Joseph Edward Lundy

October 18, 2007

Joseph Edward "J. Edward" Lundy, died in Dearborn, Michigan, on Tuesday, October 2, 2007, at the age of 92.

He was born in 1915 in Clarion, to Vern E. and Mary L. (Chambers) Lundy. He attended the St. John's Parochial School and according to classmate J.R. Ashpole, was "quite a cutup". Lundy graduated from the Clarion High School in 1932 and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Iowa in 1936. From 1936 until 1942 he was at Princeton, where he was on the economics faculty. From 1943-1945 he served in the Army Air Forces.

Lundy was one of the ten Army Air Forces veterans, later known as the Whiz Kids, who were hired in 1946 to rescue the Ford Motor Company after the death of its founder. He was appointed controller at Ford Motor and rose through the financial department. He was the last of the Whiz Kids at Ford, keeping his seat on the Board of Directors until 1985, even after he retired.

He never married and information about his survivors is not available.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Timothy Lee Waters

October 11, 2007

Timothy Lee Waters, age 50, of Dows, passed away on Saturday, October 6, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 9, at the First Lutheran Church, Dows. Pastor Robert Edwards officiated at the 1:30 p.m. service. Burial was in the Fairview Cemetery, Dows.

Timothy Lee Waters, was born on July 19, 1957 in San Angelo, Texas, the son of George and Ellen (Masters) Waters. In 1959, the family moved to Dows and settled there. Tim attended school in Dows and graduated from the Dows High School. At the age of 17, Tim began working for the Rock Island Railroad.

On December 6, 1980, Tim was united in marriage to Colleen Fluke at the First Lutheran Church, Dows.

Tim worked for the Eaton Corporation in Belmond and then the Touch of Class Lounge in Clarion, which he owned and operated. Tim and Colleen then moved to Florida for a couple of years where Tim worked for U.S. Homebuilders. They moved back to Dows and Tim worked for Hoelscher's in Alden and also the All Star Pro Golf Shop in Clarion. Tiny then began trucking for the Martin Marietta Quarry.

Tim was a great and loving father to his three step-sons. He also had a wonderful sense of humor and could always bring a smile to your face. He loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, woodworking, taking care of his yard, and above all, enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He was also an active member of the Crystal Cathedral Ministries.

He is survived by his wife, Colleen of Dows; three step-sons, Mark Allen Fischer of Waterloo, Randy James Barz of Dows and Timothy John Barz of Waynesboro, Virginia; two granddaughters and one grandson; his mother, Ellen Waters of Dows; seven brothers and sisters, Phyllis Murphy and husband, Randy of Webster City, Helen Patton and husband, Dave of Central City, Pat Waters and wife, Cindy of Springfield. Missouri, Kathy Braun and husband, Lynn of Dows, Dennis Waters of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Carmel Dickerson and husband, John of Dows and Robert Waters and wife, Sue of Dows; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father; and brother, George Michael Waters.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Steven Ronley Schnell

October 18, 2007

Steven Ronley Schnell, age 50, a longtime businessman and resident of Belmond, died suddenly on Thursday, October 11, 2007, at the Belmond Medical Center.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 16, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Burial was in the Belmond Cemetery.

Steven Ronley Schnell, was born on September 11, 1957 in Newell, the son of Ronley D. and Marilyn J. (Gesme) Schnell. He attended the Newell-Providence Schools, where he participated in track and played saxophone in the band.

During his youth he was involved in the scouting programs and had been to the Philmont Scout Reservation and was inducted into membership in the Order of the Arrow. He attained the Boys Scouts of America's highest award when he received his Eagle Scout on December 4, 1972.

Steve graduated from the Newell-Providence High School with the Class of 1975. Following high school he worked for a year on the family farm and then resumed his post-secondary education at Buena Vista College, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in the Accounting/Business programs.

In 1980, Steve moved to Belmond where he began his lifelong career working for Lloyd Anders' firm in Belmond. He passed his CPA Iowa State Boards on February 3, 1993. On January 1, 1994, the accounting firm became a partnership known as Anders & Schnell. On November 25, 1997, Steve completed the requirements of the National Association of Certified Evaluation Analysts to became a CVA. On August 15, 2001, he achieved the Prestigious Rank of Exemplary ERO from the IRS for excellence in e-filing returns and was given the gift of a trip to receive the award in Texas. Eventually, Steve became sole owner of the business and on June 4, 2003, became Schnell Associates.

Steve met the love of his life and wife, Kathy Lynn Paule at a church function at the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational in 1985. They were united in marriage on February 22, 1988 at the church. The couple's union was blessed with a daughter, Suzanne Renee Schnell.

Steve and Kathy were very much a part of the life of the Iowa River Players, a Community Theatre in Rowan. He was also very active in the Belmond United Church of Christ Congregational, being moderator, treasurer, on the Board of Stewardship, Board of Evangelism, a Sunday School Teacher and Bible School Teacher, Lay Preacher, and other various positions.

