JEROME By Miss Susie Sidles

Seymour Herald - 15 May 1952

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  There was a large attendance at the Mothers' Day service and program Sunday. The children furnished a nice program for the mothers to enjoy. The program was in charge of Mrs. Marvelle McElvain and Mrs. Richard Mincks. The offering for food relief was $20.

  W. E. Hawkins of Davenport spent the week end here and while here sold his residence to H. L. Stark. It will be remembered that they lost their home by fire only a short while ago and will move to the Hawkins residence at once.

  Mrs. Lyda Bollman returned May 3 from Des Moines where she had spend several days with her sonh, Clay Hickie, and family.

  Mrs. Chester Jarnigan and two sons returned to their home in Des Moines Thursday after spending a week at the parental James Felkner home.

 Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Leaning returned last Sunday to their home in Liberal, Kans. Mrs. Leaning had spent several days at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Morris, and Mr. Leaning spent the week end there. 

  Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Stark spent Sunday in the home of Mrs. Lee Evans and daughter, Miss Edna Evans, at Walnut City. Stark's sister, Mrs. G. T. Harris of Maryland, also was a guest in the Evans home.

  Mr. and Mrs. Billy Mincks of Cedar Falls spent Mothers' Day with Billy's mother, Mrs. Charley McGavran and Mr. McGavran.

  Mr. and Mrs. Donald Owen of Iowa City spent the week end at the Bert F. Murphy and K. E. Owen home. The Richard Owens of Glenwood also spent Sunday at the K. E. Owen home and visited his mother, Mrs. S. J. Owen, who is improved after a long illness. She is being cared for by her daughter, Miss Dorothy, at her son's home.

  Miss Mary Hawkins of Seymour spent Sunday with Miss Susie Sidles and attended the Mothers' Day service here.

  Mrs. Carl Hamm returned last Saturday from Davenport where she spent the week at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Jones.

  Forty-one women attended the Mothers' Day breakfast May 8. Mrs. M. R. Gonzalez had charge of the program and Mrs. James Felkner and Mrs. W. R. Hefner served the breakfast.

  Tommy Wilson, who has spent several months in Yuma, Ariz., is at home now helping his father on the farm.

  Mr. and Mrs. Howard Sidles and two sons of Ames, Mrs. Grace Armstron and Mrs. Janice Sidles of Seymour spent Sunday in the Peter Sidles home.

  Miss Phyllis Hamm and friend of Davenport visited Sunday in the parental Carl Ham home.

  Roy Strawser is a patient at the Veterans hospital in Des Moines with a heart condition. I. E. Fry is taking his place as janitor of the school. This is the last week of school and May 16 is the last day.

  The Paul McElvain family spent Mothers' Day with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Shorts, in Centerville. 

  The M.Y.F. met last Wednesday with a recreation period on the school grounds and the devotional meeting in the church.

  The Paul Ervin family visited Sunday afternoon at the Glenn Brown home.

  Mrs. Merle Loofburrow and son returned home several days ago from the St. Joseph's hospital in Centerville where Donald Robert was born May 1.

  The W.S.C.S. will have its all-day meeting May 29. There will be installation of offices. Mrs. Joe Beer will lead the worship service and Mrs. William Clark will conduct the lesson. Mrs. Marvelle McElvain and Mrs. Delbert Foster will be hostesses. 

  Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hickie and family of Promise City spent Sunday with Mrs. Lyda Bollman and the John Hickie family.

SHS Senior of the Week: James Knapp

Seymour Herald - 8 May 1952

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The Pepper

Official Publication of the Seymour Public School

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  James Richard Knapp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Burns, is a lad of 5 feet 10 inches and weighs 155 pounds. He is 17 years old, and has brown hair and eyes.

  His first school days beginning at Centerville, James received his eighth grade diploma from Murphy school. James has also attended grade school in Jerome and Washington.

  Now completing a general course and planning on receiving his high school diploma this spring. James has planned his immediate future to consist of working at home this summer and in the fall joining the service.

  Although James likes Seymour high, he thinks that it would improve the school a lot if they had a larger selection of classes.

