Betty R. Johnson Obituary

Betty R. Johnson passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2013, at the age of 88 in her home at Emeritus Senior Living in Rockford, Illinois. She was born on March 19, 1926, in Osceola, Iowa, the second of two daughters of Oscar and Mamie (McKnight) Marquis. She grew up on a farm in Osceola, Iowa, and later moved with her parents her junior year of high school to a farm outside Chariton, Iowa. She graduated from Chariton High School with the class of 1944. After high school she worked at Crozier’s Store where she met Edwin Johnson. They were married at her parent’s home on September 10, 1947, by Reverend Archie Beals and moved to a farm outside of Russell, Iowa. They farmed for over 30 years and were blessed with two children--daughter Martha and son Duane. They retired and moved to Chariton, Iowa, in 1984 but faithfully attended First Baptist Church of Russell throughout their married life. Betty was widowed in September 2002 and moved to Rockford in July of 2011 to be near her daughter and son-in-law. Betty is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Duane and Brenda Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; grandson and wife, Alex and Sadie Johnson of Omaha, Nebraska; granddaughter Jenna Johnson of Ankeny, Iowa; daughter and son-in-law Martha and Don Johnson of Belvidere, Illinois. Betty was preceded in death by her parents, husband Edwin, and sister Glida Marquis Palmer. Services were held Saturday, March 29 at 10:30 am at the Fielding Funeral home with Pastor Russell Harris officiating. Interment was in the Chariton Cemetery.

Williston "Bill" Morse Jr.

Williston "Bill" Morse Jr., 98, of Corydon formerly of Russell passed away Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Corydon Nursing & Rehab Center.

Bill was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska the only child to Williston Morse Sr. and his wife Etta (Giesman) Morse. He attended country school as a child that was lighted with kerosene lamps and heated with a potbellied stove. Bill graduated from high school in Table Rock, Nebraska in 1933. Bill was united in marriage to Mabel Mertes on October 12, 1940. Due to the severe drought and depression in the Midwest, he and Mable moved to California where he was employed at Kaiser Shipyard. While working at the shipyard, Bill enrolled in night school to study arc welding. 

After 10 years in California, they returned back to the Midwest where Bill became employed by Solar Aircraft in Des Moines. He helped pioneer the welding of titanium. Bill became about one of a dozen welders in the United States that was certified by the Air Force to weld titanium. Bill and Mabel would later buy a farm in the Chariton area. He finished his working career at Johnson Machine Works in Chariton, retiring in the early 1980's. Bill enjoyed raising cattle and a large garden. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and attending fairs of all kind from local to state to world fairs. Bill was a past member of the Russell Lions Club and the Allerton Harvest Time Church. He enjoyed his time at the church activities. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Mable Morse and his parents.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton with Rev. Ronald Wallace officiating. Interment will be in Chariton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Corydon Nursing & Rehab Center. Condolences may be shared at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com

Howard Kenneth Hollingshead, Jr. Obituary

Howard Kenneth Hollingshead Jr., 93, of Monroe, Ohio, died Sunday, March 16, 2014. Born to Howard and Gladys (nee: Stanger) Hollingshead, Sr. on August 26, 1920 in Russell, IA. Howard worked in Sales for Cooper Industries for 30 years and retired in 1985. He was a loving husband, father, and patriot.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, David Hollingshead and one sister, Mary Yocom.

Howard is survived by his wife of 70 years, Shirley (nee: Like) Hollingshead of Monroe, four children, Larry (Lynne) Hollingshead of Lebanon, Margaret Hollingshead of Regina, Saskatchewan, Mark (Donna) Hollingshead of St. Peters, MO and Paul Hollingshead of Longmont, CO, one brother, Richard (Betty) Hollingshead of San Louis Obispo, CA, one sister, Barbara Palan of Chicago, IL, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, April 2, 2014 at 2 PM at the Mount Pleasant Chapel in Monroe. Arrangements made by Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent to www.hoskinsfh.com.