Obituaries

October 30, 1915 - January 30, 2010
Harold Yoder, 94, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, January 30, 2010, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.
Funeral services were Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at the West Union Mennonite Church in rural Parnell, Iowa. Pastor David Boshart and Pastor Martha Yoder officiated. Burial was in the West Union Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for West Union Mennonite Church and Pleasantveiw Home. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com
Harold Yoder was born October 30, 1915, in rural Wellman, Iowa, the son of Christian and Mary (Miller) Yoder. He attended White Hall country school. He lived in Oregon and Kansas for brief periods of time. March 1, 1939, he was united in marriage to Mildred Kinsinger at her parents home in rural Wellman. They farmed in rural Wellman for 40 years, retiring in 1980. Mr. Yoder lived in Kalona since 1998. He was a member of the West Union Mennonite Church and the Kalona Koffee Club. He enjoyed reading and always had a quest for knowledge. He enjoyed traveling with family and friends, in which, he traveled to 47 states, Canada, and at the age of 90 went to Switzerland and Africa.
Mr. Yoder is survived by four children, H. Marcus Yoder (Vonna), Cotopaxi, Colorado; Rachel Schwarzendruber (John), Dunlap, Illinois; Della Gascho (Gale), Arroyo Grande, California; John Blosser Yoder (Holly), Wellman; 11 grandchildren, Stephanie Yoder, Kim Moeller, Phillip Miller, Greg Schwarzendruber, Matt Schwarzendruber, Heidi Jeremiah, Liz Barnes, Eric Gascho, Jacob Yoder, Nicholas Yoder, Suzanna Yoder; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mildred in April of 1999; a daughter, Ruby Miller; a grandson, Tim Miller; a sister, Katie Lind; and a brother, Curtis J. Yoder.

October 17, 1938 - January 29, 2010
June Blasington, 71,of Wellman, Iowa, died Friday, Janaury 29, 2010, at Parkview Manor in Wellman following a long battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held Thursday, February 4, at the Tallapoosa County Memorial Gardens in Camp Hill, Alabama. Visitation was at the Langley Funeral Home in Camp Hill, Alabama, Thursday, February 3. A general memorial fund has been established. Peterseim Funeral Home handled the Iowa arrangements, Langley Funeral Home is handling the Alabama arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at peterseimfuneralhome.com.
June Johnson was born October 17, 1938, in Mitchel, Indiana, the daughter of Hillard and Goldie (York) Johnson. She was united in marriage to Gregory Blasingame in 1967 in Alabama. She was a member of the Full Gospel Revival Center in Kalona, Iowa. She enjoyed sewing, crocheting, puzzles and crossword puzzles.
She is survived by one son, James Earl and wife Marianne Blasingame, Wellman; two granddaughters, Laura Ann June and Abigail Elizabeth Blasingame; one brother, Bill and wife Vicki Johnson, Fresco City, Alabama; and one sister, Kathy Maxy, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gregory (February 19, 1993); and three grandchildren, Austin, Erin and Miracle Blasingame.

Clara L. Eckhardt, 88, of Moberly, MO, formerly of Wellman, died Monday evening, February 1, 2010 at Loma Linda Nursing Home in Moberly.
Mrs Eckhardt was born July 5, 1921 in Johnson County, Iowa, a daughter of the late James and Sylvia Pearl (Webster) Wagamon. She married Milo Eckhardt on January 5, 1941 in Amish, Iowa, and he preceded her in death April 7, 1994.
Survivors include a son Alan Eckhardt and wife Emily, a daughter Evelyn Parker all of Moberly, MO; a granddaughter Autumn Smoot of Jacksonville, MO; three great grandchildren, Hannah, Jesse, and Javan, two sisters, Alice Sitler of Valdosta, GA, Virginia Dunton of Marengo, IA; a brother-in-law Roy Eckhardt and wife Carol of Moberly, MO; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 4, 2010 at the Powell Funeral Home in Wellman. Burial will be in the Wellman Cemetery. Visitation will be held from noon until service time on Thursday.
Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com

