Donna Maxine Cooper Rupalo, 1926-2012

From http://www.tributes.com

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  Donna M. Rupalo, daughter of Leo C. and Lennie M. (Hamm) Cooper was born November 12, 1926 in Mystic, Iowa. She passed peacefully from this life at the Mercy Medical Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa on January 13, 2012 at the age of 85.
  Donna graduated from Mystic High School in May of 1943 at the age of 16. She moved to Des Moines, where she lived in the Highland Park area, working for a local clothing store. She then attended Centerville Jr. College earning her teaching certificate, and later taught at the Swan rural country school. She became engaged to her only love, Walter Rupalo on January 16, 1947 later being married on May 22, 1947 at the Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa.
  They made their home in Rock Island, Illinois, until February of 1952 when they bought their present farm on the south edge of Seymour. To this union three children were born; Duane, Beverly and Marilyn. Donna was a member of the Seymour Christian Church where she served as Secretary of the Board more than 25 years. During most of that time she was responsible for organizing dozens of courtesy meals for grieving church friends. As her eyesight and health failed the last few years, she missed the ability of attending church services and activities.
  Donna loved her family and spent most of her time seeing to their needs and planning for family gatherings. She particularly loved to host large family Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas Eve soup suppers. She took after her father believing there was no such thing as a small garden. She canned and froze vegetables so there would be plenty during the winter months. Donna was known as a wonderful cook and would take special orders for pie as she prepared for the many bake sales for the church. She also loved flowers and had a large variety growing in special spots around her yard.
  She took special enjoyment from her grandchildren and took pride in all their accomplishments. Whether it was a ballgame, school test, or job interview, she was always concerned regarding how they did and praised them. When she knew the grandchildren were coming she made sure to cook their favorites.
  Preceding Donna in death were her husband of almost 54 years, Walter Rupalo; her parents; her brothers, Charles Stanley Cooper, Dr. A. W.(Bill) Cooper, Dr R. E. (Dick) Cooper and Dr. Gary V. Cooper; her sister, Carol M. Cooper; a brother-in-law, Wayne Larson and a nephew, Bruce Cooper.
Survivors include son, Duane and his wife Sarah of Seymour, daughter Beverly and her husband Jerry Walsh of Bondurant Iowa and daughter, Marilyn and her husband Jeff Walsh of Pleasant Hill, Iowa, her grandchildren, Kelly and Deena Rupalo and Tyler, Shelby, Jay and Allison Walsh; brother, LeRoy and Joyce Cooper of Glen Carbon, Illinois; sisters Betty Larson of Des Moines and JoAnn and Jim Costello of Burlington, Iowa; sisters-in-law, Barbara Cooper of Seymour and Sharon Cooper of Centerville plus a host of nieces and nephews and many friends.

Kenneth E. Owen, 1918-2001

Ad-Express/Iowegian - 26 January 2001

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  Kenneth E. Owen, 82, of Jerome died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, at his home.

  He was born Sept. 1, 1918 in Jerome the son of Samual and Vera (Sedgwick) Owen.

  He married Frances Hamm Oct. 7, 1937, in Cincinnati. She preceded him in death.

  Survivors include a daughter, Diana Glenn and her husband, John, of Jerome; a son Keith Owen and his wife, Sharon, of Centerville; a sister, Dorothy Owen of Centerville; and four grandchildren.

  He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Tommy, Hobard, Richard and Donald.

  He attended Jerome Elementary School, Centerville High School and Centerville Junior College He and his wife farmed for many years in Jerome. e was an Iowa  state representative for three terms, was Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and a field man for ASCS. He was instrumental in creating the Rathbun Regional Water Association of Centerville where he served as executive director for 20 years. He was selected Iowa Rural Water Manager of the Year, elected into the Iowa Rural Water Hall of Fame and served on the Iowa Rural Water Board of Directors. He was also Iowa Master Pork Producer, Iowa Master Corn Grower and named the Daily Iowegian's Citizen of the Year

  Funeral services were private, for family only, on Friday with the Rev. Terry Chapman officiating. A reception will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at his home west of Jerome. Arrangements are being handled by the Johnson-Lange Funeral Home.
  A memorial has been established to the Jerome Cemetery Association.

Artie Alfred Barrell, 1906-1997

Daily Iowegian - 16 December 1997

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  Artie Alfred Barrell, 91, of Centerville died Monday, Dec. 15, 1997, at the Davis County Hospital in Bloomfield.

