Allan Mathias Obituary

 Allan Roy Mathias was born September 14, 1954 in Ottumwa, Iowa and passed away for this life Saturday April 22nd, 2023 in Chariton, Iowa at 68 years of age.

Allan grew up in Russell, Iowa and graduated from Russell High School class of 1972. Allan was united in marriage to Ronda Showers on May 4th, 1974 in Woodburn, Iowa where they have made their home.
Allan enjoyed working and being around individuals, he retired from his career in 2016. His hobbies included being a craftsman including woodworking skills, golfing, camping/boating with friends, putting together puzzles, and family time.
Allan leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Ronda Mathias of Woodburn, daughter Cheri (Matthew) McCann, and grandchildren Carter, and Cole McCann of Osceola.
No services provided per Allan's wishes.

Published by The Cremation Society of Iowa - Clive on Apr. 27, 2023.

Marvin L. Neer Jr. Obituary November 4, 1947 — April 27, 2023

 Services for Marvin Neer Jr., 75, of Russell, Iowa will be held on Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will follow at the Russell Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Monday, May 1, 2023, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Russell Fire Department.

Marvin Leo Neer Jr. was born on November 4, 1947, in Chico, California to Marvin and Glenys (Evans) Neer. He attended many different schools throughout his childhood, then graduated from Chariton High School in 1966. He met the love of his life, Sue Abrahamson, and the couple married on September 24, 1966. He would always make the statement that he married well!

He was drafted into the United States Army in June 1967. He served at Vietnam from November 1967 to November 1968, from there stationed in Georgia.

Marvin worked in construction and later worked for the VA Hospital in Knoxville in the housekeeping/maintenance area. The family later sold hotdogs and footlongs from their 34-foot giant hot dog concession stand. He also sold hinge covers for semis with Chicken Hawk through Wolf Creek Products.

Marvin enjoyed many outdoor activities like hunting and fishing, camping, and riding/jumping mules, as well as riding motorcycles. He had a large collection of guns and knives that he was very proud of. He was a family man, and his grandchildren were his pride and joy. He would make up songs and sing to them and loved to joke around with them. For instance, he bought them all harmonicas, told them how wonderful they played them, and sent them home with them.

Marvin will be dearly missed by his wife, Sue; children: Jim (Becki) Neer and Jeff (Mandy) Neer; grandchildren: Avery (Riley) Collins, Emery Neer, Jessica (Dustin) Hardin, T.J. Love (Micah Garton), Tori Neer, Marin Neer, and Nora Neer; one great grandchild, Ivalee Hardin; as well as many more relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Glenys; son, Steve Neer; and siblings: Mike Neer, John Neer, and Beverly Justice.

Dale Clell Bennett Obituary

• On Saturday, February 11, 2023, at the age of 86, Dale Clell Bennett left this world peacefully and surrounded by his family. Dale was a businessman, avid golfer, and most importantly a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

  Dale was born November 21, 1936 in Russell, Iowa to Clell J Bennett (d. 1970) and Ruby Kimler Bennett (d. 1990). He was the only boy and the youngest sibling, having four older sisters, Doris Bennett Werts (d. 2013), Donna Bennett (d. 1931), Shirley Bennett Drake (d. 2011) and Clarice Bennett Erickson. He majored in Business at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa where he also played for the Drake basketball team. After completing his degree he joined the United States Army. Over the years he was involved in numerous businesses, even selling Vita Craft cookware and owning a wig shop. His most notable business accomplishment was as owner of Chamberlin's Market and Cafe from 1974 to 1999 and he was also a member of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.

  Even with all of his accomplishments in the professional world, the most important thing in Dale's life was his family. Dale is survived by his wife, Debra Bennett. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Alice Bennett (d. 1994). He was a proud father to Pam Stockman (Bob), Sara Murdaugh (Jim), Kirk Bennett, Chad Bennett (Lisa), Erin Levental (Alex) and Tara Halaychick (Mike), grandfather to Ashley, Bryce, Brandon, Brianna, Amanda, Brittany, Derek, Austin, Conor and Colby, and great-grandfather to Brayden, Harper, Marleigh, Aria, Lyla, Emma, Lucy, Augusta, Forrest, Otis, and Ruth. Even with 6 children, 10 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, Dale never forgot a birthday, although he often spelled his grandchildren's names wrong, and his favorite moments were holidays and birthdays spent with the family together.

  Dale was so well-traveled and an avid golfer even into his later life. He has traveled to over 30 countries, but his most frequent trip was to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina to play the many golf courses there. Dale has golfed all over the world (most notably in a tournament at St. Andrews Links in Scotland) but he called The Club at Venetian Bay in New Smyrna Beach, Florida his home. He was an active member of the club and it was there on the 16th hole that he got a hole-in-one.

