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ELBERTA RUTH CROSS
Elberta Ruth Cross was born the oldest of two children on December 9, 1912 to Walter A. and Carrie M. (Slattery) McKinstry in Clearfield, Iowa, both of whom preceded her in death. Valedictorian of her 1931 Clearfield high school class, she received a Normal Training Teachers diploma and taught two years in the first school house northeast of Clearfield, then four years in Benton. She also had two terms at State Teachers College in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
On October 26, 1937, she married Ames Russell Cross who had established a business in Mount Ayr, Iowa in 1936. They had three children: Ronald Eugene of Urbandale, Iowa, Mac Elbert of Mount Ayr and Walter Alvin also of Urbandale.
Elberta accepted Christ at an early age in the Christian Church in Clearfield and had been a member of the First Christian Church in Mount Ayr for the past 55 years. As an active church member she taught Sunday school and vacation Bible school classes and had charge of wedding receptions in the church for over 10 years. In later years she taught Sunday school at Mount Ayr Health Care Center. She was a regular volunteer for the Blood Bank and assisted in cancer, multiple sclerosis and March of Dimes activities.
After their children were in school, Elberta was an active member in the family business on Highway 2, Cross Service & Garage and later Ames Cross Inc. (an IH truck and Willys dealership). She was a member of Business and Professional Women's Club, Women's Achievement Club, Modern Mothers (continuous from 1938), Evening Literature Club, PTA president, Band Booster officer and for the last several years president of Heritage Park Resident Organization where she last resided.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Ames; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Walter and Etta Cross; brother-in-law Ivan Cross; and sisters-in-law, Juanita McKinstry, Hazel Schlapia and Marge Cross.
Left to cherish her memory are sons: Ronald Cross of Urbandale, Mac Cross and wife Pam of Mount Ayr and Alvin Cross of Urbandale; grandchildren: Jeff (wife Paige) Cross, Scott (wife Kris) Cross, Jenifer (husband Dave) DeCarlo, Jody (husband David) Greene, Niky Cross and fiancé Scott Taylor, Lory (husband James) Stewart and Sara Cross; great-grandchildren: Ames, Ashton, Amelia, and Abigail Cross; Colby and Roni DeCarlo; and Ashlie and Shelbie Greene. Elberta is also survived by her brother Jim (Mac) McKinstry and his wife Blanche of Marshalltown, Iowa; brothers-in-law, Gene Cross and wife Martha of Kansas City, Missouri and Leroy Schlapia of Creston, Iowa and many special nieces and nephews.
Elberta passed away on Saturday, February 26, 2000 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines of cancer. She had lived in Mount Ayr for the past 63 years.
The funeral service was held Wednesday, March 1, 2000 at the First
Christian Church of Mount Ayr. The service was conducted by Reverend John Brillo and the music was provided by David Greene, Darla Greene and Kris Cross. Casket bearers were Jeff Cross, Scott Cross, Dave DeCarlo, James Stewart, David Greene and Scott Taylor.
Burial was in Rose Hill Cemetery
in Mount Ayr. A memorial has been established in the name of Elberta Cross.
BERNICE PRUGH DUNFEE
Bernice Prugh Dunfee, daughter of William Carey and Alice Verbeck Prugh, was born in Grant City, Missouri on July 25, 1905, and passed away at her daughter's home in Muncie, Indiana, after a brief illness at the age of 94 years, seven months and nine days.
She received her education in the Grant City school system, graduating from high school in 1924. She then attended Northwest Missouri State Teachers College in Maryville, Missouri after which she taught for several years in a rural school in Worth county, Missouri.
She was married to Arch C. Dunfee of Denver, Missouri on December 25, 1925, and they were privileged to celebrate their golden wedding anniversary on December 25, 1975. To this union were born three children: Phyllis Jean, who died in infancy, Bill A. Dunfee, who passed away in 1983, and Marianne Brown of Muncie, Indiana.
In addition to her roles as wife and mother, she assisted her husband in his work with the B. Prugh and Son Funeral Home beginning in 1928. As hostess she was a source of comfort to many people in their sorrow for over 70 years, 20 of which were spent in the funeral business in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Bernice accepted Jesus Christ as her own personal Saviour in a tent revival as a young girl and became a member of the Grant City Methodist Church. Upon her marriage, she transferred her membership to the Grant City Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and actively served wherever she was needed for her entire life.
