Richard Lee Felkner, 1937-1966

Centerville Iowegian – 13 July 1966

-------------------------------

Felkner Heart Victim, Was 28

  Corydon – Richard Lee Felkner of Corydon, Iowa, former resident of this county, passed away at 3:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, at the Wayne County Hospital at the age of 28 years 10 months and 4 days. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

  Born in Appanoose County, he was the son of Gail and Mabel Barton Felkner. He was married to Ruth Anne Houser in Jerome, Iowa, June 28, 1959.

  Richard was the Laboratory Technician at the Wayne County Hospital, a member of the Methodist Church and president of the Corydon Junior Chamber of Commerce.

  Besides his widow, he is survived by three small children, Robin, Kelley and Randy, all at home; his father, Gail Felkner, member of the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors; a sister, Mrs. O. W. Cary, of Centerville; two brothers, Robert Felkner of East Moline, Ill., and Gail Felkner, Jr., of Silver Springs, Maryland.

  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mable Felkner, March 19, 1964.

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

Richard Felkner-Ruth Ann Houser-Charles Dickerson

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 4, Block 19, Lot 10

Richard Lee Felkner, 1937-1966

Centerville Iowegian – 13 July 1966

-------------------------------

Felkner Heart Victim, Was 28

  Corydon – Richard Lee Felkner of Corydon, Iowa, former resident of this county, passed away at 3:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, at the Wayne County Hospital at the age of 28 years 10 months and 4 days. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

  Born in Appanoose County, he was the son of Gail and Mabel Barton Felkner. He was married to Ruth Anne Houser in Jerome, Iowa, June 28, 1959.

  Richard was the Laboratory Technician at the Wayne County Hospital, a member of the Methodist Church and president of the Corydon Junior Chamber of Commerce.

  Besides his widow, he is survived by three small children, Robin, Kelley and Randy, all at home; his father, Gail Felkner, member of the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors; a sister, Mrs. O. W. Cary, of Centerville; two brothers, Robert Felkner of East Moline, Ill., and Gail Felkner, Jr., of Silver Springs, Maryland.

  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mable Felkner, March 19, 1964.

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

Richard Felkner-Ruth Ann Houser-Charles Dickerson

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 4, Block 19, Lot 10

Richard Lee Felkner, 1937-1966

Centerville Iowegian – 13 July 1966

-------------------------------

Felkner Heart Victim, Was 28

  Corydon – Richard Lee Felkner of Corydon, Iowa, former resident of this county, passed away at 3:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 13, at the Wayne County Hospital at the age of 28 years 10 months and 4 days. Death was attributed to a heart attack.

  Born in Appanoose County, he was the son of Gail and Mabel Barton Felkner. He was married to Ruth Anne Houser in Jerome, Iowa, June 28, 1959.

  Richard was the Laboratory Technician at the Wayne County Hospital, a member of the Methodist Church and president of the Corydon Junior Chamber of Commerce.

  Besides his widow, he is survived by three small children, Robin, Kelley and Randy, all at home; his father, Gail Felkner, member of the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors; a sister, Mrs. O. W. Cary, of Centerville; two brothers, Robert Felkner of East Moline, Ill., and Gail Felkner, Jr., of Silver Springs, Maryland.

  He was preceded in death by his mother, Mable Felkner, March 19, 1964.

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

Richard Felkner-Ruth Ann Houser-Charles Dickerson

Gravestone in the Jerome Cemetery

Row 4, Block 19, Lot 10

More on Gladstone Mine

Daily Iowegian - 22 August 2006

---------------------------

Letter to the Editor

To the editor:

  We always enjoy Bill Heusinkveld's grasp of regional history, and especially his series on the coal mines of Appanoose County. Perhaps we can add some interesting details to his column last week on the Gladstone Mine.

  As noted, this mine was on the John C. Felkner farm, later owned by James and Barney Felkner, now known as the Paul E. Felkner Farms. Many of these added details come from the stories Uncle Barney told. I also have an interview tape in which Barney tells of other interesting experiences in our county.

  The New Gladstone Coal Mine, as noted in Bill's article, had a 90-foot shaft. The ponies that pulled the coal to the top stayed in the mine all winter, during the mining season.  Paul and I were down in the mine twice, and I noted the old bathtub that held the water to water the ponies. When the mine closed for the summer, the ponies were brought up to spend the summer in the old Kingburhy barn. (This barn, now falling down, was put up by Paul's great-grandfather Kingsbury, using wooden pegs instead of nails. The Kingsbury farm has been a part of the Fedlkner farm since Barney and Jim's time.)

