Mary Lou Walkup Feburary 5, 1927 – October 30, 2010

  Mary Lou Walkup, daughter of Hazel (Tamerius) Matheny and Joseph Matheny, was born February 5, 1927 at Platteville, Iowa. Mary grew up in the Platteville area and she graduated from Blockton high school. On December 24, 1947 she married Robert J. Walkup. Mary lived at Blockton until 1988 when she moved to Clearfield. Mary was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Blockton and the United Methodist Church in Clearfield.

Mary was a hard worker and loved to cook; always able to feed any number of guests who might show up. Mary made everyone feel welcome and they always left fed. She maintained a large garden and naturally did a lot of canning. She was a loving mother and grandmother and also did babysitting. Mary loved animals and was known to keep some in the house, keeping them warm after their birth. She loved birds and her favorite was the Cardinal.

Mary became a resident of Clearview Home in Clearfield and it was there that she passed away on October 30, 2010.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1986, and two brothers, Earl Matheny and Joseph ‘Jiggs’ Matheny.

Survivors include her children, Diana Son of Indianola, Iowa, Brenda Poppa of Grimes, Iowa and Robert R. (Misty) Walkup of Diagonal, Iowa; six grandchildren, Alan (Deb) England, Edward (Joni) Walston, Sue Murphy, Mindy Walston, Tory (Chris) Parker and Shaun Walkup; seven great-grandchildren, Kane and Kaci Ellenwood, Maci and Jadon Ballard, Thane Walston, Gracie Poppa and Ryer Parker; sister, Ardith Sickels of Clearfield, Iowa; brother, Wilbur ‘Wiggs’ Matheny of Nevada, Iowa; four sisters-in-law, Eileen Matheny of Clearfield, Iowa, Marilyn Beck of Lenox, Iowa, Annabel Walkup of Redding, Iowa and Helen Walkup of Humeston, Iowa, and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.   

The care and compassion shown to Mary by Clearview Home in Clearfield and Hospice of Central Iowa were appreciated by her family. 

A memorial fund has been established to the Blockton community building. Arrangements were handled by Watson-Armstrong Funeral Home in Clearfield.

Services were conducted at the Christian church in Blockton on Wednesday, November 3, 2010, with Rev. Scott Marcum officiating. Musicians were Jodi Lawrence and Marvel Melvin.

Casket bearers included Alan England, Edward Walston, Shaun Walkup, Kane Ellenwood, Jadon Ballard and Thane Walston.

Honorary pallbearers were Sue Murphy, Mindy Walston, Tory Parker, Kaci Ellenwood, Maci Ballard, Gracie Poppa and Ryer Parker.

Mary was laid at rest in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Blockton.