Orpha Chloe Sidles & Ira Ray Deibert

Sac Sun, Sac City, Iowa - May 1981

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Orpha (Sidles) Deibert

Orpha Sidles, daughter of John and Elvira Sidles, was born at Jerome, Iowa, on March 9, 1894. She attended the grade schools at Jerome. After graduation from high school at Centerville, she attended and graduated from Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

She came to Sac City in 1920 as a Jr. High history teacher. After one year she became Junior High Principal. She continued to teach until her marriage.

Orpha Chloe Sidles - 1894-1981

On July 23, 1924, she was united in marriage to Ira Ray Deibert. She has always been active and interested in the social and organizational life of Sac City. She served on the Library Board, Corrective Loan Board, was a member of Federated Women's Club, Eastern Star, Past Matrons, United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women.

Death came at Loring Hospital on May 4, 1981. Her own words were so descriptive of her last days when she said, "I'm just wearing out."

Preceding her in death were her parents, four sisters and two brothers. She was the last of her generation. In fact, we are witnessing more than the passing of a life. Orpha's death marks the passing of an era.

She is survived by three sister-in-laws: Ruby Deibert of Odebolt, Margaret Deibert of Minneapolis, MN, and Myra (Deibert) Bisgrove of Earlville, IA. Eleven nieces and nephews, other relatives and many, many friends.

Eastern Star services were held Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Farber and Otteman Funeral Home by O.E.S. No 18.

Funeral services were held from the United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 6 at 10:30 a.m. with the Reverend Carroll E. Robinson officiating. Piano Interlude, Berceuse in D-flat major by Frederick Chopin and Pre-Medley Jesus Keep Me Near The Cross, How Firm a Foundation, Abide With Me, Bless Be The Tie That Binds, were played by Bruce Perry.

Flowers were cared by Mrs. Hubert Perry, Mrs. Lelva Ritter and Marjo Florist.

Pallbearers were Hubert Perry, Loren Hechtner, Frank Strain, Duane VonAhn, Richard Brown, and Robert Mandernach.

Interment was made at Oakland Cemetery, Sac City. Farber and Otteman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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Orpha & Ray Deibert - 1953

Orpha and Ray Deibert - February 1954 in Augusta GA

Orpha and Ray Deibert - Christmas 1954

The Deiberts sent out Christmas cards each year

with pictures of their horses or dogs.

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Sac Sun, Sac City, Iowa - 23 August 1972

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"Ray" Deibert Dies, Longtime Sac City Businessman

A long-time business man in Sac City, Ira "Ray" Deibert, passed away last Tuesday, August 15, at the age of 79.

Eastern Star services were held at the Farber and Otteman Funeral Home at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, August 16, and services were held at the United Methodist Church in Sac City at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, August 17 with the Rev. Fred J. Marsh officiating.

Music was provided by Bruce Perry and accompanist Miss Julie Irwin. Floral tributes ere cared for by Mrs. Byron Ellis, Mrs. Fred Richter and Marjo Florist.

Honorary attendants were Harris Dickey, Arthur Fogde, Orla Irwin, George Nelson, Fred Ehrhardt, Frank Hoffman, Harry Motter and Guy Wickersheim.

Attendants were Gordon Brown, Robert Mandernach, Duane VonAhn, Richard Brown, Dayton Smith and Walter Wadsley.

Burial was in the Oakland Cemetery in Sac City with Masonic Graveside rites by Lodge No. 178 A.F. and A. M.

Ira Ray Deibert, always called "Ray," was born to Jeremiah and Flora Braymer Deibert in Grant City, Sac County, Iowa, on December 26, 1892. He was the oldest of four children. His youth was spent in the Auburn area, he attended schools in and near Auburn, and at an early age learned to help his father with the farm work. Later the Deibert family moved to Cedar Township and still later into Sac City where Ray attended the local schools, soon adding to his schooling by a few months of study at a commercial college in Des Moines.

At 19 years of age, he went to work for the Farmers Lumber Company of Sac City, remaining with that corporation for 55 years. On August 24, 1916, he was married to Edna Grohe, who died 16 months later in an epidemic of influenza. On July 23, 1924, he was married to Orpah Sidles in her parents' home at Jerome. The couple had a new house ready for occupancy at 1017 Schaller Street, where they continued to reside through the years.

Ray was a Royal Arch Mason, a past patron of the Order of the Eastern Star, an officer in the Sac County Fair Association, and a charter member of the Sac City Kiwanis Club. As an additional interest, he was for years an amateur horseman, maintaining a stable of American Saddlebred horses which he showed widely throughout the midwest. He held state and national offices in both the Iowa and the American Horse Shows Associations and his picture hangs in the Iowa Horseman's Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife Orpha and by one sister, Myrna, and her husband Bisgrove of Earlville. His parents and two brothers, James and Elwood, preceded him in death by many years. Mrs. James Deibert resides in her home in Minneapolis and Mrs. Elwood Deibert resides in her home in Odebolt. There are six nieces and nephews: Margie Loger, Vivian Lashier, Donald Deibert, Marily Miller, Richard Bisgrove, and Rebecca Morhouse.

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Card of Thanks

To those who helped smooth the way for Ray through the past months, and for me during recent days, I can think of nothing more meaningful to say than a simple "thank you. God bless you all. -- Orpha Deibert

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The editor sincerely appreciates the Sac County Genealogical Society having found and sent the obituaries above to The Jerome Journal. The pictures were contributed by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.