The John GARITY family of five girls and one boy moved to the Maloy community in 1942. They lived in the first house south of the four corners on the west side of the road on Callista CONWELL'S farm. Their younger children attended school in Maloy with Sadie finishing out her senior year, Ellen enrolled in the fifth grade and John entering Maloy school in second grade. The older daughters, Kathryn and Marie, did not go to school in Maloy, but had attended school in Delphos. Patty, the youngest, began school in 1944.

They continued to live in this location until the early 50's when the mother passed away. Mr. GARITY, Patty and John moved near Kellerton.

Ellen, while in high school, was a babysitter and Saturday helper at the Bob LYNCH home. When she turned 16 in 1948, she married Walter HUGGINS from Mount Ayr. Trying to discourage her, her mother said: "Ellen, if you get married at 16, you'll be married a long time." She certainly has been! She and Walter moved to Kansas City where they still live and Walter retired in January of 1987. They soon will celebrate 40 years of marriage. They have a daughter, Nancy, and a son, Casey. Nancy has a daughter.

John, Patty and husband, Larry MEEKS, with their families live in the Kansas City suburbs now as well. Sadie and her husband, Paul RICE, make their home in Corvallis, Oregon. They have one daughter. Sadie is a beautician by profession and was excited to have Duke ELLINGTON'S wife come into the shop for her to do her hair one time. Kathryn lives in Volga City, Iowa and Marie resides in West Union. Mr. GARITY passed away several years ago.

NOTES: John Henry GARITY was born in 1888, and died in 1971. He married February 18, 1912 at Worth County, Missouri, Kathryn Nancy Angeline "Katie" (WAUGH) who was born June 12, 1893, Grant City Missouri, and died June 11, 1952. Katie was the daughter of Milton Theodore and Virginia Grace (EPPERSON) WAUGH. John and Katie were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr.

John and Katie's children were:

Lela Kathryn GARITY married first Paul Kenneth DILLON (1912-1944) and were the parents of John Paul DILLON. Lela married secon Walter J. MORRIS and they were the parents of Thomas Raymond, Mary Ann, and Catherine Jo (MORRIS) EWALDT.

Jennie "Marie" (GARITY) CHAPMAN was born December 27, 1923 near Benton. She died August 8, 1999 at Decorah, Iowa, and was interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr. Marie and Myron K. CHAPMAN were the parents of Myron C., Judy Marlen and Ronald Bradford CHAPMAN.

Sadie Cecilia GARITY and Paul RICE were the parents of Sheila Marie (RICE) JEFFERSON.

Ellen Colleen GARITY and Alexander "Walter" HUGGINS were the parents of Nancy Ellen (HUGGINS) CARDWELL and Casey Allen HUGGINS.

John Edward GARITY married first Betty SMITH and they were the parents of Johnny Ray GARITY. John married second Janice HUNT and they were the parents of Janet Colleen and Patrick Charles GARITY.

Patricia Irene (GARITY) married Larry MEEK and they were the parents of Patricia Jayne (MEEK) MERL.

SOURCE: Maloy, Iowa Centennial History: 1887 - 1987 p. 113.

Courtesy of Mount Ayr Public Library

Transcription and Note by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2011