Wayne King Obituary April 30, 1949 - March 21, 2025

 

Wayne Dean King born April 30, 1949, in Chariton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 21, 2025, at Houston Methodist Hospital in Conroe, Texas. There will be a celebration of life on June 7, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Pierschbacher's in Knoxville, Iowa. We invite you to share memories, laughter, and stories that honor Wayne's remarkable journey. A light lunch will be served as we come together to remember the warmth, kindness, and joy he brought to our lives.

A proud alumnus of Knoxville High School’s class of 1968, Wayne went on to earn an Associate Degree in Telecommunications from Des Moines Area Community College. His career in telecommunications spanned decades, with roles at Continental Telephone in Iowa before advancing to Regional Engineer positions in Minnesota with Contel Telephone, and later in Dallas, Texas with GTE and Verizon . Wayne pursued his passion to work with his hands as a self-employed handyman after leaving the telecommunications industry.

In 1969, Wayne married Suzanne Mills, and together they were blessed with four children. He treasured his roles as father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by his parents, E. Keith and Lucinda (James) King; his beloved wife, Suzanne; and his brothers, David and Jay.

Wayne is survived by his children Kari Ann (Ramiro) King-Barron, Matthew James (Wendi) King, Alicia Nicole King, and Jennifer Sue King; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; brothers Kenneth, Rex, and Michael; sisters Kay King and Linda Whitt; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Connie Smith Obituary October 16, 1936 - May 15, 2025

 Connie M. Smith, 88, of Chariton, passed away May 15, 2025, at the Lucas County Health Center. Graveside funeral services will be held Sunday, May 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. at the Salem Cemetery near Chariton.

Family will receive friends on Saturday, May 17th, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell.

Connie was born October 16, 1936, in Knoxville, Iowa, to Merle and Kathleen May. The family moved to Chariton in 1943 when her parents purchased the home farm in Benton township where she raised her family and lived most of her life. Connie and her sister, Karen, would walk 1.3 miles to school at Salem through the 8th grade. She then attended Chariton High School later graduating in 1955.

Out of high school she began working for the ASCS office known today as the FSA office. Connie worked for the FSA off and on in various capacities throughout the years.

In 1957, Connie married Willard Burdette “W.B.” Smith. As part of their wedding gift, they received two bred gilts and a Guernsey heifer. They began their farming career when they rented 40 acres, then purchased 80 in 1960, before moving back to their home place. Connie was a hard worker; she worked on and off the farm in addition to raising their boys – Dennis and Doyle. They had 600 hens and milked many cows, but suddenly went unpaid for 6 weeks. They then transitioned out of the hens and milk cows to farrow to finish hogs and beef cows along with some ewes. She always worked side by side with her husband and eventually with the boys and grandchildren. She remembered square baling hay in the beginning times, and remembered all the hand jesters while she was running the baler. She thought the big round baler was one of the best inventions.

Connie worked for several of the sale barns including the Knoxville Sale Barn and the Russell Sale Barn. She always wanted to stay busy and would volunteer some free time to the Genealogy Society at the Chariton Library. She also enjoyed bowling and taking a few trips when you could get her away from the farm.

Family meant a lot to Connie. Not only was she blessed with two great boys but they returned the favor and gave her many grandchildren (and later, great grandchildren) to love. Her greatest pride in life was her hardworking family. From the farm to academics, she had a lot to be proud of. You could always count on Connie’s family to bring out her great sense of humor and her kind heart; two things she will always be remembered for.

Preceding her in death were her parents: Merle and Kathleen May; husband, W.B. Smith in 1996; and infant daughter, Linda Marie. She will be greatly missed by her sons: Dennis (Lisa) Smith and Doyle (Stacy) Smith; grandchildren: Brad (Kelsey) Smith, Chad (Mandy) Smith, Bailey (Jared) Dudley, Brittney (Steven) Slezak, and Macy Smith; seven great grandchildren: Ledger, McKabe, Jace, Ruger, Henry, Tate, and Colt; sister, Karen Stansbery; sister-in-law, Ruth (Don) Argentia; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Russell Harris Obituary October 11, 1941 - May 10, 2025

 

