Richard Atwell Obituary September 1, 1942 - December 4, 2025

 

Services for Richard Atwell, 83, of Chariton, will be held Friday, December 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Brushy Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Brushy Community Church 12790 430th St, Plano, IA 52581.

Richard Dale Atwell was born on September 1, 1942, to Merrill and Clara (King) Atwell at their family home in Plano, Iowa. From the beginning, Richard carried with him a gentle spirit, a strong work ethic, and a deep love for the people in his life.

Growing up on the farm shaped who he became—kind, patient, steady, and always willing to lend a hand. He attended Greenville country school and graduated from Russell High School in 1961, where he enjoyed playing basketball and running track. Richard dearly loved his siblings, and some of his happiest childhood memories were the times they spent together working, playing, and supporting one another. He also cherished the many Sunday nights spent visiting his parents, filling those evenings with laughter, stories, and the comfort of being surrounded by family.

He was proud to have competed at the Boys State Basketball Tournament, but even more proud of the friendships he formed along the way.

Richard served with the Army National Guard as a crane operator and later worked for the Corps building bridges—work that suited his natural ability to build, fix, and strengthen anything he put his hands on. On October 21, 1964, Richard married Patricia Ansley. Together they created a home filled with love, laughter, and unwavering support as they raised their children: Kelly, Darren, and Ryan.

From 1964 to 1972, Richard owned his own construction company in the Quad Cities. He took great pride in being his own boss and poured his heart into every project, building and restoring homes with the same care and dedication he showed his family and friends. He was a member of the Lions Club and served on the Farmer’s Coop board, always believing in giving back to the community he loved. Some of his happiest days were spent boating on Rathbun Lake, surrounded by family and friends. He was an active member and a Deacon at the First Baptist church in Chariton Iowa, where he made life long friends.

In 1972, Richard and his family returned to Russell, where he embraced a life of farming. He loved working with his hands and found joy in the simple, meaningful moments the land offered. Richard was the kind of man who would stop whatever he was doing to help someone else—quietly, humbly, and without expecting anything in return. His kindness was steady and constant, felt by everyone who knew him.

In his later years, nothing brought him more happiness than time spent with his children and grandchildren. He cherished watching them grow and especially enjoyed the memories they made together at tractor pulls. He also loved having them come to visit, and he never let a single one leave without a handful of snacks to take home. His pride in his family was endless.

On December 4, 2025, Richard passed peacefully at Care Initiatives in Chariton, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Clara Atwell, and his great-grandson, Ellis Bush.

He leaves behind a family who adored him: his children Kelly (Darold) Bush, Darren (Heidi) Atwell, and Ryan (Amanda) Atwell; 10 grandchildren—Conrad (Hannah) Bush, Camron Bush, Amy Stofenberg, Madison (Mark) Langemach, Brady (Abby) Atwell, Tyson Atwell, Elizabeth (Gage) Beers, Sara Atwell (Cody), Briley Atwell, and Baylor Atwell; three great-grandchildren—Jovie, Hazel, and Henry; his siblings Don (Karol) Atwell, Rose (Jerry) Jeffries, Joyce Trenary Robinson, and Dave Atwell; and many extended family and friends who will carry his love with them forever.

Richard lived his life with a generous heart, a steady hand, and a quiet but powerful love for his family, friends, church, and community. His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched. He will be greatly missed.

Bernard "Pete" Debok Obituary

 

Bernard Doyle “Pete” DeBok, age 84, of Laurie, MO passed away Friday, November 7, 2025, at Lake Regional Health System in Osage Beach. He was born November 16, 1940, in Chariton, Iowa, son of the late Carroll Roy and Phyllis Irene (Ford) DeBok.

