- Karen A. Orwig, 82, passed away peacefully in her home on September 2, 2024. Services will be held Friday, September 13, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Lutheran Church in Chariton. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 12, from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Memorials can be sent to First Lutheran Church in Chariton, or the Circle of Freedom Shelter in Seymour.
Karen Annette was born March 9, 1942, in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Raymond and Loretta Peters. On November 22, 1961. Karen married the love of her life, David Orwig at the St. John Lutheran Church in rural Palmer, Iowa. After a brief period in West Bend, Iowa, they lived in Kirksville, Missouri for several years. Karen and Dave then moved and settled in Lucas County in 1965, where they raised their family. Karen worked in the Courthouse as the Lucas County Deputy Clerk of Court for more than two decades, and then went on to work for Chariton Abstract Company for several years.
Together they were blessed with three sons, Steven, Michael, and Mark. Karen lived the simple life and loved the farm and raising Red Angus cattle with Dave. She also enjoyed their routine “hither and yon” trips around Lucas County as well as numerous vacations to visit family and friends. Karen and Dave enjoyed camping at the Iowa State Fair. Most mornings or evenings you could catch them sitting outside and would always welcome a good visit. Karen knew how to visit and was genuine in her conversation. Family was her priority. Miles and miles of road were traveled going to ball games and events for her kids and grandkids. If you knew any of the Orwig boys or their family, you would know Grandma Karen. Because of her compassion and caring nature, she was referred to as “my second Mom” by so many. As the matriarch of the Orwig family, Karen and her home were the center of the family gatherings, which always included her famous potato salad, brown bread and red Jello. She loved the Lord, and attending and being active in the church was important to her. Every summer, the grandkids looked forward to spending the week with her and going to Bible camp at the church. Much like the Bible verse, Karen was patient and kind, and was described by others as selfless, always putting everyone’s needs ahead of her own. She spent many hours at her sewing machine, quilting blankets for the Bethel mission and her grandkids or mending jeans for the Orwig family or making outfits for various events. She always talked about how blessed she was and was always praying for those that needed it. In her later years, she really enjoyed spending time and having coffee at Let’s Eat, Hardees and Hy-Vee with “The Breakfast Gals” and also meeting with the faculty wives’ group. She loved to play Marbles, cards and games with her family and friends, and of course, was Trainwreck’s biggest fan, traveling around to many of their shows.
- Thursday, September 12, 2024Sep12Visitation4:00PM - 7:00PMSep13Celebration of LifeFriday, September 13, 202410:30AM
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Friday, August 9, 2024
Larry D. Wutzke Obituary November 10, 1946-August 6, 2024
Larry Dean Wutzke, age 77, of Chariton, passed away on August 6,
2024, at the Chariton Speciality Care Center from complications of
Parkinson’s Disease and other related illnesses.
Larry was born in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on November 10, 1946, to Edward and Virginia Wutzke. A baby sister Elaine was born July 29, 1954. She only survived fifteen days. He was never married and lived his life with his parents in rural Russell.
Larry graduated from Russell High School with the class of 1966. He was employed by Johnson Machine Works in Chariton for 30 plus years. After his employment he lived the rest of his life in Chariton.
He was a faithful member of the Assembly of God church in Chariton. The members were a special family to him.
Survivors include his cousins; Ronald (Doris) Christensen, cousins-in-law; Linda Christensen, Dick (Peggy) Christensen, Pam (Bill) Sandy, Bruce (Barbara) Wutzke, and all of their families.
Larry was preceded in death by his parents; Edward and Virginia Wutzke, sister; Elaine Wutzke, grandparents; Herman and Sophie Wutzke and Holm and Hazel Christensen, cousins; Wayne Wutzke and Jack Christensen.
Larry’s wishes were to be cremated and have a graveside service.
The graveside service will take place, Saturday, August 24, 2024, at the Russell Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Gwenith Renae Kells Mitchell July 9, 1950 - June 24, 2024
Gwenith was born on July 9, 1950 to Myrtle Bernadine and Bob Kells in Chariton, Iowa. She married Roy Wayne Mitchell on June 29, 1974. After Gwenith graduated from Russell High school in 1968, she went to study college at Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville, Missouri. After she graduated with a degree in education, she started her first job at Hedrick High School where she taught Home Economics until 1977. She returned to teaching in 1994 to Sigourney and later to Fairfield. Gwenith was an avid seamstress, baker, crafter & gardener. She was also involved in helping the community, school, 4H, TTT and church. She liked collecting antiques, watching musicals, visiting the Iowa State Fair, teaching others how to sew, and spending time with her 8 grandchildren.
Survivors include: children, Ryan (Heather) Mitchell of Pella, Grant (Katie) Mitchell of Ollie, and Renae Mitchell of Waverly; 8 grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Reynolds of Russell; and Jan Chisman of Tucson, Arizona. She was preceded in death by: her husband, Roy Wayne Mitchell; and parents, Bernadine & Bob Kells.
Wednesday, June 12, 2024
Walter E. Faulconer Obituary May 25, 1926 - June 10, 2024
The family of Walter Faulconer will welcome friends on Thursday, June 13, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. A graveside service with military honors will follow at the Chariton Cemetery. There will be a luncheon back at the funeral home following the graveside service.
Memorials may be made in Walter’s name to the Chariton Public Library or the Lucas County Historical Museum.
Walter Faulconer was born on May 25, 1926, the second of two sons born to Jack and Mildred (Mowery) Faulconer in Tama County, Iowa on his grandparents’ farm north of Toledo. Fred and Walter lived with their grandparents until Jack and Mildred were able to buy a farm near Blakesburg in 1937. They moved to Lucas County in 1942 to a farm in Benton Township.
Walter graduated from Chariton High School in 1943. He enlisted in the Army in 1944 and served in the Philippine Islands, then in Post-War Japan, and returned home in late 1946. He farmed with his parents for a few years.
Walter met Caroline O’Dell in early 1949. They were married on September 30, 1949, and lived in Des Moines for about 1 ½ years, while Walter worked for Sutherland Lumber Co. Daughter Linda was born on November 14, 1950. They bought a farm in Lucas County near Walter’s parents in March 1951. Walter and Caroline lived there until moving to Chariton in 2003. Walter continued to work on the farm for several years helping our renters until 2019.
Walter was a longtime member of Sunny Slope Church of Christ near Promise City, Iowa. He was able to go on an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. in 2010 and really enjoyed the trip.
Walter passed away at Lucas County Health Center on Monday, June 10, 2024. He is survived by his daughter, Linda; sister-in-law, Alta Faulconer of Ponte Vedra, Florida; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Fred in 2017; and wife Caroline in 2022.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Chuck DeBok Obituary September 16, 1929-May 24, 2024
A Celebration of Life for Charles “Chuck” DeBok, 94, will be held on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton, Iowa, followed by a luncheon at the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell. Burial will take place at Bethel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Faith United Methodist Church or Bethel Cemetery in care of the Cedar Township Trustees.
1st 50 years following high school as written by Chuck
1948-1998
I joined the Air Force shortly after we graduated from RHS and was in the service a little over a year. I came home and farmed with my Dad northeast of Russell. We farmed together until Dad retired in 1965.
Jo Kells and I were married in September 1952, and we first lived in her parents’ trailer in my parents’ backyard until the farm we had rented one-half mile north was available. We bought our first farm, 400 acres – known as the Dr. Buzzard farm – in 1954, then bought 355 acres joining it on the east in 1969, and also bought my Dad’s farm (280 acres) that year.
We have two children, Dee Ann, who married Carl McKnight, and has three children. They live north of Ames. Our son, David, married Shari Coulson, and they also have three children. They live on my Dad’s farm, which we sold to David in 1976. David’s children are the fifth generation of the DeBok family to live on that farm.
David and I farmed together from the time he graduated in 1973 until I retired in 1988. Jo had retired from the Lucas County Hospital in 1985 after 24 years in administration and after my retirement in 1988, we moved to our home in Russell.
We have traveled quite a lot over the years – several trips to Europe, Russia, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii. In 1989, we purchased a home in Casa Grande, Arizona, and have spent the 6 winter months each year since then in Arizona. Our home is in a “55+” resort park, which everyone calls “God’s Waiting Room”, because we’re all “getting right up there”!
It doesn’t seem possible that 50 years have passed since our days at RHS – what good times we had there!
I know we have all made lots of mistakes along the way in our lives, but you will have to admit that we were a pretty “durn” good CLASS OF 1948.