  During his four years of high school, James has spent two years in band, three years in baseball, and two years in basketball. Now we come to Jim's favorites, which consist of the following: book--Green Grass of Wyoming; movie--Babe Ruth Story; movie star--Audie Murphy; orchestra--Spike Jones; singer--Doris Day; song--Time; car--Chevrolet; food--any kind; season--fall; sport--baseball; color--blue; hobby--cars and music.

Family Honors Fox On 85th Birthday

Seymour Herald - 8 May 1952

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  The children, grandchildren and great grandchildren of Charlie Fox, Sr., gathered at the Dugie Moore home Sunday honoring him on his 85th birthday. A cooperative dinner was served at noon with the afternoon spent socially in family visiting.

  Those present were Kenneth Moore of Moline, Ill., A. L. Fox and friend of Davenport, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Formaro and Mary Lou of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fox, Jr., and Tommy, Betty, Judy and Jane of Centerville, Mrs. Gerald Lohr and Gary Wayne, Mrs. Geno Sebben and Karen Sue and Jerry Don, Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Moore and Rickey Wayne, and Mr. and Mrs. Dugie Moore and Lavern, Helen Rae and Marianna. 

  Fox received many gifts.

JEROME By Miss Susie Sidles

Seymour Herald - 1 May 1952

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  Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Ponsetto of Chicago, Ill., spent the week end at the parental Joe Ponsetto home, and they with several other families from here attended the Anderson-Morris wedding in Centerville Saturday. Maxine Anderson lived here as a child and is a granddaughter of the Joe Ponsettos. 

  Mr. and Mrs. McVey and children of Centerville visited Sunday with the Paul Ervins.

  The W.S.C.S. will have a Mother's Day breakfast May 8. Mrs. W. R. Hefner and Mrs. James Felkner are hostesses for the breakfast and Mrs. M. R. Gonzales will have charge of the program. The topic will be "What Is in Thine Hand." Each article of food served will be 10 cents, and it is hoped that there will be a large attendance.

  Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Rodasevich and two children of Rock Island, Ill., spent the week end with relatives here.

  Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stark spent several days with their neighbors, the Joe Beers, after the fire that destroyed their home April 14. Since that time they are at the home of Mrs. Stark's niece, Mrs. Scott McDonald.

  Mr. and Mrs. G. D. Mincks, Mr. and Mrs. Charley McGavran, Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Jones of Des Moines and Mr. and Mrs. Keith McGavran of Ames spent Sunday at the Richard Mincks home. The dinner was honoring Richard Mincks and Keith McGavran, who had birthdays on or near Sunday.

  Mrs. Roy Leaming of Liberal, Kans., is spending several days at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Morris. Sunday Mr. and Mrs. Morris and Mrs. Leaming spent the day with relatives in Madrid.

  The W.S.C.S. met last Thursday with a cooperative dinner in charge of Mrs. W. R. Hefner and Mrs. William Clark. Nineteen members were present for the afternoon meeting. Mrs. Cora Beer led the devotionals and Mrs. Paul Felkner was the program leader.

  Mr. and Mrs. Scott McDonald returned last Sunday from Brownsville, Texas, where they had spent the winter.

JEROME By Miss Susie Sidles

Seymour Herald - 17 April 1952

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  Mrs. S. J. Owen and daughter, Dorothy, of Centerville, are spending some time at the Kenneth Owen home. Mrs. Owen is just reasonably well after being in failing health for several months.

  Miss Coleen Hefner of Des Moines spent the long week end at the parental W. R. Hefner home.

  Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Hawkins of Davenport were guests Friday night at the J. W. Workman home. They sent their household goods to Davenport Friday where they have purchased a home and are employed.

  Mrs. Bert Murphy returned home from the Centerville hospital Wednesdy where she had been a patent for several days. Patty Murphy of Davenport spent the week end at home.

  Miss Leona Griffin of Muscatine came Saturday to spend the Easter vacation at the home of the Rev. Mr. Gonzalez in Mystic.

  Mr. and Mrs. George Jones and family and Mrs. Kenneth Moore and children of Moline, Ill., spent the week end at the parental Carl Hamm home.

  Mr. and Mrs. Steve Zemo have returned to make their home here after spending the winter in Davenport. 

  There was a large attendance at the Easter service Sunday and a very fine program given by the Sunday school at the close of the preaching service.