February 15, 1976 - January 18, 2010
Nathan J. Gottlieb, 33, of Iowa City, Iowa, died at Genesis Medical Center in Davenport, Iowa, Monday, January 18, 2010, after a sudden heart attack. A memorial service was held Sunday, January 24, 2010, at Joe’s Place in Iowa City. Memorial contributions may be made to emmagoldman.com or iowadonornetwork.org.
Nathan J. Gottlieb was born in Iowa City February 15, 1976, the son of John and Linda Gottlieb. He attended Kalona Elementary, Mid-Prairie High School and University of Iowa. He worked the door at Joe’s Place for many years. He was a great storyteller, traveled widely and enjoyed lengthy road trips on his motorcycle. Mr. Gottlieb was a fire safety equipment installer and taxi driver in Iowa City, returning to college to study environmental science. He was a gun collector and enjoyed hunting, a dream of his was to manage his family’s woodland property in Riverside, Iowa.
He had several narrow escapes over time, including being trapped in an overturned truck, barely escaping with his life from the basement of a burning building in Iowa City, and freeing himself from a vehicle submerged in freezing water in Old Man’s Creek.
A self-described pro-Choice redneck, Mr. Gottlieb loved kids, particularly the young people around him: Doak and Lucia Allgood, Piers Rodd, and William and Ashton O’Malley.
He is survived by his girlfriend, Julia O’Malley; father, John Gottlieb; and two sisters, Sarah Gottlieb and Chloe Allgood.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda Gottlieb.

October 12, 1941 - January 21, 2010
Shirley A. Van Egdon, 68, of Kalona, Iowa, died Thursday, January 21, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Celebration of Life service was held Monday, January 25, 2010, in the Kalona Methodist Church, Kalona with Pastor Gerry Kahler officiating. Burial was in Sharon Hill Cemetery, Kalona. A memorial has been establised in her honor for KUMC youth activities.
Shirley Ann Kinsinger was born in Iowa City, Iowa, the daughter of Earl and Etta Pearl (Richards) Kinsinger. She graduated from Belmont High School in Los Angeles, California, and from Los Angeles City College. Mrs. Van Egson was a professor with a teaching certificate from UCLA. She was united in marriage to Gregory Van Egdon July 13, 1963, in Los Angeles. The couple lived in California for a number of years before moving to Kalona.
Mrs. Van Egdon was a member of Kalona United Methodist Church, Kalona United Methodist Women, Order of Eastern Star, Kalona Alpha Club, International Order of Rainbow for Girls, Farm Bureau of Johnson County, Heritage Agency of Aging and American Association of Dental Assistants. She was active in church where she served as the Education chairperson. She also served as a Girl Scout leader and Boy Scout Den Mother. Mrs. Van Egdon enjoyed spending time with her granddaughter, cooking, entertaining, playing cards, giving advice, crafts and sending special cards to friends and family.
She is survived by her husband, Gregg Van Egdon, Kalona; a daughter, Heidi and her husband Craig Morrison, Kalona; a son, Kenneth Van Egdon and his partner Joe Mosher, Iowa City, Iowa; a granddaughter, Annie Pearl Morrison, and her aunt, Marguerite Kinsinger, Wellman, Iowa.

