Hilda Marie Fahn, the daughter of Joseph and Margaret Leenan Fahn, was born on July 4, 1911, on a farm near Panama, Iowa. She attended school at Grove Township Country School and St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, Iowa. Hilda also attended St. Mary’s Catholic School in Panama. After high school, she attended Franco Beauty School in Omaha, Nebraska.

     Hilda worked at Saylor Coffee Shop and at Maid-Rite in Harlan, Iowa. She also worked at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1981, Hilda purchased a home in the town of Panama, Iowa. In 1996, Hilda became a resident of the Dunlap Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunlap, Iowa.

     She was a member of St. Mary’s Altar Society in Panama, Iowa. Hilda died on Saturday, March 6, 2004, at Dunlap Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dunlap, Iowa, having attained the age of ninety-two years, eight months, and two days. In addition to her parents, Hilda was preceded in death by her brothers and sister, Lawrence, Leo, Albert, Edmund, Mildred, Leonard and Raymond. Survivors include her sisters-in-law, Alice Fahn of Harlan, Iowa and Anna Fahn Knudsen of Hood River, Oregon; many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated on Tuesday, March 9, 2004, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa, with Msgr. Gerald Stessman as the celebrant, Rev. Michael G. Peters concelebrating and Rev. Paul Strittmatter as the homilist. Interment was in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama, Iowa, with Bill Fahn, Charlie Fahn, Ken Fahn, Ray Fahn, Joseph Fahn, Keith Fahn, Duane Fahn, Gene Fahn and Randy Fahn serving as casket bearers.

     On June 6, 1955, Joe married Marilyn Mickels at St. Mary’s in Panama. Two sons were born to this union: Jay and Jamie. He was a loving husband to Marilyn and a devoted dad to his sons. They were blessed to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary in 2005.

     Joe became a member of the Iowa Pork Producers and remained active until 2005. Locally, he served as a county and district chairman. On the state level, he served on many committees as well as Treasurer, Vice President, and finally as President in 1983. He enjoyed promoting Iowa pork and all the lifelong friends he made.

      He served on the Livestock and Meat Board based in Chicago from 1988 to 1995. He was a member of the Iowa Banking Board for twelve years.

     He served as President of St. Mary’s Parish Council, held offices in the Panama Community Club, was a Scout Leader, coached Little League baseball, was a 4-H leader, and FFA Lifetime Alumni. He was named Farmer of the Year by the Panama Community Club in 1973 and by the FFA in 1990. In 1975 he was honored as Shelby County Pork Producer of the Year.

     Forty years ago when the Catholic Church allowed lay people to be lectors, Joe was one of the first to serve at St. Mary’s in Panama. He was an altar server until 1991 when Joe and Marilyn moved to Harlan. They were members of St. Michael’s Parish where Joe also served as a lector and usher.

     He enjoyed family gatherings, participating in his sons’ farming operations and in later years traveling with Marilyn during the winter. He was especially proud of his grandchildren’s various accomplishments.

     Joe died on Friday, July 27, 2007, in his sleep at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan, having attained the age of seventy-two years. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother-in-law Nick Gubbels.

     Joe is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Marilyn Fahn of Harlan, Iowa; his sons: Jay Fahn and his wife Linda of Harlan, Iowa, and Jamie Fahn and his wife Mary of Portsmouth, Iowa; grandchildren Megan and Ryan Fahn of Portsmouth, Iowa, Bonnie and her husband Brian Reinig of Omaha, Nebraska, and Amy Jo Jacobsen of Indianola, Iowa; his sisters: Marge Gubbels of Harlan, Iowa, Donna and her husband Kenny Escher of Harlan, Iowa, Judy and her husband Chuck Reynolds of Omaha, Nebraska, Mary Rose and her husband Hollis Bledsoe of Avoca, Iowa; his brothers: Charlie Fahn and his wife Linda of Canton, Georgia, and Bill Fahn and his wife Joan of Panama, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other family members, and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Monday, July 30, 2007, with celebrant Rev. Bob Hoefler and Concelebrant Rev. Leonard Kenkel conducting the 10:30 AM service at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan, Iowa. Honorary casket bearers were Ken Mickels, Leo Kloewer, Chuck Bjustrom, Mike Telford, Rich Dagner, Melvin Morfeld, Jim Ledgers, and Jim Meyer. Serving as casket bearers were Ryan Fahn, Brian Reinig, Dean Gubbels, Bill Fahn, Charlie Fahn, and Chris Rodenborn. Interment was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama, Iowa.