  One summer some visiting nieces wanted a pony to ride and Chesco Massa offered Ol' Bill for a week. Ol' Bill must have been the meanest mining pony in the world; after he bit the girls a few times, they were glad to return him to the barn.

  We do not feel quite sure where the original Marsdenville was, but Barney told how they got the mail. As a train went by, it was easy for the trainmen to throw off the sacks of incoming mail, outgoing mail was something else. Someone would stand by the tracks holding up the outgoing mail bag. The train slowed down going up the hill from Mystic to Jerome, so one of the trainmen used a long pole with a hook to capture the outgoing mail bag. We can't help but wonder what happened if he missed. I guess the mail would just have to go the next day.

  It was sometime during the depression, which were also some of the years of drought in the 30's. when food was scarce for the miners and their families. We have a newspaper article that tells how John C. Felkner made a deal with the storekeeper; he would give a beef for the miners to share if the storekeeper would donate flour for biscuits. So the miners' families ate well for a brief time, anyway.

  Another interesting fact about the New Gladstone Mine. For many years there was no automatic switch to turn on the air circulation system. The owners of the mine gave Jim Felkner free coal for his home, and in return Jim got up every morning at 3 a.m. to turn on the switch so the air would be safe in the mine when the miners came to work.  Jim and Barney got royalties from the coal mine until it closed in 1971 when the highway was reconstructed.

  More research needs to be done, but I believe that the village associated with the New Gladstone Mine might have been across the road from where our house is presently located. For years Jim Felkner complained about the sunflowers that had been planted around the village houses. All the houses were gone by then, but Pop spent many a Sunday chopping sunflowers out of the field where it had been.  It was a great year when the sunflowers were finally gone and they didn't have to watch for those large, destructive sunflowers that we so hard on the combine.

  Our daughters when children also spent a lot of time at that location looking for treasurers which they really found occasionally. Sometimes it was just broken pottery or dishes, but once they found a small glass dolland a couple of spoons.

  I'm sure someone, somewhere has many memories and stories about each of the mines and mining days. What a shame if these are all lost for our grandchildren!    We must record these while we can.

      Myrtle Felkner, Rural Centerville

BORN TO FLY --- Paul Felkner

By Myrtle Felkner

  No doubt about it, Paul Felkner was born to fly. As a little kid he sometimes played with his tractor under a tree in the yard, but more often he was begging his parents for balsa wood and glue, and usurping his Dad’s workshop in the basement to build model airplanes. Later on the teen-aged girls wondered why the second date with Paul was always an airplane ride. That was an airworthiness test, ladies. (I won.)

   Paul’s dad and uncle, who farmed together, encouraged Paul to raise pigs. Every cent he earned went into a special account to buy an airplane when he was old enough for a license. At the age of 16 he began his flying lessons, but the army air corps interfered somewhat with the whole plan. He got his private license while a cadet in the corps but was married and had a baby daughter before that money was invested in his first plane, a small Luscombe. A temporary runway ran criss-cross through a hay field, with a small tin hangar at one end. Paul, Myrtle and baby Barbara flew countess hours in that little Luscombe. (Barbara never learned to fly, but she married a pilot, too.)

   Hard times in the fifties made new demands on the small family. Finally, Paul reluctantly sold the Luscombe in order to buy a few dairy cows, hoping for some steady income in addition to the egg money! As times got better and farming improved, Paul got a Stinson, a Taylorcraft, a Cessna 172, and eventually he and a couple friends went together to buy a twin-engine Apache. (The family had increased to three children; what’s a man to do?)

Paul Felkner in His Plane

   In the meantime, Paul had joined the Ottumwa Chapter 409 of the Experimental Aircraft Association, an international group of pilots with a passion for building their own airplanes. Here he made friendships that lasted his whole life and still influence the lives of his family. Months of pondering, a decision made, Paul bought the blueprints for an Acro 1 airplane, developed by Paul Poperezny. When Myrtle saw the blueprints, however, tension increased in the household: Where do I sit in this airplane? Paul immediately exchanged the blueprints for an Acro 2, which is a two-seated version with Myrtle’s seat plainly designated. With peace in the family again, Paul began to build. And build. And build. Nine and a half years later, Paul flew his craft off the new Felkner runway, flew the required 40 hours that the FFA requires before he can take a passenger, and then took off with another pilot and best friend for the International Convention of the EAA in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The year was 1992, just fifty years since Paul had graduated from high school and entered the air corps.

