Joe Bly

May 11, 2005

Joseph Allen Bly, age 47, of Osage, died on Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at his home in Osage.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 9, at the Interstate Park in Mitchell, with Rev. Wayne Ellingson officiating. Burial was in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Mitchell, with military honors at the grave by the Osage VFW Post 7920.

Joe was born on July 23, 1957 in Osage, Iowa, the son of Ervin Bly and Norma (Lovejoy) Moen. Joe served in the United States Navy. He was an employee of Osage Manufacturing for 23 years.

Joe enjoyed outdoor activities, and writing poems, some of which he had published. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Joe's granddaughter, Hailey, was his pride and joy. Joe's wishes were carried out to be at home with the loving help of his cousin, Diana Bly.

Joe is survived by a daughter, Sheila (Bly) Taylor and husband, David of Cedar Falls; a granddaughter, Hailey Taylor of Cedar Falls; his mother, Norma Moen and husband, Gene of Nora Springs; three sisters, Vickie (Bly) Norby and husband, Bill of Rudd, Michelle (Bly) Warner and husband, Keith of Rockford and Kelly (Bly) Miller and husband, Dean of Rudd; two brothers, Rick Bly and wife, Sandy of Virginia Beach, Virginia and Kris Bly of Osage; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ellis and Hilda Bly and Wilder and Fama Lovejoy; and his father, Ervin Bly.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Madeline A. Shovein

May 11, 2005

Madeline Agnes (Marley) Shovein, age 85, of Paradise, California and formerly of Osage and Riceville, Iowa, died on Wednesday May 4, 2005, at the Cypress Acres Convalescent Hospital in Paradise, California.

A Memorial Mass for Madeline and her husband, John was held on Saturday, May 7, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Osage, with Rev. Mark Reasoner officiating. Inurnment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery.

Madeline was born on January 21, 1920, the daughter of Frank and Winnie (Fox) Marley in rural Riceville, Iowa. She graduated from the St. Mary's High School in New Haven, Iowa and the Hamilton Business College in Mason City, Iowa. In 1944, she married John Shovein of Mason City, Iowa. She supported her husband's career, moving across the country while raising their seven children. She and John retired to Osage, Iowa, eventually relocating to Paradise, California in 1993.

Madeline excelled at tournament and duplicate bridge play, was accomplished in quilting and crocheting and enjoyed every kind of chocolate. Madeline is best remembered as a gentle, spiritual woman who loved her family and her faith.

Madeline was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a daughter-in-law, Silvia (Palacios) Shovein.

Madeline is survived by 7 children, Julia Shovein and husband, Horst Wolff of Paradise, California, John Shovein of Orland, California, Jeffrey Shovein of Scappoose, Oregon, Joel Shovein of Winona, Minnesota, Janine Shovein and husband, Michael Holmes of Shakopee, Minnesota, James Shovein and wife, Cindy of Savage, Minnesota and Jennifer Stringer of Paradise, California; grandchildren, Julian and Brendan Wolff, Jake Shovein, Ian and Anna Holmes, Jake Kraemer and Riley, Keefer and Madeline Stringer; four sisters, Marian Stibal of Osage, Cassie (John) Kloberdanz of Osage, Luella Kloberdanz of Waterloo and Sister Anne Marley of Phoenix, Arizona; two brothers, Gene (LaVonne) Marley of Waterloo and Dave (Jan) Marley of Riceville; and also a large extended family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Maryknoll Missions, Maryknoll, New York.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home in Osage.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Vera M. Oberholtzer

May 18, 2005

Vera M. Oberholtzer, 75, of Ephrata, Pennsylvania and formerly of Osage, Iowa, died at her residence on Thursday, May 5, 2005, after a brief illness.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 9, at her late home and further services were at the Meadow Valley Mennonite Church, with Bishop Lester B. Martin officiating. Interment was in the adjoining church cemetery.

Vera was born in East Earl, a daughter of the late Jonas M. and Sarah N. Martin Zimmerman. She was the wife of Noah M. Oberholtzer. She was a member of the Meadow Valley Mennonite Church, Weaverland Conference and was a homemaker.