  Dale has been involved in many service-based organizations such as South Seminole Rotary Club, where he held many leadership positions and was President. He was a parishioner at First Presbyterian Church in New Smyrna Beach. In his final days, it was his faith that gave him peace. On his last day, he said, "I know where I am going." Not one person who knows Dale would doubt where he is now. Dale lived his life guided by his faith as is evident in that every person who knew him often described him as the nicest man ever. Dale was more than just what his relationship was to you. If you ask any friend, he was more than just a "friend." He was the person who ALWAYS started any conversation asking about how things were going with whatever he talked with you last about...even if it had been years.

  Family and friends are welcome to attend a memorial gathering to celebrate Dale's life, it will take place on Tuesday, February 28th from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Baldwin Brothers Funeral Home in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. A memorial service will be held the following day, Wednesday, March 1st at 10:00 am at First Presbyterian Church New Smyrna Beach with a reception to follow at The Club at Venetian Bay.

  In remembrance of Dale Bennett's life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Florida Little Dog Rescue or the Mission Ministries of First Presbyterian Church New Smyrna Beach.

Dolores "Dee" J. Cain July 11, 1937 ~ March 15, 2023 (age 85) Obituary

 

Dolores June Cain, “Dee”, age 85, of Chariton went peacefully to her eternal home on March 15, 2023. Dee was born July 11, 1937 in Spencer, Iowa to June and Kenneth “Shorty” McGee. Although June passed away at the young age of 21, her Grandma Blunt stepped in as her Mom to raise her. Dee had no siblings, however when she went to live with Grandma Blunt, two of her uncles were still at home and she thought of them as brothers.

Dee grew up in the Southern Iowa area. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at Freedom Bible Camp in her younger years. She graduated from Chariton High School in 1956 where she met her husband Bob Cain. They were married November 26 of 1958. In their 64 years together they enjoyed traveling and making memories. They were blessed with 3 daughters: Pamela, Karen and Julie.

Dee worked at Equitable Life Insurance as an Executive Secretary, Chariton Feed and Grain, and retired from Rathbun Region Mental Health Center. She also greatly enjoyed volunteering at the Lucas County Health Center and the hospice house in Chariton.

She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church and enjoyed her Sunday school ladies group. Over the years, Dee was a member of Faculty Wives and looked forward to her friends Tuesday lunch group. Dee had two amazing friends, Altha Offenburger and Theresa Swainey who were always there for her.

Dee’s greatest joys and treasured moments were those spent with her husband and family. She cherished each moment with her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the light of her life.

Dee loved and enjoyed all of God’s nature, animals, and especially birds. She thanked God daily for all the beauties of this world that he has provided for us to enjoy.

Dee is survived by the love of her life: Bob Cain. Her children: Pam (Mike) Gardner, Karen (Howard) Howell, Julie (George) Cain. Four grandchildren: Aaron (Ashley) Gardner, Angie (Adam) Pinson, Jarid (Brooke) Howell and Joshua (Shelby) Howell. Nine great grandchildren: Maddi, Gabe and Hudson Howell, Landon and Hattie Gardner, Ivy and Levi Howell, Annie and Andi Pinson. Granddog: Zoey.

Eleanor Page Lockridge Olson Obituary

 

