Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Gregory Charles Clay Obituary

Gregory Charles Clay was born August 18, 1951 in Marshalltown, Iowa to Charles and Alma (Scovill) Clay. He passed from this life, Friday, December 18, 2015 at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 64 years. 
Greg grew up and attended school in the Chariton area. He graduated from Chariton High School with the Class of 1969. Following high school, Greg attended the Culinary Arts program through Indian Hills Community College located in Ottumwa, Iowa. 
After college, Greg worked as a baker in the Hy-Vee bakery. Then he enlisted in the U.S. Marines in which he served three years for his country. During his time in the military, Greg had the opportunity of spending a year in Japan. His experience in Japan left a lasting impression and he enjoyed the oriental way of life. He also was stationed in San Diego, California and Camp Lejune in North Carolina. 
After the military, Greg lived in New Orleans, Sherman, Texas and Milwaukee, where he was employed at a machine shop. He also lived in Des Moines, Iowa where he was a cab driver. In his later years, he moved back to his hometown of Chariton. 
Greg was extremely talented at cross-stitch. He made several beautiful pieces for those in his family. In his spare time, he was an avid reader. The books he enjoyed the most were reality based and historical events as he was deeply interested in history. However, he would read about anything and basically had a library at his home. 
He had a love for children and enjoyed spending time with his nieces, nephews, and cousins. Greg was considerably a family oriented person. He spent as much time as possible with his family and close friends. One of Greg’s great loves was for his beloved dog, Lucille Marie aka Lucy. Old cars, the British Royals, and preparing food were among his favorite pastime activities. He also enjoyed a good game of Trivial Pursuit and was dubbed the “King of Trivia”. Greg had a unique personality and saw the world from a new prospective. He was described as having a dry sense of humor and very witty without ever a dull moment in his company. It was stated that he did have a smidgen of what was referred to as “road rage” when driving, but again a very interesting experience riding with him. He will be dearly missed by those friends and family who were closest to his heart. 
Greg was preceded in death by his mother, Alma Mae (Scovill) Clay. He is survived by his father, Charles Clay; his sisters, Jeri Tresnak and Tammy Johnson; and many nieces, nephews, beloved dog, Lucy, cousins and dear friends. 

Robert "Bob" Wilhite Obituary

Robert “Bob” Wilhite, 85, of Russell, passed away on December 22, 2015 at Legacy Lodge Hospice in Chariton, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, December 24, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will follow at the Confidence Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Wednesday, December 23, 2015 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Chariton Grace Baptist Church Missionary Fund.
Robert Clifford Wilhite was born on August 28, 1930 to Earl and Carrie Wilhite in Corwith, Iowa. Bob was one of seven sons born to the couple. He attended country school for six years and then attended Corwith High School. He played basketball during his high school years and graduated in 1948. After graduation, Bob helped his dad on the farm.
On September 29, 1950, Bob was united in marriage to Alice Unger in Russell, Iowa. To this union four children were born: Cathy, Jerry, Terry and Ricky. Bob and Alice lived in Des Moines for the first five years of marriage and moved five times during those years. They then purchased a farm in Wayne County. It was a four room farmhouse without indoor plumbing. Bob and Alice made many improvements to the home over the years. 
Bob was a hard worker and held several jobs over the years. He worked at the Arnold Brothers Lumber Yard and Cement Plant in Russell for fourteen years. He was an Egg Plant employee in Russell for Dwight Curtis for a year. In October of 1969, Bob began working at the Hy-Vee Distribution Center in Chariton. His three sons also worked there during their summer breaks to earn money for college. The guys at work would say, “Here comes Bob and his crew." Bob worked for Hy-Vee for twenty nine and half years until his cancer scare. He then retired and spent time mowing yards.
Bob accepted Christ as his Savior on a Monday morning at the end of a row in a cornfield. He heard the gospel the previous night in church, was convicted, and asked his pastor for guidance that Monday. The pastor was the crew leader for the detasslers. Bob and his wife have thoroughly enjoyed attending Grace Baptist in Chariton for the last ten years.
Bob was a member of the Russell Baptist Church for fifty years. He wore many hats in the church: Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon, Trustee and Clerk. He attended many state and national G.A.R.B. meetings. His faith was very important to him. He was very proud to call two of his brothers Pastor.
Bob and Alice called their farm south of Russell “Hilltop Hollow." For ten years they hosted campouts there. Friends from their church would come every year to gather around the bonfire and every year the crowd would grow. 
Bob enjoyed his vacations by going on trips with his friends, Guy and Evelyn Buttz. He had the privilege of visiting all fifty states and most of Canada’s provinces. Lots of wonderful memories were made on their trips.
Bob is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alice Wilhite, of Russell; children: Cathy Burkland of Unionville, Jerry Wilhite (Deborah) of Emmaus, PA, and Terry Wilhite (Sharon) of Eldridge; brothers, Merle Wilhite (Darlene) and Don Wilhite, both of Des Moines; sister-in-law, Beverly Wilhite of Britt; 22 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Carrie Wilhite; son, Ricky Robert Wilhite; and brothers: Cecil, Kenneth, Orlan and Jim.

Friday, December 18, 2015

David Henry Cochran Obituary

David Henry Cochran 
November 7, 1938 - December 13, 2015

David Henry Cochran, 77, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ at 12:07 pm, Sunday, Dec. 13 at his home in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He was born Nov. 7, 1938 at home in Oxford, Iowa the son of Albert and Georgiana Cochran. David graduated from Russell High School, Russell, Iowa in 1957. On Dec. 21, 1958, he married Glenda Marie Slavens. David considered himself an “old Iowa farm boy”, whose parents took him to the Community Church in Russell, Iowa. He accepted the Lord as his personal Savior on Aug. 10, 1948 through the testimony of long time friend, Charlie Hawkins. As a teen he loved preaching, teaching and serving the Lord in small country churches through out Southern Iowa. During the seven years of attending Cedarville Baptist College, he met and married the love of his life, Glenda and together they had the first of five children and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts major, minoring in Bible and Social Science. After graduating from college he and the family moved to Crawfordsville where he took a position at Raybestos starting his 40-year leadership career with the company and completing their family with another son. David and his family attend Pleasant View Baptist Church and later Eastside Baptist Church. During his many years he served the Lord through a variety of roles including, Deacon, Trustee, S.S. teacher, Youth Leader, choir director and song leader all with a servant’s heart. David and Glenda enjoyed traveling across the United States but especially loved visiting their children and family. David is survived by his wife Glenda, six children, Tamara (Steve) Schopf of Bondurant, Iowa. ; Bruce (Pam) Cochran of Terre Haute, Ind.; Eric (Lori) Cochran of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; Shelly (Greg) Hunt of Avon, Ind.; Amy (Edward) Phillips of Roachdale, Ind.; Howard (Beth) Cochran of Crawfordsville, Ind.; 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; three siblings, Lauritta Relph; Veva (Jack) Curtis; Jeanette (Marvin) Buckalew David was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Georgiana Cochran; sister, Alberta D’Orville and brother, Leon Cochran. Friends and family may call 3 - 7 pm Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 at Eastside Baptist Church, 2000 Traction Road. Funeral Services will be held at 10 am Friday, Dec. 18, 2015. Burial will follow at Linden Cemetery. Memorial Donations may be made to Eastside Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at  www.BurkhartFH.com