Lenox, Taylor County, Iowa obituaries
transcribed by: Lorelei Rusco - lorerus@iowatelecom.net
 

Abel, Vera Shafer -

Vera Abel, 87, of Creston, died August 6, 2000 at the Evangelical Free Home in Boone.

Funeral Services were held at Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service in Creston on

Wednesday, August 9, 2000 at 2:30 p.m. Burial was at the Graceland Cemetery in Creston.

Rev. Gordon Elrick from the United Methodist Church officiated.

Musical selections were "Blessed Assurance" and "In the Garden" and were rendered by

Betty Seeger, organist and Jerrie Henderson, soloist.

Casket bearers were Mike Anderson, Brent Anderson, Bruce Anderson, Gene Howard,

Kenny Abel, Bill Bartholomew and Honorary bearers were James Abel, Dan Kerr, Wade

Meyer and Jerry Kirschenheiter.

Vera Abel was born May 28, 1913 in Cincinnati, Iowa to William Henry and Ethel (Moore)

Shafer. She graduated from Malvern High School . On July 20, 1935 she married Fred

Abel in Rock Port, Mo. They lived in Diagonal, IA before moving to Creston in 1972.

She was a member of the Creston United Methodist Church, afternoon church circle

and the birthday club.

Vera is survived by son, Ronald and his wife Vi Abel of Boone, IA, daughter Barbara

and her husband John Hettinger of Missoula, Montana; sisters, Frances and her husband

Bud Anderson and Thelma Benedict of Shenandoah, IA and Dorothy Shafer of Tabor, IA,

brother-in-law, John Bartholomew of Tabor, IA, 5 grandchildren and 13 great

grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Fred in 1990, infant son, Donald,

sister Ann Bartholomew and brother-in-law Paul Benedict.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 16, 2000

 

Alexander, Avis -

Funeral services for Avis Alexander, age 95 of Gravity, who died Thursday, Aug. 9 at

the Montgomery County Hospital in Red Oak were held August 12, at the Ritchie Funeral

Home in Bedford with Pastor John Clark officiating. Interment was held in the

Washington Cemetery in Gravity.

Avis is survived by her four sons, Fred Alexander and wife Diane of Etowah, Tennessee:

Roger Alexander and wife Norma Jean of Haiti: Willis Alexander and wife Joyce of

Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Lyle Alexander and wife Judy of Gravity; two daughters,

Carol Lee and husband Martin of Clive, Iowa, and Lois Pratt and husband Tom of Red Oak,

Iowa: twenty-eight

grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 16, 2000

 

Brown, Darwin E -

Darwin E. Brown, 68, of Rolla, Mo., passed away at his home on Friday, June 23, 2000.

He was born on April 20, 1932, in Conway, Iowa, to Eddie R. and Grace Brown.

A memorial service was conducted June 27 at the First Baptist Church of Rolla by

the Rev. Bob Johnston. A visitation followed the service. Arrangements were under

the direction of Kordes Funeral Home.

Darwin was in the Air Force from 1952 to 1956, serving 18 months in Japan. He was

employed by the Federal Aviation Agency from 1956-1978 as an air traffic controller.

After his retirement, he and his family moved to Rolla where he was active in real

estate for several years. He served as president of Oak Meadow Country Club two

different times, served on the board of directors for eight years and managed the

clubhouse for a few years.

He was very active in the Rolla Lions Club. He served as carnival chairman in 1985,

club secretary two different times, and was a member of the board of directors.

Darwin served as club president in 1992. He recently received the Melvin Jones

Award, the highest Lion honor given to an individual who is dedicated to

humanitarian service.