   Paul’s aircraft won the “Lindy” award that year in Oshkosh; in 1995 it won the Paul Poberezny Craftsmanship Award.  Reserve Grand Champion followed at aircraft events at Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Best in Class, Experimental Aircraft at Blakesburg, Iowa.

But the certificate Paul was proudest of was his Young Eagles Award for having given over one hundred youth their first ride in an airplane.

   Paul had begun to build a second airplane when he died in 2007. An honor guard of his buddies flew over the cemetery at his burial.

------------------------

  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of the above article and picture to The Jerome Journal by Mrytle Felkner of Centerville IA and Joan Felkner of Iowa City IA.

Arthur Barney Felkner, 1892-1990

  Arthur Barney Felkner was born on March 24, 1892, the second son of John and Mary Kingsberry Felkner.
  Barney was a man who lived life fully and abundantly. The grandson of an early settler in Johns Township, Barney knew hundreds of people in Appanoose County and liked them all. Even as a young man he was known for his good nature and generosity.
  Barnery never attended high school or college. He left the classroom in the little country school across the road at the end of fifth grade to help his father with the farming. Over the years he farmed first with his father and brothers, then in partnership with his brother Jim, and finally with Jim and nephew Paul. He loved the Century Farm which was his home from birth to death, and found pleasure in the changing seasons, the growing crops, and the wild life around him. Once Barney trained a team of four baby crows, which came at Barney's whistle to perch on his shoulder or on a stepladder on the lawn.
  As a young man Barney began to call square dances and to act as auctioneer for the box suppers that were customary fund-raisers for the country schools and churches. At the age of 90 he still called the "do-si-do's" at the nursing home while his young friends danced to entertain the residents.
  During World Ware I Barney served with the 88th Heavy Artillary in southern France; after the war he became an early member of the American Legion and retained those close ties throughout his life.
  In 1947 Barney married Nancy VanDeVenter at Atchison, Kansas. Nancy and Barney loved to dance or travel. Barney also bowled for many years, often bowling on two teams every week. At the age of 80 he bowled a 287, which stood as a record for the local bowling alley for many years.
  Barney also worked at the Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair for 47 years, serving as the superintendent for 25 of those years.
  During World War II Barney served on the Appanoose County Selective Service Board for 6 1/2 years, being chairman for four of those years. He received several citations from Presidents Roosevelt and Truman for this service.
  In 1972 Nancy Felkner suffered a stroke which kept her confined to a nursing home until her death in 1979. During those years Barney visited the home daily, keeping Nancy company and "helping out the old folks," in his own words. He organized square dance parties and Hot Dog Days; wheeled residents when they needed a bit of help, and cheered up anyone who came along. Even after Nancy's death, Barney returned often to visit and serve his friends.
  Following eye surgery in 1985, Barney could no longer live alone, but even after his move to the Extended Care Center of the hospital, he continued bowling until he was 96 years old. He remained a cheerful friend until deteriorating health resulted in his death on September 6, 1990.
  Barney Felkner is survived by his loving nephew Paul who cared for him for many years, and by his niece, Margaret Jarnagin of Des Moines. Others who celebrate the long, happy and blessed life of Barney Felkner include Myrtle Felkner and Chester Jarnagin, Barbara and Steve Gardner, Joan Felkner, Bill and Natalie Felkner, Tom and Debbie Jarnagin, Ted and Rita Jarnagin, and his great-great nieces and nephews Dianne Clarke, Emily Felkner, Scott, Todd and Brad Jarnagin and Sheila Jarnagin. Remembering him fondly are also a host of friends and distant relatives who thank God for the life of this happy, active, thoughtful and generous friend. 

-------------------------------

  The Editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of the above obituary to The Jerome Journal by Myrtle Felkner of Centerville, Iowa. 

Robert Kingsbury, Jr.