Born 5th of 6 siblings on September 16, 1929, to Bernice (Roebuck) and Herman DeBok of rural Russell, Iowa, was Charles Herman DeBok. Charlie. Or Chuck later on.
A Depression era multi-generational family farm was the early life of tow-headed Charlie. It was there he learned hard work, nature, and love of faith, family, and country. And it was there he first learned of the existence of that cute little freckle-faced Jo Kells. Charlie and his family would shear sheep at the Kells’ farm. Jo and her sister, Wanda, would parade their baby doll strollers up and down the gravel road in front of the farm, trying to make an impression on the DeBok boys. It worked.
Charlie and Jo grew up to be high school sweethearts. Their first date was at (Buy-‘Em-By-the-Bag-at) Bangs in Chariton. They graduated from Russell High School in 1948 and 1949 respectively. Charlie had been a star basketball player, having scored 55 out of 97 points one night in a game against Lucas. He’s still in the record book with that game. Jo was a cheerleader.
After graduation and still in the throes of post WW2 patriotism, Chuck joined the Air Force and went to Arizona for basic training as part of the post’s fire fighter squad. While there, his hands were badly burned during a fire when the guy who was supposed to be hosing down Chuck got hot and left his post.
During this time, Jo graduated high school, went to AIB and landed an amazing job as a staff member for an Iowa Congressman in Washington, DC. She also became engaged to a dashing Annapolis midshipman. Oops.
Things were looking bleak for Chuck’s chances for Jo until he learned one day of the broken engagement of Jo and her cadet. Without a second thought, Chuck loaded up his car and drove straight to DC and proposed to her. It worked.
Chuck and Jo were married at the Russell Baptist Church September 28, 1952, in the social event of the season. In 1954, Dee Ann was born and later in 1955 came David. “My Happiness” by Connie Francis was their song.
Chuck and Jo went on to build one of the most successful crop and cattle operations in Lucas County. Along the way, they served their Lord and their community with numerous volunteer positions at church and school. They were highly respected members of the community and dedicated loving pilots for their family.
Chuck lost his beloved Jo to Alzheimer’s in 2019. He spent his final years living in Boone with daughter, Dee, and later at Homestead Assisted Living in Chariton. Early on the morning of May 25, 2024, at the age of 94, Chuck’s heart gave out on him. He slipped into the arms of Jesus and once again, it became Chuck and Jo. Forever.
Chuck and Jo are survived by their daughter, Dee (DeBok) McKnight, her husband Carl, and children: Lane, Brooke, and Emily; son, David DeBok, his wife Shari (Coulson) DeBok, and children: Gayla, Ryan, and Charles; great grandchildren: (Dee) Amira, Elijah, Nevaya, Bella, Mia, Aiden, (David) Zach, Claire, Addie, Lincoln, Kate, Madeline, Jordyn, Madden, and Dylan. Chuck is survived by his sisters, Ellen and Gerry, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Roger and Jake; and sister, Lucille.
Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Dr. Alan Patterson Obituary September 7, 1933 - April 17, 2024
Dr. Alan D. Patterson of Ames, went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 17, 2024. Alan was 90 1/2 years young.
Alan was raised in Southern Iowa. He was the oldest of seven children. Alan excelled in academics, music and theater. He graduated from Russell High School in 1951. He proudly joined the Iowa National Guard when he was 16 years old. He graduated from Russell High School in 1951. He attended Creighton College and in the ROTC. He then went onto University of Nebraska Medical School. It was early in his medical career when he met and married Ardith Jensen. Together they had four children, Alayne, Alan, Alicia and Anne.
Family (staying involved with the kids’ lives & activities as they grew), family practice medicine and emergency medicine filled a great deal of Alans time. He was a respected physician in Knoxville, Des Moines and Osceola. Outside the practice of medicine, Alan enjoyed gardening, reading, exercising, and the constant pursuit of knowledge on a variety of subjects.
In recent years, Alan enjoyed spending time supporting his grandchildren. He enjoyed watching hockey games, soccer matches, music concerts, and Scouting events. Hearing about his grandchildren’s daily life and personal passions filled his life with joy. Any visit or phone call from one of these 3 grandkids made his day that much brighter, especially as two of are in college to pursue the study of their own interests for jobs in the future.