Darwin will be missed by his family who survive, which includes his wife of nearly

36 years, Sue Joslin Brown; his sons, Kevin LeCompte Brown and wife Jennifer of

Beaverton, Ore.; Ryan Patrick Brown of Rolla; and Danny G. Brown of Maryville, Mo.,

his mother Grace Brown, brothers Robert Brown and wife Kathlyn, Darrell Brown

and wife Shirley, all of Lenox; a sister, Clare Davis and husband Dean of Lincoln,

Neb.; mother-in-law Bernice F. Joslin; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Pat

Joslin of Rolla; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Eddie R. Brown, and his father-in-law,

LeCompte Joslin.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Lions club Foundation; the

American Cancer Association; or a charity of your choice.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 5, 2000

 

Brown, Raymond Carl -

Funeral services for Raymond Brown of Thayer, formerly of Lenox, were held

Saturday, August 5 at Powers Funeral Home in Creston with Rev. Mark Zerger

and Rev. David Balius officiating. Raymond passed away on August 2, 2000, after

a battle with lung cancer. He was born March 23, 1933 near Corning to James

and Viola Brown.

Raymond graduated from Lenox High School, and in 1952 married Genevieve

Dotson. In February 1982 he married Elizabeth Beach Nook of Lenox.

He worked as a fanner and at farm-related businesses in the Lenox area for

a number of years. He then was a truck driver for the last 18 years of his life.

Raymond lived in the Lenox area most of his life and moved to Thayer in 1997.

Raymond is survived by special friend Pam Wehrman; children Zella (husband

Mark) Zerger of San Antonio, Texas; Pam (husband Dave) England of Clearfield;

Raymond "Butch" (wife Janie) Brown of Lenox; stepchildren Greg Nook of

Kansas City, Mo., Jeanine Lynam of Lenox, Toni Oliver of Shannon City; David

White of Shannon City; and Kyle and Jared Wehrman of Thayer; sisters

Shirley (husband Dick) Rainforth of New Market, Elaine Claiser of Des Moines,

and Phyllis Hood of St. Peters. Mo.; grandchildren Matt and Shelley Brown,

Lindsay Wetzel, Luke and Clint Swank, and Sean Zerger; and seven step-

grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father in September 1973; wife Elizabeth

in December 1996; grandson Timmy Richey in 1973: and stepfather George

Jones.

Interment will be at a later date. Memorials will be established in his name.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2000

 

 

 

Holben, Jeanne Anne -

Funeral services for Jeanne Holben, age 42, of Lenox will be on Wednesday,

July 12, 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lenox.

Jeanne passed away on Monday, July 10, at Greater Community Hospital in

Creston.

Burial will be in North Fairview Cemetery, Lenox. Memorials are in her name.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 12, 2000

 

Holben, Jeanne Anne -

Jeanne Anne Holben, daughter of Eugene C. and Betty L. (Reynolds) Holben, was

born in Rosary Hospital on Sept. 21, 1956 in Corning, Iowa. She passed away on

July 10, 2000, at Greater Community Hospital in Creston, Iowa, at the age of 43

years, nine months and 19 days.

Jeanne graduated from Lenox High School with the class of 1976 and enjoyed

babysitting for many Lenox children through the years.

Jeanne worked as a Nurse's Aide at the Altoona Manor in Altoona, Iowa for

three years from 1978 until 1981. She then returned to Lenox and worked for

the Lenox Care Center for 17 years.

Jeanne was a member of the Lenox Lions Club, the Stock and Saddle Club and

the Lenox United Methodist Church.

Preceding Jeanne in death were her father Eugene in 1983 and her grandparents.

She is survived by her special friend Joe Meier of Lenox; her mother Betty

Holben of Lenox; her brother Dave (wife Janet) of Bedford; and her sister

Janet (husband Chuck) Petersen of Council Bluffs. Also surviving are seven

nieces and nephews and six great-nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held July 12 at the United Methodist Church in Lenox.

Arrangements were provided by Coen-Beaty-Pearson Family Funeral Service.