January 30, 1958 - January 20, 2010
Jimmy D. Litwiller Jr., 51, of Wellman, Iowa, died of an apparent heart attack Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at his home in rural Wellman. Funeral services were Saturday, January 23, 2010, in the Powell Funeral Home, Wellman. Burial was in the Wellman Cemetery. A general memorial fund has been established. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com,
Jimmy D. Litwiller Jr. was born January 30, 1958, in Iowa City, Iowa, the son of Jimmy and Jacqueline (Miller) Litwiller Sr. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in 1976. October 10, 1980, he was united in marriage to Mary Kallaus at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond. He lived in the Wellman community all of his life where he farmed, and operated J&B Truck Repair with his children since 1999. He enjoyed spending time with his family especially Jacob, Joshua and Hailey. He also enjoyed raising livestock.
Jim is survived by his wife Mary of Wellman; 2 children - Brad Litwiller and wife Kelly of Wellman; Kristen Litwiller of Wellman; his father - Jimmy Litwiller Sr. of Carlisle; his mother-in-law Dora Kallaus of Kalona; step father John Flanegan of Sigourney; and two sister’s - Jean Roop and husband Jon of Ollie; Jaynie Bontrager and husband Sonny of Wellman. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother Jacqueline Flanegan; and his father-in-law Robert Kallaus.

1951 - 2010
Dianne Brown, 58, of Washington, Iowa, died Saturday, January 23, 2010, at her residence following a battle with cancer.
Services were Friday January 29, 2010, in Marion Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Bobby Roberson officiating. Interment was in Elm Grove Cemetery, Washington. Memorials may be directed to Mrs. Brown’s special projects at Marion Avenue Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. The Jones - Eden Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Dianne Norman was born August 11, 1951, in Winston Salem, North Carolina, the daughter of Dallas and Frances (Pope) Norman. She attended Sedge Garden Elementary School and graduated from East Forsyth High School in Kernersville, North Carolina. She was united in marriage to Pastor Larry Brown March 3, 1972, at the Gospel Light Baptist Church in Walkertown, North Carolina. She has been a resident of Washington, Iowa, since 1973. Mrs. Brown was a homemaker. She was proud to be a pastor’s wife for 36 years and to have home schooled all seven of her children. Mrs. Brown was a member of Marion Avenue Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School Teacher, organized the ladies meetings, sang in the choir, was a volunteer secretary, and helped with the church décor and decorations. She enjoyed gardening and tending her ten acre yard. She enjoyed visiting Kalona where she would go to the bakery and country store with her family.
She is survived by her husband, Pastor Larry Brown, Washington; daughter, Joanna Kobernat and husband Jeremy of Santa Clara, California; four daughters, Sarah Leone and husband Mark, Kernersville, North Carolina; Rachel Wyatt and husband Jerry, Tanzania, East Africa; Rebecca Trieber and husband Tim, Santa Clara, California; Leah Brown, Washington; two sons, Daniel Brown and wife Monica, Hot Springs, Arkansas; Joseph Brown and wife Charity, Washington; one granddaughter, Tatum Brown, Hot Springs, Arkansas; her father, Dallas Norman, Kernersville, North Carolina; and one brother, Keith Norman and wife Pam, Kernersville, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Pope Norman; an infant son, David Larry Brown; two infant grandchildren; and one brother, Ray Norman.

