Morris Melbern Miller

April 6, 2006

Morris Melbern Miller, 83, of Clarion, passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2006, at the Mercy Medical Center in Mason City.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 4, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Morris Melbern Miller, was born on May 9, 1922 in Latimer, the son of Christian H. and Gertrude Agnes (Hill) Miller. Morris graduated from the Alexander High School in 1939. In 1939, he moved to Clarion. He was a State 4-H Secretary in 1940. He worked for his father on the dairy and grain farm, becoming a partner in 1951.

On June 19, 1949, Morris was united in marriage to Marjorie Joyce Sanders. They were the parents of one son, Kevin Roger.

Morris was a 50-year member of the Cyrene Lodge No. 325, Clarion School Board from 1961-69, serving as President in 1969, the Wright County Fair Board, President of the Iowa Holstein Association from 1962-1963, Board of Directors for Holstein Friesian Association of America from 1963-1971, Chairman of the National Holstein Convention Organizing Committee in 1971, served on the Board of Directors of the Clarion Elevator Co-op for many years, member of the City of Clarion Planning and Zoning Committee, honorary member Iowa State University Dairy Science Club, member of the National Dairy Shrine Club, Dairy Judge at county, district and state shows, member of the Clarion Lions Club and a long time member and usher at the Clarion United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Joyce; one son, Dr. Roger Kevin Miller and wife, Jo Anne of Duluth, Minnesota; three grandchildren; three sisters, Florence Valen of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Mildred Lyons of Ossian and Joyce Nail of Clarion.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and one brother, Leroy.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Esther Mae Carolus

April 6, 2006

Esther Mae Carolus, 86, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, April 2, 2006, at the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 6, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Esther Mae Trampel, was born on May 31, 1919 in Klemme, the daughter of August and Annie (Arends) Trampel. Esther graduated from the Klemme High School in 1935. She and Fred Carolus were united in marriage on February 20, 1918, in the Klemme Reformed Church. Esther and Fred lived and farmed outside of Galt until Fred retired and the couple moved into Clarion in 1974.

Esther was a nurses' aid for 22 years at the Clarion Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the United Methodist Church, UMW Group and various Circles, and the Lincoln Ladies Union. Esther was active in 4-H and Blue Birds when her children were young. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, playing the piano and singing. She also liked to work in her garden, especially raising roses.

Esther is survived by a son, Steven Carolus and wife, Donna of Eden Prairie, Minnesota; two daughters, Julie Anderson and husband, Roger and Jocelyn Claude and husband, Leonard, all of Clarion; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; a brother, Elmer Trampel and wife, Irene of Mason City; a son-in-law, Gary of Fort Dodge; and a daughter-in-law, Karen of Minnesota.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred on June 5, 1979; a daughter, Joyce Trickey; a son, Roger Carolus; two grandchildren; and two brothers and one sister.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Clare Weber Cavanaugh

April 13, 2006

Clare Weber Cavanaugh, 100, of Rockville, Maryland, died on Wednesday, April 5, 2006, at the Alfred House Eldercare.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 8, at the St. John Neumann Church, Gaithersburg, with burial on Sunday, April 29, at the St. Francis Cemetery and Mausoleum, Phoenix, Arizona.

Clare Weber was born on April 26, 1905, in Keokuk, the daughter of the late Mary Ann Meek of Bonaparte, Iowa and Carl August Weber of Elzach Baden, Germany.

She grew up in Keokuk and attended the Keokuk High School and later St. Mary-of-the-Woods in Terre Haute, Indiana. Following graduation, she worked as a secretary in Chicago for five years. It was there that she met Herbert Cavanaugh, a pharmacist. They were married on November 9, 1929, in Keokuk.

In 1937, they purchased a drug store in Clarion and operated the store for 26 years. After retirement they moved to their farm in Wright County where they enjoyed living every summer. Their winter home was in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1986, they made Peoria, Arizona their permanent home.

During her life time, Clare traveled extensively. In her younger days, she was an avid gardener and loved to entertain and play cards with friends. Later, she enjoyed playing the piano and organ, painting and knitting. She had a great interest in history and shared many stories about her family members' activities during the westward movement.

Following the 1992 death of her husband, Clare moved to Maryland in 1995 to be near her son, Thomas and his family.

Survivors include two sons, John Cavanaugh and wife, Virginia of Libertyville, Illinois and Thomas Cavanaugh and wife, Sandra (the former Sandra Oldham) of Montgomery Village, Maryland; eight grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Herbert Cavanaugh; four sisters, Marie Weber, Leonore Bennett, Gertrude Weber and Alice Ewers; and one brother, Art Weber.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Eva M. Corsair

April 13, 2006

Eva M. Corsair, 98, of Clarion, passed away on Sunday, April 9, 2006, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 12, at the United Methodist Church in Clarion. Pastor Don Morrison will officiate at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Eva M. Corsair, was born on May 16, 1907, at the home of her parents, William and Lulu (Bailey) Corsair in Clarion. In 1920, Eva and her family moved to Eagle Grove where she graduated from the Eagle Grove High School in 1925.

Eva clerked in a grocery store until 1955, when she turned to teaching in rural schools. She took a teaching position in Rolfe and continued teaching there until retiring in 1972. After Eva's retirement she shared an apartment with her sister, Hazel Sadler, and lived there until entering the USA Health Care Center in Clarion.

Eva's interests were fishing, crafts which included crocheting, knitting, tatting, quilting, latch and hookwork. She also enjoyed gardening, canning and cooking.

Eva was a member of the United Methodist Church, the UMW and Circle groups, and was active in all of them. She was also a member of the Wright County Historical Society, the Clarion Culture Center Arts Council, the Senior Citizens Center, Hospital Auxiliary, IPERS, DAR and the National Retired Teachers Association.

Eva is survived by a nephew, Don Sadler and his family.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Irene L. Reiland

April 20, 2006

Irene Louise Reiland, 91, of Clarion, passed away on Monday, April 10, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, April 12, at the St. John's Catholic Church in Clarion. Father Chris Podhjsky officiated at the service at 7:30 p.m. Burial was in the St. John's Catholic Cemetery in Clarion on Thursday, April 13, at 10:00 a.m.

Irene Louise Studebaker, was born on October 6, 1914, the daughter of Ira and Rose (Bray) Studebaker in Utica, Illinois. She was raised and educated in Belmond, graduating from the Belmond Community High School in 1932. She then attended Iowa State Teacher's College.

Irene taught school in the Lincoln Center Country School. She met Joseph Reiland at a dance and the couple married on March 30, 1940, at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Belmond. Irene and Joseph settled southwest of Clarion on the Ray and Leland Wilson farm where Joseph had been working. They later moved into Clarion in the 1940's where she raised her family.

Irene enjoyed sewing, cooking, baking and reading. She was a member of the St. John's Catholic Church, the St. Rose Circle, and Navy Mothers.

She is survived by her children, Jo Ann Amidon and husband, Roger of Columbia, South Carolina, Daryl Reiland of Clarion, Nick Reiland and wife, Barb of Blue Grass, Iowa, Eileen Nydegger and husband, Brad of DeSoto, Roger Reiland and wife, Maggie of Des Moines, Shirley Loeffler and husband, Hans of West Des Moines, Kathleen Eubank and husband, Steve of Lawrence, Kansas and Marilyn Plyler and husband, Joe of Columbia, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Virginia Studebaker and Marian Kuper; a sister-in-law, Regina Mosher; and many nieces and nephews.
 
Irene was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Joseph on April 3, 1994; two brothers; two sisters; and an infant daughter.
© Wright County Monitor 2006 

Viola E. Fisher

April 20, 2006

Viola E. Fisher, 92, of Clarion, passed away on Friday, April 14, 2006, at the USA Health Care Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, April 18, at the United Presbyterian Church in Clarion. Pastor Candace Adams officiated at the 11:00 a.m. service.

Viola E. Dahlgren, was born on February 15, 1914 in Wright County, the daughter of Carl and Eva (Hardy) Dahlgren. She graduated from the Dows High School in 1933.

On October 10, 1937, Viola was united in marriage to Joseph Ralph Fisher at the United Methodist Church in Clarion.

Vi was a member of the United Presbyterian Church and the United Presbyterian Women.

She is survived by her husband of 68 years, Joe Fisher; four children, Joanne Mucken and husband, Bob, Dale Fisher and wife, Carol, Dean Fisher and wife, Mary Jo and Mark Fisher and wife, Pat; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one brother, Albert Dahlgren.

Vi was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Verna Lofton and Elaine Brinkman; and two brothers, Carlton Dahlgren and Melvin Dahlgren.
© Wright County Monitor 2006 

Mark J. Brigger

April 20, 2006

Mark James Brigger, 53, of Galt, died of lung cancer on Saturday, April 15, 2006, surrounded by his family at his home in Galt.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, April 19, at the First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Pastor Gary Boen and Stan Watne officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Interment was held in the Galt Cemetery.

