James Elmer Condra, 1877-1969

Daily Iowegian - 27 November 1969

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Elmer Condra, 92, Succumbs

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  CENTERVILLE -- James Elmer Condra, 92, retired farmer and lifelong resident of Numa, passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Louise Hunt, 1219 Drake Avenue, Centerville, Tuesday, Nov. 25, 1969, at 1:15 p.m.

  He had been in ill health for the past three months.

  Born Sept. 22, 1877, at Numa, he was the son of Frank and Francis Arbogast Condra. On Sept. 22, 1906, he was united in marriage with Ettie Sidles at the Methodist Church in Jerome, and she preceded him in death.

  Mr. Condra was a member of the Methodist Church and for the past four years he had made his home with his daughter.

  Besides his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, William Condra, and a sister, Mary Condra Adamson.

  Survivors include a son, Merrill Condra of Numa, a daughter, Mrs. Louise Hunt of Centerville, a grandson, James Condra of Springfield, Ill., a granddaughter, Mrs. Mary Louise Mathews of Eddyville, Ia., and a great-grandson, Jeffrey Condra.

  Home is in charge of arangements. Funeral services will be held Friday at 1:30 p.m. from Jerome Methodist Church, Rev. Kermit Gladfelder, pastor of the church, will officiate and burial will be in Jerome cemetery.

  The family will be at the Funeral Home Thursday evening from 7 to 8 p.m. 

Mary Louise Hunt & Rick R. Mathews Wed

Mathews-Hunt Vows

Were Solemnized Sunday, June 15, 1969

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The wedding of Miss Mary Louise Hunt and Rick R. Mathews took place Sunday afternoon, June 15, 1969, at two o'clock at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville.

The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Louise Hunt of Centerville and the late Richard Hunt. The groom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Friel Mathews of Cincinnati, Ia.

Mrs. Rick R. Mathews

The double-ring ceremony was performed by the Rev. Cecil Latta, pastor of the church. Linda McAnelly played traditional wedding music and provided organ accompaniment as Mrs. Phil Tisue sang "Because," "The Wedding Prayer" and "Oh, Perfect Love."

White satin bows trimmed the sanctuary pews and the church alter held arrangements of white gladioli and lighted tapers in twin candelabra.

Given in marriage by her uncle, Major Ronald Hunt of George Air Force Base, Victorville, Calif., the bride was attired in a floor-length imported Venice lace and linen gown with empire bodice and an applique wedding ring neck line. The bell sleeves featured appliques. The chapel-length train was trimmed in rose pattern lace edging. Her should-length veil was of silk illusion caught on a capulet of Venice lace.

She carried a cloud bouquet of stephanotis, white carnations, white daisies and baby's breath. She carried out the traditional something old by wearing her grandmother Condra's wedding ring and she also wore something blue and a six-pence in her shoe.

Mrs. Phil Tisue of Cedar Rapids, matron of honor, wore a pink linen A-line gown with scooped neckline and carried a springtime basket of pastel daisies, corn flowers, and delicate greens. Her headpiece was a pink linen bow with double net.

Miss Jean Gronert of Centerville, Mrs. Richard Floss of Newton, college friend of the bride, and Miss Susan Bryant of Phoenix, were the bride's attendants. Their gowns were styled after the matron of honor's and were in pastel colors of green, yellow and blue respectively, with matching headpieces of linen bows and double net. They carried springtime baskets of vari-colored daisies, corn flowers and delicate greens.

Renee Mathews, niece of the groom of St. Joseph, Mo., was flower girl. She worn a floor-length lavender linen gown and headpiece, styled after the attendants' gowns and carried a springtime basket of pastel daisies, corn flowers and feathery greens.

Ricky Hunt, cousin of the bride of Victorville, Calif., was ring bearer.

Candles were lighted by Randy Mathews, the groom's brother, and Danny Mehrhoff, Cincinnati, cousin of the groom.