Leroy “Bub” Forbes, 82, of Conesville, Iowa, died Sunday, January 17, 2010, at the VA Medical Center in Iowa City. A celebration of his life was held Wednesday, January 20, 2010, at the Lone Tree American Legion. A private family service was held with full military rites being provided by the combined units of the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457 and the Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414. A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Mr. Forbes. The Sorden-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services of Lone Tree is caring for the funeral arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com.
Leroy A. Forbes was born May 28, 1927, in Conesville, the son of Ray E. and Albia (Dvorak) Forbes. He was a graduate of the Lone Tree High School. Mr. Forbes served with the United States Navy during WWII in the Philippines. September 29, 1951, Mr. Forbes was united in marriage to Virginia L. “Ginny” Keeler in Iowa City, Iowa. He was a farmer and also worked at Rath Packing for 13 years. He was a member of the Lone Tree American Legion Post 457 and the Riverside V.F.W. Post 6414. Mr. Forbes enjoyed hunting, fishing, daily checks of the river and the deer, watching the wildlife at Cone Marsh and at his bird feeders, playing euchre, making puzzles, Saturday phone calls to his Navy buddies, and spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He lived his entire life on the family farm.
Mr. Forbes will be missed by his two daughters, Jackie Leggett and her husband Doug, West Branch, Iowa;Janice Pugh and her husband Terry, Columbus City, Iowa; two sons, Rickie Forbes and his wife Anita, Lone Tree, Iowa; Randy Forbes and his wife Melanie, Lone Tree; eight grandchildren, Troy (Jamie) Pugh, Diane (Al) Giza, Trudi (Brian) Westfall, Tara (Tom) Howell, Josh (Jamie) Forbes, Jonathan Leggett (Carolina Maturana-Monroy), Jennifer Leggett (Justin Stein), Sara (John) Morgan; 17 great-grandchildren, Mariah, Kendal and Owen Pugh, Zachary and Alison Weber, Avery, Wyatt, and Abbigail Westfall, Taylor, Victoria, Madeleine and Cael Howell and Rebecca, Annabelle, Lucas and Gabriel Forbes and Kaylynn Stein; five step-grandchildren, Todd Catlett (Rita Waltz), Kim (Gerald) Shephard, Melissa (Timothy) Hill, Michelle Deal and Jennifer (Jason) McElravy; 13 step-great-grandchildren, Amanda and Steven Catlett, Jeff Jacobs, Ryan and Corrie Shephard, Morgan and Isabella Deal, Caden and Terann McElravy, Ashley and Travis Giza, Maxwell Hill, Kyle Leith; one nephew, Kenny (Linda) Forbes, Conesville; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Forbes, Lone Tree; Myrle Abney, Muscatine, Iowa; and a brother-in-law, Dale (Janet) Keeler, Muscatine.

Bub was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Ginny in 2005 and one brother, Wilbur Forbes.

Jacob “Jake” Gingerich, 86, of Riverside, Iowa, died Saturday, January 16, 2010. Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 20, 2010, in the Sharon Bethel Church in rural Kalona, Iowa. Burial was in Sharon Bethel Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for the Sharon Bethel Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Jacob Gingerich was born March 25, 1923, in rural Johnson County, the son of Mahlon J. and Maggie L. (Miller) Gingerich. He was baptized in his youth and was a member of the Sharon Bethel Church. He served in the Civilian Public Service in Terry, Montana for two and a half years. Mr. Gingerich was united in marriage to Dorothea Graber February 12, 1948, in Warsaw, Indiana. Farming was his life and in later years he enjoyed going to cattle auctions at the Kalona Sales Barn and following his grandchildren’s sporting activities.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothea Gingerich, Riverside; three children and their spouses, Earl and wife Diane (Funk) Gingerich, Iowa City, Iowa; Inez and husband Dr. Mark Houk, Spokane, Washington; Maynard and wife Carol Gingerich, Riverside; 10 grandchildren; and three sisters, Cora (Mose) Yoder, Leon, Iowa; Ida Mullet, Kalona; and Pauline Schrock, Kalona.
He was preceded in death by his parents and seven siblings, Katie Mast, Ollie Hochstetler, Lizzie Gingerich, Linus Gingerich, Eldora Mast, Iva Gingerich and Maynard Gingerich.

November 8, 1927 - January 16, 2010
Elmer Gee Miller, 82, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, January 16, 2010, at Mercy Hospital due to complications of septic shock. Celebration of Life service was held Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at Fairview Conservative Mennonite Church in rural Kalona. Burial was in Fairview Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Fairview Mennonite Church in Mr. Miller’s memory. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.peterseimfuneralhome.com.
Elmer Gee Miller was born November 8, 1927, in Johnson County, Iowa, the son of Chris H. and Annie (Hochstedler) Miller. He attended East Lincoln School. Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Alta Kemp June 6, 1970. He was a lifetime member of Fairview Conservative Mennonite Church. His lifelong interest was in farming.
Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Alta Miller, Kalona; three sons and their spouses, Lowell and Dorothy Miller, Iowa City, Iowa; Merlin Miller, Kalona; Keith and Jannea Miller, Kalona; five grandchildren, Chase and Nolan Miller, Hunter and Alexia Miller; and one sister, Odena Miller, Kalona.