  Mrs. Ruth Inman and Richard and Jerry of Centerville attended the Easter service here Sunday and Richard and Jerry took part in the program.

  Mrs. Cecile McElvain of Centerville and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Inman of Denver, Colo., attended services here Sunday. The Inmans are being transferred from Denver to Oak Ridge, Tenn., and will be employed there.

  The regular meeting of the Jerome cemetery association is the last Monday in March but it was not called at that time this year because of the absence of Miss Kathryn Hawkins, who for many years has been secretary and treasurer and has spent much time in the interest of the association. She is now living in Davenport. 

  However, the meeting was called April 11 and the attendance as small but a number of items of business were taken care of and officers were elected. I. E. Fry, who has been president the past year, asked to be released from further duty and Charley McGavran was elected president, Mrs. Susie R. Sidles secretary and treasurer and K. E. Owen was reelected trustee for a term of three years. The other trustees are Merle Loofburrow and Joe Beer. 

  A lily was provided by Mrs. Effie Houx of Cedar Rapids for the altar of the church Sunday in memory of her parents, the J. G. Kinneys, and a plant was furnished by Mrs. Guy Streepy of Udell.

  Mr. and Mrs. Donald Owen of Iowa City spent this week end with the Bert F. Murphys and at the K. E. Owen home.

  The MYF will meet at the Carl Hamm home Wednesday evening.

  Mary Hawkins of Seymour and Joan McCord, who is home from Iowa State College at Ames for Easter vacation, attended services here Sunday.

  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Felkner and family and Mr. and Mrs. Junior Carey of Moline were week end visitors at the parental Gail Felkner home. Mrs. Felkner is much improved after her recent illness.

Wanda Elaine Weist Ross, 1920-1952

Seymour Herald - 24 April 1952

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  Wanda Elaine Ross, daughter of Roy and Orpha Weist, was born near Seymour, Iowa, Sept. 13, 1920. She passed away suddenly at her home near Carlisle, Iowa, April 1, 1952.

  Wanda attended the Seymour public school and was graduated with the class of 1937. After graduation she entered business college in Des Moines. On Nov. 25, 1939, she was united in marriage to Halferd A. Ross and to this union one son, Randy Hale, was born.

  She attended the Avon Community church near her home. At the time of her death she was employed in the office of the Rollins Hosiery Mills in Des Moines.

  She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband, Hal Ross, one son, Randy, her father and mother, two brothers, Robert and Ronald, and a host of other relatives and friends.

  I cannot say, and I will not say

  That she is dead--she is just away!

  With a cheery smile, and a wave of the hand,

  She has wandered into an unknown land.

  And let us dreaming how very fair

  It needs must be, since she lingers there.

  And you--of you, who the wildest yearn

  For the old-time step and glad return--

  Think of her faring on, as dear

  In the love of There, as the love of Here

  Thnk of her still as the same I say:

  She is not dead--she is just away!

  Funeral services were held at the Hamilton Funeral Home in Des Moines Friday, April 4, at 1:30 with the Rev. Mennenhall of the Avon Community church officiating.

  The funeral home vocalist sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "Beyond the Sunset" with organ music. Burial was in Laurel Hill cemetery.

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  Note: Wanda Elaine Weist Ross was a granddaughter of George B. Van Dorn and Ellen Abigale Stoner.

Ellen Abigale Stoner Van Dorn, 1866-1952

Seymour Herald - 17 April 1952

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Mrs. Ellen Van Dorn Dies at 86 Years

  Mrs. Ellen A. Van Dorn, 86, passed away at the home of her son, Noah Van Dorn, Monday morning. She had been in ill health for some time.

  She was the mother of Earl Van Doren, Noah Van Dorn, Mrs. Roy Weist and Mrs. Glen L. Brown, all of Seymour community.

  Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon from the Liggett funeral home at 2 p.m., with the Rev. W. M. Cleeton officiating.

  Burial was in the Jerome Cemetery.

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Seymour Herald - 24 April 1952

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Obituary: Mrs. Ellen Van Dorn

  Ellen Abbie Van Dorn, daughter of Noah and Catherine Stoner, was born near Jerome, Iowa, Feb. 5, 1866. She passed away April 13, 1952, at the home of her son, Noah, near Seymour. She grew up in Appanoose county and attended the Jerome school.