She was active in civic affairs, including the nursing home auxiliary and the Grant City Alumni Association. She was a 50 year member of both Chapter BL of P. E. O. and the Order of Eastern Star. She was known in younger years for her work with ceramics and crafts and later for her beautiful afghans.
Surviving her are her daughter and son-in-law Marianne and Roland; daughter-in-law Betty Dunfee; eight grandchildren: Sharon Dunfee of Grant City, Missouri, Norman Dunfee of New York City, New York, Jacki Williamson of Comer, Georgia, Cynthia Dunfee of Kansas City, Missouri, Jennifer Sandberg of Muncie, Indiana, Bill Findley of Starkville, Mississippi, Neal Dunfee of Boulder, Colorado and Valeri Gicquel of Annecy, France; seven great-grandchildren; one stepgreat-grandson; brother-in-law Bea Dunfee and wife Mabel; and other relatives and many friends.
Besides her two children, she was preceded in death by her husband; one grandchild Teddy Dunfee; her parents; two sisters, Emily Green and Isabelle Meyer; and one brother Benjamin Prugh.
Funeral services will be held at the Prugh-Dunfee Funeral Home, Grant City, Missouri, Friday, March 10, 2000 at 1:30 p.m. The service will be conducted by Pastor Jim Sandberg and Reverend Robert McCutheon. Interment will be in the Grant City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Grant City Baptist Church or the Worth County Library.
RAYMOND A. SCOTT
Raymond A. Scott was born October 6, 1926 in Ringgold county, Iowa. He was the son of Andrew Jackson and Minnie Viola Comer Scott. Raymond passed away March 2, 2000 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 73 years.
Raymond lived most all of his life in Ringgold county and Tingley, Iowa. He worked at a variety of things including a small engine repair business.
Raymond served his country from November 15, 1945 to October 31, 1946 in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include five children: Mike, Steve, Becky, Tammy and Bobbi; and five sisters.
Raymond's body was cremated.
FRANCES JEAN AMRINE
Frances Jean Stanley, daughter of Arthur O. and Edna Irvin Stanley, was born on August 5, 1916 in Sheridan Missouri and departed this life on March 5, 2000 in the Clearview Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
She was united in marriage to Stephen Louis Amrine on April 16, 1937. To this union three children were born: Alicia Anne on December 8, 1938; Stanley Stephen on May 9, 1941 and Nichole Ruth on November 25, 1942.
Frances was preceded in death by her father; her daughters, Alicia and Nichole; her mother and stepfather, Dr. Abarr; her half sister, Carlota Stanley Engle; and her husband.
Frances attended beauty school in Des Moines, Iowa and opened a shop in Blockton where she was a beautician for 50 years.
She was a member of the Methodist Church in Blockton and Mount Ayr. She also belonged to the Eastern Star and the L.A.L. Bridge club. After the death of her husband she moved to Mount Ayr where she spent the last seven years enjoying activities with the Literary Club, the Antique Club, the Dinner Group and many new and old friends.
Left to mourn her passing is her son Stanley and his wife Lynette; granddaughters, Rachel and Robin; brother Arthur Irvin Stanley; sister Jean Abarr Gurnsey; her nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
Funeral services were Thursday, March 9, 2000 at the Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa with Rev. Michael Druhl officiating. Musicians were Jodi Lawrence and Velma Walters. Casket bearers were Eldon Stroburg, Loren Winemiller, Wayne Kemery, Jim Winemiller, Harold Norris and David Loutzenhiser.
She was laid to rest in Rose Hill Cemetery
at Blockton, Iowa.
HARRIOT H. HOFFMAN
Harriot H. Hoffman, daughter of the late Ivan M. and Susan Denney Hoffman and sister of the late Hollis Martin Hoffman, passed away on Friday, March 3, 2000 at St. Anthony's Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was 84 years, seven months of age.
Harriot was born on July 16, 1915 at the farm home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David F. Hoffman, east of Redding, Iowa.
At the age of six weeks Harriot moved to St. Louis, Missouri where her father had accepted a position to teach the business subjects. He taught there until he retired in January, 1956.
At the age of three, the family moved to a home in Webster Groves, Missouri where Harriot lived until 1979 when she moved to an apartment in Friendship Village of South County, St. Louis.
Harriot went through the Webster Groves schools and then attended Washington University in St. Louis where she earned her bachelor of arts degree. In 1942 she was awarded a master's degree at the State University of Iowa, Iowa City.
