James E. Werts Obituary

Services will be Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials are requested to the Russell Historical Museum or the First Baptist Church in Russell.

James E. Werts was born October 20, 1931 at home near Russell, Iowa to Ralph and Alice (Wright) Werts. He graduated from Russell High School in 1950 and joined the United States Air Force in 1951. He served during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Germany as a decoder. Jim started dating Beverly Pierce in high school and they were married September 5, 1952. They were blessed with three daughters: Wendy, Terry, and Cindy.
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Jim enjoyed collecting. He collected guns, coins, Gene Autry memorabilia, and loved collecting tractors. He went to many tractor pulls and always enjoyed local parades and rides. Jim was a man of many talents. He could fix anything around the home or farm. He was very proud of Russell and volunteered his time and talents; serving as vice president of the Russell Museum, a member of the Russell Town Band; and a member, deacon, choir director, and trustee of the First Baptist Church. He especially enjoyed singing in a quartet and at his church.

He often enjoyed a game of chess with his brother, Burton. Jim was always close to his family, spending time with them and enjoying simple pleasures that life offered. His girls remember many family vacations, especially the trip to Yellowstone with all five of them riding in the front of a pick up. Jim & Bev camped at the Iowa State Fair every year from 1956 until 2011.

Jim passed away on December 23, 2012 at the age of 81 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Burton Werts and Mary Lee Werts; and a great grandson Max Sander.

Surviving are his wife of 60 years, Beverly; daughters: Wendy (Dan) Blue, Terry (Rick) Elmore, Cindy (Robert) Smith; 9 grandchildren: Jeremy, Jenny, Jamie, Kelly, Conrad, Kayla, Jason, Juston, and Jordon; and 14 great grandchildren. Also surviving are many relatives and a host of friends.

Olive Marie (Lord) Howie Obituary

Services for Olive Howie, 85, were held Monday, December 24, 2012 at 2 p.m.  Visitation was held Friday, December 21, 2012 from 6-8p.m.  Interment was in Bethel Cemetery.  Fielding Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Olive Marie Lord Howie was born November 24, 1927 in Grinnell, Iowa to George and Cordia (Morgan) Lord.  She passed from this life Thursday, Dec. 20, 2012 in Albia, Iowa at the age of 85 years.

Olive was a warm loving person who accepted people for who they were.  She also raised a large family and her children's friends were always welcomed in her home.  Olive was a mother and Granny to lots of people who were only related by her love.  She was loved and respected by many.  Even though life had challengers and was sometimes difficult for Olive, she still managed to love and raise ten children.  Olive could be described as an amazingly hard worker.  However, she did have a love for the outdoors.  She enjoyed planting and working a large vegetable garden.  Olive had an apprecidation for the beauty of flowers as well.  In her spare time, she also enjoyed going for long walks and collecting interesting rocks found in nature.

Olive was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Howie; her parents, George Cordia (Morgan) Lord, and her sister, Anna Mae Lord.

Memorials may be made to the Monroe County Home.  Online condolences may be sent to www.fieldingfuneralhomes.com .

Jennie Parks Spry Obituary

Jennie Parks Spry, 95, peacefully passed away on Thursday December 6, 2012 at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital Long Term Care Unit in Centerville, Iowa.

Jennie was born September 6, 1917 in Russell, Iowa to Delno and Bessie (Hoerner) La Favre.  She graduated from Russell High School in Russell, Iowa.  Jennie married James Parks and they had three children, Mary Jewett of Cottonwood, Arizona, Betty Veenstra of Urbandale, Iowa, and Bill (Carolyn) Parks of Ogunquit, ME.  In 1962 James and Jennie moved to Centerville where they purchased Parks and Brunt Ford.  James died in 1971.

In 1974, Jennie married William Spry and moved to Des Moines where she lived until failing health required her to move to a care facility in Centerville under the loving, watchful care of her granddaughter, Dr. Kathy Lange.  Jennie loved watching her children and grandchildren's sports and activities, bridge, traveling, golf, singing, sports and volunteering in the community, where she was active in PEO.  Jennie was an avid reader of self-improvement articles, healthy recipes, and financial reports which she lovingly copied and passed on to her children and grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Saturday December 15, 2012 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville.  Burial followed in the Oakland Cemetery in Centerville.  A Rosary was held on Friday at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Jennie Spry Memorial Fund, Hospice of Central Iowa, or St. Joseph's Family Shelter and may be given to Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544.  Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com. A luncheon will follow the committal service at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville.