Taylor County, Iowa obituaries transcribed by Pat O'Dell - genpat@netins.net
007David LaVern Curry was born June 12, 1953, in Sioux City, Iowa the son of Richard LaVern Curry and Helen Ruth (Payne) Curry. He entered into peace on Friday, October 19, 2012 at his home in Bedford, Iowa. Arrangements were entrusted to the Ritchie Funeral Home of Bedford.
David's father was active in the United States Air Force until David's sophomore year of high school. His family settled in Bedford, Iowa where his father continued to recruit for the Air Force and farm west of Bedford.
David graduated from Bedford Community High School with the Class of 1972, and a year later, on February 16, 1973, he was united in marriage to high school sweetheart, Debbie Ogle in Hopkins, Missouri.
David made an honest living as a commercial residential carpenter, living in California, Wyoming and Iowa. He had a 'spirit of freedom and adventure' and a love of nature that lead him in life. David enjoyed traveling, whether across the United States or around the world. He chased thrills through bow hunting for elk, paragliding, riding his Harley Davidson Motorcycle, and even just cruising in his Oldsmobile. David was competitive and enjoyed the challenges of shooting trap.
David also had a love for photography and capturing nature in all its true essence. His pictures capture his life far better than a thousand words ever could. The birds that came to David's feeders found special care and were often the subject of his photographs, along with the beauty of his wife's flowers. David found a special joy in music and spending time with his family and friends.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Vern and Helen Curry. He is survived by his wife Debbie Curry of Bedford along with extended family and friends.
David will forever be loved and remembered by all who had a the pleasure of knowing and loving him
008Funeral services for Grace Mary Beck, age 83, of Lenox, who died Thursday, October 18, 2012 at the Hospice House in Creston were held Monday, October 22, 2012 at 11:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Lenox. Visitation wiere held Sunday, October 21, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. To 7:00 p.m. at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox, IA. Burial were held at a later date.
Grace Mary Callison was born in Newton, Iowa on August 20, 1929. She was the oldest daughter of Donald and Grace (Shenton) Callison. She attended schools in Newton, Altoona, and graduated from Allerton High School. After graduation, Mary began working for the Bell Telephone Company in Des Moines, IA as a telephone operator. Her father pastored a church near Clearfield, IA where she met Wayne Beck. They married on August 22, 1948. Mary and Wayne moved to Lenox where she then started working for the Hughes Law Firm. Later they moved to the Family Farm in Ringgold County where she enjoyed helping Wayne as a farm wife. Four daughters were born into this union: Trudy, Nancy, Peggy, and Mary Lou.
Mary enjoyed her gardening and helping with the huge strawberry patch and apple orchard. She was a member of the United Methodist Church in Lenox and an active member of the Calvary Neighborhood Club. Mary was known for her sense of humor, beautiful hand painted ceramics, a wonderful cook in the kitchen, and her love for animals. One of Mary and Wayne's favorite pass times were going to western dances. She loved watching golf and football, the Iowa Hawkeye's, sewing, Elvis Presley and being a caregiver to several Lenox residents. She was also known to always be cheering for the "underdog." She will be greatly missed by all and remembered by all who knew and loved her.
Mary is survived by her loving husband of 64 years, Wayne Beck of Lenox; her four daughters: Trudy (Terry) Weaver of Sharpsburg, IA, Nancy (N.L.) Pugh of Cameron, MO, Peggy (Tony) Althaus of Bellevue, IA, Mary Lou (Jim) Cabeen of Mason City, IA; twelve grandchildren; twenty-three great-grandchildren; her siblings: Don Callison, Caroline (Hank) Garner, George Callison; sister-in-law, Joan Callison; and many other friends and family.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Grace Callison; brother, Jack Callison; granddaughter, Jennifer Jodine Wolfe
013

Funeral services for Dorothy Routh, age 85, of Lenox, who died Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Lenox Care Center will be held Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at the Lenox United Methodist Church. Open visitation will be held Monday at the Ritchie Funeral Home in Lenox from 3 to 7 PM. The family will greet friends Tuesday morning at the church from 9:30 until service time. Interment will be held at North Fairview Cemetery in Lenox.