  He was born March 31, 1906, in Seymour, the son of Perry and Lissie (Elder) Barrell.

  He married Ethel Hamm in 1929. She preceded him in death in 1981. He married Evelyn Kerby in 1983. She preceded him in death in 1996.

  Survivors include two daughters, Marilyn Radermacher of Burnsville, Minn., and Connie Peterson of Rogers, Ark.; two brothers, Robert Barrell of Seymour and Leland Barrell of Burlingame, Calif.

  Also preceding him in death are a brother; four sisters; and a grandchild.

  He was a member of the Dale Church, the Miners Union and was a past member of the Elks Club. He was once co-owner of the Mystic Coal Mine.

Frances Hamm Owen, 1919-1998

Daily Iowegian - 18 May 1998

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  Frances Owen, 78, of Centerville died Sunday, May 17, 1998, at the Wayne County Hospital in Corydon.

  She was born Aug. 9, 1919, in Mystic, the daughter of Carl and Dessie (Shaeffer) Hamm.

  She married Kenneth Owen Oct. 7, 1937, in Cincinnati. He survives.

  Also surviving are a son, Keith Owen and his wife, Sharon; a daughter, Diana Glenn and her husband, John, of Centerville; a brother, Carl Hamm of Jerome; three sisters, Margaret Jones and her husband, George, and Phyllis Disney and her husband, LaVerne, all of Jerome, and Dorothy Moore of East Moline, Ill.; and four grandchildren.

  She was preceded in death by her parents.

  She was a homemaker and managed the Jerome Trading Post. She had been a 4-H leader and a member of the Extension council. She was a member of the Gospel Church of Jerome.

  Private graveside services will be held. The family will receie friends at the family home west of Jerome from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

  A memorial has been established to the Jerome Cemetery and contributions may be left at the Lange Funeral Home, who is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy M. Hamm Moore, 1923-1999

Quad-Cities Online - 14 August 1999

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  Graveside services for Dorothy M. Moore, 75, of East Moline, will be 10 a.m. Monday at Greenview Memorial Gardens, East Moline.

  Mrs. Moore died Friday, Aug. 13, 1999, at Illini Hospital, Silvis. Memorials may be made to the family.

  Mrs. Moore was born Oct. 24, 1923, in West Virginia, the daughter of Carl and Daissey Belle (Shaeffer) Hamm. She married William "Kenny" Moore June 22, 1940, in Centerville, Iowa. He died Sept. 5, 1990.

  She enjoyed crocheting, playing the organ, playing bingo and going to craft shows and garage sales; but, most of all, she enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

  Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, Stan and Marianne Moore of East Moline and Gary and Vickie Moore of Moline; grandchldren, Bobbie Dobbs of East Moline, Stan Moore Jr. of Wisconsin, Toni and Colby Moore of Moline, and James Moore of New Windsor; great-grandchildren, Alan Dobbs of East Moline and Kyle and Rachel Moore of Wisconsin; sisters, Margaret Jones and Phylis Disney of Jerome, Iowa; a brother, Carl Hamm of Jerome; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Moore, her husband, Kenny, and a sister, Francis Owen.

Belle Shaeffer Hamm, 1897-1988

Daily Iowegian - February 1988

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  Belle Hamm, 90, a resident of Golden Age Care Center, died Thursday, Feb. 18, at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital.

  She was born June 8, 1897 in Worthington, Mo., to Noah and Margaret Witworth Shaeffer. She married Carl Hamm on September 1918 in Mystic and he preceded her in death in 1973.

  She spent most of her life in the Centerville area. She was a member of Gospel Chapel in Jerome.

  Survivors include five children, Frances Owen, Jerome, Margaret Jones, Centerville, Dorothy Moore, East Moline, Ill., Carl Hamm, Centerville, and Phyllis Disney, Centerville; eight grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, a brother, Milo, a sister, Bessie, and one grandchild.

  Funeral services were held Saturday at Johnson-Lange Funeral Home with John Lewis officiating. Burial will be at Jerome Cemetery.  A memorial was established to the Jerome Cemetery Association or Gideons.

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Hamm Family Gravestone in Jerome Cemetery

Margaret M. Hamm Jones, 1921-2001

Moravia Union - 3 October 2001

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  Margaret M. (Hamm) Jones, of Jerome, Iowa, went home to be with the lord on Saturday, September 29 from the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

  She was born on April 29, 1921 in Clinton, Indiana to Carl and Belle Hamm and married George Jones on June 20, 1942 at Unionville, Missouri.

