Leslie "Scotty" Cathcart, 1900-1970

Centerville Iowegian – 17 April 1970

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  CENTERVILLE – Leslie (Scotty) Cathcart, 69, resident of 629 Park Avenue, Centerville, passed away at St. Joseph’s Hospital Thursday, April 16, 1970 at 8:45 p.m.  He had been in ill health since September and a hospital patient for one day.

  Born April 28, 1900 near Jerome, he was the son of Leslie Fleming and Jean Ross Cathcart.  On May 5, 1929, he united in marriage with Janet Gillespie in Lancaster, Mo., and she survives his passing.

  He was a member of the Gospel Chapel and had lived in Centerville for the past 28 years.  He was a retired miner and road construction employee.

  Preceding him in death were his parents, a brother, David Cathcart, and a sister, Mary Cathcart.

  Survivors, beside his widow, include three brothers, James of Centerville, John of Jerome, and William of Cheyenne, Wyo.; two sisters, Mrs. Frank (Neal) Bear of Centerville and Mrs. J. F. (Emma) Feaster of Des Moines.

  Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. from Miller-Wehrle Funeral Home.  John Lewis will officiate assisted by Ferne Van Antwerp.  Burial will be in Jerome Cemetery. A memorial payable to the Children’s Christian Home in Colorado Springs has been established.  Memorials may be given at the funeral home or at Norris Motors on North Main Street.

  The family will be at the funeral home Saturday from 7 to 8 p.m.

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Centerville Iowegian – 28 April 1970

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  Leslie Cathcart, better known as Scotty, went to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday April 16, 1970.  He had been in failing health since September but a hospital patient for only one day.  He was born April 28, 1900 near Jerome, Iowa, the son of L. F. and Jean Ross Cathcart.

  He united in marriage with Janet S. Gillespie May 5, 1929 in Lancaster, Mo.  After leaving his parents’ farm he was employed by the coal mines, by the Centerville Ice Co. and in road construction work until his retirement in 1966.

  Leslie accepted Christ as his personal Savior April 26, 1964 and was in happy fellowship with the Christians who meet at the Gospel Chapel in Centerville.

  His parents, a brother, David, and a sister Mary Ellen Cathcart preceded his in death.

  Besides his widow he leave two sisters, Mrs. Frank Neal Bear, and Mrs. J. F. (Emma) Feaster, three brothers, James and John of Centerville and William of Cheyenne, Wyoming, many other relatives and a host of friends.

  Funeral services were conducted Sunday, April 19, 1970, from the Miller-Wehrle Funeral Home with John Lewis and Ferne Van Antwerp officiating.  James McKendrick sang two numbers “Till He Come” and “Midst of Darkness.”

  Pall bearers were two nephews, James Feaster and Willlliam Medland and four great nephews, James Richard, Jack and Paul Oden.

  Internment was in the Jerome Cemetery.

Gravestone of 

Leslie "Scotty" Cathcart and Janet Gillespie Cathcart

in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 9, Block 27, Lot 1

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Centerville Iowegian – 29 April 1978

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Card of Thanks

  We wish to thank all those who extended comfort and sympathy during the illness and at the time of the death of our husband and brother.  Or the prayers, the visits, flowers, food, memorials and other acts of kindness we are most grateful.  We would not forget the faithfulness and the kindness of Dr. Leffert who was ever ready and willing to come when we needed him.

