Gail Dean Relph Obituary

Gail Dean Relph
October 2, 1937 - November 10, 2019

Gail Dean Relph, age 82 of Colfax, passed away on Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Taylor House in Des Moines. Graveside services will be held on Friday, November 15, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at McKeever Cemetery. The family will greet friends following the service at a luncheon at the Colfax United Methodist Church. Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society. Condolences may be left for the family at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com


The son of George Washington and Emma Ruth (Hull) Relph, Gail was born on October 12, 1937. Gail graduated from high school and completed the Missouri Valley Line Constructors Apprenticeship and Training Program. He went on to work at the L.E. Myers Co. for over 33 years. On February 10, 1961, he was united in marriage to Agnes Marie Lewis (Warrick) in Russell, Iowa. Gail was a member of the Masonic Lodge and the United Methodist Church.

Those left to honor his memory include his children, Duane (Sharon) Lewis, Rebecca (Greg) Mangold and Shera Jo Sellers. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, 10 Great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Preceding Gail in death were his wife Agnes in 2016, his parents and brothers Keith, Richard, Bernard and Doyle.

Kevin Guy McCullough Obituary

Kevin Guy McCullough

December 20, 1957 ~ November 5, 2019 (age 61)

Kevin Guy McCullough, born December 20, 1957 in Corydon, IA was the son of Ivan and Eleaine McCullough.  He passed away Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at Circle of Life Legacy Lodge in Chariton, IA at the age of 61 years following a courageous battle with Glioblastoma.

Kevin married Cindi Cook of Phoenix, AZ in 1987 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. Two children were born into this marriage of 32 years; Kurt Lynn and Cody James.

Kevin graduated from Russell Community High School in 1976.  He immediately moved to Coeur d’Alene, ID.  He worked for Cal McCullough Construction until 1981.  He then moved back to Iowa and went to work for Wausau Homes.  Kevin moved to Anchorage, AK in 1982 and found work with Ben Cook, Cindi’s dad. Shortly thereafter, Kevin met Cindi.  In 1985 Kevin and Cindi moved to Plummer, ID to work in a lumber mill.  Kevin and Cindi moved back to Russell to do home roofing and construction.  After Kevin and Cindi were married in 1987 they moved back to Anchorage, AK where Kevin became the manager for an apartment complex.  Kurt was born in 1991 and in 1991 they moved to Post Falls, ID where Kevin returned to work for Cal McCullough Construction.  Cody was born 1992.  In 1997 Kevin and Cindi returned to Russell, IA where Kevin has done general construction for the past 22 years.

Kevin loved to watch his boys play sports.  He also loved to hunt with friends, fish, gather morel mushrooms, beat his brother Al to the asparagus patch and get in an occasional golf game.  Kevin stayed busy with numerous “emergency” projects with folks in and around Russell which gave him the opportunity to regularly make new friends.

Preceding Kevin in death were his parents, brothers Allan McCullough and Calvin McCullough, and his mother-in-law Linda Cook.

Surviving are his wife Cindi of Russell, his sons Kurt (Toni) of Chariton and Cody (Jhenon Robinson) of Russell, his siblings Arnan McCullough of Russell, Jennine (Steve) Rex of Enumclaw, WA, Galen (Pam) McCullough of Chariton, Mo White of Chariton, Coleen (Mark Pearson) McCullough of Meridian, ID, sisters-in-law Lois Jeffries of Russell, Leah McCullough of Hayden, ID, Shelli (George) Sant of Chandler, AZ and father-in-law Ben (Donna) Cook of Post Falls, ID.

Also surviving are his grandchildren Kelsey (Brett) Kimsey of Lacona, Bobbi Jo and Emmit Evans, Max, Mila and Sophia McCullough of Chariton, six great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and aunt LaNelle Herron of Chariton.

Visitation will be held at 5-7 p.m. Friday, November 8, at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton.  Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 11 a.m. Saturday, November 9.  A graveside service will be immediately after at the Russell Cemetery in Russell.   A luncheon will follow at the Faith United Methodist Church in Russell.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Burnetta Sheese Obituary

A celebration of life service for Burnetta Sheese, 85, of Chariton will be Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. A luncheon will be held following the services at the funeral home. Memorials are requested to the Lucas County Inter-Church Council for the Food Bank. Burnetta Jule McNall Sheese was born May 27, 1934 in Rock Island Township, Illinois to Melvin and Leona Hintermester McNall. She rode her horse to country school and graduated from Reynolds High School in 1952. She was married to Maynard Sheese in 1954 and they were blessed with two children, Cindy and Kevin.

