Woods Funeral Home

Mary Bellis age 96 of Fairbank passed away Monday, February 3, 2020 at MercyOne Oelwein Senior Care. She was born May 16, 1923 in Oelwein the daughter of Adolph and Herma (Minton) Nieman. Mary grew up in Fairbank and attended the Fairbank Public School. After graduating in 1940 she went to the American Institute of Business (AIB) College in Des Moines and earned her degree as a Court Reporter.

Mary moved to Washington, D.C. in 1941 where she married Earl R. Bellis of Randalia, Iowa on February 12, 1943. They had two children, Robert and Carolyn, both born while living in Washington, D.C. Mary worked as a Court Reporter for the Office of Price Administration (OPA), the Department of Navy and the U.S. War College in Washington, D.C. In 1951 the returned to Fairbank because of her father’s failing health. Mr. Nieman was President of the Fairbank State Bank. Earl began working at the bank and eventually took over his father-in-law’s position. In 1950 Mary began working at the bank and remained there for 52 years until she retired in 2002.

Mary was a very active member of the community. She was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and belonged to the LWML (Lutheran Women Missionary League) She was a Ladies Aid member of St. John’s and held many different offices as well as teaching Sunday School for several years. Mary was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Fairbank Community Club. She enjoyed her family and grandchildren, card clubs, bowling and gambling.

Mary is survived by her son Robert (Jean) of Fairbank and her daughter Carolyn McLaughlin of Emeryville, California, two grandsons; Jeff (Julie) Bellis of Dubuque and Ryan (McKayla) of Fairbank, six great- grandchildren; Carsen, Chace and Cain of Dubuque, Blayde, Brylee and Bryar of Fairbank. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Earl and a her son-in-law, Steve McLaughlin.

Funeral Services: 10:30am Friday, February 7, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Scripture Service: 7:00 pm Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Friday at the church.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Evelyn Reiter Pfiffner, 90, of Oelwein passed away on January 9, 2020 at her home. Funeral Services wil be 10:30 am Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home and for one hour before services Wednesday at the church. Burial will be in the Fairbank Cemetery.

Evelyn was born on March 9, 1929 in Centerville, Iowa to Loyal and Ruth (Arney) Barnes. Her family moved around a lot in her younger years, attending many different schools and graduating from Dunkerton High School in 1947.  She was united in marriage to Elmer Reiter on February 13, 1948 at St John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. They lived on the family farm north of Fairbank. Evelyn continued to live there until she moved to Oelwein in 2002. Elmer passed away July 23, 1980. On March 9, 2002 she married Cletus Pfiffner at St. Francis Catholic Church Barclay in rural Dunkerton. Cletus passed away February 15, 2018. Evelyn worked as a bookkeeper beginning in 1960, first for Don’s Truck sales and then Woods Construction she then became the city clerk for the City of Fairbank until retiring in 2000. She loved life on the farm along with helping with the farm work. When she wasn’t working she enjoyed spending time in the kitchen baking with Cletus, Evelyn was known to make one of the world’s best pumpkin bars. She also enjoyed an occasional trip to the casino with friends, feeding and watching the deer and wildlife in her back yard, just being around people but most of all she loved spending time with her family. She was a long time member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank and the Fairbank American Legion Auxiliary. Evelyn believed and would tell her family and friends “Whatever you do have a good time” she had a great life and will be missed by all who knew her.

She is survived by her son, Rob (Dawn) Reiter of Oelwein; her step children, Tom (Carolyn) Pfiffner of Waterloo, Matt (Nicki) Ivey of North Hampton, PA, Ken (Marcea Seible) Pfiffner of Waterloo, Teresa Pfiffner of Waterloo, Lisa (Matt) Pfiffner Eaton of Oregan, IL, Linda Wilson of Cedar Falls, Maria Pfiffner of Waterloo and Kathy Pfiffner of Fort Dodge, seven step grandchildren: Elizabeth, Kristina, Emily, James, David, Donovan and Vivian. She was preceded in death by both of her husbands, Elmer and Cletus, three brothers, Larry (Rachel) Barnes, Floyd (Jean) Barnes and Frosty (Alice) Barnes; a sister, Marie (Gene) Cantrell; and her parents.