Pete grew up in Russell, IA and graduated from Russell High School as Senior Class President in 1959. He was a starting guard on the basketball team, reaching the state semifinals in back-to-back years. On November 18, 1962, he married the late Diane (Baughman) DeBok and they made a home in Russell, IA where they raised their sons, Brad and Darrin. His career path led him to be a bridge inspector for the Iowa Department of Transportation, working 34 years until his retirement in 1998. He took great pride in his work and was proudly awarded a plaque in recognition of the high-quality construction performed on a paving project, which was rated the best paving project completed in the state of Iowa in 1994. In 2007, Pete moved to the Lake of the Ozarks residing in Laurie, MO to be closer to his family and it was there he met his partner, Mary Ann Carter. Mary Ann has been a constant source of companionship and support. Their time together brought many years of happiness to his life.

Pete had a passion for the Iowa Hawkeye sports teams, proudly wearing his Hawkeye jacket sparking conversations with Iowans everywhere he went. He also enjoyed woodworking, especially scroll sawing, creating many beautiful keepsakes for family and friends. He loved spending time at Vinny’s Restaurant where his friends became like family.

Pete will be deeply missed by all who knew him and will be remembered for his craftsmanship, willingness to help others and assisting with their building projects, as well as his stubbornness and the many laughs it brought to those around him.

He is survived by his sons, Brad DeBok and wife Shari of O’Fallon, MO and Darrin DeBok of Olathe, KS; five grandchildren, Taylor, Ally, Hannah, Ava and Dominic; his partner, Mary Ann Carter; his sister, Carolyn Pierce of Killeen, TX and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of Pete’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 15th, at Little Vinny’s Café and Lounge. A private family graveside service and interment will be held at Garber Memorial Estates in Laurie.

Tom Chenoweth Obituary

Tommy Joe Chenoweth, 80, of Ottumwa, died November 2, 2025 at Serenity House Hospice in Oskaloosa.

He was born November 16, 1944 in Lancaster, MO to Charles and Esther E. Saulsbury Chenoweth. Tom married Janice Marie Green on June 3, 1978 and she preceded him in death on April 10, 2024.

A graduate of Davis County High School in 1962, Tom earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in teaching from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. He later earned a Master’s degree in Industrial Technology.

Tom started his teaching career in Fremont, moving to Clear Creek Amana and later Russell. Moving to Ottumwa where he taught the majority of his career, he taught a short time at Washington Junior High, Walsh where he coached girls basketball. The majority of his career he taught at Evans and Ottumwa High School, teaching Industrial Tech and Drivers Education. Tom was named in the Who’s Who of teaching and retired in 2006 after 40 years.

Tom had been a member of First United Methodist Church and was a certified lay speaker.

He was an avid woodworker, was an exhibitor at the Wood Expo held at the Ottumwa Colosseum and also cut and sold firewood. In his youth, Tom raced amateur motorcycles. Tom enjoyed coaching his daughter’s softball teams and coaching his son’s baseball team. He enjoyed attending motorcycle races with his son and also enjoyed fishing as well as hunting.

Surviving are his children, Allison (Mike) Chenoweth McGurn of Cedar Rapids and Alex Chenoweth of Ottumwa; and a sister-in-law, Deborah Thatcher of Poplar Bluff, MO.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Karen Cassill.

Visitation is open at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 4th, at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 5th, at Reece Funeral Home with Pastor Gary Reeves officiating

Burial will be in the Corydon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Serenity Hospice House or to the family.

 