Ron Mathews, brother of the groom of St. Joseph, Mo., was best man. Groomsmen were, Steve Ross, cousin of the groom, Maryville, Mo., Paul Mueller of Atlanta, Ga., David Willis, Dearfield, Ill., college friends of the groom.

The guests were seated by James Condra, cousin of the bride of Springfield, Ill., Keith Mathews, the groom's uncle of Unionville, Mo., Kenny Mehrhoff, cousin of the groom of Cincinnati, Ia., Phil Tisue, Cedar Rapids, Dwight Jones, Ames, and Neil Farnsworth, Cincinnati.

The mother of the bride wore a pink linen coat and dress ensemble with matching accessories. The groom's mother wore a turquoise suit with matching accessories. Both mothers wore white orchids. Grandmothers wore white carnation corsages.

Following the wedding a reception was held in the church parlors. The table was covered in pink satin cloth with silver appointments. A six-tier cake with ivy surrounding the base and topped with white wedding bells, centered the reception table.

Registering the 275 guests were Nancy Abbott of Centerville, and Suzanne Hambleton of Iowa City.

At the gift table were Mrs. Virgil Cassill of Drakesville, Miss Judy Bipes, Ames, college friends of the bride, and Miss Anita Lamantia of Centerville.

Hostesses for the reception were Mrs. Ronald Hunt of Victorville, Calif., Mrs. Merrill Condra, Numa, Mrs. Glenn Besse of Cincinnati, and Mrs. Kenneth Mehrhoff, Cincinnati. All were aunts of the bride and groom.

Mrs. James Condra of Springfield, Ill., poured coffee and Mrs. Ron Mathews of St. Joseph dipped punch.

For her going away costume the bride wore a pink and brown linen coat and dress ensemble with pink accessories and pink carnation corsage.

The bride is a graduate of Northeast Missouri State College in Kirksville, Mo.

The groom is a graduate of Drake University, Des Moines.

The couple will make their home in Eddyville, Ia., where both will be teaching in the Eddyville Community School system.

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The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of this clipping to The Jerome Journal by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.

Louise Condra Hunt, 1914-2000

Unidentified Newspaper Obituary

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Louise Condra Hunt, 86, of Centerville died Sunday, Oct. 15, 2000, at Mercy Medical Center Long Term Care Unit.

She was born June 25, 1914, in Numa, the daughter of James Elmer and Ettie (Sidles) Condra.

She married Dean Richard Hunt Nov. 17, 1945, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He preceded her in death in July 1949.

She is survived by her daughter, Mary Louise Mathews, and her husband, Rick, of Centerville; two grandchildren, Jonathan Mathews and his wife, Amanda, of Centerville, and Sarah Zintz and her husband, Mike, of Plano.

Also preceding her in death were her parents and a brother, Merrill Condra.

She was a 1933 graduate of Centerville High School, graduated from Centerville Junior College and received her elementary education degree from Drake University. She taught school for 40 years, retiring in 1979 from teaching 30 years in the Centerville School System. Following retirement, she worked at Johnson-Lange Funeral Home for 16 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Esther Circle, Order of Eastern Star, Past Matrons Club, Appanoose County Retired Teachers, Hospital Auxiliary and the Appanoose County Historical Society.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jim Gubser officiating. Burial will be held in the Unionville Cemetery in Unionville, Iowa. Visitation will be held at the Johnson-Lange Funeral Home all day today, Tuesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

A memorial has been established to the First United Methodist Church and the Centerville K-3 elementary school libraries and contributions may be left at the funeral home.

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The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution to The Jerome Journal of the above obituary by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.