The History of Appanoose County, Iowa

[Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1878, Page 580]

------------------------------------------

  Robert Kingsbury, Jr. farmer, Sec. 26; P.O. Centerville; born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 1823; son of Robert K. Sr., who was born in the same county in 1802, and died there in 1858. Robert was employed upon his father's farm until 24 years of age; in 1848, he came to this country, landing in New York June 13; went to Cleveland, Ohio, for one month; thence to Xenia, Ohio, where he engaged in railroading, firing on the Little Miami R.R.; aferward ran a stationary engine for a time; then as an engineer running a switch engine for three years, receiving $4.25 per day. On February 26, 1850, married Miss Sarah Mills, a native of his birthplace; she was born Jan. 1, 1828; with her mother came to this country in 1836; they remained in New York, where her mother died three months after landing; she came to Springfield, Ohio.  In February, 1864, Robert Kingsbury enlisted in Co. K, 184th Ohio V.I.; did guard duty at Fort Bridgeport and Chattanooga; mustered out at Camp Chase, Ohio, in September 1864. In September, 1866 they came to Iowa, having in 1853 purchased 180 acres of land where he now lives; owns 220 acres valued at $25 per acre. Have six children: W. D., born June 11, 1852; George, May 26, 1865; Mary, Jan. 7, 1858; Robert, Jr., Oct. 6, 1861; Jennie, Aug. 8, 1865; and Maggie, Aug. 8, 1868; lost two children-- Sallie, born in February 1854, died at Xenia, Ohio, in January, 1856; Martha, born Dec. 23, 1850, died Dec. 12, 1877.  Has held office as secretary of the School Board, member of A. F. & A. M., No. 133, of Bellair. Republican; members of the M. E. Church.

---------------------------------------------------------

  The Editor appreciates the contribution of the above biographical article to The Jerome Journal by Myrtle Felkner of Centerville, Iowa.  Her husband's grandmother was Mary Kingsbury, daughter of Robert Kingsbury Jr., who married John C. Felkner, as his second wife.  His first wife was Martha Kingsbury, Mary's sister, who died in childbirth. 

Felkner & Stone Generosity to Miners

Moulton Tribune - 9 February 1894

------------------------

  The miners of this place (better known as Gladstone) have been in a starving condition for the past week on account of not enough work to keep soul and body together, so yesterday Mr. John Felkner, a rich farmer living close to this place made a proposition to let the miners take their choice out of his pen of fattening steers if the merchant, C. E. Stone, would give them sacks of flour, which was agreed to.
  The steer was butchered and drawn in lots and the flour equally divided among thirty families, and the scene was a pitiful one indeed. Everything passed off in orderly manner, and the Messrs. Stone and Felkner have the everlasting gratitude of the community in their assistance in driving the wolf from the door of these people."

---------------------------------------

  The Editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of this article to The Jerome Journal by Myrtle Felkner of Centerville, Iowa.  The John Felkner in the article was the grandfather of her husband, Paul Eugene Felkner.

Joe A. Beer, 1909-1996

Daily Iowegian - 13 June 1996

-----------------------

  Joe Ansel Beer, 86, of Centerville, died Monday, June 10, 1996, at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines.

  He was born June 13, 1909, in Jerome, the son of Edward and Cora (Long) Beer. 

  He married Reavis Montgomery in Centerville. She survives.

  Also surviving are a son, Jim Beer and his wife, Beverly, of Menlo Park, Calif.; a daughter, Judy Kauzlarich and her husband, Bob, of Centerville; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Lloyd Beer; and a sister, Hazel Felkner.

  He farmed near Jerome and moved to Centerville in 1972. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church where he served as Steward.

  Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14, at the Schmidt-Duley Funeral Home in Centerville with the Rev. Jim Gubser officiating. Burial will be in the Jerome Cemetery in Jerome. Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. today, Thursday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.

  A memorial has been established to the Jerome Cemetery Fund and may be left at the funeral home.

---------------------------------------

Gravestone of Joe A. Beer in Jerome Cemetery

Mabel Ruth Barton Felkner, 1896-1964

Daily Iowegian - 20 March 1964

-------------------------

Mrs. Felkner Rites Sunday

  Mrs. Mabel Ruth Felkner of Centerville Route 3 passed away Thursday, March 19, at 5:10 p.m. in the University Hospital in Iowa City, where she had been a patient for 50 days. At the time of her death she was 67 years, 7 months and 17 days of age.

  Born August 2, 1896, in Appanoose County, Iowa, she was the daughter of Joseph and Viola Butler Barton. She was married April 19, 1917, in Albia, Iowa, to Gail W. Felkner who survives.