  As a little girl, Margaret lived in West Virginia where her father was a coal miner. She graduated from Numa High School and played basketball when Numa finished second in the state tournament. During WWII she worked at Case in Bettendorf and the Rock Island Arsenal. She met with the Christians at the Gospel Chapel in Centerville.

  She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Frances Owen of Jerome and Dorothy Moore of East Moline.

  She is survived by: a sister, Phyllis Disney and LaVerne of Jerome and a brother, Carl Hamm of Jerome. Also surviving are: her husband George, her son George M. Jones and Diane of Tustin, California, her daughter Barbara A. Frewing and Terry of Jerome; and her four grandsons: Jeff Jones of West Hollywood, California, Chris Jones and Rhoda of Houston, Texas, John Frewing of Dallas, Texas, and Tim Frewing of Jerome.

  Private gravesite services were (sic) be held at the Jerome Cemetery with Tim and John Frewing officiating.

  A memorial has been established with the Gideon's Bible Society and the Jerome Cemetery and can be left at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home.

Carl Hamm, 1896-1973

  JEROME -- Carl Hamm passed away at his home Monday evening after having trouble with an injured leg for the past few weeks. Private funeral service was held at the Miller-Wehrle Funeral home in Centerville Wednesday afternoon. Burial was in Jerome Cemetery.

  Hamm was 76 and had lived in Jerome 42 years. His survivors are his wife, Belle; four daughters, Mrs. Kenneth (Frances) Owen of rural Centerville, Mrs. George (Margaret) Jones of Bettendorf, Mrs. Kenneth (Dorothy) Moore of East Moline, Ill., and Mrs. Laverne (Phyllis) Disney of Phoenix, Ariz.; one son, Carl Jr. of Phoenix, nine grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He also leaves three sisters and two brothers. 

Gravestone of Carl E. and Belle Hamm

in the Jerome Cemetery

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  Transcribed from an unidentified 1973 newspaper obituary.

John Edward & Diana Owen Glenn

  John Edward Glenn was born to Roy Eugene Glenn and Elizabeth King Glenn December 5, 1951 in Centerville, Iowa. An older sister, Mary Ann, and his mother were killed July 7, 1953 in a train-automobile crash west of Jerome. On November 21, 1954 John gained a loving and caring step-mother when his father married Patricia Joann Jones (their history appears elsewhere). To this union, tow sons, Timothy and Danny, and two daughters, Kimberly and Cheryl, were born. John and his brothers and sisters grew up on a farm northwest of Plano in Johns Township.

  John attended elementary school at Promise City, Iowa and junior and senior high school at Seymour Community School. While in school, he was active in various activities including band, sports and 4-H. After graduating in 1970, he attended Indian Hills Community College and Northeast Missouri State College where he graduated in 1974 with a B.S. degree in law enforcement. Here he was a member of the Sig Tau Gamma fraternity and Blue Key Organization.

  After graduation from NMSU, he began working for the Rathbun Regional Water Association where he is presently the Distribution Superintendent there.

  On August 26, 1978 John was married to Diana Lynn Owen in an outdoor wedding ceremony at her parents' home 1/4 mile west of Jerome.

  Diana Lynn Owen was born December 21, 1950 in Centerville to Kenneth Ervin Owen and Frances Hamm Owen (their history appears elsewhere). She joined an older brother, Keith Ernest Owen, who was born August 28, 1943. Diana grew up on the same farm her father was raised. She went to Jerome Public School until it closed in 1959. Then she went to Promise City School and attended junior and senior high school at Seymour Community Schools. While in school, Diana was active in several extra-curricular activities including band, vocal music and the National Honor Society. After graduation in 1969, she attended the University of Northern Iowa majoring in Home Economics and Business. After completing school in 1973, she began work at Norris Motors in Centerville where she remained until 1980.

  John and Diana are presently living in a home they built in 1979 located on land given to them by her parents. It is part of the first 80 acres purchased by her parents in 1938. The home is partially surrounded by pine trees planted by Kenneth Owen in the late 1950s. They are raising two children, a daughter, Whitney Elizabeth, born August 23, 1982, and a son, John Roy born November 2, 1983. Besides working at RRWA, John is engaged in farming and a cow-calf operation. 