Burnetta and Maynard moved to Russell fifty years ago. She worked in the Russell School cafeteria for twenty years. She loved cooking and especially enjoyed the children. Burnetta loved to help and give back to others where she could. She loved having a special lunch with her group of friends every month. Burnetta enjoyed playing cards and Bingo. She liked to watch the Price is Right, Wheel of Fortune, and her “stories”. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed working on word search puzzles. Her greatest joy was her family. She cherished any time that was spent with her family and absolutely loved Christmas. Every Christmas Eve she was surrounded by family making oyster stew, chili, meat loaf, and cookies. She also loved decorating at Christmas. Her family will remember all the Santa’s and the cardboard fireplace set out every year. She will be greatly missed and her memories will be cherished.

Burnetta passed away from complications of a stroke on October 25, 2019 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. She will be greatly missed by her children, Cindy (Joe) Moore and Kevin Sheese; grandchildren: Brian (Jenna Cretin) Moore, Angie (Jake) Shriver, and Trisha Moore; 5 great grandchildren: Grant, Alia, Brenna, Autumn, and Dominic; along with many relatives and friends. She will also be missed by her cat, Sophie. Burnetta was preceded in death by her parents.

Robert H. Parker Obituary

Robert Harry Parker, age 102, died October 21, 2019 at the Legacy Lodge in Chariton Iowa. Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 25, 2019 at Fielding Funeral Home, Chariton, Iowa with burial at the Russell Cemetery.
Bob, as he was known by all, was born near Russell and lived all his life in Russell except for the time spent in the army in World War II.  He was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Russell form the time he was ten years old until his death, a member of the American Legion for over seventy-two years.
Bob served the Russell community as the local bank manager for several years and then as a rural letter carrier for thirty years.  He served on several civic boards and commissions including the Lucas County Conservation Board and the Rathbun Regional Planning Commission as well as being involved in church and social activities.  After Retirement he continued to keep active with his wood working shop, hunting, fishing, traveling and other outdoor activities, he was also an avid reader, reading two to four books a week.
Robert was proceeded in death by his wife, Arlene, his high school sweetheart, married in 1940, they had one child, Edward Douglas Parker who died in 1966 at the age of 24, and one sister, Eileen Wright, one infant brother, Gary Junior. Robert is survived by his nieces, Sherry Hass, Daun Beaty, Carol Coulson, Jana Cooper, nephew Richard Pierce.
Visitation is from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Fielding Funeral Home on Thursday, October 24, 2019. Memorials may be made to The First Baptist Church, Russell, IA or to Russell Historical Society. On-line condolences may be made to www.fieldingfuneralhomes.com.

Nancy Askren Obituary

Nancy Illene was born July 20, 1936 in Wayne County, Iowa to Robert Roy and Lois Allene Trimble Grove. She attended school in Corydon and graduated from Wayne County High School in 1955. She was married to James S. Askren on February 11, 1956 and they were blessed with four children: Dian, James, Donna, and Deb.

Always a hard worker, Nancy started working in Chariton as a waitress when she was 14 hitchhiking back and forth between Corydon and Chariton. She had worked many jobs in and around the Chariton and Corydon areas, but especially enjoyed her time working at D. Allens and Tom’s Bargain Warehouse both in Chariton.

She enjoyed going thrift store shopping. She absolutely loved family gatherings and enjoyed cooking and making special meals and deserts. Her son James would get a Cherry Torte on his birthday for the last 40 years. She would always bring treats for the great grandchildren, had a little gift for you every time you would stop in for a visit. And if you didn’t take it with you, she just might stop by your work or home to give it to you.

Nancy will be greatly missed by her children: Dian (Bryan) Rowland, James (Julie) Askren, and Deb and (Ken) Mason; seven grandchildren: Nicholas (Brandy) Rowland, Kristin Benton, James E. Askren, Elizabeth Askren, Bradley Askren, Ryan Mason, and Michael (Emily) Mason; five great grandchildren: Madelyn Benton, Paislee Benton, Nicole Rowland, Colby Rowland, and Bentleigh Mason; siblings: Betty (Duane) Stoll, Chuck (Joyce) Grove, and Larry (Evelyn) Grove; along with many relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her husband, James S. Askren; daughter, Donna Sue Askren; parents: Robert and Lois Grove; and siblings: Bobby Grove, Nita Chamberlain, and Delores Curtis.