Area Obituaries

Diane Lynne Drake, daughter of Curt and Donna Wilson, was born on February 13, 1958, in Mount Ayr, IA. She was welcomed home by her brother Douglas and later David. Diane grew up on farms outside of Maloy and Redding and attended her elementary school years there.  In middle school, she began attending Mount Ayr…

James Michael Fine was born September 5, 1953, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Kenneth Eugene and Erma Jo (Slavik) Fine. He was raised in Des Moines and graduated from Hoover High School. Following graduation, Jim enlisted in the United States Army. After his honorable discharge, Jim returned to Des Moines where he lived…

Hazel Irene Smith Foltz, avid crocheter, voracious reader, and devoted mother and grandmother, died on November 14, 2024. Hazel was the youngest of five siblings and was born on April 5, 1929, to parents Herbert and Iva (Hightshoe) Smith in rural Decatur County Iowa. Her family were sharecrop farmers; moving every March, they rented farmland…

Sandra Louise Mekus was born on May 16, 1942, to Louise (Blades) and Kenneth Hussman in her parent’s home in Des Moines, Iowa. She was raised with her older brother Clark and a younger sister Kay. Sandra grew up surrounded by her grandparents, uncles, aunts and numerous cousins. The importance of family became prevalent at…

Ann McCarter of Martensdale, IA departed this life on November 22nd, 2024, at the age of 91 years. She was born August 15, 1933, in Mount Ayr, IA to Franklin and Iona Spurrier. She attended grade and high school in Mount Ayr, IA. She was employed at Look magazine based in Des Moines, IA in her…

Brenda Lou (Walkup) Poppa was born on May 7, 1951, in Mount Ayr, Iowa to Mary Lou (Matheny) and Robert Walkup. The family resided in Blockton, IA where Brenda grew up alongside her two siblings, Diana and Bobby. Brenda attended Blockton and Bedford Community Schools graduating in 1969 and later graduated from the nursing program…

James “Jim” Allan Faris left this world on November 15, 2024. His wife of over 63 years was by his side during his final moments. Jim was born on December 31, 1934, in Mount Ayr, Iowa to Wilbur and Eva Faris. Jim was the eldest of five children, Everett Lee, Florence Louise, Euphan Lucille and…

Justin Lee Beier was born in Aurora, Nebraska to John Edward Percifield and Candice K Beier on December 4, 1979. Justin passed away on November 4, 2024, at Kavanaugh Hospice House in Des Moines at the age of 44. Justin graduated from Mount Ayr High School and went on to work most recently as a…

Raymond Eugene Peppmeier, age 87, the son of Laurence Ray and Ruth Josephine (George) Peppmeier, was born October 1, 1937, in Clarke County, Iowa. He passed away on October 28, 2024, at his Decatur, Iowa home. Raymond’s family lived in Clarke County, Iowa until they moved to Ringgold County, Iowa when he was five years…

Linda Lou Foland, daughter of Francis Virden and Fornola (Higday) Virden was born May 11, 1942, in Kellerton, Iowa and passed from this life suddenly on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at the Foland farm north of Grand River, Iowa at 82 years of age. Linda grew up in Kellerton, graduating from Kellerton High School with…