Woods Funeral Home

Fairbank: Jedidiah Gene Wilson age 22 passed away Saturday, February 13, 2016 at Covenant Medical Center in Waterloo, IA from injuries he sustained in an automobile accident earlier that day. He was born September 15, 1993 in Waverly, IA the son of Gary and Theresa (Thomas) Wilson.

Jedidiah was raised on a farm near Oran. Jedidiah graduated from West Central High School in 2012. He earned his Associates degree in Agri-Business from Kirkwood Community College, where he served as President of the Agri-Business Club. Jed then returned to the family farm to farm alongside his parents and grandparents. Jed also managed Willie Beef Company. He was an active volunteer of the Oran Fire Department and had served his community for six years. Jed was currently serving as a board member of the Trail Blaz-zers Snowmobile Club.

Jed was loved for his quick wit, contagious smile, easy manner and his heart for all things fun. People were also drawn to his character of integrity and confidence, as well as his unique style which consists mostly of denim and plaid.

Jedidiah is survived by his parents: Theresa (Thomas)Wilson, Fairbank, Gary and CJ (Shannon) Wilson, Fairbank, one brother, Jared of Oakland, CA; two sisters, Rebekah, (Wes Wagner) of Sioux Falls, SD and Shannon Wilson, Fairbank;. Grandparents, Gene and Janice Wilson of Fairbank, and the love of his life, Jessica Cannon, daughter of Darryl and Jane Cannon along Jessica’s brother Adam all of Westgate, IA

Preceded in death by:  Grandparents Albert and Goldie (Cordes) Thomas, Waterloo.

Services:  10:30 am Thursday, February 18, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 3:00-7:00 pm Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at Immaculate Conception Church and for one hour before services, Thursday also at the church.

Internment: Oran Township Cemetery with Honor Guard Ceremony performed by the Buchanan County Honor Guard.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to the Oran Volunteer Fire Department, the Trail Blaz-zers Snowmobile Club or to the family.

HAZLETON:  Karen Elizabeth Grantham, age 74, passed away on Monday December 28, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Oelwein.  Karen was born on May 27, 1941 in Fairbank, daughter of Herbert and Mary (Fraggrett) Shannon.  She graduated from Immaculate Conception Catholic High School with the class of 1959.  On August 29, 1959 Karen was united in marriage with Robert Grantham at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank.  She was a homemaker along with working beside her husband on the family farm.  Karen enjoyed her immediate family and camp-outs at the farm.  Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survived by: her six daughters: Jean Ann (Robert) Henn of Hawkeye, Carolyn (Mark) Hemesath of Ridgeway, Linda (Chris) Waterman of Manchester, Shirley Grantham of Hazleton, Diane (Dean) Hughson of Winthrop and Kelli (Nick) Krum of Winthrop; her seventeen grandchildren, two great-granddaughters and one great grandson on the way; her sister Janice (Ralph) Stanek of Marion and her brother Jerry (Holly) Shannon of Fairbank.

Preceded by: her parents Herbert and Mary Shannon; her husband Robert; her brother Charles Shannon and three grandchildren: Anthony Robinson, Curtis Hughson and Olivea Krum.

Services: 10:30AM on Thursday December 31, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank.

Visitation:  4-7PM on Wednesday December 30, 2015 with 6:30PM Vigil Services at the Woods Funeral Home in Fairbank.

Burial: Immaculate Conception Catholic Cemetery at Fairbank.

Memorials: May be directed to the family.

Dunkerton: June Olive Cummings age 103 passed away Tuesday December 22, 2015 at ABCM Rehabilitation Center in Independence, IA. She was born June 25, 1912 in rural Black Hawk County the daughter of Gauis and Tena Marie (Brauer) Mosley. June married Clayton Cummings March 11, 1931 in Waterloo, IA. She was a dedicated homemaker and mother to their two children along with helping out with the many chores on the family farm. June was a wonderful cook and loved sewing and gardening.

Survived by: a son, Duane Cummings of Waterloo, and a daughter, Judy (Donald) Frahm of Wellsburg along with five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, a daughter-in-law, Norma Cummings and four sisters; Vera Buck, Martha Pruenninger, Hazel Myers and Helen Bordor.

Services: 2:00 pm Saturday, December 26, 2015 at First United Methodist Church, Dunkerton

Visitation: 1:00-2:00 pm Saturday, December 26 at First United Methodist Church

Burial: Fairview Cemetery, Dunkerton

Memorials: to Cedar Valley Hospice or to First United Methodist Church.

