All Obituaries

Edgar (Gene) Porter was born the 4th of 8 children, to Louis Virgil and Leslie (Twitty) Porter in Girdner, Missouri.  October 8, 1930, was the beginning of this long and eventful journey. Gene grew up during the depression when things were hard.  He had to quit school in the 8th grade to help the family on the farm.  In helping to support his family, he moved in to the home of the local veterinarian where he worked for several years.  He may not have had a formal...

James Stevenson Muir (“Steve”), 74, was born in Airdrie, Lanarkshire Scotland, on September 7, 1944, to Andrew and Isobel Stevenson Muir.  Steve and his family immigrated to the United States when he was three years old.  The family first settled in What Cheer, Iowa, but shortly thereafter moved to Oskaloosa, where Steve grew up, attended school and graduated from Oskaloosa Senior High School in 1962.  After graduation, Steve joined the United States Air Force and...

Donald R. Van Baale was born October 31, 1934, on a farm near Monroe, Iowa to Martha Marie Koder Van Baale and Jacob R. Van Baale.  Don was a lifelong resident of Monroe.  Don attended Monroe schools. Don and Marilyn were married June 9, 1954, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton, Iowa.  Don and Marilyn raised their family in Monroe. Don loved to cook and cooked all the meals for the family.  He was well known for making all the pies for all the holidays,...

Joseph (Joe) Anthony Freeborn, age 57, passed away on April 4, 2018, at ManorCare Health Services, Davenport, following an extended illness.      Joe was born on May 23, 1960, in Davenport and resided in the Quad Cities. Survivors include two daughters, Samantha of Anchorage, Alaska and Randi of Bettendorf, as well as two sons, Alex of Bettendorf and Kyle of Cedar Falls, Iowa. Surviving siblings include three sisters, Teresa (Jay) Garrison of Le Claire, Diane (Jeff) Fall of...

Murry succumbed to cancer on April 3, 2018 at the Comfort House in Pella, surrounded by his loving family. A time of remembrance and celebration of life will be at 10:00a.m.; Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the First Christian Church in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to his wife Dianna Dougan. Johnson Funeral Service, has been entrusted with the cremation. Murry D. Dougan, was born October 25, 1946, in Texarkana AR, the son of Clinton Curtiss and Willie Marie...

James F. “Jim” McNeer, 88, of Newton, died March 25, 2018, at Skiff Medical Center.  Born February 9, 1930, he was the third of seven children born to Robert and Barbara (McElwee) McNeer.  Jim was born in St. Marys, Iowa, later moved to Prairie City and eventually moved to Newton where he graduated with the Newton High School class of 1947.  Jim was united in marriage to Anne Leo on June 26, 1961, at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Des Moines, Iowa. ...

Born Earl Walter Paul, but known to everyone as John Paul, John was born to Clarence and Margarite Paul on March 10, 1932, in Des Moines, Iowa.  He entered into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Monday February 26, 2018 at the age of 85.  John married Marla Farr on May 5,1967.  He was a sign man his entire life.  He retired a couple years ago however he never "warmed" to the idea of retirement.  The most important thing in his life was his...

Dorothy P. Elwick, 91, of Ames, died January 20, 2018, at Stratford Specialty Care in Stratford, Iowa.  The daughter of Frank and Vivian Coy, Dorothy was born May 3, 1926, in Ames, Iowa.  Dorothy was educated in the Ames school system.  Dorothy married Clifford Elwick, and  the couple made their home in Ames where they raised three sons.   Dorothy was a dedicated wife, and mother spending all her time caring for her family.  In her younger years, one of...

Patricia “Pat” Hay Huff, 88, formerly of Newton, died on December 22, 2017 of heart failure at her daughter’s home in Woodinville, WA, surrounded by...

Betty A. Brown, daughter of Howard James and Dorothy Louise (Beard) Alexander, was born September 5, 1935, in Colfax, Iowa.  She was the oldest of 3 children.  Raised in the Colfax area, Betty graduated from Colfax High School with the class of 1954.            ...