Ralph R. Cleveland

October 14, 2010

Ralph Roland Cleveland, age 89, of Clarion, passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at his home.

Funeral services were held Saturday, October 9th at the United Methodist Church, Eagle Grove. Burial was held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Eagle Grove.

Ralph Roland Cleveland was born July 25, 1921 in Goldfield, the son of Ralph Sr. and Pearl (Kassner) Cleveland. He was educated in Goldfield, Spencer and graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1942.

Ralph served in the United States Army alongside his twin brother, Richard from 1942 to 1945, stationed in England during World War II. He was a teletype operator. His responsibility involved communicating troop movements within Europe.

On March 3, 1946, Ralph was united in marriage with Betty Belle Moon in Eagle Grove and were married 54 years. They made their home in Eagle Grove until moving to Clarion in 1994. The couple wintered in Texas for a number of years.

Ralph worked for IPS and the Eagle Grove Community Schools with responsibilities including electrical and maintenance work.

Ralph was a member of the United Methodist Church in Eagle Grove and served on the Eagle Grove Volunteer Fire Department until his retirement.

Ralph enjoyed working with his hands and became proficient in scratch art and wood carving. Ralph and Betty enjoyed camping and traveling with family and friends.

Ralph passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2010, at his home in Clarion at the age of 89 years. Betty preceded him in death on December 24, 2000. Ralph is survived by sons: Dennis Cleveland and wife, Betty Jean of Dallas; Roger Cleveland of Minneapolis; and Dean Cleveland and wife, Gina of Clarion; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty on December 24, 2000; parents; twin brother, Richard; brother-in-law, Herbert Moon and his wife Delores.

Memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Blaine Ordean Nickles

October 21, 2010

Blaine O. Nickles, 82, was called home Monday October 11, 2010, at Wright Medical Center after a brief hospitalization. Blaine was surrounded by many family and friends as he passed.

Funeral services were held Thursday, October 14 at the First United Methodist Church in Clarion.

Blaine was born on August 3, 1928, in rural Woolstock to Ilo and Jennie (Scheppler) Nickles. Blaine was a graduate of Blairsburg High School and served in the US Army from September 9, 1946 to March 31, 1948, as a tank driver, company clerk and was appointed to guard the US embassy. Blaine was betrothed to Dorothy Nail on June 18, 1950 in Webster City. To this union were born Renee Von Hagen and Mitchell Nickles. After the passing of Dorothy in 1963, Blaine combined families with Melvene (Tysdal) Lowry on August 6, 1966.

While Blaine was a man of many interests, his foremost love was for his family, especially his grandchildren.

Blaine is survived by his beloved wife of forty-four years, Melvene; children Mark Lowry (Deb), Renee Von Hagen, Mitchell; Mickey (Steve) Edwards; and grandchildren Angela, Scott, Cale, Gaige, Tess, and Lakota, his two great grandchildren Quentin and Elijah; brother Louis Nickles, and sisters Lavetta Batchellor and Dorothy Peterson.

Blaine was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Dorothy, daughter Marlene Marye (Lowry) Mosher, and brother Bernard.

Blaine was a well-known and successful Wright County farmer with a passion for preserving Iowa family agriculture and rural quality of life through political and community involvement. He was a longtime and very active member of the Iowa Farmers Union, serving on its board for many years. He was a 30 year veteran of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee (ASCS) and served 18 years with the Farmers' Cooperative Company in Dows. His achievements were met with many accolades including the lifetime achievement award from the Iowa Farmers Union (2008), The Dixon C. Terry Leadership award from the Iowa Farm Unity Coalition (1995), The Friends of Agriculture outstanding service to farming (1996), and The Sierra Club Grass Roots Conservationist Award (1995).

Blaine was active in the movement to question the impact of factory livestock operations on the local environment and community, including efforts to impact government policy. This was captured in a book chapter written by Blaine, "An Iowa Farmer's Personal and Political Experience with Factory Hog Facilities", published in Pigs, Profits, and Rural Communities, edited by Thu and Durrenberger (State University of New York Press, 1998).

Blaine was also active in the First United Methodist Church and attended the annual church conference in Ames.

Among Blaine's many passions was the love of uncovering hidden treasures in local auctions, swap meets and antique stores. Blaine and his antique tractors were often seen gracing Iowa's roadways during major tractor ride events.

His contagious laughter and infectious love of life will be missed by all, friends and family alike.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Merle D. Harvey

October 28, 2010

Merle D. Harvey, the son of Henry and Mary (Peterson) Harvey, was born on the family farm west of Goldfield in Humboldt County, Iowa on August 11, 1924. He was raised and educated in the area of his birth, graduating from Goldfield High School in 1942 and then attended Iowa State University. Merle served in the United States Army during WW II, honorably discharged in 1946.