Mrs. Leslie Cathcart

Mrs. Frank Bear

Dr. and Mrs. J. F. Feaster

Mr. and Mrs. James Cathcart

Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cathcart

Mr. and Mrs. John Cathcart

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Centerville Iowegian – 22 April 1978

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  Those from out of town attending the funeral of Leslie Cathcart were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cathcart of Cheyenne, Wyo., Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Feaster and Mr. and Mrs. Dan Moore of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Feaster, Houston, Texas, Mrs. H. Hatcher, Fulton, Mo., Mr. and Mrs. Paul Beer, San Antonio, Texas, Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Hendershot, Ann and Lynn of Newton, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Medland, Keosauqua, Mr. and Mrs. George Hansen and children, Hudson, Ia., Gerald Fiferlick, Lehigh, Ia., Mrs. W. C. Jensen, Mrs. Russell Mastain, Mrs. Adolph Vought, Mr. and Mrs. Langley Jensen, Hudson, Ia., Mrs. Marcus Nelson, Bob Davis, Traer, Ia., Mr. and Mrs. Dale Gillespie, Cambridge, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. Claude Dooley, Bettendorf, Barney Massa, Moline, Ill., Mr. and Mrs. James Mc Kendrick, Kirksville, Mo.,  Mr. and Mrs. Doug Prather, Russell, Ia., Oval Brown, Unionville, Mo.

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Who's Writing

Ad-Express/Iowegian - 19 November 1987

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Friends' passing brings end of an era

 By Mildred Dooley Cathcart, Columnist

  It seems strange how just a minute can change one's complete life or bring an end of an era. When Raymond Dearing died suddenly last week, I thought of the years he had been a partner in the Walnut Creek Coal Company which had been the idea of my father.  My father was a strong union man, serving many years as president of the local miners union when the Big Four Coal Co. was operating in full swing.

  Dad went to Des Moine to meetings and in those daysit seemed as eventful a trip as it is to fly to the coast today, and it probably took about as long to make the trip. When the unions folded and the word "scab" became a derogatory term, Dad decided he would sink his own mine.  Several men who joined in the venture were Arch Hawkins, Charlie Burns, Carl Hamm and later Raymond who was much younger, and he was the last survivor.

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  Then just as suddenly on Thursday, my sister-in-law, Neal Bear, passed away. And that seemed like an end of a phase of our lives. Now only three of the Cathcart children are living Neal was the oldest urvivor and it seemed she had become a kind of head of the clan. Although arthritis had slowed her down somewhat physically, her mind stayed sharp.

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  It is strange what things stand out in one's memory. I think of her gardening skills.  We often noted that they raised more produce in their little postage stamp-sized plot behind their apartment than we harvested in our big garden. And I have never known anyone who could make such picture-perfect good tasting pie crust as Neal made. Shed would give her recipe and a step-by-step description, but much never could equal hers. I think she had a magic pie finger as well as a green thumb.

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  The weather was perfect for both Raymond's and Neal's funerals.  Not often in middle November can one be comfortable in just a suit without a top coat.

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  "We never truly understand death until it lays its hand on one we love."

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   I have never been lucky when it comes to winning but I was happy when our neighbor called excitedly the other evening to tell me she had won one of the bikes that Fareway had given away.

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  The concert at Ottumwa presenting the National Ballet of West Java was very different from any I had ever seen and was most enjoyable. The music, constumes and dances all portrayed the Indonesian culture and was most colorful and entertaining. I thought the Peacock Dance was especially lovely.

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  Ever so often, I develop a new pet peeve. This week my latest is spray perfume bottles that refuse to pray when there is a considerable amount of perfume left. I have tried turning the bottle upside down and it is so exaspcrating, I have felt perhaps a hammer should be the last resort.

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  It was a kind of preview of Christmas when Deloris and I accepted Becky Montegna's invitation to her home which was prettily decorated for the holiday season.  And we selected a few items for gifts from a table containing a variety of things just for Christmas giving.

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  I did feel I was rushing the season the other day.  I went through my gift drawers and as I found the gifts, I decided to wrap them before putting them back.  Soon after Thanksgiving, it will be time to get the box packed for Ohio, so part of the presents are ready to be boxed.

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  With the scare of AIDS, I wonder if we are getting carried away with sex education in the lower elementary grades, in some wayhs I agree with the youngster in the cartoon who said to his friend, "It is silly to teach us all this sex education now; we will forget it all by the time we grow up."