Ettie M. Sidles & James Elmer Condra

  James Elmer Condra was born 22 September 1877 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, son of Frank Leander Condra (1847-1917) and Francis J. Arbojust (1848-1883), died November 1969 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery, Appanoose County, Iowa. He married 22 September 1908 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Jerome, Iowa, Ettie Melvina Sidles who was born 10 September 1878 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, daughter of John Alexander Sidles (1853-1914) and Elvira Bradley (1853-1932), died 18 December 1961 in Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery, Appanoose County, Iowa. To this union two children were born:

  [1] Merrill Condra was born 5 July 1909 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, died 23 February 1994 at the Seymour Care Center in Seymour, Wayne County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery, Appanoose County, Iowa. He married 4 December 1936 in Unionville, Missouri, Jeanette Morris, who was born 4 April 1916, died 25 December 1980, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery. To this union, one son was born: James Condra.

  [2] Louise Condra was born 25 June 1914 in Lincoln Township, Appanoose County, Iowa, died 15 October 2000 at Mercy Medical Center Long Term Care Unit, in Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Unionville Cemetery, Unionville, Appanoose County, Iowa. She married 17 November 1945 in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Dean Richard Hunt who died in July 1949. To this union one daughter was born: Mary Louise.

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From Unidentified Newspaper Clipping

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  One of the most brilliant affairs of the season was the reception given by Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Sidles at their residence, west of Jerome, Tuesday evening, Sept. 22, 1908, in honor of the marriage of their daughter, Etta M. to Mr. J. E. Condra. The marriage ceremony was preformed by her pastor, Rev. Bishop at the M. E. church at 5:30 o'clock in the presence of a number of little girls and boys they being members of her Sunday School class.

  After the ceremony the bride and groom drove to the home of her father where the reception was held later in the evening to a number of relatives and friends. A three course luncheon was served consisting of fruit salad, cake and sherbet, ice cream, cake and chocolate-bananas and grapes. The evening was spent with music and in a social way the guests departing at a late hour showering congratulations on the happy couple. Both the contracting parties are well known and highly respected in Jerome, she having been a teacher in the M. E. Sunday school for a number of years and superintendent of the same for the past two years. He has been Justice of the Peace in Lincoln township for the past two years. They left Wednesday noon for Kansas City and will take a trip through the west. They will be at home to their many friends in wishing them long life and abundant joy.

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The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of the above article to The Jerome Journal by Geraldine Rinker of Augusta, Georgia.

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The Seymour Herald - 28 December 1961
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Ettie Melvine Sidles Condra

  Mrs. J. E. Condra, 83, died Monday evening, Dec. 18, 1961, at the home of her daughter Mrs. Louise Hunt, 1219 Drake Ave., Centerville, where she had been bedfast since May.

  She was born Ettie Melvine Sidles, daughter of John A. and Elvira Bradley Sidles, at Exline Sept. 10, 1878. Since babyhood she lived with her parents on a farm one mile west of Jerome. She was a long time member of the Jerome Methodist church and served faithfully in the capacity of Sunday School teaching and in various offices of the church.

  She was married in the Jerome Methodist church Sept. 22, 1908, to James Elmer Condra, who survives. They lived on a farm west of Numa for 53 years.

  Besides her husband she is survived by a son, Merrill, of Numa and a daughter, Louise Hunt of Centerville, two grandchildren, Jim Condra of Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and Mary Louise Hunt of Centerville; three sisters, Susie R. Sidles of Jerome, Mrs. Orpha Deibert of Sac City and Mrs. Maurine Streepy of Centerville.

  She was preceded in death by one sister, Mrs. Effie Rinker, of Oto, who died Nov. 11, 1957, and by two brothers, Charley and Johnny, who died as children.

  Funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 20, 1961, at two o'clock from the Jerome Methodist church with the Rev. George McMullen officiating. Burial was in the Jerome cemetery.

  Two songs, "In the Garden" and "Jesus, Saviour, Pilot Me," were sung by Max Ellis of Centerville, accompanied by Mrs. Catherine Mallett, church organist.

  The pallbearers were Merle Loofburrow, Paul McElvain, Paul Ervin, Joe Beer, Paul Felkner and Barney Mallett, all members of Mrs. Condra's Sunday School class.