Clarice Mae Smith Obituary April 12, 1930 - August 25, 2025

A life well-lived……………..
Clarice Mae Smith passed away on August 25, 2025 at her home near
Confidence, at the age of 95. She was born at Yocum Hospital in Chariton,
Iowa on April 12,1930 to Allen and Lela Dixon and was later joined by sister
Emma Lee. She attended Victory Country School through 8th grade and
Russell High School through 10th grade where she met the love of her life.
Clarice graduated from Corydon High School in 1948. She often spoke
fondly of her childhood and what a wonderful life she had.
Clarice was a farm girl at heart and always loved working outside both as a
child and as an adult. She was taught at an early age how to work hard and
reap the benefits. She told many stories about working with her Dad, such
as driving a tractor at 8 years old to harvest oats that earned her a new
bicycle. Clarice even mowed her own yard up until the age of 90, and lived
in the family home for 70 years up until her passing.
After graduation, Clarice worked from 1948 to 1952 at National Bank and
Trust in Chariton Iowa where she met several life-long friends. She married
the love of her life, Paul Howard Smith, on June 8, 1952 at the Russell
Baptist Church, the same church she attended and was baptized in. They
spent the first 6 months of their married life in Michigan while Paul worked
for John Morrell. Clarice affectionately called this their long honeymoon.
They made their first home in Red Oak on 410 Joy Street, an address she
would never forget. In Red Oak, Clarice worked for Thomas D. Murphy
Company as a secretary. They eventually moved to Des Moines following
Paul’s job. When health problems plagued Clarice’s father, Paul was asked
to join the farming operation. They moved to Clarice’s grandparent’s house
and lived there together for 63 years,raising their children Greg and Dixie,
loving the land and their life together. Clarice was a master of the kitchen
and the vegetable garden. She loved growing flowers, especially iris and
gladiolus. She was a classy dresser and had a love for shoes. We often
wondered how many pairs she really owned! She was dedicated to her
church and served many positions there including Sunday School and Bible
School teacher. She was an integral part of her granddaughter’s lives and
was so proud of their accomplishments. Her great grandchildren brought
her much joy when they came to visit. She was most proud of her family,
modest of her contributions and strong in her convictions. “Precious in the
eyes of the Lord is the death of His saints”. Psalm 116:15. We celebrate
her deep faith in God, love of family and her strength.
Clarice is survived by her children, Gregory (Catherine) Smith, Dixie (Dave)
Daughton; grandchildren Ginger Morrison, Amber Rodgers, Julie (Nick)
Kazanowski, and Sabrina Smith; great grandchildren Donald, Dagny and
Lela Morrison, Alley Josephine and Lennox Rodgers, Goldie, Gus, and
Birdie Kazanowski; sister Emma(Max) Warrick, nephews Jeff(Kathy)
Warrick, Bob(Cindy) Smith, Michael Danner, nieces Angie Masterson,
Rhonda Smith and several great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Paul Smith, her parents Allen
and Lela Dixon, niece Peggy Payne, brothers-in-law Eugene Smith and
David Danner, and sister-in-law Alene Force.
Funeral services will be held on August 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM at Fielding
Funeral Home in Chariton with interment at the Confidence Cemetery.
Visitation will be at 12:30 PM, prior to the funeral service. Memorials can be made to the New 

Providence Baptist Church

Rebecca "Becky" Ehlers Obituary

 

Rebecca “Becky” Ehlers, 72 was a sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend whose presence could fill a room — and often the whole neighborhood. She was charming, vibrant, and had a gift for making people feel welcome. Becky passed away on August 6, 2025, at the Westview Care Center in Indianola after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

A celebration of life will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Following the short service, a visitation and luncheon will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Private interment will take place at the Norwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Lustgarten Pancreatic Cancer Research Foundation to support early detection efforts.

Becky was born January 25, 1953, in Ramsey, Minnesota, to Jim and Jackie (Dixon) Andrews. She grew up in Russell, Iowa, alongside her siblings — Brenda, Toni, Vicki, and Kyl — and attended Russell Schools from kindergarten through her graduation in 1971. She remained close to her classmates her entire life. After high school, Becky attended AIB in Des Moines.

In her younger years, Becky entered the Miss Chariton Pageant, winning Miss Congeniality. Around that time, a certain young man noticed her striking brown eyes, quick wit, and lively spirit. Becky married Lyle Ehlers on a hot July 10, 1976 evening, in a patriotic red, white and blue wedding. The couple was blessed with a daughter, Lindsay, later gained a son-in-law, Dan, and eventually welcomed two grandchildren, Lydia and Nolan, who became her pride and joy.

