Area Obituaries

Edna Marie (Samuels) Small, age 87, passed away peacefully on September 5, 2021, at Mount Ayr Health Care Center with family by her side. She was born May 25, 1934, in Muscatine, IA, the first child of Carl and Minnie (Cary) Samuels. Edna grew up on the family farm with her parents and brother, Burton,…

Charlotte M. Todd peacefully passed away September 1, 2021. During her last days, Charlotte had her seven children and her beloved dog by her side, along with many of her grandchildren. Charlotte was born June 15, 1938 in Paisley, OR to Charles D. and Ida L. Keith. Charlotte married Max Glendenning on December 14, 1957…

Mildred Harriett Ellison Cannon was born September 4, 1919, on a farm near Guss, in Taylor County and passed away September 6, 2021, at Clearview Home in Mount Ayr at the age of 102. She was born to Wilbur Clay Ellison and Martha Jane Corbin Ellison. Mildred joined brothers, Ralph Wilson and Caroll Ellison, and…

Lora “Lou” Haley Baxter, of Foart Madison, IA, passed away at 8:55 p.m. on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. Lou was born in Mount Ayr, IA to Elbert and Anna Bowen Haley. On March 24, 1984 she married Leon Baxter in Fort Madison, IA. Lou went to high…

Lonnie Lowell Huntsman, son of Lowell Enos and Lila Irene (Day) Huntsman, was born May 31, 1946. Lonnie lived in Iowa and in recent years, made Mount Ayr his home. He was an over the road truck driver and did auto body repair work in younger years. Lonnie was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the…

Robert Vincent Schaefer was born February 29, 1928, in rural Adams County, IA, the fourth child of Harold William and Bernice Lewie Madison Schaefer. Bob attended country school in Ringgold County. Bob was united in marriage to Betty Jean Carson on November 23, 1946, in Troy, KS. Two children were born to this union: Randall…

Vance O. Briner, 75, of Agency, died at 4:26 a.m. August 24, 2021 at home. He was born December 31, 1945 in Mount Ayr, IA to Burl and Violet Grim Briner. Vance married Elaine Elmer on September 28, 1963 in Mount Ayr. Vance owned and operated a mechanic and auto body shop, and also did…

Robert Galen McVey, seventh child of 11 children born to Charlie O. and Cora M. (Kimmel) McVey, was born April 21, 1939 at home in Clarke County, IA. Bob always liked the idea that he was “7 of 11” so naturally, 7 and 11 were his lucky numbers! Bob was united in marriage to LaVonne…

Johnnie Land, 86, of Afton, entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. Funeral Services were 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Pearson Family Funeral Service and Cremation Center, 809 West Montgomery Street, Creston, IA with Pastor Rick Titus officiating. Burial was in Graceland Cemetery in…

Jack B. Wilkey, son of Harold Aaron (Jack) and Lula (Wagaman) Wilkey, was born September 8, 1929, near Villisca, in Montgomery County, IA. He was the fifth child of what later would become nine. The family moved around a lot, living in various communities such as Villisca, Sharpsburg, Diagonal and finally to Ellston, IA which…

Geryle “Jerry” Eugene Peterson was born August 25, 1939, to Kenneth and Thelma (Pollard) Peterson in Hamilton County, NE on the family farm. He was the third of six children. The family moved from the Aurora, NE, area to Fremont, NE and eventually settling on a farm near Stanhope, IA. Jerry went to kindergarten and…

Patricia Ann Dowell Sobotka was born at home south of Diagonal, IA in Grant Township, Ringgold County on January 20, 1933, to Irven Charles Dowell and Edna Jane (Perkins) Dowell, the youngest of six children. In 1937 the family moved to a farm east of Diagonal where she attended country school at Fairview school until…