Her survivors include her husband; two sons, Marlin Z., husband of Eva Mae Zimmerman Oberholtzer of Ephrata and Landis Z. husband of Amy Newswanger Oberholtzer of Nora Springs, Iowa; a daughter, Nancy Z., wife of Alvin M. Martin of Richland; 27 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd M. husband of Irene High Zimmerman of East Earl; two sisters, Elva M., wife of Luke M. Eberly of Stevens and Irene M., wife of Lester L. Zimmerman of East Earl; and a foster sister, Verna G. Martin of Bethel.

Vera was preceded in death by a son, Nelson; and a grandson, Nevin.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Strading Funeral Homes, Akron/Ephrata.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Dorothy (Johnson) Graff

May 18, 2005

Dorothy (Johnson) Graff, age 101, of Osage and formerly of Little Cedar, died on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, at the Faith Lutheran Home, Osage.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 14, at the Little Cedar United Methodist Church, with Rev. Jay Amundson and Rev. Robert Melhorn officiating. Burial was in the Little Cedar Cemetery.

Dorothy was born on May 5, 1904, on the family farm near Riceville, the daughter of Charles and Alice (Smith) Shrode. She graduated from the Riceville High School and was a teacher in country schools for 3 years. Dorothy married Peter L. Johnson in June of 1928 in Austin, Minnesota. They lived in Little Cedar. Peter died in July 1967. She married Irvin Graff in February 1974 and moved to Greenville, Illinois. Following Irvin's death she moved to Osage.

Dorothy was a long time member of the Little Cedar United Methodist Church and was an active member of the UMW. In later years she attended the United Church of Christ in Osage. She found joy in her family and friends, gardening and flowers. Dorothy enjoyed making quilts for family members and friends.

She is survived by five sons, Robert C. (Roslea) Johnson of Des Moines, Carroll J. (Betty) Johnson of Little Cedar, Dale L. (Sandra) Johnson of Waverly, Keith A. (Sharon) Johnson of Goodell and Merle L. (Dorothy) Johnson of Bayview, Idaho; seven grandchildren, Janice Johnson of Gypsum, Colorado, Douglas Johnson of Little Cedar, Roger Johnson of St. Ansgar, Jennifer Johnson of Oakland, California, James Johnson of Boulder, Colorado, Michelle "Mic" Burmeister of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania and Darrin Johnson of Polk City; numerous great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald Shrode of California; and extended family, Eldon Graff, Joyce Hasenmyer, Vernon Graff and Burton Graff.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter Johnson; husband, Irvin Graff; sister, Ethel Shrode; and brother, Milton Shrode.

Funeral arrangements were made by the Champion-Bucheit Funeral Home.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Curtis "Bud" Cleveland Noble

May 25, 2005

Curtis Cleveland Noble, age 69, of Riceville, passed away at his residence on Thursday, May 12, 2005.

A memorial service was held on Tuesday, May 24, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Riceville. Reverend Gale Richards officiated.

Curtis was born to Curtis and Helen (Luger) Noble on December 17, 1935 in Chicago, Illinois. "Bud" moved with his family to Riceville in 1947 and graduated from the Riceville High School in 1953. After graduation, he attended Iowa State Teacher's College and received his B.A. and a M.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. Curtis taught music in Fort Dodge, Jefferson, Dallas Center and Eldora. In 1980, "Bud" returned to Riceville to care for his parents. Curtis worked at Evenson's Grocery.

He was a member of and the organist for the First Congregational United Church of Christ, pianist for the singing group Spectrum for more than 25 years, played for the Easter and Christmas Cantatas and played for services and Bible Study at the Riceville Community Rest Home.

"Bud" was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Roberta Miller.

The Lindstrom Funeral Home, Riceville, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Candace Purvis

May 18, 2005

Candace Purvis, 80, of Marshalltown, died on Monday, May 16, 2005, at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, May 19, at the Elim Lutheran Church, with Pastor Karen Cluts officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens. Friends may call from 6-8:00 p.m., on Wednesday, with her family present during these hours. Memorials may be directed to the Elim Lutheran Church Building Fund and the Diabetes Association.

