Larry Alexander Obituary

 Larry Alexander, 80, of Russell passed away on January 8, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines.

Larry was born on October 9, 1937 to L.R. and Verna (McMurry) Alexander in Runnells, Iowa. Larry attended grade school at country school and graduated from Corydon High School with the class of 1955. Larry married Patricia Witt and to this union two daughters were born: Deborah and Laura. They later divorced and Larry then married Anna Cook on April 18, 1964 at the Chariton Christian Church. Larry and Ann had two children: Craig and Sue.

Larry worked for Brenaman and Sons Trucking and loved driving coast to coast. He and Ann moved to the farm in 1971 and there they ran a dairy herd, did row crop and hay. He started Alexander Construction in 1985 and worked until his retirement in 2006. Larry and Ann traveled all over the US and spent many winters in Texas. He enjoyed working outdoors, reading, traveling, working livestock and ground; he always said we should leave the land in better condition than what it was when we received it, and he never missed his 3 p.m. coffee break at the Millerton Café.

Survivors include his wife Ann, daughters: Deborah Mikell (Ron), Laura Becker, Sue Haack (Rich), son Craig Alexander (Karna), grandchildren: Lisa Bartlett (Jeff), Scott Mikell, James Mikell (Iliyana), Michael Alexander, Jeffery Alexander, Landon Haack, Colten Haack, 6 great grandchildren, brothers: Richard Alexander (Lena) and Robert Alexander, sister-in-law Joan Steinbach and numerous nieces, nephews, family and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Leonard Alexander Jr., sister Dorothy Alexander, brothers-in-law: Roy Cook and Tom Steinbach and sister-in-law Leah Cook.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Corydon. Interment will immediately follow at Confidence Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, January 12, 2018 with family present from 5-7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the Russell Volunteer Fire Department and condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com.

Loudene Janet Penney Obituary

Loudene Janette (Hull) Penney, 88 years of age, passed from this earthly home January 6, 2018 at Corydon Specialty Care.

She was born May 15, 1929, on the family farm south of Russell.  She was the only child of Harvey and Emma (Schumann) Hull. She attended country school where she graduated at 8^th grade; then continued her education at Russell Community School, where she graduated in 1947.  She married Lee Clanin March 6, 1949.  Three children were born to this union: Bryant Edward, Sandra Lee and Paul Wade.  Lee passed away November 9, 1954.  Loudene married William H. Penney December 27, 1958.  Three children were born to this union: Jacqueline Sue, Janice Marie and Julia Ann.

She was a lifelong resident of Russell and homemaker until her children graduated school.  She worked as a waitress for Sarah Relph early in her life and cleaned houses for several Russell families, the First State Bank and Methodist Church in Russell and was a caregiver at Tenco for several years.  She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since 1984 and Lifetime Member of the 12^th Armored Division Association, a member and faithful volunteer of the Faith United Methodist Church, Russell Community School Board member and helped as a volunteer with many other organizations.

She is survived by her 6 children: Bryant (Lesa) Clanin of PawPaw, Ill.; Sandra (Phillip) Young of Ashton, ID; Paul (Marcia) Clanin of Fairfield, IA; Jackie (Ron) McCaslen of Millerton, IA; Janice (Tom) Reddy of Chesapeake, VA;  Julia (Mike) Donahue of Waukee, IA; a special daughter Kathleen (Mike) Brandon of Chariton, IA; 21 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchild.  She is preceded in death by her parents, both husbands and 1 grandson.

Memorials can be made to Russell American Legion Auxiliary or Russell Faith United Methodist Church

Robert "Bob" McCurdy Obituary

 Robert “Bob” McCurdy, of Russell, passed away January 4, 2018 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

Bob was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on August 8, 1932 to W.E. (Red) McCurdy and Chloe Elizabeth Gross McCurdy. He married Sharon Robuck, June 3, 1961 in Attica, Iowa. To this union, four children were born: David, Michael, Mark, and Kimberly.

Bob believed that education was extremely important and demonstrated this in his career choice. He graduated from Oskaloosa High School, received his bachelor’s degree from William Penn University, attended Drake University to achieve his Master’s Degree, and earned a Specialist Degree in Education from Drake University.

Bob served two years in the armed forces, stationed in Germany. He began teaching in Attica, Iowa, at the Twin Cedars School System for four years. He moved to Newhall, Iowa, teaching an additional four years. He then moved to Monroe, Iowa, where he was the principal at the high school for nearly 20 years. He advanced to Clearfield, Iowa, where he was superintendant for one year before moving to Russell in 1985. He was superintendant in Russell until his final retirement in 2008. He also served as interim superintendant for Fremont, Lineville/Clio, Mormon Trail, and a semester as the middle school principal in the Chariton School District.

He was a member of many organizations that were special to him over the years. These included the Russell Lions Club, The Russell Community Club, Lucas County Retired Teachers Club, The Lucas County Democrats, and the Russell American Legion. He also served on the Russell City Council and one term as Mayor.

Bob enjoyed traveling and had visited all states except Hawaii. He especially sought out locations with historic significance. He also was an avid sports fan having played semi-pro baseball and competitive bowling. Bob also coached football, basketball, and baseball from little league through the collegiate level. His favorite teams were the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Seahawks, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones, and above all the William Penn Statesmen.

He is survived by his wife Sharon of 56-1/2 years; Son Michael (Terri) of Russell; Son Mark (Amy) of Russell; Daughter Kimberly Moyle (Jeremy) of West Des Moines; Eight grandchildren: Samantha and Stephen (Kourtney) McCurdy; Kaitlyn, Kelly, Joseph, and David McCurdy; Tyler and Bailey Moyle; One great-grandson, Carson McCurdy; Sister Alta Beatrice Williams of Ft Meyer, FL; Brother Donald (Nancy) of West Des Moines; Sister-in- law Susan McCurdy of Ankeny.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, a 3-year-old son David McCurdy, brother John McCurdy, brother-in-law Gerald Williams, and an infant granddaughter, Alexa McCurdy.

Services will be Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at The Faith United Methodist Church in Russell. Family will receive friends on Friday, January 12th from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home. Memorials are requested to the Russell Volunteer Fire Department or the Russell Faith United Methodist Church.

Twyla M. Cromer Obituary

Twyla Marie Cromer, 87, passed away December 23, 2017 in Chariton, Iowa. Twyla Marie Cromer was born January 5, 1930 to Isaac Merrill Malone and Boonie Marline (Clark) Malone near Osceola, Iowa. They moved to Lucas County where Twyla started school at Goshen Schools. When Twyla was 6 years old they moved to Derby. When she was 12 years old they moved to Chariton where Twyla graduated from Chariton High School in 1948. Twyla married Chuck Robinson in 1950. She went on to work at Roush’s Drug Store in 1955 and later to work at Littett’s Drug Store on the west side of the square. Twyla worked there until her retirement in 1992. In 1979 Chuck Robinson died at the age of 54 from complications of childhood diabetes. In 1982 Twyla married Bud Cromer and moved to an acreage in Russell. Bud worked as a janitor a the Russell Schools. In 1997 Twyla went to work at the Senior Center as a janitor. After 5 years she went to work at Chariton Manor with the Activities Department. After 1 ½ years she decided to retire for good. In 2008 Bud’s health turned so they moved to Friendly Acres in Chariton. Twyla was preceded in death by her parents, first husband Chuck Robinson, husband Bud Cromer and sister Inez Quinn. Left to cherish her memories are brothers Dean Malone, Max Malone, sister Fern Baze as well as many other family and friends that loved her and will miss her deeply.