Memorials may be directed to the family for later designation.

Linda Jo Christian, 74, of Waverly and formerly of Fairbank, passed away on Wednesday January 1, 2020 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines following a brief illness.  Visitation will be from 9:30 -11:00 AM on Saturday January 11, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank.  Memorial services will then begin at 11:00 AM.  A memorial fund has been established.

Linda was born in Waterloo on October 30, 1945, the daughter of George and Marjorie (Kramer) Moulds.  She graduated from Dunkerton High School with the class of 1963.  On April 30, 1965 she was united in marriage with Donald Christian, they later divorced.  Linda had worked a few part-time jobs over the years but spent most of her life being a mother and grandmother.  She retired from RGIS Inventory and had worked with Seaver Company stocking sunglasses in various stores around Iowa.  She loved working in the yard, flowers, travelling with her sister, sewing in her earlier years, but most of all, time with her family.  Linda touched many lives and will be missed by all who knew her.

Left to celebrate Linda’s life is her daughter Stacia (Robert) Hagedorn of Waterloo; her son Eric (Kimberly) Christian of Newton; her grandchildren: Amber and Jacob Axon, and Royce Christian; her step grandchild Sydney Hagedorn; her brothers: Robert Moulds and Jack Moulds, both of Fairbank; her sister Janet (David) Knepper of Barry, IL.  She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Marjorie.

Barbara Maude Ford age 74 of Independence passed away Wednesday December 4, 2019 at MercyOne Hospital in Waterloo. She was born October 15, 1945 the daughter of Laurence and Miriam (Scoville) Ford. She first attended the Fairbank Public School and then she was enrolled at the Woodward Academy in Perry, Iowa. Barbara spent the majority of her adult life living in Independence at the B&D Community Living Program. She recently moved to Grandview Nursing and Rehabilitation in Oelwein due to her declining health. She is survived by two sisters; Mary Jo (Robert) Yee of California and Alice “Penny” Ford of Vermont, three brothers; Robert (Shirley) Ford of Virginia, Laurence (Jo Ann) Ford of Oklahoma and Paul Ford of Minnesota, a sister-in-law Margaret Ford of Maynard along with many nieces and nephews. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, two sisters; Gertrude “Truty” Lockwood and Florence Sawyer as well as one brother, John Ford.

Funeral Services: will be held at a later date.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

Dorothy Richards age 96 of Fairbank passed away Friday, November 29, 2019 at the Tripoli Nursing Home. She was born November 1, 1923 in Independence the daughter of William and Alvina (Reuter) Pint. Dorothy attended and graduated from the Independence Schools. On February 12th, 1945 she married Kenneth Richards at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church In Independence, the same church where she was baptized, received first communion and was confirmed. Dorothy and Kenny made their home in rural Fairbank where they raised their eight children. Besides being a dedicated mother, homemaker and helping out on the farm whenever needed she occasionally was called upon to fill in for Kenny as a bus driver for the Wapsie Valley School District. Dorothy was a longtime member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank as well as a active member of the Parish Guild. She was a loving and giving mother and grandmother and truly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. Dorothy is survived by six children; Mary (Ron) Seeley, Bob (Nancy) Richards, Pam (Sammy) Balakrishnan, Ron (Kelly) Richards, Julie Happel (Scott Blasberg) and Dennis(Jenny) Richards. One son-in-law Jerry Marlow and one daughter-in-law, Jean Richards, 19 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild and one sister-in-law, Nilla Yarrington. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, one son; Jim Richards, one daughter; Deb Marlow, one sister and brother-in-law; Leona and Elmer Suhr, three brothers and a sister-in-law; Floyd (Katherine) Pint, Laverne Pint and Norb Pint.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Wednesday December 4, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Tuesday December 3, 2019 with a 3:45 pm Parish Rosary at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later designation.