Dorothy Arlene (Preston) Routh, the youngest of four children blessing the union of W.J. and Lennie (Sturm) Preston, was born April 20, 1927, on the family farm 3 1/2 miles north of Lenox, Iowa.

As an active youth, Dorothy attended rural school. Later, at Lenox High, she was a first string guard on the girls' basketball team, a cheerleader and a member of Glee Club and mixed Chorus. During the war, she was a summer-time welder at a defense plant in Des Moines. After graduating from Lenox High with the Class of 1944, she taught school for three years at the same country school she attended as a girl.

On January 27, 1948, Dorothy was united in marriage to Marvin Routh. They lived on a farm on "the high and dry" until March 1, 1948, when they moved to a farm six miles north of Lenox. It was while living here that Gary Mark (1949) and Gayle Elaine (1952) were born. Dorothy was always busy with her family as well as an extended family of nieces and nephews.

An outdoor girl at heart, Dorothy drove the tractor for her dad, even before she was able to pull back on the clutch! This love of the outdoors and farming continued all through her life as she and Marvin worked together on the farm they purchased east of Lenox. This was her home from 1963 until entering the Lenox Care Center in September of 2008.

Dorothy always took pride in her home and had a knack for creativity and making do with things she had. She was known for her angel food cakes and enjoyed cooking for her family, guests, and hired hands during harvest. Dorothy enjoyed gardening, canning and freezing its bounty. She was at her happiest when she was helping others. Dorothy was a life-time member of the Lenox United Methodist Church where she served in various women's groups and taught Sunday school for many years.

Dorothy will be missed, but her love and spirit for life will be treasured by her husband of 64 years, Marvin Routh of Lenox; son Gary Routh and wife Anne of Granger, Indiana; daughter Gayle Herring and husband Dennie of Bedford; grandchildren Kellie (Chad) Dean, Scott (Jasminka) Davidson, Aaron Routh, Adam (Stephanie) Routh, and great-grandchildren Andrew and Samantha, Jeorgia and Emily, Gabe, Austin and Paige and Corbin; two sisters-in-law, Oneita Routh and Elsie Preston; along with many other family members and friends.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents, W.J. and Lennie Preston; two sisters, Thelma Wenger and Velda Wilson; and a brother, Clifford Preston

014

Funeral services for Elizabeth Slaight, age 85, of Clarinda, Iowa, formerly of New Market, Iowa, who entered into peace Thursday, October 25, 2012 at Goldenrod Manor, Clarinda, Iowa, will be held 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at Ritchie Funeral Home, Clarinda, Iowa with Reverend Dan Wiebesiek officiating. Visitation with the family will be held 5-7 /Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Memory Cemetery, New Market, Iowa.

Bertha "Elizabeth" Slaight was born in the family home southwest of Clarinda on July 30, 1927. She was the third child of Elmer Charles Couch and Mary Elizabeth (Winger) Couch. She attended Lee Grove grade school on the Page Center Road and graduated in 1942. Elizabeth worked in Clark and Alma Brockman's home helping with the family chores around the house.

Elizabeth was united in marriage to George Samuel Slaight in New Market, Iowa on August 3, 1947. They lived in New Market in the house that George had purchased before going into military service. George's mother, Luie (Thompson) Slaight lived with them until her death in 1966. After George passed away, Elizabeth continued to live there until moving to Clarinda in 2007.

Elizabeth was a waitress at the café in New Market for many years. She then worked in Bedford at O'Bryan's sewing factory until her retirement in 1992. She continued working doing child care in New Market for a few more years.

