Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Harry Tanner Obituary


Where does one begin to tell the story of a man who has lived 99 years? William Harry Tanner started his long life in Kellerton Iowa, born at home to Fred and Jessie (Sissle) Tanner. Times were certainly different than they are now, a man was a gentleman, he took care of his family which meant his wife, children, siblings anyone else that need help. Dad married our mom Glendoris Shelton on December 24, 1940 they celebrated 72 years of marriage together before mom passed, times were hard in the early years but they were happy. They had four children; Judith, Wanda, Raelynn and Kevin. Dad and Mom were members of the Christian Church and shared their love and faith in God which they taught their children.
After retiring from Armstrong Tire in Des Moines he moved his family to Apache Junction Arizona, he enjoyed tinkering around his garage and could make or fix anything. 
Dad always had a story to tell, I especially remember one about a young boy 14 years old that he saw along the road on his way home from work, he was sitting on a suit case crying, his parents had died and had no place to live. Art Willard lived with them until he graduated high school and then joined the army. There was always room for anyone that needed a place to stay or needed a hot meal.
Dad saw so many firsts in his life; he would tell about school letting out when an airplane flew over, the first car his dad bought, the first time his mother came home with all her hair cut off (apparently, that wasn't the thing to do), indoor plumbing, electric lights, radio, and TV. Listening to him was like reading a history book with details that you couldn't learn in school. 
Being the oldest of 7 children, there was always work to be done to help out his parents on the farm. He spoke of hitching the horses to the plow and turn the field to plant, hauling water, cutting wood to cook and heat with. The way they stored their garden crops in a cave or dried pumpkins, onions and anything else in
the attic. His brother Rex and him would go hunting every day, he would say "we didn't have a Hy-Vee to go get our meat so we had to hunt to survive". Those we the good old day, he would say and laugh.
There were many passions dad had other than his family and gardening was one, he always grew more than we could can and use, but there was always someone that he could give the excess to. I don't know how many people would come and pick rhubarb from his massive patch, he really enjoyed sharing and helping
others. Fishing was the other passion, if you mention fishing and he was gone! Him and mom would take a lunch and sit all day fishing. He could tell what tree was by looking at the leaves or bark, when he heard a bird sing he knew what kind it was, he was our dad he knew everything!
As dad got older 90 or so, his fishing stopped and the garden got smaller, he never thought of himself as old maybe that is why lived such a long life. My dad was my best friend and I will miss him terribly, we shared so much. we would sit and talk for hours. We would share the first Robin we would see, or geese flying north and he would share his prediction of what the coming weather would be. We always made a trip to Ellis greenhouse in the Spring and would discuss what verity we would try this year in the garden. I will miss out road trips and he would tell me that weeds are just a wild flower that no one likes.
Harry was proceeded in death by his parents Fred and Jessie, his wife Glendoris, all of his siblings, a daughter Judith Diane Porter, Judith's husband Levi, one Grandson David Glover. He will be greatly missed by his son Kevin (Susan) Tanner, his daughters Wanda (Teddy) Reed and Raelynn (Scott) Luehring, many, many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial can be made to Chariton Christian Church Disciples of Christ or Circle of Life Hospice. 
1 THESSALONIANS Chapter 5 verse 14-18 
DEAR BROTHERS, WARN THOSE WHO ARE LAZY; COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE FRIGHTENED; TAKE TENDER CARE OF THOSE WHO ARE WEAK; AND BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE. SEE THAT NO ONE PAYS BACK EVIL FOR EVIL, BUT ALWAYS TRY TO DO GOOD TO EACH OTHER AND TO EVERYONE ELSE. ALWAYS BE JOYFUL. ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING. NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, ALWAYS BE THANKFUL, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU WHO BELONG TO CHRIST JESUS.

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Christine "Chris" Ann (Johnson) Cloat

January 4, 1942-September 21, 2016

Bartonville, IL - Christine "Chris" Ann Cloat, 74, of Bartonville passed away Wednesday September 21, 2016 at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born January 4, 1942 in Chariton Iowa to James and Ethel May (Watkins) Johnson, she married Jerry A. Cloat on March 3, 1967, in Peoria. He died September 9, 2010.
She was also preceeded in death by her parents, one son, Brad Aspenson and a grandson, Zachary Cloat.
Surviving are daughters, Kim (Clay) DeMaster of Mapleton, and Lisa (Todd) Coon of Groveland; a son, Scott (Connie) Cloat of Bartonville; four grandchildren, Ryan (girlfriend, CourtneyPherigo) Davis of Bartonville, Audrey and Sophie Cloat of Bartonville and Cade Coon of Groveland; a sister Pam (Dave) Teno of Melrose, IA; a brother in law and sister in law Ron and Jane Cloat of West Peoria and several nieces and nephews.
Chris worked as a medical secretary for many years and as a cashier at Thompson's Food Basket in Bartonville.
She was an avid sports fan, particularly of NASCAR, the Chicago Bears and Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes. Chris and Jerry were members of several car clubs, including Lincoln Land Kustoms, Midwest Ford and were founding members of the Fourever Ford Model A Club and Early Ford V-8 Club.
Visitation was from 4-7 pm Monday September 26, 2016 at Davison Fulton Bartonville Chapel. Graveside services were held 10am Tuesdatm September 27, 2016 in Lutheran Cemetery in Peoria. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association. Online tributes may be left at www.Davison-Fulton-BartonvilleChapel.com.

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Paul E. Force Obituary

Paul E. Force,89, of Russell, Iowa passed away on Tuesday, October 4, while at Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown, Iowa.
Paul was born in Osceola, Iowa on June 5, 1927, to Guy and Nora Force. He grew up in Russel with his sister Irma, who passed away in 1937, and his three brothers: Ardys (Bud), Wendell, and Donald. He had fond memories of his times at Russell School and enlisted in the Army after graduating in 1945. Paul spent time in Panama while in the service. 
Paul married Betty Bingaman in 1950. Together they raised their family in Russell. They had children: Peggy, Robert, Richard, and Debby. Upon returning from the Army Paul worked various jobs around Lucas County until 1951, when he joined the US Postal Service. He spent 16 years working the mail train running between Chicago and Omaha and in 1967 transferred to Postal Service positions in Des Moines. He retired in 1982.
Paul was very active in the Methodist Church, the American Legion, the Lions Club, and helping anyone who needed it. Paul and Betty enjoyed traveling to visit their children and grandchildren. Paul and Bill Winsor attended every Iowa State football game for many years. Betty passed away in 1996. In 1999 Paul married Alene Smith. Paul and Alene continued to travel, enjoying their attempt to see every county seat in Iowa. Alene passed away in 2011.
Along with Betty and Alene, Paul now joins his sister Irma, brothers Ardys and Wendell, and his daughter Peggy. Left to cherish his memory are sons Robert (Jan) of Cathedral City, CA, Richard of Atlanta, GA, daughter Deb Hawks (Bruce) of Marshalltown, IA, son-in-law Ed Adam of Mills River, NC, eight grandchildren and many great grandchildren.