Greg Allen Norris Obituary

Gregory Allen Norris was born January 16, 1963 in Winterset, Iowa. He was the 4th child born to Harold E. and Darlene Crane Norris. Gregg spent his childhood in Russell, Iowa graduating in the class of 1981. 

On September 23, 1989, he married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Benedict. They had one child, Crystal Dawn. The family moved to Chariton in 1992. 

Gregg’s passion was playing the drums. He began playing a trumpet, but didn’t have enough wind to blow the thing. His music teacher suggested drums and that was it. Many can remember him playing in jazz band, pep band, The Norris Brothers and Sister Shell, and many rock bands such as Tyrant, Monsoon, Straight Shooter, Liquid Sunshine, Cylinder, AzIs (as is), and others when a fantastic drummer was needed. Mostly, he will be remembered for his years with ZEF. 

Gregg was preceded in death by his parents, Harold E. and Darlene Crane Norris. Gregg is survived by his wife Vicki; daughter Crystal (Phil Starr); grandchildren Hannah, Hayleigh, and Hunter Starr; siblings Glenn (Tiffinny) Norris, George (Jan) Norris, and Shelley (Phil) Mason; sisters-in-law Davette (Dave) Jurgenson, Claudia Lillibridge (Larry Rice), and Tanya Moriarty (Dave Spalding); parents-in-law Dave and DeAnn Moriarty; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Born: Wed., Jan. 16, 1963
Died: Wed., Mar. 23, 2016

Visitation
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Mon., Mar. 28, 2016

Location: Fielding Funeral Home

Funeral Service
10:30 AM Tue., Mar. 29, 2016

Location: Fielding Funeral Home

Paul Howard Smith Obituary

Paul Howard Smith, 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 23, 2016. 

Paul was born to Howard and Grace (Drake) Smith on October 19, 1927 at home in Russell, Iowa. His siblings include Eugene Smith and Margaret Smith Danner. 

Paul grew up in Russell, Iowa, living across from the school. He graduated from Russell High School in 1945. He played on the varsity basketball team, a game he would enjoy his entire life, and was a saxophonist in the High School Band. On graduation, he went to work for the CB&Q railroad in the signal division for a short time entering the United States Army. He served as an engineer in signals in Tokyo, Japan at General Headquarters. He was promoted to Cryptography as a Sergeant(T4) sending and receiving coded messages for General McArthur to bases around the globe. He was honorably discharged in 1947 and returned home. He worked again in the CB&Q Railroad until entering Simpson College in 1948. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, graduating in February 1952 with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration. He joined the John Morrell Company on graduation. June 8, 1952 he married Clarice Mae Dixon, which he says made him the luckiest man alive. They lived and worked side by side until his death. Paul and Clarice traveled for six months working for the John Morrell Company settling in Red Oak, Iowa when assigned a permanent territory. Then they relocated to Des Moines where Gregory Paul was born in 1954. Paul resigned from John Morrell in 1955 to join in a farming partnership with his father-in-law, Allen Dixon. That became the family home and in Paul’s words, “the best business deal I ever made.” After two years on the farm, Dixie Ann was born in 1957 at the Wayne County Hospital. 

Paul was a progressive farmer using technology and new ideas to further the success of the farm. He was an early adopter if diesel tractors, self-propelled combines, grinder-mixers, air planters, grain bins, hog nursery and production buildings, radio then cellular communications, and the use of personal computers. He cross-bred hogs and cattle to maximize growth and profit, but favored Hereford cattle and German Shepherd dogs, especially one named King. 

Paul’s friendly and fun nature along with his unshakable integrity made him lifelong friends in high school, the United States Army, college, church, and the community. He was a good neighbor, always willing to help another in need. He was a loving and dedicated husband and father and the favorite of his relatives. Stories of his youth were the highlight of many family dinners. Paul’s circle of friends expanded when they traveled in the winter months as his farming career was winding down. They enjoyed meeting new couples and sharing fun times together. 

Paul was a long time active member of the New Providence Baptist Church. He loved his church family and served as a Treasurer, Deacon, Youth Leader, and a Sunday School Teacher. He was particularly proud of the new church building constructed in 1981. He eagerly practiced and shared his faith even while hospitalized. 

For all of Paul’s experiences and accomplishments, he was most proud of his family. His son, his daughter and their four daughters gave him so much joy as he watched them grow and become young ladies, three of them now with families of their own. Even in his last days, he talked often about the importance of a loving family. He was a very proud father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. Paul will be deeply missed, but he will be remembered for the way he lived his life. 

He is survived by his wife of 63 years Clarice Mae Smith; his son, Gregory and daughter-in-law Catherine; his daughter, Dixie and son-in-law Dave Daughton, his grandchildren, Ginger Morrison and husband Will, Amber Rodgers and husband Devin, Julie Kazanowski and husband Nick, and Sabrina Smith. His great grandchildren are Donald Morrison, Dagny Morrison, Lela Morrison, Alley Rodgers, Lennox Paul Rodgers and Goldie Mae Kazanowski. Others close to him are his sister Margaret Danner, sister-in-law Emma Warrick and husband Max, nieces, nephew and a host of friends.