Burial was in North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox. Memorials are in Jeanne's name.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 2, 2000

 

Kinnison, Blanche Summers -

Blanche Kinnison, age 89, of Red Oak passed away May 21 at the Montgomery

County Memorial Hospital. She was born Sept. 8, 1910 in Shenandoah, the

daughter of James and Cordelia Hooper Summers.

Blanche was united in marriage to Lowell Kinnison on Oct. 30, 1937. They

operated the Kinnison Truck Line for many years in Red Oak. She was a member

of the First United Methodist Church and the Red Oak Country Club.

Lowell preceded her in death May 23, 1996. She was also preceded in death

by two brothers, Lee and Lyman Summers.

Survivors include her brother, Cecil Summers (wife Darlene) of Omaha,

Neb.; sister Violet Stevenson (husband Edgar) of Lenox; brother-in-law

Laurel Kinnison (wife Jean) of Sheridan, Wyo.; many nieces, nephews, cousins

and friends.

Funeral services were held  May 24 at Nelson-Boylan Funeral Chapel with

burial at the Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials

are suggested to the First United Methodist Church. Nelson-Boylan

Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday May 31, 2000

 

McKee, Stoney Dean -

Funeral services for Stoney McKee, age 35, of Lenox were held Thursday,

August 3, 2000 at 2 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox with Pastor

Tim Maxa officiating. Interment was held in the Bedford City Cemetery.

Stoney was born Dec. 21, 1964, in Corning to Gary McKee and Karen

Spoonemore McKee. He passed away Monday, July 31, 2000.

Stoney grew up in the Lenox area and graduated from high school in 1984.

He worked various jobs including road construction.

Stoney enjoyed tinkering around. As a child he would buy wrecked bicycles

and fix them up; later he did the same with old cars.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, motorcycles and especially dirt bikes that he

raced. He took great pride in his appearance and was a free spirit who lived

life to the fullest.

Stoney is survived by his mother, Karen McKee of Lenox; maternal

grandparents, Bud and Lela Spoonemore of Lenox; paternal grandmother

Irma McKee of Lenox; his fiancee, Cindy Cordell of Lenox; daughter

Tierra McKee of Oskaloosa; son Mitchell McKee of Oskaloosa; sister Toni

Will of Lenox; nephews Jayme and Erin Williams of Kansas City, Mo., and

Eli Will of Lenox: and his former wife, Lori McKee of Oskaloosa.

Preceding Stoney in death were his paternal grandfather, Lynn McKee;

his father, Gary McKee; and an aunt, Karen Swaim.

Memorials can be given in his name.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 9, 2000

 

Moore, Clarence E -

Clarence E. Moore of Chino, Calif., formerly of St. Joseph, died Thursday,

May 18, 2000 at his residence. He was 76 years old.

Graveside services were held Saturday May 27, at 1 p.m. at the Green Lawn

Cemetery, Shell City, Mo., with Marvin Jamison officiating.

Arrangements were by the Lewis-Hoagland Funeral Home.

Clarence worked at Swift and Co. in St. Joseph. He retired from Coca-

Cola in Chino. During World War II, he served in the Army.

Born in Atlantic on July 2, 1923, he lived in St. Joseph before moving

to Chino in 1950.

He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in California.

He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Faye Daniels,

formerly of Savannah, Mo.; his mother, Nellie Moore; a brother, Melvin;

and a sister, Vernita Taul.

Survivors include stepdaughter Dolores Wade of Port Angeles, Wash.;

three sisters, Rose Hupman of Shell City, Mo, Arline Elliott of St. Joseph,

and Doris Weese of Lenox; and step-grandchildren.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 7, 2000

 

Parker, Mary Katherine Olney -

Mary Katherine Olney Parker, age 89, died at the Iowa Methodist

Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa on August 10, 2000.

She was born June 11, 1911 in Redding, Clinton Township, Iowa,

the daughter of Carl Eugene Olney and Maude Nora Armstrong

Olney.