She taught business subjects from 1937 - 1977 at Hermann High School in Hermann, Missouri; University City High School in University City, Missouri; and at Cleveland High School in St. Louis, Missouri (30 years). She was chairman of the business department for a number of years.
The family spent part of almost every summer in the Redding, Iowa area so her ties to relatives and friends in Ringgold county were strong.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Webster Groves for over 70 years; a member of Alpha Xi Delta for over 50 years; a member of the Webster Groves chapter of the DAR; and she was treasurer for 27 years of the Alpha Nu chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a teachers' honorary.
Harriot is survived by her Hoffman and Denney cousins and by her many friends.
Graveside services were conducted by Rev. Michael Druhl on Wednesday, March 8, 2000 at the Redding Cemetery
in Redding, Iowa.
Memorials may be made to Emmaus House, Marthasville, Missouri 63357.
Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr was in charge of the arrangements.
LEOTA (HARSH) HOGUE
Leota (Harsh) Hogue was born on January 7, 1898 to Isaac M. and Harriet (Hill) Harsh along with her twin sister, Leola. She was one of nine children. She passed away on March 9, 2000 at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center, Mount Ayr, Iowa where she had been a resident since October, 1992.
On July 31, 1915 she married William Harvey Hogue. To this union were born four children: Francis Merritt (Short), Lyle Harvey, Ava and Clara Mae. Harvey and Leota farmed around the Ringgold county, Iowa area until the 1950's when they moved to Kellerton, Iowa. Leota cared for the elderly in her home while living in Kellerton.
Leota and Harvey spent many winters in California with their son Short Hogue and wife Jean. After Harvey's death Leota continued to spend the winters there with Short, his wife and children.
Leota enjoyed her family and many friends. She was always ready for a game of cards, dice, board game or putting a puzzle together. She maintained her own home, living at Heritage Park Apartments for a number of years before moving to the Mount Ayr Health Care Center. She remained very active and enjoyed taking care of her flowers, but was always ready to travel to visit family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers and four sisters; sons, F. M. (Short) and Lyle; and two grandsons, Stephen Grim and Lee Hogue.
She is survived by her daughters, Ava Grim of Bennett, Colorado and Clara Mae Grimm (husband Lowell) of Chillicothe, Missouri; daughters-in-law, Irene Hogue of Creston and Jean Hogue of Exeter, California; 13 grandchildren and many great- and great-great-grandchildren.
Services were held on Saturday, March 11, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home of Mount Ayr with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating. Casket bearers were Ray Grimm, Rodney Grimm, Larry Hogue, Lyle Hogue, Scott Hogue and Kevin Hogue.
Leota was laid to rest in the Maple Row Cemetery , Kellerton.
REV. DALE E. JESSUP
Rev. Dale E. Jessup, age 90, 801 Huntington Ave., Warren, Indiana, died at 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 7, 2000 at the United Methodist Memorial Home where he had resided since moving from Walnut Creek, California in 1996.
Jessup was born in Diagonal, Iowa, on October 9, 1909, the son of Ernest and Harriet (Mekemsom) Jessup. He was a graduate of Diagonal High School. He continued his education graduating in 1930 from Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School, in 1933 from University of
Minnesota and he earned a masters degree in history from University of Denver in 1959.
He and his wife served in many Baptist churches including: Farson, Iowa; Iowa Falls, Iowa; the Bemis Park Baptist Church, presently known as the Bethany Baptist Church, Omaha, Nebraska; Edgewater Baptist Church, Denver, Colorado; Ramona, California; Covina, California; Leona Valley, California; and Tecate, Californa. He also had an extended preaching ministry in Australia and New Zealand in 1947.
Rev. Jessup served as secretary-treasurer of the Gospel Missionary Union in Kansas City, Missouri from 1940-1944 where he later served as a board member. He served as Chaplain for the Brown Military Academy, Glendora, Califorina. For several years he served on the Foreign Mission Board of the Baptist General Conference.
Survivors include his wife Florence (Wiley); two sons, Byron (Beverly) D. Jessup of Concord, California and Dr. Dwight (Karin) W. Jessup of Upland, Indiana; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Gospel Missionary Union, 10000 N. Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri 64155.
Services were held on Friday, March 10, 2000 at the United Church of Diagonal in Diagonal, Iowa with Rev. Bob Greene and Rev. Pam Farren officiating.