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  There is a kind of tragic, death-reminder, beauty in the bare trees. The shape of the branches are well defined and the nests of birds and squirrels, hidden by summer leaves are now plainly visible.  There is an old tree across the road that looks like candelabra with seven hugh branches extending from the trunk. The black limbs look especially pretty against the sky on a bright moonlit night. There is a graceful, ballet-like quality to the naked branches as they sway in the wind.  They remind us that death is only a temporary state; new leaves and life will come again with the spring rain and summer breezes.

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  Several have remarked about the scarcity of pet squirrels. I think when the snow covers the ground, they will be looking for a handout. So far the weather has been too mild.

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  All the modern machinery and devices have changed our way of life. The other morning, I went for a walk about nine o'clock and when I passed the cemetery I noticed they had never begun to dig the grave but it was all ready by funeral time.  I remember as a youngster, neighbors would take shovels and spades and if the ground were frozen or extremely wet, the men would have to start opening the grave the day before the funeral, boarding up the hole and hoping it would hold fast.

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  "It is better to choose what you will say that say what you choose."

Leslie F. Cathcart, 1871-1954

Daily Iowegian - 26 August 1954

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Leslie Cathcart Taken Thursday

  Leslie F. Cathcart, of Centerville R3, near Jerome, Iowa, passed away Thursday morning, Aug. 26, 1954 at 12:30 at his home following a lingering illness. He was 83 years, two months and 27 days of age. The deceased was born May 29, 1871 in the State of Pennsylvania.

  He united in marriage with Jean Ross, who survives his passing. The couple had celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary last November 25.

  Mr. Cathcart was a widely known retired farmer. There are seven surviving children as follows: Mrs. Neal Bear, of Centerville; Mrs. Emma Feaster, of Elmhurst, Ill.; Miss Mary Cathcart, instructor in the Chicago schools; James, John, and Leslie, all of this community; and William, of Cheyenne, Wyo. There are eight grandchildren.

  Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced later from the Johnson funeral home.

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Daily Iowegian - 27 August 1954

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  Leslie F. Cathcart's funeral services will be held Saturday 2 p.m. from the Johnson Funeral Home with David Lawrence officiating and burial in the Jerome cemetery.

Jane Ross Cathcart, 1875-1956

Daily Iowegian - 19 November 1956

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Sudden Stroke Is Fatal For Pioneer Woman Here

  Jane Cathcart, of Centerville Rural Route 3, was the victim of a sudden stroke, Monday morning November 19, 1956. She was 83 years, two months and 27 days of age.

  She was born in Scotland, Aug. 22, 1875, the daughter of David and Anna Neal Ross. She came to the U.S. at the age of 9.

  Growing to young womanhood here she united in marriage with Leslie Cathcart on November 26, 1892 and has lived in the Jerome vicinity since that time.

  There are seven surviving children who are: Mary Cathcart, of Maywood, Illinois; Mrs. Emma Feaster, of Elmhurst, Illinois; William Cathcart, Wyoming; Leslie Cathcart, of Lehigh, Iowa; John Cathcart, of Jerome, Iowa; Mrs. Neal Bear, of Centerville; James Cathcart, of Centerville; also eight grandchildren, three brothers, Robert and Thomas Ross, of Numa, and John Ross, of Des Moines. She also leaves a sister Mrs. Anna Dalby, of Buringling, Kansas.

  She is preceded in death by her husband Leslie Cathcart, who died August 26, 1954. A son David, two sisters and one brother.

  Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. from the Johnson Funeral home with burial in the Jerome cemetery.

Essie May Fry Loofbourrow, 1885-1975

Daily Iowegian - 7 February 1975

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  Mrs. Essie May Loofbourrow, 89, a lifelong resident of Appanoose County, who had resided at 619 West State Street, Centerville, the past 10 years, died in Wayne County Hospital in Corydon Thursday, March 6, 1975.  She had suffered ill health one year, and had been hospitalized three days.

