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Headline: Obituaries(The Des Moines Register)DOROTHY HINDERAKER Radcliffe - Story City Funeral services for DOROTHY HINDERAKER will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday at Salem Lutheran Church, rural Radcliffe. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Bethany Manor in Story City. Boeke Funeral Home, Radcliffe is handling the arrangements. MERRILL ANTHONY Pleasantville MERRILL ANTHONY, 80, died on Sunday, December 11, 2005 at his home. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Pleasantville Christian Church. Burial, with military honors, will follow in the Lincoln Cemetery. He was a rural mail carrier and farmed. Merrill was an Air Force veteran, and was very interested in history and genealogy. He is survived by five sisters, Dorothy Surber of Windsor, CA; Mildred Hoffman of Alexandria, LA; Norma Snodgrass of Des Moines; Irma Hudson of Baxter, MN; and Marjorie Dop of Pleasantville. Visitation will begin at Mason Funeral Home after 10 a.m. Wednesday, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m. that evening. Memorials may be made to the Fairview Christian Church. HAROLD "SKIP" SHAEFFER Des Moines Harold Shaeffer passed away December 11, 2005 at the Taylor House, Des Moines. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at Hamilton's Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hamilton's Funeral Home. Hamilton's CHARLOTTE POWERS Des Moines CHARLOTTE POWERS, 63, of Des Moines, died Saturday, December 10, 2005, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. The body was cremated and no services are planned at this time. Memorial contributions may be made to the YWCA. She will be missed. Nichols-Cannon 244-5253 FRANCIS D. "RICH" RICHMAN Windsor Heights Francis Duane Richman, 72, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Sunday morning, December 4, 2005. He was surrounded by two of his "golfing buddies" on hole #3 at River Bend Resort in Brownsville, Texas, when he passed into the arms of angels while doing what he loved. Francis had a tremendous sense of calmness, a "gentle spirit," and was famous for his "dry humor" and ability to poke fun at himself and others. With a winning smile, he was always willing to lend a very skillful helping hand. His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends, golfing and fishing. Francis' wit, knowledge and skills caused him to be loved and admired by all who were fortunate to have known him. Francis moved from Iowa City to Urbandale with his family in 1965. In recent years, he enjoyed his retirement by living half of each year in Des Moines and the winter months in Brownsville, Texas. He spent his time in Brownsville with his beloved sister, Alberta, and endless hours of golf at River Bend and other courses. Mourning his loss are family, the entire River Bend community, many friends in Brownsville, Des Moines, and a host of others. Francis was born to Charles and Vivian Richman in Gibson, Iowa, on August 13, 1933. He graduated from Montezuma High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Navy in the 50s and for a time served aboard the U.S.S. Forrestal as an Aviation Electronics Specialist. He then went to work for AT&T until his retirement in Des Moines. Francis was married Mary Sandra "Sandy" Hollingsworth in 1958. They were married for 21 years, and to this union were born Laura Sue DePhillips (Perry), Joan Marie Lynch, Bradley James (Heather), and Brent William. All four children reside in or near Des Moines, Iowa. Preceding Francis in death were his parents, five brothers, and two sisters. Surviving him are his children and their mother; his sister, Mary Alberta Beard of River Bend, two brothers, Eldon in Indiana, and Richard in Iowa, and a half-sister, Vinetta Mae Waltermire in Florida. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and one great-granddaughter. A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17, 2005, at Westview Church, 1155 S.E. Boone Drive, Waukee, Iowa. Memorial gifts may be directed to Westview Church. DOLLY ARLENE (BATES) GORDON Newton Dolly Arlene (Bates) Gordon, 80, died December 12, 2005, at Skiff Memorial Hospital. Dolly had lived the last 10 years in Newton, and was previously of Gerald, MO and California. Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, December 15, at the Sandyville Cemetery in Sandyville, IA. Visitation will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Thursday prior to services at Peterson Funeral Home in Indianola, IA. Dolly was a member of the Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, Delbert G. Gordon of Newton; sister-in-law, Betty Jo Carlson of Newton; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, a granddaughter, Dawn Gordon; son, Dale; one sister and two brothers. Peterson Funeral Home Indianola, Iowa ROBERT "BOB" CALHOUN Des Moines ROBERT "BOB" CALHOUN, 79, died Sunday, December 11, 2005, at Kavanagh House, Grand Avenue. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005, at Central Presbyterian Church, 3829 Grand Avenue. Bob was born July 24, 1926 in Centerville, IA. He retired from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where he worked as a pharmaceutical sales representative for 35 years. He is a veteran of both World War II and the Korean War. He was an avid conservationist and hunter; and was a member of the Isaac Walton League of Des Moines. He is survived by his wife, Betty; their children, Jolene and Doug; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Please direct all memorial contributions to the Hospice of Central Iowa. KEITH ALLEN NIEMAND Brainerd, Minnesota KEITH ALLEN NIEMAND, 46, of Brainerd Minnesota, died on Saturday, December 10, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Brainerd. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, December 15, at 1 p.m. at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery, with Pastor Scott Jones officiating. Keith was born on April 20, 1959 in Nevada to Jack and Sheryl (Smith) Niemand. He was a 1977 graduate of Nevada High School. Keith married Ravynne Watchman in Las Vegas, Nevada. He owned a dry walling business. Keith enjoyed being outdoors and loved to fish. Keith is survived by his wife, Ravynne Niemand of Brainerd, Minnesota; his father, Jack Niemand of Vernal, Utah; his mother, Sheryl Niemand of Mesa, Arizona; a son, Keenan Niemand of Brainerd; a daughter, Jennifer Smith of Pequot Lakes, Minnesota; grandmother, Bonnie Smith of Mesa, Arizona; two brothers, Karl Niemand of Mesa, Arizona and Kevin Niemand of Nashville, Tennessee; and a sister, Teresa Niemand of Mesa. Keith was preceded in death by his grandfather, Lester Smith on May 29, 2004, an aunt Leslie Wilkening and grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Niemand. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 14, with the family present from 5 to 7 p.m. at Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada. A memorial fund has been established. Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada has been entrusted with Keith's arrangements. KEVIN R. GERMAN Greenville, Texas Services for KEVIN R. GERMAN, 44, formerly of Indianola, IA, who died Sunday, December 11, 2005, in Greenville, TX, will be held 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola. Graveside services will be 1 p.m. Friday, December 16, at Prairie Union Cemetery in Shubert, NE. Born in Omaha, NE, Kevin graduated from Indianola High School in 1980 and from Luther College in 1984, where he was a member of Pi Sigma Omicron. He worked for the City of Dallas, TX on the Police Department for nine years. He returned to Luther, received his teaching certificate and worked for the Department of Corrections in Newton teaching inmates. Kevin also worked at River Valley High School in Correctionville teaching and coaching, before moving to Greenville, TX, where he worked for U.S. Investigations Services. He loved to travel, golf, read and enjoyed photography. Kevin is survived by his parents, JoAnn (Bob) Eisele of Indianola, and Ralph (Susan) German of Des Moines; step-brother, Kevin (Patty) Eisele of Mile City, MT; half-sister, Tracey German of Des Moines; step-sisters, Karen (Mark) Dobroth of Ft. Collins, CO, Diane (David) Glascock of Indianola and Lynn Brenneman of Iowa City; along with other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, at Overton Funeral Home where family will be present to greet friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Kevin German Memorial Fund. OVERTON FUNERAL HOME Indianola, Iowa ALBERT L. NEIGHBORS Grinnell ALBERT L. NEIGHBORS, 88, died on Monday at Friendship Manor in Grinnell. A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell, with interment at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery near Newburg. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning 12 noon on Thursday, and the family will be present at the funeral home from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be directed to Grinnell Regional Hospice and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112. He is survived by his two sons, Don (Linda) Neighbors of Toms Brook, VA and Gordon (Rosemary) Neighbors of Grinnell; seven grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren; one sister, Alice Landers of Van Meter, IA; and his dear friend, Helen Paul of Grinnell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Elsie. SMITH FUNERAL HOME Grinnell, Iowa BRADLEY LEE RIDDLE Des Moines BRADLEY LEE RIDDLE, 39, passed away December 10, 2005 at Glenwood, Iowa of a heart attack. Graveside service will be Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Hamilton's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. BEULAH M. JENSEN Audubon BEULAH M. JENSEN, 84, died at the Friendship Home in Audubon on December 9, 2005. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 13, 2005, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Audubon. She is survived by her children, Vernice (Howard) Madsen of Fayetteville, AR and Jerald (Janet) Jensen of Johnston, IA; four grandchildren, Jill (Robert) Jaworski of Boxford, MA, Shari (Stephen) Bachinsky of Fairfax Station, VA, Gretchen Jensen of Des Moines, IA and Abigail Jensen of Minneapolis, MN; and five great-grandchildren. The family will meet friends Monday evening at 7 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Audubon. ANNE BRUNSVOLD Mason City Memorial services for ANNE BRUNSVOLD will be 11 a.m. Friday at the St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the services at the church. Steen Funeral Home of Greenfield is in charge of arrangements. GERALD THOMAS HARTMAN Des Moines GERALD THOMAS HARTMAN, 94, passed away December 11, 2005. Services will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday at Lee Town Assembly of God, 2720 State Street in Des Moines, with burial at Highland Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Hamilton's PAUL J. SANDBERG Des Moines PAUL J. SANDBERG, 84, went to his heavenly home Tuesday, December 13, 2005, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. Funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005, at Fort Des Moines Presbyterian Church, with interment following at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Hamilton's Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street. Paul was born November 21, 1921 in Carroll, Iowa to Agnes and Peter Sandberg. He was raised in Glidden, Iowa and graduated from Glidden High School in 1942. Paul served as an Army medic during WWII and came home to marry Daphne Wade on March 16, 1956. He worked for Meredith Publishing for 32 years and retired in 1983. Paul was a member of the Presbyterian fellowship. Paul is survived by his wife, Daphne; son, Robert of Des Moines; daughters, Mary Ellen (John) Rice of Des Moines and Nadine (Bob) Rice of Trenton, Missouri; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren; and sister, Edith Potts of Sac City, Iowa. Paul was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Gertrude Christianson. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in loving memory of Paul. PHIL W. SMALL Dallas Center Phil Small, 81, died Monday, December 12, at his home. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 16, at the Dallas Center United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at Brethren Cemetery. Phil was born August 22, 1924 in Dedham, Iowa. He grew up in the Audubon area and farmed around Audubon until 1955, when he moved to Dallas Center. He worked at the Farmers COOP until his retirement in 1986. He was a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Army. Phil especially enjoyed working in his yard and tending to his flowers. Woodworking was his interest in the winter time when he couldnt be outside. Survivors include his son, Gene (Linda) Small of Dallas Center; daughter, Faye (Ken) Renfrow of Urbandale; grandchildren, Barb (Mark) Thacker, Brian (Trish) Small, Christopher McKim, Charity Chambers and Peggy Chambers; five great grandchildren; brothers, Floyd (Shirley) Small and Lloyd (Colleen) Small; sisters, Darlene Myers, Gloria (Dean) Horning and Shirley (Bill) Shaw and many nieces and nephews. Phil was preceded in death by his wife, Alice and his parents, Bill and Faye Small. Visitation begins after 4 p.m. Thursday at Brandt Funeral Home in Dallas Center, where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Central Iowa. MILO J. PEDERSEN Des Moines MILO J. PEDERSEN, 71, died Sunday, December 11, 2005, at Mercy Hospital Medical Center. