Area Obituaries

Betty Marie Gage, daughter of Doyle Vern & Joan Hope (Grannaman) Konopasek, was born January 23, 1957, in Hatfield, MO. Together with her siblings, Linda, Glen, and Jeannie, she grew up in a loving home. Betty lived in Eagleville, MO until the 6th grade when the family moved to Kellerton, IA. Betty attended and graduated…

James “Jim” Robert Sobotka, age 82 of Glade Valley, NC; passed away Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, at Trinity Village in Hickory, NC. Jim was born August 5th, 1941, in Ringgold County, IA to the late Robert Milton and Shirley Irene Loudon Sobotka. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife…

Mary Katherine Ferriss Calkin, age 99, of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away Sunday, June 16, 2024. Mrs. Calkin was born June 12, 1925, in Chattanooga, TN to the late Clarence Jack Ferriss, Sr. and Ruby Jarrell Frost Ferriss. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Homer Leonard Calkin, brothers, Roy Wilbur Ferriss, James Ferriss,…

Arlene “Teen” Pearce, daughter of George Henry and Tanzy Florence (Scott) Thurman was born July 15, 1936, in Missouri. Arlene was raised in a large family and lived her early years mostly in Missouri. Throughout the many seasons of her life, one theme was constant for Arlene: family. She came from a large, loving family…

Jimmie Henry Pearce, son of Charles Henry & Elsie (Brooner) Pearce, was born February 14, 1933, on the same farm where he lived the majority of his life and raised his own family. On March 7, 1955, Jim was united in marriage to Arlene Thurman. To this marriage, five children were born: Sally, Jimmie, Keith,…

JuLee Renee Caldwell, age 62, of Creston, Iowa formerly of Mount Ayr, Iowa was born July 26, 1961, in Albany, Missouri. She was the oldest of 6 children. JuLee graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School in 1979. She married Roger Johnson on July 29, 1979. They had 2 children, Jenni and Joshua. JuLee later…

A Memorial Celebration of Life Services for Rita Sickels, age 82, formerly of Lenox, who passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024, in West Des Moines was held Friday, June 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the East Fairview Cemetery in Lenox, Iowa. Memorials may be given in her name. Memories may be shared with the…

Funeral Services for JoAnn Barker, age 73, of Lincoln will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at the O’Neill Methodist Church in O’Neill, Nebraska.  Rev. Robert Wynn will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, at Biglin’s Mortuary in O’Neill with a 7 p.m. prayer service.  Memorials…

Craig Elliott was born to Jack Elliott and Mildred Dixon Elliott in Des Moines, Iowa on September 30, 1947. He and his family moved to Benton where he attended school till transferring to Mount Ayr. Craig enjoyed participating in sports in high school. His senior year he started dating Ellen Saville. After graduation Craig attended…

L. Maxine (Max) McGilvrey was born September 8, 1944, the eighth child of William and Hazel (Hullinger) Jones on the family farm. Max passed away at her home on May 29, 2004. Max grew up on the family farm and attended country school, Ellston schools until it closed and graduated in 1962 from Mount Ayr…

Dwayne Andrew Cason, son of Charles C. & Letha May (Safley) Cason, was born at home, southwest of Clearfield, Iowa, on December 25, 1944. Dwayne attended country school until transferring to Clearfield High School in the 7th grade. While in high school, Dwayne played football. In January 1962, Dwayne left high school at the age of…