Pallbearers were David Jessup, Darin Jessup, Jay Case, Randy Jessup, David Wiley and Wayne Wiley. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery , Ringgold County, Iowa.
Arrangements were made by Jones-Smith Funeral Home, Upland, Indiana and Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home, Diagonal.
HAROLD H. BRYANT
Harold Henry Bryant, 85, died March 6, 2000. A native of Hughs county, SD, he was born November 9. 1914 to George and Zettie Bryant. He spent the early part of his life at Grand River, Iowa.
On February 1, 1935 he was united in marriage to Arleta Mae Munyon. To this union four children were born. Harold and Arleta celebrated 65 years of married life on February 1, 2000.
While living in Iowa, Harold farmed. In 1941 he and his family moved to California where he and Arleta lived for 56 years before moving to Yerington, NV in 1997. While in California he worked for Lockheed Corp., during the war and later on was in his own business building and repairing swimming pools. He retired in 1979 moving to Lake Oroville, California. He enjoyed fishing, the outdoors and his family. He was a member of the First Christian Church.
Preceding him in death were his parents; three brothers, Glen, Clarence and John Bryant; three sisters, Rose Wiley, Esther Wiley and Cora Stubbs; one grandson, Gene Moreland; and one great-grandson, Jason Queipo.
Surviving are his widow, Arleta Bryant of Yerington, Nevada; four children: Charolotte Joann Bryson and husband Dan of Sparks, Nevada, Shirley Jenice Queipo and husband John of Sacramento, California, David Leslie Bryant of Yerington, Nevada and Linda Kay Sweeting and husband John of Cleremont, Georgia; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Dwane Bryant of Murrieta, California, Ray Bryant of Sparks, Nevada, Phyllis Dukes of Mount Ayr, and Opal Glazbrook of Ashland, Nebraska; many nieces, nephews, friends and other relatives.
Graveside services were held at the Grand River Cemetery
near Grand River, Iowa on Wednesday, March 15 with Pastor Rick Hawkins officiating.
ROGER ODIS BROWN
Roger Odis Brown, son of Robert LeRoy and Madge Lavonne McCul-lough Brown, was born August 19, 1929 in Riley township, Ringgold county, near Lamoni, Iowa and passed away March 11, 2000 at Tri City Medical Center in Oceanside, California at the age of 70 years and seven months.
Roger attended Riley Center country school and Lamoni High School graduating in 1948. He was baptized in his early years in the Christian Church in Kellerton.
As a young man and through his teen years he was a member of the Kellerton Hustlers 4-H club exhibiting Shorthorn cattle which his father raised on the farm. He participated at many midwest shows as well as locally at the Ringgold County Fair in Mount Ayr and Lamoni Livestock show.
On September 2, 1951 he was married to Peggy Irene Elliott of Kellerton who loved him from the eighth grade. From this union three children were born, Ronda Irene, Perry LeRoy and Roger Duane.
Roger served his country by enlisting in the United States Navy from 1950-54 during the Korean War with his tour of duty on the USS Princeton and Valley Forge Air Craft Carrier as a helicopter mechanic and was honorably discharged in 1954.
Roger retired after a 28 year career as a painting supervisor for the Port of Los Angeles in the construction and maintenance division. He also owned and operated a successful painting contractor business in the southern California area.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman. "Nothing could beat a good pheasant hunt." He was a faithful husband and strong father. He instilled a sense of independence and common sense in his children. In our hearts we always knew we were truly loved. His strength will continue to sustain his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife Peggy of Bista, California; daughter Ronda Hefley and husband John of Ft. Worth, Texas; sons, Perry LeRoy and wife Kathi of Bellflower, California and Roger Duane and wife Barbara of Torrance, California; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Sharon Cooper and husband Richard of Centerville; a brother, Larry and wife Joen of Mount Ayr; his mother-in-law Irene Elliott of Lamoni; nieces, nephews and a host of good friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, March 18, 2000 at Wilson-Watson & Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa with Rev. Paddy Druhl officiating. Music was provided by Nancy Sackett and Bud Atwood.
Casket bearers were Bud Elliott, Harold Green, Paul Shader, Keith Elliott, James "Tot" Boswell and Jack Hoffman. Military graveside rites were furnished by V.F.W. Post #1797 of Creston, Iowa with burial in Rose Hill Cemetery
at Lamoni, Iowa.