Russell Dean Harris, 83, of Bloomfield, Iowa passed away on May 10, 2025 at his home surrounded by family. He was born on October 11, 1941 in a farmhouse in Lancaster, Missouri to Lowell and Mary Howell Harris. At the age of 17 he joined the U.S. Navy in August of 1959. He retired on June 15, 1979 after serving 20 years. During his 20 years he served at many duty stations including Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey where he met Joann Cook. The couple married on October 20, 1962 at the Chapel of the Air. Russell was also stationed at a small Navy base in Edzell, Scotland, Suitland Weather Forecast Office in Suitland, Maryland; NSA in Washington, D.C.; Fort Meade, Maryland; Phu Bai, Vietnam; the USS Midway; and Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul, Illinois during his career. Russell was able to see many countries while he was in the Navy such as Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan.

After his Navy retirement, Russell worked at the Gilfillan Clinic in Bloomfield for several months before purchasing French’s Hamburger Inn in November 1979. Russell and Joann ran the popular Bloomfield restaurant for 13 years. Russell would go on to attend Indian Hills Community College receiving his associates degree and then attended Faith Baptist Bible College, graduating with a degree in Pastoral Studies, Greek, and counseling. From May 2000 until September 2007, he served as pastor of Norwoodville Baptist Church in Des Moines. From February of 2008 until March of 2013, he served as pastor for the First Baptist Church in Russell, Iowa. After returning to Bloomfield in April of 2014 he served on the Deacon Board at First Baptist Church and helped with the Whirlybirds after school program.

Russell’s moto was “Love of country, love of God, and love of family.” He was a proud American Veteran. Russell loved Jesus. He wanted to make sure everyone he came in contact with went to church and knew the Lord. His love of family was beyond measure. He taught his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren the value of hard work and commitment. “You just gotta do what you gotta do!” Russell taught the great grandchildren how to blow empty straw wrappers across the dinner table, how to fish, and how to have fun. He was always up for a game of 10-point pitch and he almost always had a bidding hand!

Russell was very talented in many aspects. He loved all areas of arts and crafts. He was truly an artist. Russell and Joann have several paintings and drawings framed and hanging in their home that were done by him as well as several ceramic pieces. He was an avid wood worker, making a hope chests for his daughters, the cradle that his grandsons slept in, a gun case for his brother-in-law, plus many other projects around the house and for his family.

Later in life, Russell and Joann took many trips out east to see his brother, Joe and his wife, Mary. He would also visit his sister-in-law, Irma and brother-in-law, Frank, as well as his nieces and nephews. He cherished all his family and those fun days together.

Russell is survived by his wife, Joann Harris; two daughters, Denice Blaine of Kirksville, Missouri, Loretta “Lori” (Tanner Young) Taylor of St. Charles, Minnesota; four grandchildren, Luke (Nichole) Taylor of Blue Earth, Minnesota, Clint (Hanna) Taylor of St. Charles, Minnesota, Teagan Young of St. Charles, Minnesota, Deidre Blaine of Kirksville, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren, Jace Taylor, Jaxon Stricklen, Sophie Stricklen, Triggs Taylor, William Taylor, James Taylor, Berit Taylor; brother, Danny “Joe” (Mary) Harris of South Attleboro, Massachusetts; sister, Cathy Reinier of Ottumwa, Iowa; sister-in-law, Ruth (Dave) Brown of Rougemont, North Carolina; brother-in-law, Ray (Lisa) Cook of Drakesville, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews, friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, William Neal; two brothers, Francis and Billy Lee Harris; two sisters, Becky Ann Harris, Mary Beth Collier; three sisters-in-law, Irma Rios, Nancy Harris, Carole Raskie; one brother-in-law Frank Rios, and a son-in-law, Jeffrey Taylor.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Bloomfield with Pastor Matt Froah officiating. Burial will be at the West Grove Cemetery in West Grove, Iowa. Graveside military rites will be performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion. Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 5-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be designated at a later date. Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation -

MAY 14. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT)

First Baptist Church

401 Crestview Circle

Bloomfield, IA 52537

Funeral Service

MAY 15. 10:00 AM (CT)

First Baptist Church

401 Crestview Circle

Bloomfield, IA 52537