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, December 15, at Dunns Funeral Home. Burial will be at Avon Cemetery, near Carlisle. Milo was born the son of Violet Z. (Yerger) and Peter H. Pedersen on December 12, 1933 in Jefferson, IA. His family lived on several farms, one near Wiota and one near Greenfield, Iowa prior to moving to Des Moines in the mid-1940s. Milo worked as a truck driver for Des Moines Pittsburgh Steel and Super Value before retiring. Milo was a member of the Teamsters Union, and enjoyed working on automobiles, fishing, hunting and spending time with his grandchildren. Milo is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughters, Karon (Gary) Bowen of Des Moines, Brenda Pedersen of Austin, TX and Helen (Rusty) Parkins of Carlisle; step-children, Tonnie (Ron) Latham of Moscow, IA and Monte Pollard of Jacksonville, NC; nine grandchildren, Alisha, Jessica, Rochelle, Kyla, Kaleb, Tanner, Kelsie, Morgan and Maegan; and sister, Arlene Maynard of Des Moines. He was preceded in death by his parents and two children, Nancy Rawson and Milo, Jr. "Mike" Pedersen. Visitation will be Wednesday, December 14, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be the American Lung Association to be used towards asthma programs. RICHARD VESTAL Des Moines RICHARD VESTAL, 74, died Saturday, December 10, 2005, at the Hospice Kavanagh on 56th in Des Moines. He was cremated and graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Glendale Cemetery. Hamilton's - Southtown NEVA CORY Elkhart NEVA CORY, 86, passed away December 12, 2005 at USA Healthcare in Newton. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005, at St. Mary- Holy Cross Church in Elkhart. Interment will follow at Cory Grove Cemetery in Elkhart. Neva is survived by her sons, Ralph John (Fran) Cory of Bondurant and Patrick Cory of Maxwell; daughter, Sharon (Bill) Dunbar of Elkhart; 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren. Neva was preceded in death by her husband Ralph Cory and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, December 14, 2005, at St. Mary - Holy Cross Church in Elkhart, with wake services beginning at 7 p.m. Memorials have been established to St. Mary-Holy Cross Building Fund. EARL M. SEVERSON Stow, Ohio EARL M. SEVERSON was born April 2, 1931 in Ames, Iowa, to Howard and Thelma Severson. A U.S. Army Veteran, he served in Germany from 1953 to 1955. He graduated from St. Olaf College in 1953 with a Liberal Arts Degree in Education, and in 1968 received his Masters Degree in Reading Specialization from Kent State University. Mr. Severson taught for 33 years in the Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls school systems from 1958-1991, primarily as a remedial reading instructor. He was also a part-time instructor at Kent State's Child Study Center. As an undergraduate, he was a member of the Viking Chorus, which toured the United States and recorded several LPs. Active throughout his life, he was a long-time member of the National Horseshoe Pitching Association and was an avid and talented bowler. He bicycled across Iowa seven times as a participant in RAGBRAI, and also around Ohio three times in GOBA, all after reaching the age of 50. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ruth; four children, son, David of San Diego, California; daughters, Diane (Patrick) Mangan of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Sheryl (Todd) Dunn of Stow and Joyce (Edward) Groggs of Cuyahoga Falls; and nine grandchildren. Other survivors include brothers, Herbert Severson of Roland, Iowa and Duane Severson of Ames, Iowa; and sisters, Maxine Thomason of Ames, Iowa, Elaine Smith of Roswell, New Mexico and Juanita White of Gordon, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Arlin. Memorial services were held 3 p.m. Sunday at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home and Crematory in Kent, OH. Private burial will be in Stow Cemetery in Stow. Memorials may be made to the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, 3512 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224. BERTHA E. HINES Pleasant Hill Bertha Ellen Hines, 94, passed away on December 11, 2005, at Parkridge Nursing and Rehab Center. Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Pleasant Hill Free Church in Pleasant Hill, with burial following at Rising Sun Cemetery. Hamilton's WILLIAM H. "BILL" WALLANDER West Des Moines Bill Wallander, 84, passed away Sunday evening, December 11, 2005 at Bickford Cottage in West Des Moines, IA of renal failure. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005 at the funeral home chapel. Visitation will be one hour before service time. Bill was born March 20, 1921 in Omaha, NE. He graduated from the University of Nebraska. He came to Des Moines in 1967 and worked as an accountant, retiring from Economy Forms. He served in the Army in the South Pacific theater for three and a half years, was a member of the the Golden 'K' Kiwanis, and a past member of the National Association of Accountants. He liked golfing, cards, gardening and reading. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary of West Des Moines; one son, William S. "Bill" Wallander (Kathy) of Audubon, IA; two daughters, Sheryl Casey of Cedar Rapids, IA and Jeanne Gfeller and fiance, Kevin Drury of West Des Moines; five grandchildren; two step-grandsons; and three great-grandchildren. He is also survived by cousins, Marge Ramik and Gloria Dawson, both of Omaha. He was preceded in death by his mother, Agnes; grandson, Matthew Wallander; and son-in-law, William Casey. In lieu of flowers, family prefers memorials to Hospice of Central Iowa. MASTER SGT. DONALD L. WIEGERT North Pole, Alaska Master Sgt. DONALD L. WIEGERT, 47, of North Pole, Alaska, died December 8, 2005 following a snowmobile accident. Memorial services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 16, at McLaren's Chapel, with inurnment in Resthaven Mausoleum. Military rites are by the Offutt Air Force Base, Omaha, Nebraska. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at McLaren's. Donald was born on February 5, 1957 in Ft. Dodge, Iowa, the son of Fred and Patricia (Wooters) Wiegert. He graduated from Prairie High School in Gowrie in 1957. Donald served with the Air Force in Arizona for many years, and had been stationed in Alaska since March as a recruiter and office supervisor with the air refueling wing of the Air Guard. He is survived by his mother, Patricia Wiegert of West Des Moines; three children, Kyle, Kurt and Kaela of Kearny, Arizona; and a brother, Jeff (Dala) Wiegert of Pleasant Hope, Missouri. Donald was preceded in death by his father, Fred and his maternal and paternal grandparents. RHODA A. KREAMER Des Moines RHODA A. KREAMER, 68, of Des Moines, died of cancer at Kavanagh House on Monday, December 12, 2005. Funeral services will be held at Dunn's Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Thursday, December 15, with interment at Glendale Jewish Cemetery. Rhoda lived a full and happy life in Iowa for 62 years, the last fifty spent with her loving husband, Dr. Robert Kreamer. Starting her professional career as a teacher, Rhoda received her Master's Degree in Education from Drake University in 1965. Always an advocate for the needy, she wrote the original funding grants and program guidelines for Head Start in Des Moines. She also was instrumental in the establishment of Opportunity Centers in the inner city of Des Moines in the '60's and secured the original funding for the first Osteopathic Health Center in Iowa. Rhoda and her daughter were the co-owners of Viva La Pasta in Des Moines for 20 years, starting in 1984. Rhoda truly cared about people, loved to entertain and socialize, and always loved cooking. Rhoda is survived by her husband, Dr. Robert Kreamer; her mother, Rebecca Nussbaum; her three children and eight grandchildren: Sam (son) and Laurie Kreamer, along with their children Josh, Michelle, Amy and Emily; Rebecca Swartz Solomon (daughter) and Maurice Solomon, along with her children Adam and Leah; and Dr. Jeffry (son) and Julie Kreamer, along with their children Jeremy and Jessica. In lieu of flowers, Rhoda requested that donations be made to The Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center. RUSSELL (RUSTY) SPURLING, JR. Creston Russell "Rusty" Spurling, Jr. passed away December 10, 2005 in the Veteran's Hospital in Knoxville, Iowa after a courageous battle with cancer. Russ was born November 29, 1942 in Fort Des Moines, Iowa. After high school in Carlisle, Iowa, he joined the Air Force. Following service in the Air Force, he was a maintenance mechanic at various packing houses. He retired from Trolli Candy Factory in Creston. He is survived by two daughters, Stacy Johnson and husband Scott of Hartford, Iowa and Anji Hayek and husband Scott of Des Moines, Iowa; four grandchildren; one sister, Linda Bradshaw and husband Chuck of Eagleville, MO; father, Russell E. Spurling, Sr. of Elkand, MO; one brother, Dan Spurling of Coffey, MO; and four nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Peggy Spurling. He was dearly loved and will be missed by his family and a host of friends, many from the Eagles Lodge in Creston, Iowa. A memorial service will be planned at a later date. Richardson Funeral Home Carlisle, Iowa DIXIE HOLDER Des Moines DIXIE HOLDER, 70, fought a long and courageous battle with emphysema, and died peacefully at Kavanagh on 56th Street on December 12, 2005. Funeral services will be 7 p.m. today at Tonini Chapel. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Dixie will be missed by two daughters, Robin (Mark) Morris of Vinton and Renee (Craig) Smith of Olin; a son, Jim Holder of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren, Joshua and Jessica Asmussen, Dameon Holder, Eric (Kim) Smith and Jason (Michelle) Smith; two great-grandchildren, Amanda and Hunter Smith; sisters, Virginia Quijano, Lois Birmingham, Diane Dickson, Joanne Malone and Joyce Ferin; and brother, Harry Davis. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Wilbur and Pauline Davis and a sister, Barb Crane. Memorials are suggested to Kavanagh House on 56th. GLENARD H. HECKMAN formerly of Des Moines GLENARD H. HECKMAN, 94, died of natural causes on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown. No services are planned . Glen was born in Adair, IA on August 10, 1911 to Emil and Ada (Wedmeyer) Heckman. He lived there until joining the U.S. Navy in 1944. After returning from military service, he settled in Des Moines. He worked as a fireman for the Fort Des Moines Fire Department, a warehouseman for Dempster Pump, and retired from National Handcraft Company. He was a 60 year member of American Legion, Post No. 669, and a lifetime member of V.F.W. Post No. 9662. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. Glen is survived by his son, G.W. "Jerry" (Jean) Heckman of Des Moines; two brothers, Paul (Beverly) Heckman of Marshalltown and Dean (Mary Ann) Heckman of Adair; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, a son, three sisters and two brothers. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Iowa Veterans Home, 1301 Summit Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158 JANIS K. MCDOWELL Des Moines Janis McDowell died December 10, 2005 after an 18-month battle with cancer. She was born in Waterloo, Iowa and is survived by her mother, Adele McDowell of Des Moines; four siblings, John and Christine McDowell of Chamberlain, South Dakota, Jane Kristin McCarver of Atlanta, Georgia, Frank and Marilyn McDowell of Worthington, Minnesota, Betsy McDowell and Paul Sisney of Salem, Oregon; and seven nieces and nephews. Her father, Frank preceded her in death in 1993. Janis was a 1968 graduate of Decorah High School. She received her undergraduate degree in German from Central College in Pella, and a Master's degree in English as a Second Language at the University of Northern Iowa. Her career began teaching high school German in Le Mars, Iowa. She spent most of her life abroad, advancing her teaching career in Tehran, Iran, Berlin, West Germany, Vienna, Austria and Taipei, Taiwan. She possessed unique personal style, was an accomplished linguist, and had a passion for music, opera, Renaissance art, literature and cuisine. She traveled extensively during in her life and organized numerous European trips for her students, encouraging them not only to excel academically, but to realize their full human potential. Janis shared her love of adventure with her colleagues, students, friends and family. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 17, at the First United Methodist Church, 10th and Pleasant, Des Moines, Iowa. In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to Des Moines Metro Opera, 106 W. Boston Avenue, Indianola, IA 50125; Southern Poverty Law Center, P.O. Box 588, Montgomery, AL 36101-0548; or the Heifer Project. JOYCE SEARCY GROSLAND Des Moines JOYCE SEARCY GROSLAND died Friday, December 9, 2005, of a heart attack at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral service will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2005, at Hamilton's Funeral Home with burial in Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date. She was born October 29, 1940, in Des Moines to Charles and Maxine (Luckey) Searcy. Joyce attended Des Moines schools, UNI and DMACC; was a member of Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church; participated in Head Start programs and was a past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star Adelphic Chapter #417 of OES and belonged to Northgate Chapter #417. Besides her family, she loved talking to people, traveling, her pets and watching her granddaughter Maddie grow. She was always there to help someone in need. Joyce is survived by her daughters, Marcella (Mark) Fedson of Des Moines and Meghan (Gavin) Mott of Burlington, KY; her sons, Michael and Matthew of Des Moines; her mother, Maxine Searcy; two brothers, Charles, Jr. (Vicki) and Luckey Searcy of Des Moines; two grandchildren, Madalyn and Justin; and nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles Searcy. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family. LELAND M. GARDNER Cambridge LELAND M. GARDNER, 89, passed away Monday, December 12, 2005, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following a heart attack. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 16, at the Cambridge United Methodist Church, with the burial in the Cambridge Cemetery. Leland was born November 21, 1916 in Clear Lake, Iowa, the son of Earl C. and Esta (Mount) Gardner. He was united in marriage to Neoma Hennick on April 9, 1939. Neoma preceded Leland in death on December 28, 1999. Leland graduated from Clear Lake High School, and later joined his parents and brother in Mingo, Iowa. The family then moved to Cambridge, where they owned and operated Gardners Garage. In 1954, Leland was appointed to the Cambridge Post Office, as Postmaster, where he served until his retirement in 1978. Many of his lifetime activities included: Past Chief of Cambridge Volunteer Fire Department, as well as past President of Story County Firemen's Assoc. He served as councilman and city clerk of Cambridge. He was chairman of the Troop Committee of Boy Scouts and a member of Order of the Arrow. Leland was past Master of Tabernacle Masonic Lodge, as well as past Worthy Patron of Order of the Eastern Star, New Hope Chapter. Other activities include National Assoc. of Postmasters of the U.S.; member of the National League of Postmasters and past President of Tri-County Postmasters. Leland was a member of the Cambridge United Methodist Church, where he was a choir member, member of the official board, as well as Sunday school teacher. Following retirement, Leland and Neoma enjoyed their lake home in Minnesota during the summer, but always looked forward to their trip to Apache Jct., AZ, spending the winter with their many friends in Bonita Vista Park. Fishing, dancing and playing cards were just a few of the many things he enjoyed. They also enjoyed the many trips taken with their Air Stream trailer. Leland served for many years as chairman of the Park Association in Arizona. In 2004, Leland moved to Ballard Creek in Huxley, Iowa, where he had many friends. He is survived by his daughter, Barbara Gardner of Bondurant, Iowa, and his son, Lawrence (Larry) L. Gardner of Bondurant, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Neoma; and his beloved brother, Lawrence E. Gardner. His enjoyment of life and his great spirit live on in the great memories we all have of Leland. The visitation will be held Thursday after 3 p.m., with the family present from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Soderstrum- Riis Funeral Home in Slater. KENNETH EUGENE JACOBS Knoxville Memorial services for Kenneth Jacobs, 58, will be held 11 a.m. Thursday at the Knoxville Church of God. Visitation will be held one hour prior. Interment will be at Bellefountaine Cemetery in Tracy, IA. Memorials may be made to Knoxville Church of God. |