  Born November 19, 1885, West of Centerville, she was the daughter of Isaac and Tabitha Brannon Fry. She was married to Robert Hileman in 1903, and he died January 16, 1912. On March 17, 1917, she was married to David Loofbourrow in Wayne County, and he preceded her in death June 3, 1942.

  Mrs. Loofbourrow, a longtime resident of Jerome, was a member of Jerome Methodist Church. Her parents, an infant sister Chloe, and two brothers, Vernie and Earl Fry, preceded her in death.

  Survivors include two sons, James Hileman and Merle Loofbourrow, both of Centerville Route 3, three grandchildren and two sisters, Mrs. Arthur (Jessie) Bear, Panarama, Calif.; and Mrs. Robert (Helen) Bear, Centerville.

  Services will be Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Miller-Wehrle Funeral Home, with the Rev. Glen Lochhead officiating. Burial will be in Jerome Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home Friday from 7 to 8 p.m.

Lois "Nevella" Bear Shepard, 1917-2009

Daily Iowegian - 28 October 2009

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  Lois "Nevella" Shepard, 92, of Centerville died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 at Mercy Medical Center in Centerville. She was born the daughter of Robert and Helen (Fry) Bear on March 3, 1917 near Mystic. Lois attended the Plano Community Schools.
  On Feb. 3, 1935 she was united in marriage to Lowell Shepard. She was a homemaker and a member of the Drake Avenue Christian Church in Centerville where she was the church secretary for many years. She was also a part of the North Bend Ladies Aid, and Order of Eastern Star where she was a Past Worthy Matron.
  Nevella was preceded in death by: her parents; husband, Lowell Shepard on June 17, 2002; brother, Robert Bear; and a grandson, Dustin Shepard on May 5, 2006.
  She is survived by; sons, Dean and his wife, Marilyn Shepard of Centerville and Wendell and his wife, Mary Louise Shepard of Springfield, Mo.; daughter Karen and her husband, LaVern Shondel of Centerville, sister: Deloris Bohm of Centerville; seven grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandson.
  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 1 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the Rev. Carl Heien officiating. Burial will follow at the Concord Cemetery near Plano. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 3-8 p.m. with the family present from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
  Memorials can be made to the Concord Cemetery and left at the funeral home. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Centerville is caring for Nevella and her family at this time and condolences can be sent to: schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Charlotte Eleanor Bear, 1917-2005

  Charlotte Eleanor Bear, 87, of Centerville, died Thursday, May 5, 2005 at the Golden Age Care Center.

  Charlotte was born December 16, 1917, the only child or Frank and Anna Neal (Cathcart) Bear, who farmed near Plano, IA. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1935 and lived and worked in Centerville all of her life. Her love of plants and flowers, combined with her creative abilities, led to her life's work in several Centerville floral shops, including Watson Floral and Stagner Floral.

  Throughout her life, Charlotte enjoyed many interests, among them needlework, gardening, cooking, fishing, ceramics, reading, and staying in touch with her many friends and family. She had a deep appreciation for the natural world, especially birds and wildlife.

  Charlotte is survived by her cousins, Ella Hendershot, Newton; Jim Feaster, Dallas, TX; Linda Medland, Newton; Cheryl Cathcart, Corrales, NM; Kerry Cathcart, Jerome; Jean Rose, Stow, OH; Tom Bear, Centerville; Nevella Shepard and Deloris Bohm, Centerville; James Bear, Albuquerque, NM; and Donald Baker, New York, NY. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles.

  At Charlotte's request, graveside services are being planned by the Thomas Lange Funeral Home. Interment will be held at 2 PM, Saturday, May 7, 2005 at the Jerome Cemetery.

  A memorial has been established to the Appanoose County Conservation Board, or to the Jerome Cemetery Association and may be left at or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa 52544.