JUDITH ELAINE CUNNING     Judith Elaine Cunning, daughter of James and Arlene (Ripkey) Shuey, was born September 5, 1942 in Ames, Iowa. Judy grew up in Gilbert, Iowa and was active in basketball, band, and choir, including performing as an All-State soloist. While growing up, Judy and her parents would vacation in Canada; camping,…

ESTHER R. ALLEN     Esther R. Allen, daughter of Forrest and Millie “Lucile” (McCleary) Merrill, was born December 9, 1917 at Kellerton, Iowa. In the 1920’s, the family moved to Colorado where her dad raised cattle and wheat. Esther graduated high school in 1935 at Wray, Colorado. Esther returned to Kellerton to care for her…

JUDY KAY FIFER     Judy Kay Fifer, daughter of Michael Homer and Beulah Lorrene (Collins) Fry, was born January 13, 1946 in the Clarke County Hospital in Osceola, Iowa. Judy attended Central Decatur School. Judy lived in Van Wert, Leon and Decatur while growing up. She was working at Tripps Nursing Home when she was…

BEVERLY ANN SWANSON     Beverly Ann Jeter Swanson, 66, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 4, 2014. She was surrounded by family and an abundance of love.     Beverly was bom on July 11, 1948 in Creston, Iowa to parents Jim and Marie Jeter. She was raised in Bedford, Iowa with her…

BETTY BLESSMAN     Betty was born to Harry and Blanche Stamper in Diagonal, Iowa where they lived until the family moved to Mount Ayr in 1935. Betty graduated from Mount Ayr High School and met the love of her life, Leroy Blessman from Clearfield, at the local roller rink. After high school, she moved to…

JOHN JAMES BIDDLE     John James Biddle, son of Grant and Vinnie (Clark) Biddle, was born April 12, 1926 in Dallas, Iowa. John graduated from Lacona High School in 1944.     John answered the call from God to preach and was a minister of the gospel for the rest of his life. Beginning in Lucas,…

KENNETH EUGENE NEWBY     Kenneth Eugene Newby, son of Willis and Lois (Harris) Newby, was born July 21, 1956 in Ringgold County, Iowa.     His children remember him as a passionate, loving father and Pappy to his Grandchildren. To his daughters he was fun and hilarious, and very quick witted. He knew how to fix…

ALLEN EDWARD KIMBERLIN     Allen Edward Kimberlin was born March 16, 1944 in Diagonal, Iowa to Nemel Alton Kimberlin and Mary Uretta (Dunn) Kimberlin. Due to being handicapped Allen lived most of his life at the Glenwood Resource Center in Glenwood, Iowa. He later moved to Mosaic in Osceola before moving to the Atlantic Nursing…

HELEN M. DEFEO     Helen M. DeFeo NiskayunaHelen M. DeFeo, 91, of Hawthorn Rd died peacefully at home on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 after a brief illness. Born in Hale, Missouri, she was raised in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Helen was one of eight children of Lee and Maude (Brown) Hobbs. She graduated from Mount Ayr…