CARD OF THANKS

  We express our gratitude and thanks for the many deeds of kindness and help given us in the death of our wife and mother.

  J.E. Condra, Merrill Condra, Louise Hunt

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  Transcribed from Seymour Area Death Notices and Obituaries, Items #7-8 on FHL Film #1673236 and The Seymour Herald of 28 December 1961.

Harold H. "Ben" Risher, 1912-1996

Centerville Daily Iowegian - 17 July 1996

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Harold H. (Ben) Risher, 84, of Mystic died Tuesday, July 16, 1996, at St. Joseph's Mercy Hospital.

He was born Feb. 5, 1912, in Mystic, the son of Elmer and Cora (Hunt) Risher.

He married Marie Starcevich April 5, 1942, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Centerville. She preceded him in death Feb. 16, 1983.

Survivors include a daughter, Kathryn Huffman and her husband, John, of Centerville; a brother, Clarence of Mystic; a sister, Edna Long of Rockford, Ill.; two grandsons; and many nieces and nephews.

Also preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Melvin.

He was a World War II veteran and belonged to the American Legion. He worked in mine and on construction.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, July 19, at the Lange Funeral Home with the Rev. Joe Miller, C.PP.S officiating. A scripture service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday. Friends may call all day Thursday. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Mystic.

A memorial has been established and may be left at the funeral home.

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The editor sincerely appreciates the contribution of this obituary to The Jerome Journal by Marion Zemo of Centerville, Iowa.

Merrill Condra, 1909-1994

Ad-Express/Iowegian - 24 February 1994

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  Merrill Condra, 84, life-long resident of Numa died Feb. 23, 1994, at the Seymour Care Center.

  He was born July 5, 1909, in Numa, the son of Elmer and Ettie (Sidles) Condra.

  He married Jeanette Morris Dec. 4, 1936, in Unionville, Mo. She preceded him in death Dec. 25, 1980.

  Survivors include a son, James, and his wife, Anne, of Springfield, Ill.; a grandson; two great-grandchildren; a sister, Louise Hunt of Centerville; and a niece.

  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.

  He graduated from Numa High School and the Centerville Junior College. He then attended Iowa State College in Ames, completing an automotive course. He attended the Chillicothe School of Business in Chillicothe, Mo. He then opened the Condra Garage on the home place west of Numa. He remained in business there for more than 60 years. He was a member of the Jerome Methodist Church, the Appanoose County Historical Society, the Genealogy Association and the Iowa-Missouri Gas Engine Club.

  Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Lange Funeral Home with the Rev. Louis Flanigan and the Rev. Jim Schweizer officiating. Interment will be in Jerome Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

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

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Ad-Express/Iowegian  

Numa Column by Ethel Lira

  Once again, this has been a week of good-byes to old friends and neighbors. Merrill Condra, 84, long-time Numa community resident, died after a lengthy illness at the local hospital. Although Merrill long operated a country type garage at his homestead on the Seymour Highway west of Numa, few were aware of his educational background in this craft.

  His garage was always open, it seemed, to the locals who needed a tune-up to a complete overhaul of their gasoline powered vehicles. Merrill seemed to fix things by the sound as well as the touch and could be counted upon to have them running in a short period so that no work days would be lost because of the lack of an operating vehicle.

  His wife, the former Jeannette Morris, died suddenly in 1980 while on a family Christmas outing and then a few years thereafter Merrill suffered severe medical problems during the Christmas holidays that kept him hospitalized for a period. However, it was just the past several months that he had been incapacitated to the extent he was unable to care for himself and his daily routine.

  He is survived by a son, James, and his family as well as his sister, Louise Hunt, of Centerville. Merrill's spot in the minds and hearts of his Numa-Seymour neighbors will long remain vacant. To his family we say, "He will be greatly missed and we all care."