Candace was born to George and Ellen Gisleson on their family farm south of Osage, on April 6, 1925. She was baptized on July 12, 1925 and confirmed on May 26, 1941, at the Osage Evangelical Norwegian Lutheran Church. Candace was reared and educated in Orchard, Iowa and graduated from high school in 1942. She continued her education by taking a business course in Omaha, Nebraska. She did secretarial work in Mason City, Charles City and Waverly. Following her marriage to Wilbur Purvis in 1950, they lived in Grundy Center and Oskaloosa. In 1952, they moved to Marshalltown where they have made their home ever since. Candace worked with medical records at the St. Thomas Mercy Hospital from 1952 until 1958.

She was a member of the Elim Lutheran Church for over 50 years, choir member for many years and taught Sunday School.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Wilbur; two children, Sonia (Douglas) Freeman of Holiday Lake-Brooklyn, Iowa and Eric (Kim) Purvis of Marshalltown; three grandchildren, Joshua (Angie) Freeman of Ankeny, Elissa (Cody) Hotchkin of Cedar Rapids and Emily Freeman of Brooklyn; two great-grandchildren, Sydney and Logan Astelle; a brother, Everett (Jaceil) Gisleson of Osage; and three nephews, Mark Gisleson of St. Paul, Minnesota, Bill (Laurie) Gisleson of Osage and Jon (Ardi) Gisleson of Floyd, Iowa.

Preceding her in death were her parents.

The Estel Perrin Avey Funeral Home has been entrusted by the Purvis family with her final arrangements.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Marvin W. Merritt

May 25, 2005

Marvin W. Merritt, age 88, a resident of Sierra Vista, Arizona, passed away on Monday, May 16, 2005.

A memorial service was held at the Riceville United Methodist Church in Riceville, Iowa, on Saturday, May 21, 2005. The Reverend Michael Carey officiated.

Marvin was born on July 5, 1916 in Allerton, Iowa, to William and Inamay (Kimple) Merritt. He graduated from the Strawberry Point High School in 1934. He attended San Bernardino Junior College in California in 1937 and 1938. Marvin served in the U.S. Army before and during WW II as an officer in General Patton's 818 Tank Destroyer Battalion. On March 2, 1942, he married Earlene Presson. In 1948, he graduated from Henderson State College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

From 1948 to 1951, he worked for the Lion Oil Company. In 1951, he moved to a farm in Mitchell County, Iowa. He served as Director of Schools for Douglas Township. In 1957, he moved to the home farm in Howard County and served on the County School Board from 1960 to 1969. He served on the Howard County Draft Board during the Vietnam Conflict. He worked in the Riceville Post Office from 1962 until his retirement in 1977. He taught the high school Sunday School class in the Riceville United Methodist Church for many years and served on many commissions. After his retirement they lived in Arizona during the winter and summered in Iowa.

His survivors include his children, William (Rita Jo) Merritt of Sierra Vista, Arizona, James (Cherie) Merritt of Osage, Iowa and Cathy Simon of Riceville, Iowa; step-children, Charles (Debi) Makidon of St. Paul, Minnesota, Diane (David) Peters of International Falls, Minnesota and Carol (Terry) Ohlund of Grand Rapids, Minnesota; brothers, Milo (Marge) Merritt of Mesa, Arizona and Robert (Bernice) Merritt of Burleson, Texas; and many loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Earlene; his second wife, Arene Makidon-Holt; a sister, Eleanor Dean; and his step-brother, James McGahey; and his step-daughter, Susan Bibeau.

The Lindstrom Funeral Home, Riceville, was in charge of the arrangements.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Eugene F. Sheldon

May 25, 2005

Eugene F. Sheldon, age 90, of Clinton, died on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Harbor Crest Nursing Home in Fulton, Illinois.

Funeral services were held on Monday, May 23, at the Pape Funeral Home in Clinton. Burial was in the Osage City Cemetery in Osage, Iowa.