Preceding her in death were her parents and her husband, George (1995); son, David George Slaight (2005); two sisters, Annabelle Meier (1994) and Beulah Marvin (1989); and a brother, Isaac Couch (1964).

She is survived by five granddaughters, Tracy Borders of Bothell, Washington, Angela Whited of Des Moines, Iowa, Katy Harfmann, Kristy Brust of Phoenix, Arizona and Karen Slaight of Virginia Beach, Virginia; seven great grandchildren; nieces; nephews and many friends. Also surviving are special nieces who helped care for her, Pat Gant (Roger) and Reba Richie (Ryan) all of Clarinda

 
030Donald Dean (Buck) Weaver was born December 4, 1936 near Blockton in Taylor County, IA, the son of Raymond O. Weaver and Joyce Laverna Scott Weaver. He attended grade school through high school in Blockton and graduated with the class of 1954. While in high school he enjoyed playing baseball and basketball. During the summers he would pick up hay and mow yards. He also enjoyed getting together with his family and being ornery with his friends.
On July 26, 1958, Buck married Mary Fern Moon in Grant City, MO. To this union was born two children, Connie Joyce and John Raymond. Mary and the children traveled with Buck for two years for his work. Then in 1961, they purchased their home in Blockton, IA where they have continued to reside. During his working career he traveled throughout the state working for Bell Telephone Company and Contel Telephone Company. He then retired in 1993 after working for 39 years.
After retirement, Buck enjoyed spending his time working on computers, telephones, TVs, and radios; he loved to buy kits in order to assemble the radios. He had a Hamm radio license and spent time communicating with people around the United States and overseas. Buck also enjoyed working on his 1966 Mustang Convertible and his John Deere riding lawn mowers. He took pride in the community as he served on the town council and was the Mayor of Blockton for 10 years. Buck was known around the community for his annual Christmas music that he played over the loud speaker system in town. Buck was a member of the Blockton Christian Church where he attended regularly. The greatest joys of his life were his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Buck entered into rest on November 1, 2012 at Clearview Nursing Home in Mount Ayr, Iowa.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Mary (Blockton, IA), daughter Connie (Earl) Drake (Blockton, IA), son John (Deb) Weaver (Blockton, IA), grandchildren Nathan (Crystal) Drake (Britt, IA), Clint (Destiny) Drake (Blockton, IA), Sasha (Phil) Maxson (Blockton, IA), step grandchildren Jeramiah Spencer (Winterset, IA) and Laura Vaughn (Corning, IA), five great-grandsons, one great-granddaughter (on the way), and five step great-grandchildren. Sisters Mabel Fern Leight (Harlan, IA), Mary Ann Hildreth (Des Moines, IA), Marie (Paul) Campbell (Mt. Ayr, IA), Thelma Johnson (Blair, NE) and Sister-in-laws Virginia Weaver (Mt. Ayr, IA) and Jane (Roger) Manser (Chariton, IA).
Preceding him in death are parents Raymond and Joyce, grandparents Roy and Effie Weaver and Harley and China Scott, Brother Duane Weaver and sister Faye Weidler
032

Howard L. Neumeyer, 87, of Council, Idaho, formerly from Taylor County and Hopkins, Mo., passed away at his home July 28, 2012. He was born on May 3, 1925 to Henry and Connie Neumeyer.
After serving in the army during the Korean War, he returned home and met his future wife, Burnace Ray and her three children, Maxine, Kenny and Shirley. They became a family on March 23, 1953.
Howard was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jason, Richard, and Sid Neumeyer, sisters Louise Archer and Verna McDonald, his wife Burnace and step daughter Shirley Pierce and a great-great grandchild.
He is survived by step daughter Maxine Laird and husband Larry, step son Kenneth Ray, step son-in-law Dick Pierce, brother George Neumeyer, many nieces and nephews and friends.
Graveside services were held August 2, 2012 at the Rosedale Memorial Gardens, Payette, Idaho.