Oran: Roberta Mae Lorber age 96 passed away Tuesday, November 24 at Sartori Memorial Hospital in Cedar Falls, IA following a brief illness. She was born April 7, 1919 in Fairbank, IA the daughter of Oscar and Hana (Wierck) Lenius. Roberta married Leonard Lorber June 12, 1940 and celebrated 60 years of marriage before his death on January 13, 2001. Roberta graduated from Oran High School and she then attended Iowa Teachers College in Cedar Falls. After college she was a school teacher in a country school until she was married. Roberta and Leonard owned and operated Lorber Construction in Oran, IA for many years along with raising four sons. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Fairbank. Roberta loved her family, her home, cooking, quilting and crosswords.

Survived by: three sons; Roger (Mary) of Cedar Falls, William (Sally) of Laguna Niguel, CA, David (Denise) of Canton, MI and a daughter-in-law Lisa Lorber of Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, one son; Robert, two sisters; Lucille Rogers and Wilma Lorber along with a brother; Charles Lenius.

Services: 10:30 am Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Monday, November 30 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and also for one hour before services Tuesday at the church.

Burial: Fairbank Cemetery

Memorials: to St. John’s Church

Dunkerton: Joyce Lulu (Canfield) Grimmius age 87 passed away Sunday, November 15, 2015 at Country View Care Center in Waterloo, Iowa. Joyce was born to Earl and Ferne (Bartholomew) Canfield on December 15, 1927 in Waterloo, IA. She was raised on the Canfield farm outside of Dunkerton. Joyce married Milford Grimmius on December 12, 1948 and they later divorced in 1961.

Joyce graduated from Dunkerton High School in 1945, she then attended the Iowa Teachers College (UNI) in Cedar Falls. After college she was a teacher in Rockford, Dike, Walker and Waterloo schools. After teaching Joyce was a co-insurance agent for Iowa Mutual Insurance Company, Bartholomew & Grimmius Insurance Agency in Dunkerton, Iowa. Joyce was a member of the First Baptist Church in Dunkerton.

Survived by: her son, Bradley Grimmius of Waterloo, two grandchildren; Jennifer Conner-Mennenga (John) of Webb City, MO and Tiffany Edlund of Rawlins, WY, one great-step-grandson; Kyle Mennenga of Carroll, IA a great-granddaughter; Mia Mennenga of Webb City, MO, one brother; Bert Canfield of Waterloo, one sister; Jeanne Zey of Cedar Falls and a son-in-law; Dan L’Estrange of Prole, IA

Preceded by: her parents, her husband, a daughter; Debra L’Estrange, sisters-in-law Ruby Wagner and Darlene Canfield and a brother-in-law Harry Zey.

Services: 2:00pm Thursday, November 19, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Dunkerton

Visitation: 1:00-2:00 pm Thursday November 19 at First Baptist Church

Interment: Fairview Cemetery, Dunkerton

Memorials: to First Baptist Church, Dunkerton

Fairbank: Lori Rose Schneider age 86 passed away Sunday August 23, 2015 at Unity Point Hospice, Allen Hospital in Waterloo. She was born August 19, 1929 near Gilbertville  the daughter of Peter and Veronica (Huberty) Mangrich, she was the fifth of eight children. She attended Immaculate Conception School in Gilbertville. Lori married Carl E. Schneider on September 13, 1948 at Immaculate Conception Church in Gilbertville, together they would have four children. Lori was a homemaker and farmed alongside her husband for nearly 67 years. She was an active member of Immaculate Conception Church, Fairbank, the Legion Auxiliary, enjoyed her card club and weekly coffee gathering with friends.

Survived by: her husband; Carl, two daughters, Linda (Norm) Delagardelle of Jesup, Joyce (Gary) Weber of Raymond, two sons; Bob (Jackie) Schneider of Fairbank and Jim (Jody) Schneider of Readlyn,17 grandchildren, Shelly MacConnell, Tina McGill, Robin Travis, Sheila Seelhammer, Gwen Kuper, Eric Weber, Wendy Daiker, Luke Weber, Brook Kaufman, Lee Schneider, Kirk Schneider, Christie Zwanziger, Katie Schneider Jason Schneider, Jenna, Justin and Jacee Schneider, 22 great-grandchildren, 5 sisters-in-law; Toni, Lucy, Pat and Marlene Mangrich and Lenore Graham.

Preceded by:her parents, stepmother; Ida Mangrich, one sister; Kathleen (Fritz) Weber, six brothers; Ken Mangrich, Irv (Loretta) Mangrich, Don (Agnes) Mangrich, Roman Mangrich, LaVern Mangrich and Jerry Mangrich, brother-in-law; Wilfred (Augustine) Schneider and sister-in-law; Lucille (Albert) Greubel  

Services: 10:00 am Saturday August 29, 2015 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Fairbank

Visitation: 3:00-8:00 pm Friday August 28 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank

Rosary: 4:00 pm Friday at the funeral home.