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  Text transcribed with permission from the Appanoose County Historical Society from Appanoose County Iowa, written by the people of Appanoose County, compiled in 1984-1985 by the Appanoose County Historical Society, and printed by Taylor Publishing Co., Dallis, Texas (1986).

Kenneth Ervin Owen, 1918-2001

Daily Iowegian - 26 January 2001

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  Kenneth E. Owen, 82, of Jerome died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, at his home.

  He was born Sept. 1, 1918 in Jerome, the son of Samuel and Vera (Sedgwick) Owen.

  He married Frances Hamm Oct. 7, 1937, in Cincinnati.  She preceded him in death. Survivors include a daughter, Diana Glenn and her husband, John, of Jerome; a son, Keith Owen and his wife, Sharon, of Centerville; a sister, Dorothy Owen of Centerville; and four grandchildren.

  He was also preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Tommy, Hobart, Richard and Donald.

  He attended Jerome Elementary School, Centerville High School and Centerville Junior College. He and his wife farmed for many years in Jerome. He was an Iowa state representative for three terms, was Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and a fieldman for ASCS. He was instrumental in creating the Rathbun Regional Water Association of Centerville where he served as executive director for 20 years. He was selected Iowa Rural Water Manager of the Year, elected into the Iowa Rural Water Hall of Fame and served on the Iowa Rural Water Board of Directors. He was also Iowa Master Pork Producer, Iowa Master Corn Grower and named the Daily Iowegian's Citizen of the Year.

  Funeral services will be private, for family only, on Friday with the Rev. Terry Chapman officiating. A reception will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at his home west of Jerome. Arrangements are being handled by the Johnson-Lange Funeral Home.

  A memorial has been established to the Jerome Cemetery Association.

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Ottumwa Courier - 25 January 2001

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  JEROME - Kenneth E. Owen, 82, of Jerome died Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2001, at his home.

  He was born Sept. 1, 1918, to Samuel J. and Vera C. Sedgwick Owen in Jerome. He married Frances Hamm on Oct. 7, 1937, in Cincinnati. She preceded him in death.

  He and his wife farmed for many years in Jerome. He was a state representative for three terms, secretary of agriculture, a fieldman for the ASCS and was instrumental in the creation of the Rathbun Regional Water Association of Centerville, where he served as executive director. He was Rural Water Manager of the year, elected into the Rural Water Hall of Fame, served on the Rural Water Board of Directors and was Iowa Master Pork Producer, Iowa Master Corn Grower and Citizen of the year.

  He is survived by a son, Keith Owen of Centerville, a daughter, Diana Glenn of Jerome; four grandchildren; and a sister, Dorothy Owen of Centerville.

  He was preceded in death by four brothers, Tommy, Hobart, Richard and Donald.

  Private services will be Friday, the Rev. Terry Chapman officiating.  A reception will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at the home.

  Memorials may be made to Jerome Cemetery Association.

  Johnson-Lange Funeral Home in Centerville is in charge of arrangements.

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  The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution by Gary Craver of Centerville, Iowa, to The Jerome Journal of the above obituaries.

Kenneth Ervin and Frances Hamm Owen

  On September 1, 1918 Kenneth Ervin Owen was born to Samuel J. Owen and Vera Edna Sedgwick Owen on a farm 1/4 mile west of Jerome in Lincoln Township. It was on this farm he and his brothers and sister, Thomas, Hobart, Richard, Donald, and Dorothy, were raised. Kenneth attended school in Jerome and completed his last two years of high school in Centerville in 1935. He attended Centerville Junior College after high school.It was while he attended Jerome school he met his future wife, Frances Jeanette Hamm.

  Frances Jeanette Hamm was born in Mystic, Iowa August 9, 1919, the oldest child of Carl Earnest Hamm and Dessie Belle Shaeffer Hamm. She has three sisters, Margaret, Dorothy, Phyllis and a brother, Carl. Carl Hamm was a coal miner and the family lived in several mining communities in West Virginia, Indiana, and Iowa while the children were growing up. In 1931 the family moved to Jerome where she has lived since then.