Eleanor Page Lockridge Olson, formerly of Park Rapids,  passed away peacefully on February 2, 2023, at Bridges Cornell Heights in Ithaca, NY at the age of 93. Eleanor was born Nov. 17, 1929 to Tom and Helen Lockridge on the family farm near Russell, IA, at the beginning of the Great Depression. Her father’s struggle to hold onto the farm in the face of economic collapse and severe drought made a huge impression on her--as did her mother’s effort to make their lives as good as possible under difficult circumstances.  Eleanor rode her pony to country school and excelled at her studies. She attended high school in Chariton, IA.  Her first two years of college were spent at the all-women’s Rockford College in Illinois, and she finished her B.A. degree in Design at the University of Iowa. She began her working life in Minneapolis, starting as a copywriter for Dayton’s, and then moving into their in-house interior decoration department. She went on to open Dayton’s new decorating studio at their store in Rochester, MN.  In Minneapolis, she met her future husband, Harold Curtis Olson. She told her children that “he was the most interesting man I ever met.” They married in 1955. Their first daughter, Page, was born in 1958, when they were living in Thief River Falls, MN, where Harold worked for the Soil Conservation Service. A  second daughter, Anne, was born in 1962, the year the young family moved to St. Cloud, MN. Eric was born in 1968.      Eleanor provided a rich and diverse life for her young children, full of trips to the library, an open-door policy for the neighborhood children, DIY carnivals and holiday decorations, homemade gifts and always delicious food. Vacations were spent exploring nature and camping in Minnesota’s state parks. She and Harold forged a fruitful creative partnership as they renovated and decorated the houses they lived in. In 1973, Harold took early retirement from the SCS and the family moved north to 40 acres on the Straight River, south of Park Rapids. On Pinewood Farm, Eleanor was in her element. She gardened, first growing vegetables to feed the family, then cultivating flowers as family demands lessened. She and Harold renovated, landscaped, and molded their forty acres of woods and meadows into a park. She bought horses for the girls. Her sewing machine was always busy. She and Harold were involved in civic life in Park Rapids in several ways. Together, they were instrumental in helping to establish Heartland Homes, the first group home in the area for developmentally challenged adults. They worked hard to support the fledgling North Country Museum of Arts (now Nemeth Art Center) and Eleanor was a staunch Friend of the Library and belonged to a very active Homemakers group, run through the U of M Extension. She sewed baby layettes for the hospital to distribute to new parents in need. For many years they attended Trinity Episcopal Church. Eleanor worked for a time as a teacher’s aide in the art room at the Middle School, where she was able to share her love of making things with students.  Eleanor was a homemaker with expertise and artistry. She made her own laundry soap, potato chips, and homemade ketchup before any of that was fashionable! If she needed a piece of furniture to complete an arrangement, she went down to the woodworking shop in the basement and made it. “I can’t” was not in Eleanor’s vocabulary. Her work ethic was legendary in the family. In latter years, Eleanor continued to share her warmth and love with the people she met. She retained her passion for color, pattern and design, and a home decorating magazine never failed to engage her attention. She and Harold were married for sixty-three years, and they looked after one another with love and concern until Harold died in January of 2019. We miss them both so much. Eleanor is survived by her children, Elisabeth Page Mitteness (Rick), Anne Lockridge Bialke (Bill), and Eric Oliver Olson, grandchildren Aaron Mitteness, Madeleine, Julia and Audrey Bialke, and great-grandchildren Skye and Thorsten Mitteness. 

Carolyn Rae (McVey) Schumann March 26, 1943 ~ March 26, 2023 obituary

Carolyn Rae (McVey) Schumann was born March 26, 1943, by Lovilla, Iowa in Monroe County to Lester Ray and Wilma Fern (Bowman) McVey. She lived on the Bluegrass road growing up. When Carolyn was younger she enjoyed riding horses. She attended school at Russell Community School until she was a senior in high school and then graduated from Chariton High School in 1961. Carolyn was a member of the Methodist Church. On June 18, 1961 she married Hubert John Schumann in Lucas County. To this union three children were born, James, Wanda and Timothy. Carolyn and family moved to Des Moines, Iowa where she was a catering waitress for Hyatt and Hilton hotels. Later they moved the family to an acreage south of Des Moines. At age 50 she went on disability, upon which she utilized her time being a wife, mother, and grandma. When Hubert retired they moved to Russell, Iowa to be near their family. They shared wonderful times with their mothers, brothers, sisters and son Jim Schumann and family. She enjoyed fishing, camping, animals and spending quality time with her family. Everyone knew that when they went to Carolyn’s that they were going to have a wonderful home cooked meal. Carolyn could cook as well as the best of chefs.

In 2018, she moved to Mount Ayr where she spent time with her daughter, Wanda (Kraig) Pennington, grandson, Alan Pennington (Marianne Elefson), granddaughters, Amanda (Brett) Cannon, Rebecca (Jordan) Clymer, and her three greats Ryann, Gina and Brooks. On March 26, 2023, Carolyn Schumann, 80, passed away at her home in Mount Ayr, Iowa with her family by her side.  

Carolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Lester Ray and Wilma Fern (Bowman) McVey, husband, Hubert John Schumann, son, Timothy John Schumann, sister, Phyllis Streepy, brother, Gerold Wayne “Jerry” McVey, father-in-law, Albert John Schumann, mother-in-law, Hazel Harriett (Hull) Schumann, sisters-in-law, Linda Kay (Noah) Schumann, Janet May (Schumann) Throckmorton, Jewell Schumann, brothers-in-law, Gary Lee Schumann, Donald Gene Schumann, nephew, Mark Throckmorton.

She is survived by her children, James Keith “Jim” (Cindy Gustafson) Schumann of Knoxville,  Wanda Rae (Kraig) Schumann-Pennington of Mount Ayr, sister, Joyce Schumann of Russell,  brother, Jack (Glenna) McVey of Chariton, sister-in-law, Carmen Schumann of Chariton, Brothers-in-law, Bud Schumann of Chariton, Lyle (Judy) Dorsey of Russell, Fred (Joyce) Throckmorton of Derby, Garry Throckmorton, nine grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, lots of family and friends.