Mark James Brigger, was born on November 17, 1952 in Hampton, the son of Merle and Francys "Billy" (Peterson) Brigger. He was raised and educated in Galt and graduated from the Clarion High School in 1971. Upon graduation, Mark worked as a mechanic in Clarion and helped his dad in Galt at Brigger Iron and Metal, the family business. He also spent this time taking road trips with his friends on his Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycle, which he rebuilt into a chopper. He then moved to Dows to work at the Dows Clover Farm grocery store.

While in Dows, Mark met Delores Kay Ihrke from Lakefield, Minnesota. The couple was married on December 7, 1975, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lakefield. To this union two children were born. The family lived in Dows until 1982, in Odessa, Texas, for one year, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for three years and then settled in Galt in 1986.

Mark worked as a salesman for Electric Service and Supply in Odessa, and also for Tri-State Warehouse based out of Sioux Falls. Upon his return to Iowa, he carried out the remainder of his professional life as a mechanic. He worked as the service manager for the Clarion Ford Garage and for Jim's Tire Service before taking on his role as the mechanic for DeCoster Farms in Galt for the past 12 years.

Mark enjoyed pheasant and turkey hunting and fishing, especially with his son, Andy. He enjoyed all things motor-related, and spent his weekends and evenings watching NASCAR races and car shows. He loved his hometown of Galt and served on the Galt City Council. His favorite pastime and talent, however, was making conversation with friends and strangers alike.

He is survived by his mother, Francys "Billy" Brigger of Galt; his wife of 30 years, Delores of Galt; one daughter, Kathryn Kruger and husband, Jason of Columbia, South Carolina; one son, Andrew Brigger and fiancée, Megan Dessert of Mounds View, Minnesota; one brother, Ted Brigger and wife, Linda of Clarion; three sisters, Susan Bonner and husband, David of Toledo, Ohio, Sandra Fulton and husband, Rick of San Antonio, Texas and Lindy Webster and husband, David of Fort Collins, Colorado; one brother, Adam Brigger and wife, Kathy of Goldfield; and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Merle Brigger; and his brother, Terry Brigger.
© Wright County Monitor 2006 

Charles Rubin Dayton, Sr.

April 27, 2006

Charles Rubin Dayton, Sr., 83, of Goldfield, passed away on Wednesday, April 19, 2006, at the USA Healthcare Center, Clarion.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 22, at the Clarion Church of Christ in Clarion. Pastor Tim Platt officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Charles Rubin Dayton, was born on April 3, 1923 in Webster City, the son of Harry and Vera Dayton. Charles was raised and educated in Webster City. After high school he joined the Army during World War II, serving in the European Theatre.

On June 22, 1959, Charles and Lois J. Gates were united in marriage in Webster City.

Charles enjoyed woodworking, carpentry, and going fishing at Lake Cornelia with his family. He worked for Cashway Lumber in Webster City and Sadler Construction as a carpenter in Eagle Grove, until retiring.

He is survived by two sons, Charles Jr. and wife, Becky of Webster City and Randy and wife, Nocona of Urbandale; a daughter, Tammy Ferry and husband, Patrick of Fort Dodge; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Veda Dayton.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Russell Charles "Shorty" Evans

April 27, 2006

Russell Charles "Shorty" Evans, 85, of Clarion, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2006, at the Wright Medical Center, Clarion.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 6, at the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion. Rev. Curt Miner will officiate at the 11:00 a.m. service.

Shorty was born on December 27, 1920 in Guernsey, Iowa, the son of Erle F. and Mabel J. (Isaacson) Evans. He graduated from the Orange City High School in 1938. From 1942-45 he served in the Army Air Force during World War II. In 1964, he married Marjorie Evans at Webster City and they moved to Clarion. Russell will be remembered as the "Shorty" of the Shorty and Slim's Standard Station that he operated in Clarion for 28 years, prior to his retirement. Shorty will also be remembered for his devotion to church, family, and his infamous one-liners.

Shorty is survived by a son, William of Clarion; two sisters, Mary Wissink of Sheldon and Anna May Covey of Lovington, New Mexico; a brother, John of Milwaukee, Oregon; two grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and a sister, Dorothy Krejci.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Joe, Ralph, Myron (Bud) and James; two sisters, Ida Mitchell and Irene Shores; one brother-in-law, George Gerdes; and two nephews and one niece.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Dr. Adrian L. Wood

April 27, 2006

Dr. Adrian L. Wood, 75, of Neosho, Missouri, died on Friday, December 30, 2005, at his home following a lengthy illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and an infant son, James Warren in 1954.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Katherine Carney and Marie Walker; and one brother, Harold Walker.
© Wright County Monitor 2006

Vadonna was preceded in death by her husband; and two sisters.
© Wright County Monitor 2006