  December 21, 1893, she was united in marriage to George B. Van Dorn at the home of the Rev. J. M. Lougridge at Crossroads. They established their home in Lincoln township where she spent the remaining years of her life. To this union three sons and four daughters were born. She enjoyed reading her Bible and in early life attended the Jerome church and later attended the Baptist church in Seymour.

  In her declining years she enjoyed the radio services.

  She was the last decedent of the Noah Stoner family and was preceded in death by her husband; one son, Loren; two daughters, Opal Fox and Hallie -- who died in infancy; and one granddaughter, Wanda Ross.

  After the death of her husband she made her home with her children. She is survived by two sons, Noah and Earl; two daughters, Alpha Brown and Orpha Weist, all of Seymour; 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

  Funeral services were conducted at the Liggett funeral home Wednesday afternoon, April 16, by the Rev. W. M. Cleeton.

  Mrs. James Anderson, Jr., sang "Jesus Saviour Pilot Me" and "At the End of the Road," accompanied at the piano by Mrs. Harley Merritt.

  Pallbears were Dewey Mattley, Lester Harper, Everett Hornaday, J. W. Hockett, George Brundage and Earnest Keller. Flower bearers were Mrs. Dewey Mattley, Mrs. Lester Harperm, Mrs. J. W. Hockett, Mrs. Wyllard Sales and Mrs. A. E. Ellingworth.

  Burial was in the Jerome cemetery.

Fire Destroys Stark Home Near Jerome

Seymour Herald - 17 April 1952

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  The home and furnishings of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Stark, who live east of Jerome, were destroyed by fire Tuesday morning about 3:30 o'clock.

  Mr. and Mrs. Stark, both elderly, are at the home of their neighbor, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Beer.

JEROME By Miss Susie Sidles

Seymour Herald - 10 April 1952

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  Mr. and Mrs. Billy Mincks of Cedar Falls spent the week end at the Charley McGavran home.
  Mrs. Gail Felkner returned to her home Friday after spending several days in the St. Joseph's hospital in Centerville. She is recovering and much improved.
  The Ruban Dooley family and Melvin Dooley of Davenport spent the week end with their parents here. 
  The Sunday school will have an Easter program Sunday morning in charge of Mrs. Joe Beer and Mrs. W. R. Hefner.
  Joyce Yonovich spent the week end in Davenport with relatives.
  Quite a number from here attended the fourth quarterly meeting in Mystic Friday night.
  Miss Susie Sidles spent several days in Ottumwa last week.
  Mr. and Mrs. Burdette Workman and daughter of Moline, Ill., spent last Sunday at the parental J. W. Workman home.
  Mrs. Bert Murphy is recovering at the St. Joseph's hospital in Centerville following surgery last Wednesday. Her daughter, Mrs. Betty Mabee, and son of California are here to spent some time and Miss Patty Murphy has returned to her work in Davenport.
  The Jerome cemetery association will meet at the Jerome school house Friday evening, April 11, at 7:30. It is hoped there will be a good attendance.
  Mr. and Mrs. Pete Ponsetto and daughter of Rock Island, Ill., spent the week end with relatives here. 

JEROME By Miss Susie Sidles

Seymour Herald - 3 April 1952

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  Miss Patti Murphy of Davenport is spending several days at home because of the illness of her mother, Mrs. Bert Murphy, who is a patient in the St. Joseph's hospital in Centerville.

  Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ervin and family and Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Reisnor of Centerville were guests Sunday at the C. E. Ervin home.

  Mr. and Mrs. Peter Sidles returned Wednesday from Gnadenhutten, Ohio, where they had spent several days with their daughter and family, the Warren Streiffs. They had accompanied their son, Howard, and family of Ames to Ohio but returned by train. Howard and family went to Rawleigh, N.C. to visit her parents, and he went to Washington, D.C., on a business trip in connection with his employment. 

  While the Sidles were away, Jim was home from his school duties at Ames to look after the farm.

  Mr. and Mrs. Charley McGavran spent Sunday with Elvin McGavrans in Seymour.

