=================

** Peggy Mechem

CLARION — Peggy Mechem, 70. of Clarion, died on Wednesday (Dec. 30, 1998) at her winter home in Mesa, Ariz.

Funeral services are tentatively scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church, Clarion.

RICEVILLE — Glenn Miles, 100, of Riceville, died Thursday (Dec. 31, 1998) at the Riceville Community Nursing Home.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Conway Funeral Home, Riceville.

** Richard 'Obie' Raymond Guertin

NORTHWOOD — Richard "Obie" Raymond Guertin, 69, of Northwood, died Thursday (Dec. 31, 1998) at North Iowa Mercy Health Center East, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held 2:30 p.m. Sunday at the Elk Creek Lutheran Church, rural Kensett.

BURT — Harvey V. Larson, 88, of Burt, died Wednesday (Dec. 30, 1998) at the Good Samaritan Center, Algona.

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Monday at the United Methodist Church, in Burt, with the Rev. Sue Thomas officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery, Algona.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home, Algona, where other arrangements are incomplete.

** Bonnie J. Knapp

HAMPTON — Bonnie J. Knapp, 74, of Hampton, died Tuesday (Dec. 29, 1998) at the Hampton Care Center.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Hampton United Methodist Church, with Pastor Janet Wearda officiating. Burial will be in the Hampton Cemetery.

There will be no public visitation. Sietsema-Vogel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Bonnie J. Knapp was born July 30, 1924, in Auburn, Ill.

She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Knapp Sr., of Hampton; three sons, Kenneth Knapp Jr., of Upperville, Va., Robert Knapp, of San Pablo, Calif., and Richard Knapp, of Seattle; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and two sisters, Betty O'Connor, of Wells, Minn., and Shirley Kennely, of Valpraiso, Ind.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

** Ruth I. 'DeKruif' Garrard

MASON CITY — Ruth I. "DeKruif" Garrard, 77, of 304 Third St. N.E., died Wednesday (Dec. 30, 1998) at her home.

Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at the Wayside Chapel, of First United Methodist Church, 119 S. Georgia Ave., with the Rev. Douglas Anderson officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania and one hour before services on Saturday at the church.

Memorials may be given to the Ruth I. DeKruif Garrard Memorial Fund.

Ruth was born May 14, 1921, in Wesley, the daughter of Gale and Beatrice (Cassler) Stockwell. She grew up in Sheldon, Iowa, and lived there until she was 16, when the family moved to Algona. She graduated from Algona High School.

Ruth was married to William DeKruif on Feb. 2, 1941, in Algona. They moved to Mason City in 1945. William died on Oct. 12, 1975.

Ruth worked for the Mason City Schools at Washington Elementary School in the Food Service for 10 years before retiring in 1974.

She married William Garrard on May 24, 1986. He died in 1991.

Ruth enjoyed making quilts, embroidering, dancing and traveling.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Sarah Circle, GGG Sorority, Moose Auxiliary, and the Postal Auxiliary. She was a former member of the Grandmothers Club.

Survivors include one daughter, Barbara Zimmer and her husband, Steven, of Mason City; sons, William J. DeKruif and his wife, Barbara, of Garner and Chris P. DeKruif, of Mason City; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Ilene Shepherd, of Washta, Iowa and June Lassahn, of Saginaw, Mich.; sisters-in-law, Effie Jacobsma, of Sibley, Annie Paulson, of Sheldon, and Pauline DeKruif, of Sheldon; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her first and second husbands, sister, Marie Nelson; and brother, Robert D. Stockwell.

** Stephen C. Allison

MAPLE PLAIN, Minn. — Stephen C. Allison, 50, of 4919 Independence St., Maple Plain, Minn. 55359, died Thursday (Dec. 24, 1998) at his home, of a heart attack.

Steve, the son of Max I. and Mary Jane (Quinn) Allison, was born Jan. 14, 1948, in Mason City. He graduated from Mason City High School in 1966 and served four years in the Air Force.

Steve is survived by his wife, Dawn; a daughter, Stephanie and grandson, Jacob, of Mason City; a daughter, Alicia, of Chanhassen, Minn.; and a stepdaughter, Heather, at home.

Living family members include his father, Max, of Mason City; brothers, Mike, of Rockford, Phil, of Clarion and Dennis, of Denver.; sisters, Cindy Blanchard, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Linda Rogers, of Altoona.

He was preceded in death by his mother; and an older brother, Tony.

** Irene Catherine Francis

BRITT — Irene Catherine Francis, 69, of Britt, passed away Tuesday (Dec. 29, 1998) at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital, in Britt.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Britt, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Interment will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Britt.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the Ewing Funeral Home, Britt.

Irene, the daughter of John and Katherine (Kress) Appelhons, was born Oct. 23, 1929, in Britt. Irene attended Britt Community Schools.

She was united in marriage with Darrell Francis on Oct. 16, 1948 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, in Britt. The couple made their home in Britt.

Irene was employed at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital and the Britt News Tribune. She later was employed by Winnebago Industries for 19 years.

Irene enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, playing cards and putting together puzzles.

She was a member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary in Britt.

Irene is survived by her husband, Darrell; daughter, Diane, of Britt; son, Jim and his wife, Tena, of Britt; and their children, Courtney, Callie and Cara; two brothers, John Appelhons and his wife, Emma, of Thompson, Joe Appelhons and his wife, Donna, of Britt; sister-in-law, Tena Appelhons, of Crystal Lake; and brother-in-law, Lewis Fox, of Britt.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Donald Paul Francis; three sisters, Elizabeth Haxton, Mary Fox, and Barbara Jilek; and a brother, Jake Appelhons.

** Dorothy H. Cerwinske

ROCKFORD — Dorothy H. Cerwinske, 89, a former Rockford resident, died Monday (Dec. 28, 1998) at the Stanton Nursing Home, in Stanton, Neb.