  She was a member of the Jerome Methodist Church, past president of W.S.C.S., B.P.W. Club, Farm Bureau Women's Club, Republican Women's Club, and the M.O.A.S. Club.

  Surviving are her husband, four children, Robert Dale Felkner of East Moline, Ill., Gail W. Felkner Jr. of Kansas City, Mo., Betty Gene Cary of Centerville, and Richard Lee Felkner of Corydon, Iowa; ten grandchildren, two sisters, Miss Bernice Barton of Ventura, Calif., Mrs. Mary Mickey of Seymour, and two brothers, Harlan Barton of Stering, Colo., and Bill Barton of Chicago, Ill. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and a son, Winifred, in infancy.

  Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m. from the Centerville Methodist Church with Rev. George McMullen officiating. Burial will be in the Jerome Cemetery. Friends may call at the Johnson Funeral Home until Sunday noon. 

Gail W. Felkner, 1896-1980

Daily Iowegian - 3 December 1980

-------------------------

  Gail W. Felkner, 84, of 827 South 12th Street, Centerville, died Tuesday, December 2, 1980, in St. Joseph Hospital, Centerville.

  Born October 11, 1896, in Appanoose County, he was the son of Gillman and Martha Wyatt Felkner. He was married to Mabel Ruth Barton in Albia April 19, 1916, and she preceded him in death March 19, 1964. He was married to Cecyle Katherine Warnick in Lancaster, Mo., October 12, 1966, and she preceded him in death December 12, 1969.

  He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, a retired farmer, and had served on the Appanoose County Board of Supervisors from January, 1963, until February, 1969.

  Survivors include three children, Robert Dale Felkner, East Moline, Ill.; Gail W. Felkner, Jr., St. Louis, Mo.; and Betty Cary, Knoxville; ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two brothers, Donald Felkner of rural Centerville and Wayne Felkner of California.

  In addition to his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, two sons, Richard and Winfred, and one sister.

  Services will be Thursday, December 4, at 1:30 p.m., at Johnson Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Schweizer officiating. Burial will be in Jerome Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

----------------------------

Census and Other Records

--Register of Marriage Licenses Issued in Schuyler County, Missouri, October 1966.  [Ancestry.com. Missouri Marriage Records, 1805-2002 (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]

--1925 Iowa State Census

--1930 U.S. Federal Census, Place: Bellair, Appanoose, Iowa; Roll: 641; Page: 11B; Enumeration District: 3; Image: 73.0.  [Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census (database on-line), Provo, UT, USA]

Charles Lyle "Pete" Dickerson, 1927-2003

  Charles (Pete) Dickerson, age 76, of Centerville, died Wednesday, November 19, 2003 at Mercy Medical Center, Centerville.

  He was born April 8, 1927 at Haven, KS, the son of Aaron and Blanche Dickerson. He graduated from Haven High School in 1945, then served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he received his BA in Political Science from Pittsburg College, Pittsburg, KS, he then taught at a Junior High in Wichita, KS. He received his MA of Fine Arts in History from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa. He married Ruth Ann Houser Felkner December 22, 1967, and she survives. He taught for over 30 years teaching at Muscatine Community College and then Indian Hills Community College retiring in 1990. He loved reading, music and showing his horses. He was an active Democrat and a member of the First Methodist Church, Centerville.

  He is survived by his wife Ruth Ann of Centerville, three children, Robin Salsberry of Windsor Heights, Iowa, Kelly Greenlee and her husband David of Raleigh, NC, and Randy Felkner of San Francisco, CA; three grandchildren, Allyson Greenlee, Landon Salsberry, Reid Greenlee; two brothers, Dale and Manard Dickerson of California, three sisters, Lila Stelter and Charlene Heim both of Haven, KS, and Sharon Perry of Witchita, KS.

  Preceded in death by two brothers, Ken and Aaron, and his parents.

  Funeral services will be held 10 AM Saturday, November 22, 2003 at the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Laura Riley officiating. Friends may call all day Friday with the family present from 6-8 PM at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, Centerville. Burial will be in the Jerome Cemetery, west of Centerville. A memorial has been established to Drake Public Library and may be left or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, P.O. Box 6, Centerville, Iowa 52544.

Betty Jean Felkner Cary, 1926-2005

The Ottumwa Courier - 4 May 2005
-----------------------------

  Betty J. Cary, 78, of Omaha, Neb., died May 1, 2005. The body has been cremated. Private burial will be 10 a.m. Saturday at Jerome Cemetery.

  Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Thomas-Lange Funeral Home, Centerville.
  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Mosaic (provides housing and day services for those with developmental disabilities) and may be left or mailed to the funeral home; PO Box 6; Centerville, Iowa 52544.

-----------------------------------

Social Security Death Index

  The SSDI gives her birth date as 3 September 1926, her death date as 1 May 2005, and her last residence as Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska 68137.  Her SSN was issued in Iowa before 1951.

Paul Eugene Felkner, 1925-2007

The Daily Iowegian - 24 October 2007

---------------------------------------

  Paul Eugene Felkner, age 82, of Centerville died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 at his home west of Centerville.  He was born the son of James and Hazel (Beer) Felkner on July 16, 1925 near Centerville. He graduated from the Centerville Community Schools in 1942 and later would attend Shawnee Baptist Bible College where he was a student pilot.  On Aug. 19, 1945, Paul was united in marriage to Myrtle E. Koefoed at the Janesville United Methodist Church in Janesville. He would serve his country during WWII with the Army Air Corp from Feb. 23, 1944 until his honorable discharge on Nov. 14, 1945. Paul was baptized in the Jerome Methodist Church. He was a member of Faith United Methodist Church of Centerville at his death. Paul sang in the church choir for 44 years, seldom missing a Wed nesday night practice or a Sunday morning worship service. He also enjoyed singing with the Barbershop Chorus for several years.
  Flying and building experimental airplanes was Paul’s passion. He was a member of the Ottumwa Chapter 409 of the Experimental Aircraft Assoc iation (EAA) for many years, serving as its president for several of those years. He built an Acro Sport airplane, in which he flew over 400 hours with wife Myrtle, family and friends. He was awarded the Lindbergh Award on the Acro Sport at the International Convention of the Experimental Aircraft Association at Oshkosh, Wis., in 1992 and was also awarded the Paul Pober ezny Designer’s Award for Outstanding Craftsmanship in 1995. He won awards on this aircraft at numerous aircraft events around the United States.
  One of the fondest awards for Paul was the one that recognized his activity with the Young Eagles program of the EAA. Paul flew over 100 hours with Young Eagles, introducing scores of young people to their first flying experience. He loved taking the members of Myrtle’s Sunday School classes on their first airplane rides. Dozens of other young people learned to water ski or roller skate under Paul’s patient tutorship.
  Paul loved bowling, playing on a team for many years. He was also a conscientious member of his community, serving as president of his rural school board during its last years, serving as member and president of the Lay Advisory Board of the local hospital for several years, and giving high priority to service on the Missions Committee of his church.
  Stewardship of the land occupied many of Paul’s energies as a farmer. He and his father and uncle built nine ponds on their farm west of Centerville, plus untold miles of terraces and other soil-saving structures. He was one of the early practitioners of minimum-and-no-till farming. He preserved timbered acres in the forest preserve program, seeking to leave the Felkner land to his children in the best possible condition.
  Paul Felkner was known to his family and his community as a man of absolute honesty, integrity, and generosity. He leaves a host of friends and constituents to mourn his passing.
  He was preceded in death by his parents, and a great grandson, Dominique Ennis.
  Paul is survived by his wife, Myrtle Felkner of Centerville; son, William Edward Felkner and his wife, Natalie of Centerville; daughters, Barbara Dianne Gardner and her husband, Stephen of Ottumwa and Joan Virginia Felkner of Iowa City; grandchildren, Emily and Kyle Felkner of Centerville, Dianne Ennis and her husband, Rick of Ames and Stephanie Edwards and her husband, Don of Kansas City, Kan.; great- grandchildren, Dakota, Chance, Destany, Zachary and Miles Ennis all of Ames, Chelsea and Andrew Edwards of Texas; one sister, Margaret Tasler of West Des Moines.
  Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 10 a.m. at the Faith United Methodist Church in Centerville with Rev. Gene Kubli and Rev. William Ballard officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Felkner Cemetery west of Center ville.
  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, Oct, 24, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville, then moved to the Faith United Methodist Church for a family visitation from 6 to 8 p.m.
  Memorials can be made to the Felkner Cemetery or to the Faith United Methodist Church's Sunday School Rooms and can be left at the funeral home. The Schmidt Family Funeral Home of Centerville is caring for the Felkner family at this time and condolences can be sent at:`Schmidtfamilyfuneralhome.com