She married Paul Lawrence Parker on September 1, 1928 in Mount

Ayr. He died Feb. 22, 1980. Mary and Paul lived on a farm near Clearfield

until 1974 when they retired and moved to Lenox. Mary moved to Des

Moines in 1991 and lived with two of her daughters, Ardella Jones of

Ankeny and Hazel Riedesel of Altoona. In 1995 she moved to the Valley

View Village Care Center.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lenox.

Surviving are four sons and three daughters, Harold Keith Parker of

Diagonal; Mary Alice Hardisty of San Angelo, TX;

Paul Parker, Jr. of Council Bluffs; Hazel Marie Riedesel of Altoona;

Jimmy Lee Parker of St. Louis, Mo.; Ardella Kay Jones of Ankeny;

and Jerry Max Parker of Creston.

Also surviving is a brother and sister, Carol Eugene Olney and Vera

Combs, both of Redding; 24 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren

and three great-great grandchildren along with numerous nieces

and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul L. Parker; a daughter,

Linda Lea Smith; her parents, Carl and Maude Olney; two brothers,

Bob and Cliff Olney; two sisters, Avis Mauldin and Opal Motsinger;

three grandchildren, Brian Smith, Sheila Parker Fletchall and Mark

James Parker and one great-great granddaughter, Macy Jo Miller.

Funeral services were held August 10 at Ritchie Funeral Home in

Creston. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery, Creston.

Ritchie Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 16, 2000

 

Reynolds, Ruth Benson Vicker -

Funeral services for Ruth Vicker Reynolds, age 88, were held Wednesday, July 5,

at the United church of Diagonal in Diagonal, Iowa. Officiating was Rev. Michael

Druhl. Music was provided by Judy Newton and Rochelle Mason.

Casket bearers were Jack Vicker, Jacque Booth, Gary Booth, Lisa Taylor, Lou

Haight, Kelly Smith, Jason Smith, and Jim Taylor.

Burial was in Bethel Cemetery, Diagonal. Arrangements were handled by Wilson-

Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; an infant brother; husband George

Vicker; an infant daughter Kathleen; and husband Pearl.

She is survived by; her two children, Jack Vicker and wife Diana of Commerce

City, Colo., and Jean Haight and husband Lou of Urbandale; three granddaughters

and four great-grandchildren.

She graduated from Diagonal High School in 1929 and from Simpson College in

1933. After Ruth spent a number of years as a school teacher in Nevinville and

Adair, she was united in marriage to George Vicker on June 7, 1939. They

resided on a form outside of Diagonal until George's death in 1974.

On June 18, 1976, Ruth married Pearl Reynolds. They resided in Lenox until

Pearl's death in 1983. Ruth then returned to Diagonal where she was a member

of the United Church of Diagonal and was active in quilting with other ladies

from the church. Ruth spent a number of years as a 4-H leader, Sunday school

teacher and a member of the Eastern Star.

Ruth Vicker Reynolds died July 2, 2000, at Clearview Nursing Home in Clearfield.

She was born March 1, 1911 to Edd

and Georgia (Siverly) Benson near Diagonal.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 12, 2000

 

Ryan, Joseph Edward -

Funeral services for Joseph Edward Ryan, 49, of Red Wing, Minn., were held

Wednesday, July 19, at the Church of St. Joseph in Red Wing. Burial was in

Burnside Cemetery.

Honorary pall bearers were Randy Thompson, Scott Storing, Tom Brown,

Sandy Zimmerman, Matt Ryan and Mike Ryan.

Mahn Family Funeral and Cremation services handled the arrangements.

He was born June 21, 1951, in Creston to Leo and Elda Lawrence Ryan. He

was a 1969 graduate of Lenox High School and attended Northwest

Missouri State University.

Joseph served in the Army National Guard from July 1971 to May 1977.

He farmed in the Lenox area and was a member of St.

Patrick's Catholic Church in Lenox He moved to Red Wing in 1984.

