Bryon E. Pennington September 20, 1966 - December 27, 2024

 Bryon E. Pennington, 58, of Russell passed away December 27, 2024, at his home. No services are planned at this time.

Bryon was born September 20, 1966, in Marshalltown, Iowa to Richard and Linda Pennington. He was married to the love of his life, Tina R. Berndt, on May 26, 1986. They just celebrated 39 years of being together. The couple has been blessed with four children: Ryan (Sadye) Pennington, Kenneth (Megan) Pennington, Meranda (Terry) DeVore, and Katelynn (Jarin Hinds) Pennington. The family has continued to grow and has been blessed with 10 grandchildren.

Bryon loved his family and cherished the time he was able to spend with them and he especially loved being a grandpa to his grandchildren. He always looked forward to time spent outdoors. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Dennis Lee Boldt April 23, 1944 ~ December 24, 2024 (age 80)

 Dennis Lee Boldt, 80, passed away with family by his side on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa. He was born on April 23, 1944, in Iowa City, Iowa to Raymond and Eva (Maddy) Boldt. He was the oldest of three children. Dennis attended Frog Pond Country School. Dennis would complain and talk about how much he hated walking up and down the Braida hill to go back and forth to school. He disliked that so much he tried to get out of going to school. When he went to Brown Country School, his teacher would stop and give him a ride home even when it was just down the road. 

In 1962, he graduated from Russell Community High School. Dennis was involved in 4-H and FFA. He was in the Army from 1966-1968 stationed at South Korea during the Vietnam War.  When Dennis returned to the states, he farmed alongside his father and grandfather John Maddy at their family farm, turning the Maddy Farm into a Century Farm.

On January 8, 1976, Dennis married Zelda Stout. Sixteen years later they welcomed a daughter, Kimberly Sue Boldt. He continued to farm and raise hogs in the 80’s and then later switched to cattle.  Before Dennis retired his equipment, he did row cropping until he finally decided to retire.

He loved spending time with his family and friends. Dennis enjoyed auctions, collecting Allis Chalmer tractors, watching Gunsmoke, the Andy Griffith Show and any old western. Every year he looked forward to the Old Threshers Reunion in Mount Pleasant Iowa. On Sunday’s he would meet up with his friends at McDonald’s in Knoxville for supper. Lucas county fair was another meeting place for the farmers to get together. Driving around on old gravel roads looking at crops and cattle was something Dennis enjoyed.

Dennis will be greatly missed by his wife, Zelda, his daughter, Kim, his siblings, Ann (Ken) Dilley and Mary (Lane) Davis, sister-in-law, Judy Schreck, Sheryl Schoondyke, Dianna Stout and brother-in-law, Wayne (Patty) Stout, his nieces and nephews, Deann Remington-Schaefer (Rex), Scott Remington, Chris Davis, Shana (Chris) Kays,  Elizabeth (Mike) Schmidt, Mike (Carolyn) Schreck, Jeff (Chris) Schreck, Teresa (Rick) Pate, Brian Schreck, Shelley (Tim) Payne, Tina (Patrick) Riley, close friends, Arlan Dezwarte and Jim Wade and many family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother-in-law, John Schoondyke and Ed Schreck, good friends, Jack Wade and John Popson and his beloved dog Psycho.

Please honor Dennis by dressing like a farmer. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Visitation

Saturday
December 28, 2024
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Fielding Funeral Home
227 S Grand
Chariton , Iowa 50049

Funeral Service

Saturday
December 28, 2024
11:00 AM

Kevin L. Briggs Obituary

 Funeral services for Kevin Briggs, 51, of Russell, will be Monday, December 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 22, 2024, from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home.

Please honor Kevin by wearing your hat, and dress like a farmer!

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made in care of Karri Jo Briggs and will be designated at a later date.

Interment will be at the Russell Cemetery, and the procession will honor Kevin’s passion for farming by having tractors escort him to the cemetery and line the roads on the route.