Rest in peace father as you are healed in heaven by Jesus and your love will continue to be shared through our families lives as you taught us to do.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents Loren and Elizabeth Patterson, siblings Coleen Oxford, Jane Funk, Sam Patterson, Karen Palmer, Kay Patterson, and Eleanor Quinn, and daughter Alayne Patterson. Alan is survived by his children Alan (Mindy) Patterson, Alicia Patterson (Mark Bushard) and Anne Patterson-Weber (Dale Weber), in addition to his grandchildren Meredith, Timothy and Matthew.
In lieu of flowers/plants, please consider a contribution made to Creighton University Pre-medicine program or Clarke Community Elementary Backpack Buddies Program.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:30 PM Sunday, May 5, 2024, at Kale Funeral Home. Family and friends will visit following the service until 4:00 pm when family will proceed to the Walnut Township Cemetery in Waukee, Iowa for interment of his cremains. Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.kalefuneralhome.com
Thursday, May 2, 2024
Charlene Ruth Gartin Obituary June 25, 1947 — April 30, 2024
Charlene Ruth Standley Gartin, age 76, went to see her Savior on April 30, 2024. Funeral services will be held Monday, May 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends Sunday, May 5th from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Russell Cemetery following the service and a luncheon and time of fellowship will be held at the Russell Baptist Church after the burial.
Charlene was born on June 25, 1947, in Cedar Falls, Iowa to Floyd and Alma Standley. She accepted Jesus as her Savior at age five. Following graduation from Cedar Falls High School in Cedar Falls, Iowa in 1965, she completed a course at the Academy of Automation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Charlene married Charles Dennis Gartin on October 15, 1965. They were blessed with two children, David Standley Gartin and Michelle Beth Gartin O’Neil.
She enjoyed life and enjoyed traveling, photography, helping with canning produce from the garden (although she did this on her terms only), she was also a skillful marksman. When target practicing, she was left handed with a right eye, but she was equally skillful with her right hand.
Charlene demonstrated and sold Magic Mill and Bosch Kitchen machines for a number of years. She enjoyed demonstrating and selling these machines at home shows and the cattle congress, and she loved to make bread using the flour made with these machines.
Charlene faithfully served the Lord, volunteering in Bible School and Awana at Walnut Ridge Baptist Church in Waterloo, Iowa and picked up college students at UNI for 7 years to bring them to church, often times fitting more than 20 people in a 15 passenger van. A servant to the Lord, she served with a joyful heart and always made life fun for those around her.
Charles and Charlene loved to volunteer and served with Continental Baptist Missions for fifteen years as church builders. They also volunteered at Ethnos 360 (New Tribes Missions) in Sanford, Florida during the winters for nine years. The last five years, they spent the winters at Maranatha Village in Sebring, Florida.
Full of Grace and an unwaivering faith in God, she battled cancer three different times. Charlene passed away, April 30, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Alma Standley; sister, Joice Fuller; niece, Teresa (Fuller) Butsma; and nephew, Wayne Gartin.
Charlene is survived by her husband, Charles Dennis Gartin; children, David (Gina) Gartin and Michelle (Doug) O’Neil; grandchildren: Diana O’Neil, Kelsey (David) Gartin Jamison, Allisa Gartin, CJ (Becka) O’Neil, Hannah Gartin, Chase Gartin, Breanne Gartin, Josiah O’Neil, and Cade Gartin; along with several nieces and nephews.
Evelyn L. Riggs Obituary December 22, 1921 ~ April 30, 2024 (age 102)
Evelyn Lucille (Newman) Riggs, 102, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at the Westview Care Center, Indianola, Iowa. Evelyn was born on December 22, 1921, near Knoxville, Iowa, to Delmar and Gertrude (Coffman) Newman. She graduated High School in 1939.
On June 8, 1940, Evelyn was united in marriage to Alvin Lloyd Riggs. To this union, two sons were born, Gary A. (Barbara) Riggs of Akeley, Minnesota and Wayne A. (Barbara) Riggs of Indianola, Iowa.
Alvin and Evelyn lived in Knoxville, Iowa until 1952, When they moved to their farm north of Chariton, where they raised their two sons.
Evelyn was an avid housewife. In early 1960’s, she managed Riggs Custodial Home in Chariton, Iowa until she retired. They spent their summers in Minnesota and their winters in Texas. She was an avid reader and enjoyed mastering a good jigsaw puzzle. She dearly loved all of her family and later became “Grandma sweetie pie” to many of her great-grandchildren.