Eugene was born on July 3, 1914 in Osage, Iowa, the son of Walter and Gladys (French) Sheldon. He graduated from the Osage High School in 1932 and received his BA Degree in Business and a Minor Degree in piano from Grinnell College in 1937. He married Margaret Noble in 1937 in Osage, Iowa. She died in 1979. He later married Ruth Greve in 1980 in Clinton. Eugene worked for the District National Bank in Chicago for over 18 years. He then worked at the Iowa State Savings Bank in Clinton for over five years and for the Clinton Federal Savings and Loan for over 18 years, retiring in 1978. He was a member of the First Congregational Church.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth of Fulton, Illinois; a son, Allyn (Judy) Sheldon of Circleville, Ohio; a daughter, Janice Barbeau of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and three grandchildren, Sarah, Kevin and Sheri; and nine great-grandchildren.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother.

The Pape Funeral Home, Clinton, Iowa, had charge of the arrangements.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Robert Lee Eilers

June 8, 2005

Robert Lee Eilers, 53, passed away suddenly on Friday, May 20, 2005, of an apparent heart attack.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 26, at the Thompson Funeral Home Chapel in Jacksonville, Texas. Pastor Frank Starr of the First Lutheran Church, Lufkin, Texas, officiated.

Robert was born on June 30, 1951 in Osage, to Lee and Inez Eilers. The family moved to Houston, Texas in 1954.

He is survived by his father, Lee Eilers of Jacksonville, Texas; sisters, Linda Schmidt and husband, Marvin of Denver, Colorado and Ruth Ann Knox and husband, Bob of Waller, Texas; his fiancée, Tracey Wolfe and her daughter, Liz of Jacksonville; daughters, Kim, Kellie and Kasey Eilers of Channelview, Texas; and numerous cousins including Shirley Rake and Don Francis of Osage.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Inez Eilers; and infant sister, Catherine Eilers.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Bobbie Joe "Bob" Galey

June 22, 2005

Bob Galey, 77, passed away on Wednesday, May 25, 2005. 

Funeral services were held at the Sanders Memorial Chapel in Lubbock, Texas, on Saturday, May 28, with his son, Reverend Robert Galey officiating. Burial was in the Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.

Bob was born in Lubbock on January 6, 1928, graduating from high school in Shallowater, Texas. He was a great baseball player, a pretty salty golfer and an honest used car salesman. A veteran of the Korean War, Bob returned to Texas and owned several gas stations and car washes. He was the Used Car Manager for Villa Olds in Lubbock many years and owner of Bob Galey Motors. He married Mary Lee (Lievrouw) Godfrey in June 1968. They owned Galeys Emporium in Osage, Iowa, during the 1990s.

Bob enjoyed his Osage connections throughout the years visiting often, fishing the Cedar River and playing every golf course in Mitchell and surrounding counties including Minnesota. He was a true friend to all who knew him.

Survivors are his wife, Mary Lee Galey; son, Robert and wife, Bonnie of Michigan; three grandchildren; one brother; and three sisters, all of Texas; several nieces and nephews, sisters and brothers-in-law, in both Texas and Iowa; and mother-in-law, Bertha Lievrouw of Osage.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press

Lorraine Dorothy Ketelsen Brush

June 15, 2005

Lorraine Brush, 87, formerly of Osage, died on Tuesday, May 31, 2005, in Grants Pass, Oregon.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, June 4, at the Hull and Hull Funeral Chapel in Grants Pass, Oregon.

Lorraine was born and raised in Mitchell County, Iowa and moved west in 1943. She lived and worked in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, for 49 years. She worked as a secretary and office manager until her retirement in 1977. After her husband, Avery Brush, also formerly of Osage, died in 1992, she moved to Livermore, California. She lived there for 10 years before moving to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 2003. She enjoyed knitting, reading, shopping, and working crossword puzzles.

She is survived by her daughter, Cindy English and son-in-law, Ed English of Grants Pass, Oregon; granddaughters, Amy Sessums of Springfield, Oregon and Katy Kendall of Carson City, Nevada; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Avery S. Brush in December, 1992.
© 2005 Mitchell County Press