL, BRIDGES, ROBERTSON, DEWEESE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/27/2013 at 09:17:40

The Montezuma (IA) Republican
Dec. 28, 2005

MARY L. AWTRY, 71

Mary Lou Awtry, 71, of Lake Ponderosa and formerly of Sigourney, died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2005 at her home.

Her funeral service was held on Friday, Dec. 23, at the Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer with the Rev. George Salnave officiating. Interment followed at the Garrett Cemetery near Delta. Harden Funeral Chapel in What Cheer was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary was born on Aug. 3, 1934 in rural Delta, the daughter of Marvin and Susie Ellen Leathers Knowler. She attended country schools in Keokuk County and later graduated from the Rose Hill High School in 1952. Mary was united in marriage to Melvin Van Cleave in 1956 in Oskaloosa. They later divorced. In 1968 she married Donald Awtry in Lancaster, Mo.

Mary spent her life caring for her family. She managed the Casey's General Store in Sigourney for many years and retired in 1998. Following retirement she moved to Lake Ponderosa near Montezuma. Mary's interests included gardening, crafts, leisure rides in the pontoon and spending time with family and friends. She also enjoyed sporting events of her grandchildren and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Mary was a member of the First Christian Church in Sigourney and a member of the American Legion Auxiliary of Oskaloosa.

Mary is survived by two daughters, Jackie Black and husband Gary of Newton and Janice Haworth and husband Ron of Montezuma; a son, James Awtry, and wife Maureen of Lake Ponderosa; a brother, Harold Knowler of Delta; three sisters, Ione Carl of Oskaloosa, Edith Bridges and husband Ed of University Park, and Linda Robertson of Delta; seven grandchildren, Scott Black and wife Erin, Cory, Ross and Colby Black, Josh and Jay DeWeese, and Lindsey Awtry, and one great-grandchild, Alex Black.

Her parents, three brothers, Floyd, Marvin and Jack Knowler preceded Mary in death.

A memorial has been established in her name.