Evelyn was preceded in death by her parents, Delmar and Gertrude, one granddaughter, Lynn, her husband, Alvin and sister, Margery.
She is survived by her sons, Gary and Wayne, five grandchildren, Dan (Tina) Riggs of Akeley, Minnesota, Laura (Dennis) Mooney of Marretta, South Carolina, Steve (Dawn) Riggs of Foley, Minnesota, Sandi (Richard) Brand of Indianola, Iowa, Bob (Chris) Riggs of Indianola, Iowa, 15 great-grandchildren,15 great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Activity Department at Westview Care Center, where she received the best loving care for 7 years.
Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at the Newbern Cemetery by Lacona, Iowa. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton, Iowa. Pallbears are Dan Riggs, Laura Mooney, Steven Riggs, Justin Brand, Jeremy Brand and Jordan Brand,
Monday, April 15, 2024
Leon Wilkinson Obituary
Obituary for Leon Wilkinson
Leon worked for John Morrell until he started college at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College on the G.I. Bill. He graduated in May 1959 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in Math and minoring in Physical Education, English, and History. He taught and coached for two years in Russell, Iowa before taking a job in Lineville, Iowa where he also taught and coached. While teaching in Lineville, he was awarded a National Science Foundation Scholarship to attend graduate classes at Southeastern State College in Durant, Oklahoma. He accepted the honor and spent three summers taking classes in Oklahoma, moving his family with him every summer. He graduated with a Master’s of Teaching in Arts and Math in 1966.
Leon started teaching for Davis County Community Schools in 1966. He took additional courses and was certified in Education Administration. He became vice principal for Davis County in 1967. After three years, he took a principal position in Redfield, Iowa where he worked for two years before missing Davis County and moving back. At Davis County he was vice principal and athletic director for many years, retiring in 1992.
After retirement, Leon remained an active member of the community and served on many boards and committees. He was a charter member of the local Optimist Club and has served in several capacities over the years. He was the Iowa Optimist District Governor, served on several state committees and was appointed to the International Committee. He served on two Citizen Boards in the 8th Judicial District, was Chair of the local Foster Care Review where he received the Governor Volunteer Award and received the Volunteer of the Year award from the 8th Judicial District for involvement in the Youth Offenders Program. He had served as Chair of the Bloomfield Historic Preservation Commission, been a board member for several years with the Davis County Historical Preservation. He was also a member of the Davis County Historical Society, served as Chair for the Iowa Mormon Trails Association, member of the Board of Central Iowa Tourism, was a trustee of the Davis County Hospital, a member of the local AARP chapter serving in several offices, the Airport Commission, and has served on several committees for Main Street in Bloomfield.
He is survived by his wife, Judith Wilkinson; four children, Jeanne (Craig) Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Wilton Leon Wilkinson Jr. of Waukee, Iowa, Janice (Kirk) Bruce of Ames, Iowa, Julia (Gary) White of Bloomfield; five grandchildren, Bradon Kelley of Knoxville, Iowa, Jeremy (Kate Jopson) Bruce of San Fernando, California, Markus (Laura) Bruce of Bondurant, Iowa, Lyndsi (Jon) Antal of Lancaster, Missouri, Tyler (Shelby) White of Ottumwa, Iowa; six great-grandchildren, Leah Bruce, Lucas Bruce, Casen Antal, Chayten Antal, Kaden White, Korbin White; four sisters, Hannah Kirby of Centerville, Iowa, LaDonna Piper of Norwalk, Iowa, Lavenia (Dave) Davis of Des Moines, Iowa, Cindy Knock of Williamsburg, Iowa; and a brother, Loren Wilkinson of Springhill, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Laverda Rupe, Hildred Gordy; and four brothers-in-law, Jack Kirby, Bernard Piper, Ron Knock, and Royce Gordy.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at the Wagler Funeral Home in Bloomfield with Rhonda Eakins officiating. Burial with graveside military rites performed by Reed-Whisler Post #78 of the American Legion will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Bloomfield. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday with the family present to greet friends from 5-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to the Davis County “A” Club, Davis County Dollars for Scholars, Optimist Club, and Good Samaritan Society – Hospice in Ottumwa.