Born: Wed., Oct. 19, 1927

Died: Wed., Mar. 23, 2016

Visitation

6:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Fri., Mar. 25, 2016

Location: Fielding Funeral Home

Funeral Service

2:00 PM Sat., Mar. 26, 2016

Location: Fielding Funeral Home

H.D. "Jake" DeBok Obituary

Born: Sat., Jan. 10, 1925

Died: Mon., Mar. 14, 2016

Visitation

11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Fri., Mar. 18, 2016

Location: Fielding Funeral Home

Graveside Service

1:00 PM Sat., Mar. 19, 2016

Location: Bethel Cemetery

Jake was a quiet man. One of" America’s Greatest Generation". He was a jack of all trades. A man in constant motion. He was a life insurance salesman, spending 50 years with the Kansas City Life Insurance company. If you had a sheep to shear he was there. He sheared his last sheep at age 80, probably just to show off. He was a substitute school teacher and Sunday School teacher. He spent time as a grave digger. He built, with some help of his wife, a large home in the country where the family lived for over 30 years. When the kids were older they would ask “What do you want to be when you grow up Daddy?” There was never a definitive answer. 

He was very proud to have served his country in Germany during World War II. He was an avid reader of non-fiction, primarily History, being far more concerned with what had really happened as opposed to what might have happened. 

He had an adventurous “Johnny Appleseed” spirit, always interested in what lay beyond the next hill. Whether it be traveling the United States with a sheep shearing crew, or traveling with his family throughout the world. 

Always athletic and in good shape. In his younger days he loved to dance. 

While travel was important and fun, he loved to be at home. His flower garden was his pride and joy. He spent countless hours tending his flowers, weather permitting or not. Every spring Jake would make precise preparations to insure his “purple martins” would return home each April. His numerous matchstick monuments were a witness to his patience and perseverance. His legendary utility cart and pontoon is a testament to his resourcefulness and perhaps whimsy. 

Jake was a loving husband, a dutiful son, a loyal brother, a supportive father, an attentive grandfather, and an adoring great-grandfather. He was a loyal and trusted friend. 

He was very mindful these past few precious years that he was “living on borrowed time” in that he had survived war, cancer, knee replacements, assorted broken bones, surgeries and a broken neck. Conditions that many others, not so fortunate, had not survived. He often said he lived a full and blessed life, never taking his good fortune or longevity for granted. 

He was a gentle man with a kind spirit. He lived and died purposefully, quietly and peacefully. Those of us who love him will miss this quiet man beyond measure. 

God Speed, Good and faithful servant. 

Herbert Dale (Jake) DeBok was born to Herman and Bernice (Robuck) DeBok on January 10, 1925 in Russell, Iowa. He passed away suddenly, March 14, 2016 in Mesa, Arizona. Jake attended Russell High School, Graduated from Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa and served as an Army Sergeant in combat in Germany during WWII. Jake married Donna Woodman on August 7, 1949. He built a home on 5 acres of land adjacent to Colyn Area south of Russell where he and Donna raised their children, Terry and Nick. They resided there until his retirement when relocating to West Lake. Jake enjoyed many hobbies, gardening, reading, and travel. He especially enjoyed time spent with his three grandsons and nine Great Grandchildren. Jake was Elder Emeritus of the Disciples of Christ Church in Chariton. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Roger. 

Jake is survived by his wife, Donna; daughter, Terry (Laurie), son Nick; Grandsons, Marc, Matthew and Andrew (Jessica); Great Grandchildren: Audrey, Ian, Eli, Christian, Jacob, Aiden, Olivia, Deidra and Kamryn; Sisters, Lucille Susic, Ellen Hawkins, Gerry Fitzgerald; Brother, Charles (Jo): In-laws, Marjorie DeBok, Tommy Woodman (Carole), Byron Voss, and many nieces and nephews. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Disciples of Christ Church, Chariton, Iowa or the Russell Chapter of the American Legion. 

Margaret Irene (Madison) Rynearson

Margaret Irene (Madison) Rynearson passed away March 2, 2016 at her home near Russell, Iowa. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private burial will take place at a later date at the Berwick Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Margaret’s family or Circle of Life Hospice in Chariton. 

Margaret Irene Madison was born December 9, 1936 to Margaret Ann and Henry Earl Madison. She grew up alongside her six siblings near Madrid, Iowa. Margaret graduated from Madrid High School. After graduation, she worked for a time in Des Moines. 

On January 21, 1956, Margaret was united in marriage to Don Rynearson. The couple was blessed with two children, Mike and Pam. The family farmed in Granger, Madrid and Waukee. After their children were raised, Margaret and Don settled on a farm south of Russell, Iowa. During this time, Margaret worked in the medical billing office at Lucas County Health Center. She retired after twenty one years. 

Margaret was a great help on the farm. She harvested large, bountiful gardens and would freeze fruits and vegetables each year. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and her cat, Lucy. She will be greatly missed by so many.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 60 years, Don Rynearson of Russell; son, Mike Rynearson (Sue) of Norwalk; daughter, Pam Venard (Mark) of Waukee; 5 grandchildren: Jennifer Waldrop (Greg), Rachel Venard (Eric), Heather Chatton (Scott), Amber Polson (Charlie), and Jeff Hines (Christa); 9 great-grandchildren: Sully, Ella, Hailey, Chloe, Sophie, Gina, Gage, Ava, and Fern; sisters, Louise Baier (Leo) and Cathy Williams; and sisters-in-law, Gwen Madison and Lorraine Madison. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Theresa Madison and Rose Marie Lamfers; brother, Richard Madison; and twin brother, Melvin Madison.