Greg Fuller age 62 of Fairbank passed away Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo, He was born October 7, 1957 in Waterloo the son of John and Mary (Applehans) Fuller. Greg attended and graduated from Wapsie Valley Community Schools, Class of 1975. During his teen years, he worked at Fairbank Furniture in Fairbank and his father’s farm. He worked many places but his favorite place was the tannery, where he worked with old friends and made life long friends. In his later years he worked at Nestle at that time he retired. On January 6, 1979 he married the love of his life Lynette Rae Wolfgram. They had Three children Jason (Brittany) Fuller, Tyson Fuller, and Lacey (Abby) Wilken. He had six grandchildren Hunter, Leena, Addilyn, Bentley and Baylee Annis and Jaelyn Wilken. His passions included cars, carpentry, and tinkering on anything mechanical. Greg is survived by his wife Lynette Fuller, three children; Jason (Brittany)Fuller of Fairbank, Tyson Fuller of Fredericksburg and Lacey (Abby) Wilken of Nashua, six grandchildren; Hunter Fuller, Leena Fuller, Addilyn Fuller, Bentley and Baylee Annis all of Fairbank and Jaelyn Wilken of Nashua, a sister Sandy Chapman of Pryor, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his father John his mother Mary, his brothers Dick, Ron, Rob and his sister Cindy and nephews Rick, Chad, and Dean.

The family would like to invite owners of classic cars who plan to attend the visitation or the funeral to please bring them in honor of Greg’s love for classic cars.

Visitation: from 4:00-7:00 pm with a 3:30 pm Parish Rosary, Wednesday October 30, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Funeral Services: 10:30 am Thursday October 31, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: may be directed to the family for later desigantion.

Diane Wenger age 70 of Fairbank passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019 at MercyOne Medical Center in Waterloo. She was born January 13, 1949 in Waterloo the daughter of Jerry and Mary (Demuth) Cornmesser. On December 12, 1975 she was united in marriage to Kenny Wenger at the Immaculate Conception Church in Sumner, Iowa. Diane attended elementary school at Immaculate Conception in Fairbank and continued her high school education at Wapsie Valley graduating in 1967. After high school Diane enrolled at Pitzes School of Cosmetology in Waterloo. She was a beautician at Eve’s Beauty shop in Fairbank for a number of years after that. Diane was a longtime and active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank where she taught CCD for 27 years, served on numerous boards as well as being a Lector for Scripture Services. She worked for Doese Photography from 1996 until this year when her health would not allow her work any longer. Diane was a dedicated supporter of the Wapsie Valley FFA Program, her and Kenny and truly enjoyed going to all the different District, State and National competitions. She is survived by he husband, Kenny, her son Matthew Wenger of Ames, her daughter Ann (Jesse) Johnston of Molton, Brothers and sisters in law; Rich and Ruth Wenger of Fairbank, Bob and Mavis Wenger of Atkins, Vivian Wenger of Hazleton, Carolyn Wenger of Lincoln, NE along with three nieces and three nephews. Diane was preceded in death by her parents: Jerry and Mary Cornmesser, her father and mother-in-law; Duane and Marion Wenger and brothers-in-law; Steve and Roger Wenger.

Funeral Mass: 10:30 am Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Monday, October 28, 2019 with a 3:30 pm Parish Rosary and a 7:00 pm Scripture Service at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Interment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank.

Memorials: may be made to the family for later designation.