Becky worked for 23 years in the accounting department at Hy-Vee’s Chariton offices, where her humor and friendship with co-workers kept things lively. She later enjoyed years at Younkers, where her love for people made her a natural on the sales floor.

She was a woman of many talents — quilting, painting, crafting — and was known for giving her creations away to brighten someone’s day. Her crafty “baby/toddler towels” became treasured keepsakes. She had a way of turning the everyday into an adventure — from gator rides and family Caribbean cruises to spontaneous visits that always came with laughter. Her creativity shone in her kitchen, where she was known for her homemade noodles, caramel corn, blueberry muffins and buckets of Chex mix sent to any friend or family member.

Family always came first for Becky, especially her grandchildren, but her circle of love was wide. She made a point to keep in touch — calling, writing letters, or dropping by — and had a gift for making people feel remembered. Whether it was picking lilies of the valley for a friend’s birthday, showing up for important milestones, or sharing plants from her garden, she made every gesture personal.

Becky is survived by her husband, Lyle Ehlers; daughter, Lindsay (Dan) Ehlers-Moore; grandchildren, Lydia and Nolan; siblings Brenda (Darrell) Gilbert, Toni Marie, Vicki (Tom) German, and Kyl Andrews; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jim and Jackie Andrews.

Her life was full of shared meals, shared laughter, and shared love — a legacy that will live on in the hearts and stories of all who knew her.

Ann Alexander Obituary August 6, 1941 - July 16, 2025

 

Funeral services for Ann Alexander, 83, of Russell, Iowa, will be held on Sunday, July 20, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Visitation will take place on Saturday, July 19, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service at the Confidence Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Russell Fire Department or to the Wayne County Empty Stocking Program.

Anna Bell Cook was born on August 6, 1941, in northwest Lucas County near Norwood, Iowa, to John “Roy” and Elsie (Benway) Cook. She was raised alongside her sister, JoAnn, and brother, Roy, and attended Lucas School with the Class of 1959.

Ann was united in marriage to Larry Alexander on April 18, 1964. She became an instant mother to Deborah and Laura and later welcomed Craig and Sue. Ann devoted herself to her family and also enjoyed a long and fulfilling career as a bookkeeper at the Hy-Vee store in Chariton, where she worked for 41 years. She loved her coworkers and the many customers she served over the decades.

Ann found her greatest joy in her roles as a wife, mom, and grandma. She was the heart of the family—kind, nurturing, and the one who held everyone together. Known for her wonderful cooking, her beef and noodles and homemade BBQ sauces were family favorites. She was also a skilled seamstress and talented quilt maker—someone who could truly do it all. Her practical wisdom, creativity, and can-do spirit made her the go-to person in her family for anything and everything.

Travel was another joy in Ann’s life. She and Larry traveled to 48 states together, and after his passing in 2018, her children made sure she reached 49 states with a memorable trip to Alaska. She also visited Mexico and cherished winters spent in the South. Ann loved music, especially bluegrass, and attended many music jams and festivals. She was a social, spirited person who enjoyed time with her many coffee groups in Millerton, Russell, and even Emmetsburg when visiting her daughter, Sue.

A woman of deep faith, Ann was a devoted member of the New Providence Baptist Church in Confidence. Her service to the church and community was generous and heartfelt—she led by example through volunteering for Bible School, quilting for missions, and offering her time and talents in countless ways.

Ann passed away on July 16, 2025, at the Wayne County Hospital. She will be deeply missed by her children: Deborah Ann Mikell, Craig (Karna) Alexander, and Sue (Rich) Haack; her grandchildren: Michael (Alexis) Alexander, Jeffery (Abby) Alexander, Landon Haack, Colten Haack, Lisa (Jeff) Bartlett, Scott (Tiffany) Mikell, and James (Iliyanna) Mikell; and her seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, JoAnn Steinbach; her dear friend, Linda Johnson; and many other extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her daughter, Laura Becker; her parents, John and Elsie Cook; her brother, Roy Cook (Leah); and her brother-in-law, Tom Steinbach.