July 21, 1926 - January 14, 2010
Clarabelle Ann Durian, 83, of Wellman, Iowa, died Thursday, January 14, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Funeral Services were Monday, January 18, 2010, at the Kalona Christian Fellowship Church in Kalona, Iowa, with Pastor Larry Rediger, Pastor Shawn Powell and Mr. Ernest Kaska officiating. Burial will be at a later date in the Wassonville Cemetery, rural Wellman. A memorial fund has been established for Wassonville Cemetery or Mercy Hospice Care Unit. Messages may be sent to the family at www.powellfuneralhome.com.
Clarabelle Ann Kaska was born July 21, 1926, in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Helen (Zaharris) Kaska. She graduated from high school and went to Parsons College in Fairfield. She was united in marriage to Howard Durian June 9, 1949, they later divorced. She taught school after college, then worked at home raising her children. She later worked in food service for the Mid-Prairie School District retiring in 2005. She attended the Kalona Christian Fellowship Church. She enjoyed spending time with her family, friends, and her Bible study group.
Mrs. Durian is survived by seven children, Patrick Durian, Wellman; Mary Kauffman (Jerry), Kalona; Michael Durian, Wellman; John Durian (Robin), Coralville, Iowa; Tom Durian (Marcie), North Liberty, Iowa; Jim Durian (Jennifer), Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Terry Durian, Wellman; seven grandchildren, Shawn Kauffman, Shane Miller, McKenna Durian, Brittney Durian, Ashley Durian, Austin Durian, Victoria Durian; and 10 brothers and sisters, Marian Pohlit, Loveland, Colorado; Ardell Kaska, Fairfield, Iowa; Marcella Greiner, Washington, Iowa; Walter Kaska, Denver, Colorado; Cletus Kaska, West Liberty, Iowa; Larry Kaska, Muscatine, Iowa; Ron Kaska, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Ernest Kaska, Denver, Colorado; Kay Swain, Sarasota, Florida; and Connie Staebel, Denver, Colorado.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Victoria Durian; and two brothers, Merlin Kaska and Gale Kaska.

August 13, 1952 - January 9, 2010
Voyce Jean Oswald, 57, of Kalona, Iowa, died Saturday, January 9, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa.
Celebration of Life Service was Wednesday, January 13, 2010, at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church near Wellman, Iowa. Pastor Don Patterson and Pastor Dick Swartzendruber officiated. Burial was in the Lower Deer Creek Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Lower Deer Creek Church and Washington Township School. Messages and tributes may be left for the family at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.
Voyce Jean Waltermeyer was born August 13, 1952, in Pender, Nebraska, the daughter of Max and VonDell (Hasenkamp) Waltermeyer. She graduated from High School in Beemer, Nebraska, and received her Associates of Art Degree from William Penn College in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Ms. Waltermeyer was united in marriage to Lonny Oswald June 14, 1970, in Beemer, Nebraska. The couple lived in Nebraska until 1984 when they moved to Manson, Iowa, until moving to the Kalona area in 1987. Mrs. Oswald was a teachers associate in the Mid-Prairie School system working at Washington Township for 22 years. She was a member of the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church.
She is survived by her husband Lonny Oswald, Kalona; three sons, Corey (Dana) Oswald, Montezuma, Iowa; Kevin (Gwen) Oswald, Winterset, Iowa; Clark (Libby) Oswald, Newton, Kansas; her mother, VonDell Waltermeyer, Omaha, Nebraska; five grandchildren, Isaac and Reece Oswald, Abram Oswald and Mara and Adam Oswald; two brothers, Rick Waltermeyer and Wade (Suzanne) Waltermeyer and a sister, Gina Fisher all of Omaha, Nebraska.
She was preceded in death by her father, Max Waltermeyer.