Joseph worked for Dayco as a production supervisor. He was a member

of St. Joseph's Catholic Church. He enjoyed boating and time with his

children and grandchildren.

Survivors include three children, Jennifer Ryan of Red Wing, Thomas

(wife DeAnna Bee) Ryan of Red Wing; and Shaun Ryan of Red Wing; two

grandchildren, Taylor Schaffer and Phoenix Ryan of Red Wing; his mother,

Elda Ryan of Lenox; three brothers, Dan (wife Jean) Ryan of Red Wing,

Robert (wife Susan) Ryan of Lenox, and Mike Ryan of Sheridan, Wyo.;

two sisters, Theresa (husband Guy) Hocking of El Lago, Texas, Mary

(husband Jeff) Turley of Omaha; nieces and nephews Molly Ryan of Des

Moines, Matt (wife Jenna) Ryan of Iowa City, and Mike Ryan of Iowa City.

Preceding him in death were his father and one brother, Dennis Ryan.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday July 26, 2000

 

Shaffer, Erma Darlene Young -

Erma Darlene Young Shaffer was born July 22, 1920 during a cyclone in

Corning, Iowa to Nora L. and W.E. (Granddad Bill) Young and passed

away peacefully June 6, 2000 in Boulder, Colo.

She married Clyde M. Shaffer on Aug. 25, 1940 in Winterset, Iowa.

To this union were born 4 children: Sydney Darrell, who died at birth, Gary

Wayne, Larry Duane and Jean Ann.

The family moved from Clearfield to Boulder in Nov. of 1963. Before

moving to Colo., Erma was employed by the Clearfield Cafe, and Clearview

Home in Clearfield.  After moving to Colorado, she provided daycare from

her home, giving loving care and becoming "Grandma" to many families that

she stayed in touch with the rest of her life.

In her spare time Erma enjoyed embroidery, attending concerts, and

sports events for her grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

She also loved to play cards, most often with her grandchildren, and

assorted nieces and nephews. She also enjoyed the mountains and spending

quiet time with residents of Boulder Manor, where she visited with, read

to and wrote letters for many.

Erma was preceded in death by her parents, W.P. "Hill" and Nora L. Young,

her husband Clyde and son, Sydney Darrell.

She is survived by a sister. Margaret "Tink" Brunei! and her husband John

"Doc" from Cleburne, Texas; 3 children, Larry, Gary and his wife Carolyn, and

Jean Ann Domiana and her husband Gary, all from Colorado; 7 grandchildren,

David, Craig and his wife Coleen, Debbie Shaffer and Chad Bus. Lelia Lane

and her husband Todd, Mike, Robin, Domiana, and Danny, all of 1 Colorado;

6 great-grandchildren - Kevin, Cody, Michael, Kayla, Justin, Tyler and baby

Lane will join us in November; Sisters-in-law Fern Spurrier and Charlene

Shaffer from Clearfield and Margaret Henderson from Lenox; Brothers-

in-law W.D. "Pete" Shaffer and his wife Audrey from Lafayette. Colo.; many

nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends, spanning three generations.

Funeral Services for Erma D. Shaffer were held at the Clearfield United

Methodist Church on Sunday, June 11, 2000 at 2 p.m.. Officiating was

Rev. Al Rusk. Organist was Jean Huffman. Casket beaters were J.B. French,

John Lyddon. George Bailey, Bob Perdew, Dwight Matheny, and Wayne

Miller. She was laid to rest at the Clearfield Cemetery.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 21, 2000

 

Wurster, Dorothy Swank -

Funeral services for Dorothy Wurster, age 79, of Lenox, were held

Friday, August 18, 2000, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox Christian

Church with Pastor Dena Vittorio officiating. Interment was held in the

West Fairview Cemetery. Services were conducted by the Ritchie Funeral

Home of Lenox. Memorials can be directed to the Lenox Christian Church

or the Lenox Public Library.