He was also involved in Toastmasters and the Belmond Jaycees. He also was active in the Belmond Development Corporation, RAP, and Incentive Fund teams of the Chamber and BIDCO (Belmond Industrial Development Corporation) and served in a position with the Planning and Zoning for the City of Belmond.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Belmond; a daughter, Suzanne "Suzy" Schnell of Belmond; parents, Ronley and Marilyn Schnell of Ankeny; two sisters, Diane Peabody and husband, Bob of Omaha. Nebraska and Sharon Newman and husband, David of Des Moines; two brothers, Brian Schnell and wife, Paula of Ankeny and Brett Schnell and wife, Christa of Elk River, Minnesota; mother-in-law, Ardeth Laake of Belmond; and many nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and father-in-law, Walter Laake.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Roger "Bud" Keith Sumners

October 25, 2007

Roger "Bud" Keith Sumners, age 76, a lifelong resident of Clarion, passed away on Wednesday, October 17, 2007.

Funeral services were held on Monday, October 22, at the Clarion United Church of Christ. Pastor Tim Platt officiated at the 10:30 a.m. service. Burial was in the Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion. Memorial contributions may be made to the Wright Medical Center, Clarion Public Library or the Clarion Church of Christ.

Roger "Bud" Keith Sumners, was born on September 6, 1931 in Clarion, the son of Harold K. and Marjorie (Soults) Sumners. He attended Clarion Schools, graduating in 1949. He then attended Michigan State University and entered the Army after graduation in 1953 as a Second Lieutenant. He served from 1954-1956.

Bud then returned to his hometown of Clarion and joined this father, Harold as the third generation in the Sumners Insurance Agency, which had been founded by his grandfather, Harry in 1934.

On August 2, 1958, Roger married Margaret Ann Fosse at the Lutheran Church in Radcliffe. Margaret was an elementary school teacher in Clarion. To this union four daughters were born.

Roger was known as a community leader and an involved citizen. He served as President of the Clarion Jaycees, Clarion Chamber of Commerce, the Clarion Development Commission, and the Clarion Rotary Club. He was active in the Rotary Foreign Exchange Student Program as well as being named a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge and American Legion.

Roger served on the Board of Directors of the First National Bank for 20 years, was instrumental in bringing KRIT-FM radio to Clarion, a charter member of the Lake Cornelia Improvement Association, and a member of the Church of Christ. A personal highlight was being elected President of the Iowa Mutual Insurance Association, as well as being named Grand Marshal for the Festival in the Park Parade in 1992.

Roger was diagnosed as having Parkinson's disease in his forties and as a result became active in the Parkinson's Association and eventually took over as the facilitator for a Parkinson's support group that met in Wright County.

He sold the Sumners Insurance Agency to Bud and Bonnie Young and continued to work until retirement.

He loved watching sports, both on TV and as a spectator. He cherished the time he spent with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Clarion; four daughters, Michelle Kinnison and husband, Doug of Niwot, Colorado, Lisa Gist and husband, Robin of Des Moines, Lori Block and husband, Dan of Cedar Falls and Amy Martini and husband, Jean Francois of Sunnyvale, California; eight grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Beverly Hecox and Marilyn Melhus; and one infant sister.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Marty J. Davis

November 1, 2007

Marty J. Davis, age 17, of Belmond, a Belmond-Klemme High School senior, died on Wednesday, October 24, 2007, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, October 28, at the Belmond United Methodist Church. Rev. Dick Kaiser and Rev. Michael Druhl officiated at the 2:00 p.m. service. Burial was in the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery, Belmond.
© Wright County Monitor 2007

Helen Daggett Bloomfield

November 1, 2007

Helen Daggett Bloomfield, 86, of Clarksville, Tennessee, formerly of Ames, passed away on Friday, October 26, 2007, at the home of her daughter after an extended illness.

Memorial services were held on Tuesday, October 30, at the Madison Street United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Helen Daggett, was born on April 19, 1921 in Holmes, Iowa, the daughter of Harry Arthur and Nora Jeanette Daggett. She married Fay Oliver Bloomfield in 1939.

She was a member of the Madison Street United Methodist Church and a former member of the Ames United Methodist Church, where for years she and her husband served as sponsors of the Youth Fellowship. Her special interests included golf, duplicate bridge, and her Tuesday night bridge foursome of over 40 years.

She is survived by one daughter, Patricia Milam; one grandson; three great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Sheehan of Clarion; sisters-in-law, Frances Hanson of Clarion, Darlene Daggett of Cedar Rapids and Katie Wisler of Kokomo, Indiana; brother and sister-in-law, Byron and Dorothy Bloomfield of Lake San Marcos, California; several nieces and nephews; and her friend and caregiver, Dorothy Sanders.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fay in 1999; one granddaughter in 1988; and one son-in-law in 1986.
© Wright County Monitor 2007