Howard Durham 78 of Fairbank passed away Friday, October 18, 2019 at MercyOne Senior Care in Oelwein. Howard was born July 7, 1941 in Waterloo the son of Emmett and Mary Ellen (McCuniff) Durham. He attended and graduated from Fairbank High School. Howard worked at Bentley Chevrolet for many years. He also owned and operated the Fairbank Redemption Center in Fairbank for a number of years. Howard was one of the founding and longtime members of the Fairbank Gun Club. He was also very involved with the Fairbank Historical Society. Howard enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as getting together with friends at the grocery store for coffee and conversation. He is survived by his longtime friend, Vicky Buckman of Hazleton. Howard was preceded in death by his parents. There will be private graveside services at a later date.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery, Fairbank, Iowa.

Lorenz Schellhorn age 95 of Oelwein and formerly from Oran passed away Sunday, October 13 at Arlington Place in Oelwein. He was born February 13, 1924 in Chickasaw county the son of Henry and Wilhelmina (Warnke) Schellhorn. Lorenz married Virginia Mae Tonn February 18, 1949 in Readlyn. They lived in Oran until moving to Oelwein in 2017, living first at Mealy Apartments then moving to Arlington Place. He was the owner of Schellhorn Produce in Oran. Lorenz also worked at Rath Packing for a number of years, drove semi, was a school bus driver and custodian for Wapsie Valley Community Schools as well as farming until his health forced him to retire. He loved to go fishing, play cards and traveling with his son Bryan, especially the international trips. Lorenz was a loyal fan of the Chicago Cubs and Bears. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Virginia, his son Donald Schellhorn of Urbana, two daughters; Cathy (Melvin) Gonnerman Sr. of Waverly and Marlys (Roger) Boleyn of Oelwein, five grandchildren; Melvin Gonnerman Jr. Philip Gonnerman, Michael Schellhorn, Mae Lee Nutter and Elizabeth Steinbron, 10 great-grandchildren; Marshall Gonnerman, Madison Gonnerman, Gaston Gonnerman, Megan Gonnerman, Drew Schellhorn, Hudson Nutter, Ellie Schellhorn, Genessa Gonnerman, Payton Nutter and Willow Steinbron, two brothers; Arnold Schellhorn of Oran and Orlyn Schellhorn of Clarksville along with several nieces and nephews. Lorenz was preceded in death by his parents, a son; Bryan Ray Schellhorn, a daughter-in-law; Debra (Deb) Schellhorn, three brothers; Roland, Erwin and Wilhart Schellhorn and two brothers in infancy; Marvin and LaVerne and two sisters; Adeline Schellhorn and Esther Niemeyer.

Visitation: 2:00-4:00 pm Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home.

Funeral Services: 4:00 pm Sunday, October 20, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home

Interment: Grove Hill Cemetery, Oran.

Memorials: to the American Heart Association or to the family.

Allen “Bugs” Dwight Cushion, 70, of Fairbank, passed away Sunday, October 6th at Mercy One Hospital, in Oelwein, of sudden heart failure. Bugs was born November 15th, 1948 to Howard and Evelyn Cushion of Maynard and was the second eldest of seven children. After graduating in 1966 from West Central (Maynard) he pursued a career in auto mechanics and continued making a living doing what he loved until he retired at the age of 64. Bugs married Teresa Ann Miller March 11th, 1972 at the Fayette Methodist Church, and the two soon made their home in Fairbank having three children, a daughter Traci, and two sons Travis and Eric. He loved anything with a motor, all things racing, and rekindled his passion for farming and tractors after his retirement. Bugs always made time for those he loved and was willing to share his vast knowledge on anything mechanical whenever anyone asked for advice. He
 always had a story or a joke no matter the situation. Bugs will be deeply missed and not forgotten. He is survived by his youngest son Eric (Bean) of La Crosse WI, his brothers, Donnie of Mable MN, Duane of Maynard, Darrell of Fayette, and his sisters, Carol Orr of Fayette, Cathy Heldt of Garnavillo, and Cindy Campbell of Mesa AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Evelyn of Maynard, daughter Traci, wife Teresa, and son Travis.
From Note: 

Visitation and Celebration of Life: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm Saturday, October 26, 2019 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank.

Inurnment: Fairbank Cemetery.