Dorothy was born November 6, 1920, in Ringgold County to Franklin Pierce

Swank and Eva Alta (Stevick) Swank. She passed away August 15, 2000,

at the Clearview Home in Clearfield.

She graduated from Arispe High School, then attended Simpson College

in Indianola. She taught country school in Union County. She married George

F. Wurster on May 17, 1941, in Lenox. She lived most of her life at their

farm home east of Lenox.

Dorothy enjoyed reading, gardening, and traveling. She was a longtime

member of the Lenox Christian Church and was very active in many church

activities.

Dorothy is survived by her husband George of Lenox; three daughters,

Beverly Ratliff and husband Allen of Dahlonega, Ga.; Carol Trost and husband

Mike of Lenox; and Susan Schrader and husband Kirk of Johnston, Iowa; five

grandchildren, DeAnne Major and husband Joel; Todd Ratliff and wife Liz; Joe

Trost, Amy Kenny and husband Shawn and Aaron Schrader; two great-

grandchildren, Trey and Dani Doering; three sisters, Erma Bellamy of Loma

Linda, Calif., Mildred Shymanski of Edwardsville, Kansas, and Mary Stoner of

Greenfield, Iowa, along with many nieces and nephews.

Preceding Dorothy in death were her parents, Franklin and Eva; a brother,

Harold Swank, at infancy; and a sister, Marjorie Fluckey Vogel.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday August 24, 2000

 

Zeran, Warner E -

Warner E. Zeran was born November 2, 1910, in Waterloo, Iowa, to John and

Nellie (Urie) Zeran. He was graduated from Newton High School in 1928. On

March 18, 1935, he married Clarica Mowalt at Newton; she preceded him in

death. On May 10, 1991, he married Viola E. Richardson at Bedford.

He was employed as a machinist for John Deere in Waterloo for 38 years

before retiring in 1973. Warner lived in Waterloo before moving to Bedford

27 years ago. He was a member of Central Christian Church in Waterloo, and

attended the Clearfield Christian Church; he was a member of Noble Lodge

No. 458 AF&AM, Eastern Star Cornelia Chapter 524, both in Clearfield. He

served on the Grand Lodge of Iowa in 1985 and 1986.

Warner was preceded in death by his first wife, Clarice, his parents and a

brother Raymond Zeran.

Survivors include his wife, Viola of Bedford: two daughters, Evonne (husband

Dr. Kenneth) Jennett of Bedford, and Joan (husband Richard) Bothun of Albert

Lea, Minn.: a stepson, Kyle (wife Mary) Richardson of Austin, Texas; a step

daughter-in-law, Diane Richardson of Lena, IL: three sisters, Hermoine Kelson

of Russelville, Mo., Darlene Shotwell of Ogden, Ia. and Juanita Watson of Oak

View, Ca.; four grandchildren, David (wife Sandy) of Creston, Gary (wife Cindy)

of Ottumwa, Ron (wife Terri) of Osceola, and Steve (wife Chantelle) of Blockton,

three step-grandchildren, Chad of Lawrence, Ks. and Todd and Brent of Lena, IL.

Warner is also survived by 10 greatgrandchildren: Tim, Andy, Sarah, Kyle, Jacob,

Brian, Heidi, Kevin, Maggie, and Michelle.

Funeral Services were held for Warner E. Zeran on Friday, Mav 26, 2000 at

10:30 am at the Christian Church, in Clearfield, Iowa. Officiating was Rev. Eydie

Stephens. Musicians were Jean Huffman, Becky Nelson, and Mary Ellen Spurrier.

Casket bearers were: Dave Jennett, Gary Jennett, Ron Jennett, Steve Jennett,

Virgil Bolinger, and Fred Wilson. He was put to rest at the Clearfield Cemetery

in Clearfield.

Masonic Rites were  by Noble Lodge #458 Clearfield.

Lenox Time Table, Lenox, Iowa Wednesday June 21, 2000