On March 17, 1951, Merle married Gloria Richards at Goldfield. The couple made their home in Goldfield where Merle worked 30 plus years for Whyte & Sons and then worked for the Goldfield Telephone Company the remaining 25 years of his career, retiring in 2009 at the age of 84. Gloria preceded him in death on August 3, 2008.

Merle was a member of the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield. He also was a member of the Goldfield American Legion and Oakridge Recreation.

Merle passed away on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at Rotary Ann Nursing Home in Eagle Grove, at the age of 86 years. He was also preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Charlotte Harvey; brother, Howard Harvey and sister, Helen Bjorklund.

Survivors include his sons, Dave Harvey and wife Karen of Alpharetta, GA and Jim Harvey of Goldfield; six grandchildren, Jodi Currin and husband Alex of Greenville, SC, Jeremy Harvey and wife Nicole of Cumming, GA, Jeff Harvey and wife Sarah of Cumming, GA, Tim Harvey and wife Jeanette of Pleasant Hill; Melissa Phinney and husband Josh of Rogers, AR and Jason Harvey of Pella; two great-granddaughters, Grace Harvey of Cumming, GA and Leah Phinney of Rogers, AR and two sisters, Alice Vest and Marvyl Reichter of Goldfield.

Memorial services will be held Monday, November 8, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield. Visitation is Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Foust Funeral Home in Goldfield. Private family burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Goldfield.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Anna Mae Ashley

October 21, 2010

Anna Mae Ashley, 88 of Cedar Rapids, died Sunday, October 17, 2010 at the Oaks at Cottage Grove Place, following a long illness.

Funeral Mass was on Thursday, October 21 at All Saints Catholic Church, with Fr. David O'Connor presiding. Burial followed in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visitation was Wednesday, at Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids where there was a vigil followed by a rosary service.

A resident of Cedar Rapids the past 48 years, Anna Mae was born November 25, 1921 in Clarion, the daughter of Christopher and Sarah Homerding. She married Carl E. Ashley on May 31, 1942. He died in 1979. Anna Mae loved to be with her family and her many friends. Her kindness and thoughtfulness touched everyone who knew her.

Anna is survived by her sons Carl Jr. (Mary) of Brentwood, Tennessee and James (Diana) of Cedar Rapids; five grandchildren Amy, Carol, Julie, Katie and James Jr.; and twelve great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a great-grandson Benjamin.

Memorials may be directed to either All Saints Catholic Church or a charity of the donor's choice.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Richard "Rich" Sebert

October 21, 2010

Richard "Rich" Sebert, age 81, found everlasting peace on September 10, 2010. Rich passed away at his home in Waynetown, Indiana with his wife Jane, daughter Susan and son-in-law Tim at his side.

Rich was born on July 17, 1929 in Clarion. He and Jane were married on September 5, 1948 in Clarion and began their 62 year adventure together. Rich farmed in Clarion for twenty-one years and later worked for Purina in Clarion and Hampton for ten years.

Rich was a devoted husband to Jane; loving father to Christine, Susan (O'Neill) and Barbara (Hand); a friend and father-in-law to Tim and Lon and the best "Poppy" ever to Morgan, Brenna, Courtney and Bradley. His intense love for family, strong work ethic, and funny personality will live on in the hearts he has left behind.

A memorial service to celebrate a life well lived will be held at the Sebert family farm (north of the golf course) in Clarion at 3:00 p.m., October 23, 2010.
© Wright County Monitor 2010

Esther Lorenz McGonigle

November 4, 2010

Esther Lorenz McGonigle, age 89, of Clarion, passed away Friday, October 29, 2010 at Careage in Clarion.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, November 2nd at First Lutheran Church, Clarion. Reverend Doctor Ronald Yarnell officiated. Burial was held at Evergreen Cemetery, Clarion.

Esther Carolyn Olson was born April 30, 1921, the daughter of Albert and Ellen (Soma) Olson at Eagle Grove, Iowa. Esther was raised and educated in Clarion. She was a cosmetologist in California, and later, Administer of Bell Flower Golden Age Convalescent Home in Bell Flower, California. Esther returned to Clarion in 1978.

Esther was united in marriage to Stan Mellier in 1952 at Portuguese Bend, California. She was united in marriage to Orville L. Lorenz in 1973 at Las Vegas, Nevada. She was united in marriage to Dick McGonigle in 1995 at Fort Myers, Florida.

Esther is survived by her stepson Pat Mellier of California and his children Monica, Matt, and Mark; sisters-in-law: Irene Olson of Richfield, Minnesota, Audrey Olson of Clarion; her nieces and nephews: Paul Olson of Woolstock, Steve Olson of Edina, Minnesota, Janet (Olson) Severson and husband, Roger of Hubbard, Iowa, Jannel (Olson) Stark and her husband Russ of Clarion, JoAnne (Olson) Waura and husband Tom of Richfield, Minnesota.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, two brothers, Ernie and Clarence; husbands, Stan Mellier, Orville Lorenz and Dick McGonigle; and one nephew Phillip Olson.
© Wright County Monitor 2010