Interment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Fairbank

Memorials: to the family.

Westgate: John Elmer McClain age 85 passed away Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at Hillcrest Home in Sumner, IA. John was born October 9, 1929 the son of Elmer and Iren (Schmidt) McClain near Westgate. He attended and graduated from High School in Maynard, he served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a reservist for many years after active duty in the war. John was a 61 year member of the American Legion, Messerer-Fox Post 92 of Westgate. John was a lifelong farmer and lived on the family farm up until 2013 when he moved to Hillcrest Home for health reasons. John married Luella Timm February 19, 1956 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sumner and together they raised three children.

Survived by: his wife; Luella, two sons; Larry (Kathryn) McClain and Michael (Dianne) McClain both of Westgate, one daughter; Jean Richards of Fairbank, two grandchildren; Jessica (Nathan) Kelly and Joshua (Erika) Richards, two step-grandchildren; Brian and Kyle Smith, one great-grandchild; Riya Kelly, four brothers; Donald (Mary Lou) McClain and Alfred McClain both of Oelwein, Richard McClain of Peoria, IL and Paul (Karen) McClain of Vinton, four sisters; Shirley DeGrief of Vinton, Bonnie (Ron) Inman of Mason City and Dorothy (Bob) Gee of Marion, a sister-in-law; Caryl McClain, a brother-in-law; Lyle (Linda) Timm and a brother and sister-in-law, Walter & Elsie Schutt

Preceded by: his parents, a sister; Ruth Diercks, a brother; Robert McClain and a son-in-law; Jim Richards                                                                                                                                           

Services: 10:30 am Friday August 28, 2015 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Sumner.

Visitation: 4:00-8:00 pm Thursday August 27 at the funeral home and on Friday for one hour before services at the church.

Military Rites conducted by: Westgate American Legion Messerer-Fox Post 92

Interment: Greenwood Cemetery, Westgate

Memorials: to the family

FAIRBANK-Joan Irene Miller of Fairbank passed away Tuesday, August 25, at NorthCrest Specialty Care in Waterloo, due to complications of Parkinson’s Disease.

She was born December 3, 1941 in Waterloo, Iowa, daughter of Elmo and Irene (Bakula) Knebel.

She graduated from  the Dunkerton Community School.  She married Ronald Miller at St. John’s Catholic Church in Waterloo, Iowa.

She had worked as a secretary for Wapsie Valley Community Schools in Fairbank for 27 years.

Survived by: her husband, Ron,  three daughters; Cathy (Terry) Link of Oelwein, Sherry (Gary) Pleus of Monument, CO. and Judy (Terry) Gamerdinger of Marion, seven grandchildren; Adam, Kelsey, Brent, Kali, Trevor, Lauren and Jonathan, three brothers; Ed (Jackie) Knebel, Bill (Jane) Knebel and Jerry (Carmen) Knebel of Dunkerton, two sisters; Julie Clausen of Elk Run Heights and Jan Knebel.

Preceded in death by: her parents and one sister-in-law, Patricia Knebel.

Services: at 11:00 am, Friday, August 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Oelwein.

Visitation:  Thursday, August 27 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Geilenfeld Funeral Home in Oelwein.

Inurnment: Immaculate Conception Cemetery

A memorial fund will be established in her name.

Waterloo: Robert William Matthias age 87 passed away Thursday, August 13, 2015 at Grandview Healthcare Center, Oelwein of natural causes. Bob was born February 1, 1928 in Oelwein, Iowa the son of Bernhard and Frieda (Rohrssen) Matthias. He worked at Chamberlain Manufacturing and John Deere both in Waterloo, but at heart Bob was always a farmer and that he is what he did for most of his working years. Bob married El Freida Reinking November 2, 1947 and they later divorced, he married Mary Ohl September 2, 1977 and they later divorced.

Survived by: three sons; Darold (Colleen) Matthias of Sumner, Milo (Marsha) Matthias of Fairbank and Robert “Bob” (Angie) Matthias Jr. of Waterloo, one daughter; Dixie (Gary) Seegers of Maynard, 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, one brother and sister-in-law; Elmer and Delores Matthias of Frederika.

Preceded by: his parents, and a granddaughter; Carrie Matthias.

Services: 10:30 am Monday, August 17, 2015 at Woods Funeral Home.

Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Sunday August 16 and for one hour before services Monday both at the funeral home.

Burial: Garden of Memories, Waterloo.

Memorials: in lieu of flowers may be directed to the family to be distributed to various charities.