  Twenty-one members and three children were present at the W.S.C.S. meeting last Thursday. In the election of officers that day some of the officers were reelected but others were named for the first time. Included were: president, Mrs. Gail Felkner; vice president, Mrs. W. R. Hefner; recording secretary, Mrs. Delbert Foster; treasurer, Mrs. William Clark; secretary of promotions, Mrs. Richard Mincks; missionary education, Susie R. Sidles; local activities, Mrs. Tony Blozevich; student work, Mrs. Paul Felkner; children's work, Mrs. Joe Beer; spiritual life, Mrs. Charles McGavran; supply work, Mrs. James Felkner; status of women, Mrs. J. G. Morris.

  Next meeting of the W.S.C.S. will be an afternoon session April 9 instead of Thursday, the usual day. The program will include a book review by Mrs. W. O. Moore and the music will be furnished by Mrs. L. H. Mallett.

  The Rev. M. R. Gonzalez attended the district conference at Oskaloosa last Wednesday.

  The M.Y.F. will meet with Donald and Max Ervin Wednesday evening.

  Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Hawkins and Miss Kathryn Hawkins of Davenport spent Friday and Saturday in Jerome. They were there to move their household goods to Davenport, where Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins are employed. They also moved some of Miss Kathryn's household goods.

  Mrs. Cecil Elgin, who has recently moved into the Ella Brown property, has gone for a two weeks visit among relatives at Iowa City, Chicago and Virginia. Mrs. Elgin was formerly from Mystic.

  Mrs. Bertha Blaine of Mystic spent a few days here last week with her mother, Mrs. Stella Dooley. Wednesday Mrs. Dooley accompanied her to Mystic for a few days visit.

  Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Hawkins of Davenport spent the week end of March 23 with Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Workman.

  Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ervin and family visited in Ottumwa Saturday afternoon and evening.

  Mr. and Mrs. Edward Metaski [Matelski] spent last week end at the parental Stanley Mataski [Matelski] and Earl Fry homes. 

  Mrs. James Felkner has been confined to her home for several days with illness.

  The Otha Fenton family of Udell and Mr. and Mrs. Mark Allen of Iconium spent Sunday with the John Ponsettos.

  Max Van Blaricom and Joey Ponsetto represented the Jerome school at the county spelling contest in Centerville Saturday.

  Pete Sidles is home from school at Ames. He will help with the farm work the rest of the school year and then return to Ames for the summer session.

  The Lincoln township assignment for Red Cross was $160 and the workers were able to obtain that amount. The committee was Mrs. Dewey Mattly, Mrs. Thomas Gatrel, Mrs. Raymond Terry, Mrs. O. I. Fry, Mrs. Delbert Foster and Miss Susie Sidles.

Lemuel A. "Lem" Farris, 1909-1988

Daily Iowegian - August 1988

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  Lemuel (Lem) Farris, 79, of Centerville died Friday [26 August 1988] at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital in Centerville.

  He was born Jan. 30, 1909 in Putnam County, Mo., to Joseph and Ida [Guffey] Farris. He married Orpha King in 1938 in Centerville, and she preceded him in death on June 12, 1978.

  Lem worked in the Centerville area all of his life at the brick yard, as a coal miner, and on the railroad.

  Survivors are a daughter, Betty McFate of Brazil, and a brother, Loyd, of Mt. Pleasant. 

  He was preceded in deathy by seven sisters, one brother and two grandchildren. 

  Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. today at the Johnson-Lange Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Griffin officiating. Burial will be in the Jerome Cemetery.

Slofco Buyan, 1912-1987

Daily Iowegian - October 1987

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  Slofco Buyan, 75, Jerome, died Friday at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.

  He was born March 31, 1912 at Gladstone in Appanoose County to Rudolf Buyan, Sr., and Katherine Stemac Buyan. He was a coal miner and worked 16 years for the J. I. Case Company in Davenport.

  He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters.

  Surviving are two brothers, Rudolf, Jr., Veterans Hospital, Marshalltown, and Joe, Jerome; a sister, Olga Matkovich, Melcher, Iowa.

  Funeral services were Monday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fr. Al Ebach officiating with burial in Oakland Cemetery. Rosary services were held Sunday at Johnson-Lange Funeral Home.