Area Obituaries

Steven Leroy Doolittle was born on February 9, 1947, in Shenandoah, IA to Clyde and Lucille (Mutchler) Doolittle. Shortly after the passing of his mother and 2 younger brothers Steve, went to live with Clifford and Ethel (Still) Doolittle and their 3 boys Roy, Larry, and Melvin at the farm. When Uncle Sam came calling,…

Mark Allen Erickson, son of Robert Allen Erickson and Shirley Ann (Strange) Erickson was born July 5, 1959, in Creston, Iowa and passed from this life Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at Kavanagh on 56th in Des Moines at 66 years of age. Mark grew up in Mt. Ayr where he graduated from high school; he…

Nola Pritchard, 89, of Clarinda, Iowa passed away Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at Azria Care, Clarinda, Iowa. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 28, 2026, at First Christian Church, Clarinda, Iowa with Pastor Mike Harvey officiating. Visitation will be held 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 28, 2026, at…

Sharon (Force, Hembry) Kennedy, was born at home on May 26, 1942, in rural Worth County, Missouri, in the Fletchall Township to Clifford & Cleta Force. She passed away at age 83 on March 26, 2026, in Bentonville, Arkansas, with her sons at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and…

Wim Banoe was born on April 4, 1935, in Peniwen – East Java, Indonesia to Inswihardjo and Suprasti. He was the sixth child of seven children. He grew up during World War II when the Dutch, then Japan colonialized Indonesia. He was such a storyteller and enjoyed an audience attentively listening to his many, many…

Dillon Jason Drake was born on September 23, 1992, in Creston, Iowa, to Barb (Saxton) and Deric Drake. He graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School with the Class of 2011. After high school, Dillon worked a variety of jobs before finding his place at Mercer Motor Repair, where he worked alongside his friend Mason,…

Douglas Lynn Virden was born January 19, 1954, to Francis and Fornola (Higday) Virden in Leon, Iowa. As the only boy in a family with five sisters, Doug grew up surrounded by plenty of adventures and family life. Doug attended Grand Valley School, where he stayed busy and active. He played basketball, baseball, ran track,…

Mildred Lucille Main was born at home on May 27, 1925, near Kellerton, Ringgold County, Iowa, the daughter of Carroll and Mary Merritt. She passed away on February 25, 2026, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa. Lucille attended country schools until high school when she attended two years at Kellerton and two years in…

Larry Joe Sackett, son of Lyle & Ramona (Smith) Sackett, was born August 6, 1941, at Mount Ayr, Iowa. Larry grew up at Mount Ayr and graduated from Mount Ayr High School. Larry entered service for his country on July 4, 1959, in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged with the rank of…

Lester (Les) Leroy Hickman, age 86 of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, passed away Thursday, February 26,2026 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. Les was born on August 17, 1939, in Indianola, Iowa, the son of Murrel and Mary (Hamilton) Hickman. He graduated from Indianola in 1955 and received a BS of pharmacy at Drake University…

Sharon “Gayle” Giles, age 85, passed away peacefully on February 3 in Littleton, Colorado. She was born April 30, 1940, in Denver (Worth County), Missouri, to Claude and Deloris Geraldine Stephenson and was raised in Ellston, Iowa. During her childhood on the family farm, Gayle developed exceptional skill as a seamstress. She created clothing for…

Phillip James Richmond (Phil) of Kansas City, MO passed away peacefully at his home Wednesday, February 25, 2026, with his wife and son at his side following a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Phil was born November 22,1940 in Leon, IA to James B.W. Richmond & Florence Irene (Jarvis) Richmond. Phil grew up in Ringgold…