Kevin Briggs – Farmer. Since being a young boy, Kevin wanted to be a farmer and follow in the footsteps of his father. He dedicated his life to God, his family, and to the land and animals he cared for. Kevin is the oldest child of Dennis and Anita Briggs, born August 14, 1973, brother to Brian and Kellie. Growing up Kevin was always by Dennis’ side learning the value of hard work, dedication to family, to be humble, being a man of your word, and dreaming of the future. He has always loved animals and would bring home any stray dog he would run across and give them a forever home. Graduating from Chariton High School in 1991, Kevin’s heart was always with farming, he was active in FFA, but not many other activities and has continually said he would rather watch the grass grow than watch any sports. He always had a way with words and great sense of humor. Kevin never knew a stranger and could strike up a conversation with anyone if it was about farming.

Kevin enjoyed being a part of 4-H. This was fortunate because he met Karri Jo Smith at the fair, she is the love of his life. Kevin and Karri were married on October 10, 1992, and they have been blessed with three children: Madison, Chandler, and Calvin. And as the family continues to grow, he has welcomed son-in-law Eric and daughter-in-law Delaney, and of course granddaughter Lindley Jo, who has Grandpa Kevin wrapped around her finger.

Kevin has always been a workaholic, but he always found a way to make the work fun and include the whole family. Kevin, his dad, and the boys work daily side by side, and everyone is always pitching in working cattle, planting, or harvesting. Kevin and Karri Jo found special time together checking the cattle or crops or running for parts and supplies. Kevin built his childhood dream with his wife and family south of Russell, a true showplace of the family farm. They work together, play together, cry together, and support one another through good times and bad.

Kevin will be greatly missed by his wife, Karri Jo; parents: Dennis and Anita; children: Madison (Eric) Adam, Chandler (Delaney) Briggs, and Calvin Briggs; granddaughter, Lindley Jo Adam; siblings: Brian (Jodi) Briggs and Kellie (Cory) Carlton; mother-in-law, Sandi Smith; and many aunts, uncles, relatives, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Joe Smith.

Visitation

Sunday, December 22, 2024

1:00PM - 5:00PM

Funeral Service

Monday, December 23, 2024

11:00AM - 12:00PM

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Chariton

914 Roland Ave.

Chariton, IA 50049

 

V. Dean Downard Obituary September 2, 1940 – December 4, 2024

 V. Dean Downard, 84, passed away with family present at Peppi’s Place Hospice in Tucson, AZ on December 4, 2024. He was born in Russell, Iowa on September 2, 1940 to Clell and Nell Downard.

Dean attended Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. He obtained his Master’s Degree at the University of Iowa. In 1962, he began his teaching career at Lowden, Iowa where he taught math and coached baseball. He played semi-pro baseball while he was in Lowden.

On June 15, 1963, he married Lorna Jane VerSteeg at the Presbyterian Church in Chariton, Iowa. They continued their teaching careers in Lowden, Iowa before moving to Ajo, Arizona in 1966. In 1969, Dean and Lorna moved to Tucson, Arizona where Dean had a math teaching position at Santa Rita High School. He also coached basketball and was Athletic Director from 1969-1983. He continued to teach there for 25 years before retiring in 1994.

Dean was a sports enthusiast who played many sports, with golf being his favorite. He followed the NY Yankees, University or Arizona athletics, as well as many other college teams.

Dean and Lorna’s first son, Mickey Charles, named after Mickey Mantle, was born August 21st, 1968, in Ajo, Arizona. Robert Keith was born March 18th, 1970, and Phillip Andrew was born March 11th, 1973 - both in Tucson, Arizona.

After retiring, Dean and Lorna accepted a teaching position in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where they taught from 1994-1998. While in Abu Dhabi, they traveled to several countries in the area.

Dean was the treasurer at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Tucson from 1980-1992. He was a member for 56 years and was an Elder for the church.

Dean is survived by his wife, Lorna, married 61 years, his sister, Barb, brothers Don (Norma) and Dale, his sons Mickey (Andrea), Robert (Tania), Phillip (Denise), grandchildren Andrew (Michelle), Emily (Shane), Benjamin, Mathew, David, Sophia, and great granddaughter Laekynn.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Tucson, Arizona.

Memorial gifts given in Dean’s name may be given to the Immanuel Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund. Dean was also a kidney donor recipient and a donation in his name to Donor Network of Arizona would be greatly appreciated. www.DNAZ.org Donor Network of Arizona, Education Fund, 2010 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ 85281