  On October 7, 1937 Kenneth Owen and Frances Hamm were married in Cincinnati, Iowa by Sanford Buck. Their attendants were Jessie Fox and Willis Warren. They lived with Kenneth's parents where he farmed with his father until they bought their first farm west of Jerome. The house on this farm was originally a log cabin with only a fireplace for cooking and heating. After the death of Samuel in 1940 they moved back to the family farm with Vera and Kenneth's youngest brother, Donald. On August 28, 1943 their first child was born, Keith Earnest.  A daughter, Diana Lynn, was born December 21, 1950. This farm has been their home since then.

  Besides farming, Kenneth served from 1955-1961 in the 56th, 57th and 58th General Assemblies of the Iowa State Legislature. He served as Iowa Secretary of Agriculture from 1964 to 1966. He has been a member of the Jerome School Board, a Lincoln Township clerk, and chairman of the Appanoose County Democratic Party.  In 1953 he was named a Master Swine Producer.  In December of 1968, he became active in the development of a rural water system for this area.  In 1973 Rathbun Regional Water was established and he was named executive director, a position he holds today.

  Besides raising two children and being an active farm wife, Frances has been an assistant 4-H leader and a member of the Appanoose County Extension Council. Her love of antiques helped her establish the Jerome Trading Post, and antique store, in the old Jerome School house.

  Kenneth and Frances are presently living in the same house they've lived in since 1940. They are loving grandparents to four grandchildren, Sonja Lynn Owen, Mark Stephen Owen, Whitney Elizabeth Glenn and John Roy Glenn, all who live in Appanoose County.

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  Text transcribed with permission from the Appanoose County Historical Society from Appanoose County Iowa, written by the people of Appanoose County, compiled in 1984-1985 by the Appanoose County Historical Society, and printed by Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas (1986).  

Children of Sam & Vera Owen

  Written by Dorothy Owen, the historian and keeper of memories of the Samuel J. and Vera Owen family and the first and only daughter in the family of six children: Dorothy, Thomas, Hobart, Richard and Kenneth.

  These children were second generation descendants of the early settlers of this county.  Whatever their destinies as such might have been they were greatly modified by unforeseen events.  They came to maturity in the midst of the Great Depression; which was soon followed by World War II; which was followed by a developing economy which seemed to go crazy with inflation and exploitation.  Here is a brief summary of what happened to these "Sons (and a daughter) of the Pioneers."

  Dorothy L. taught in Centerville Schools for 8 years, and at Iowa Wesleyan College, 4 years; served in WAVES, of the Navy; "for the duration" (World War II); and has been Librarian at Drake Public Library, Centerville, the past 28 years.

  Thomas S. chose a career in Agriculture, specializing in Animal Husbandry and Nutrition. He also served in the Navy -- as navigator on a "flag plane" -- attaining the rank of Lt. Commander. Late in life he married Ethel Allen Villon.

  Hobart S. became an industrail engineer (one of their first ones) with a subsidiary of U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana. He married Kathryn Frogge and they have 5 children: Stanley, Judy, Linda, Thomas, and Pam.

  Richard E. enlisted in the Naval Air Force, and was plane Captain of a PBM (patrol bomber) "for the duration" (World War II). He married Carolyn Cook and they have 3 children: Samuel J., Kenneth C., and Jean. Living in Glenwood, Ia. he became a Real Estate Agent, a Contractor, and now a Restaurateur.

  Kenneth E. married Frances Hamm.  They have 2 children: Keith and Diana.  After the death of his father (Samuel J.) he became operator, and later owner, of the "home farm." He has also followed his father in community and public interests -- serving 3 terms in the State House of Representatives (1955-60), and one term as State Secretary of Agriculture (1965-66).  Since then he was been prime promoter and finally first Executive Director of the Rathbun Regional Water Association.

  Donald R. was also in the Navy "for the duration" (WWII); he became an electronics engineer; married Marilyn Murphy; they have 2 children: Paula Gale and Kelly. After some years in electronics with Magnavox, Spartan, and RCA he spent 18 years with Communications Satellite Corporation in various executive positions -- traveling over 2,000,000 miles to bring satellite communications to developing countries. They live in Fairfax, Virginia.

  All are still living, except Thomas S., who died in 1972. Dorothy L. and Kenneth E. are the only ones remaining in this county.  Kenneth has four grandchildren to carry on the line.

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  Text transcribed with permission from the Appanoose County Historical Society from Appanoose County Iowa, written by the people of Appanoose County, compiled in 1984-1985 by the Appanoose County Historical Society, and printed by Taylor Publishing Co., Dallas, Texas (1986).