Barbara J. Fairchild - Age 67

On April 30,1940, she was united in marriage to Larry Finken at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Panama. Three children were born to this union, Bonnie, Ken, and Dean.

     After their marriage, Larry and Sally farmed in the Panama, Iowa area. They retired from farming in 1980, but continued to live on the farm and later moved into Panama.

     Sally was employed at St. Mary’s School cafeteria as well as a cook at Little Flower Haven in Earling. She loved playing cards at any time, visiting with friends and family, and was always on the go. For thirty-five years Sally and her husband enjoyed square and ball room dancing all around southwest Iowa and Omaha.

     Sally had died on September 2, 2006, at Creighton University Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, four months after her eighty-seventh birthday. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Larry Finken, her grandson Danny Wangner, her son-in-law Bob Wangner and her sisters Helen Sternberg, Mildred Chamberlain and Bernie Leuschen.

     Sally is survived by her children: Bonnie Wangner of Boca Raton, Florida; Ken and his wife Sue Finken of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Dean and his wife Carol Finken of Atlantic, Iowa; five grandchildren: Chrissy, Phil and Chad Finken, and Nick and Scott Finken; three great grandchildren: Mariah, McCade and William; her brother Mike, Jr. and his wife Theresa Blum of Harlan; nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was con-celebrated by Rev. Robert Hoefler and Rev. John Dorton at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, September 6, 2006 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Panama, Iowa. Interment was held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Panama with Keith Finken, Bud Chamberlain, Ted Chamberlain, Bob Blum, Mike Blum and Dave Sternberg serving as casket bearers.

      Paul entered the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant Infantry officer where he served for 17 years on active duty until his recent death in Eastern Baghdad, Iraq. Lieutenant Colonel Paul J. Finken, 40, of Earling, Iowa, was an infantry officer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 506^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team, 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Paul arrived at Fort Campbell in June, 2003 and immediately deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

      On October 10, 1992, Paul was united in marriage to Jackie Farrar at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa. From this union, three children were born: Emilie, Caroline, and Julia He was a devoted husband and loving father.

       Paul’s awards and decorations include Weapons Qualification, M9, expert; Bronze Star medal (2); Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal (3); Army Achievement Medal (2); Iraqi Campaign Medal; Armed Forces Service Medal; Army Superior Unit Award; National Defense Service Medal (2); Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; NATO Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon; Army Service Ribbon; Air Assault Badge; Combat Infantry Badge; Expert Infantry Badge; Parachutists Badge; Pathfinder Badge; and the Ranger Tab. Paul was awarded the Purple Heart and his second Bronze Star posthumously.

After graduation from West Point, Paul began his Military career as a Rifle Platoon Leader in A Company, 4^th Battalion, 9^th Infantry Regiment, "Manchu’s" at Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He later served as the Company’s Executive Officer. In June 1992, he moved to Headquarters and Headquarters Company as the Mortar Platoon Leader and later served as the Assistant Battalion S-3/Operations Officer.

      In September 1994, following graduation from the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, he was assigned to Headquarters, V Corp in Heidelberg, Germany as an Assistant G3 Operations Officer. In February 1996, he moved to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2^nd Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany and served as the Battalion Supply Officer. In November of that year, he took command of C Company, 2^nd Battalion, 2^nd Infantry Regiment in Vilseck, Germany. In March of 1997, he was deployed for 7 months to Bosnia as the Commander of A Company, 1^st Battalion, 77^th Armor Regiment, a combined Armor-Infantry Company Team and later served in Headquarters and Headquarters Company as the Battalion Air Operations officer. In June 2000, he was selected to serve as an Expert Combat Operations Analyst for TRADOC Analysis Command at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

      Following graduation from the Army Command and General Staff College, Paul was assigned in June, 2003 to the 101^st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He immediately deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1^st Battalion, 187^th Infantry Regiment, "Rakassans" as the Battalion Executive Officer and later as the Battalions Operations Officer upon the unit’s redeployment from Iraq.

      In November 2004, Paul became the Executive Officer of the 1^st Battalion, 506^th Infantry Regiment "Currahee". In August 2005, he was assigned to Headquarters, 506^th Infantry Regiment, 4^th Brigade Combat Team as the Chief of the Military Transition Team and once again deployed to Baghdad, Iraq to train Iraqi Forces. He was serving in this position at the time of his death from enemy action. Paul died on Thursday, November 2, 2006, while on a mission in Eastern Baghdad, Iraq. In addition to his parents, Charles and Edna, Paul was preceded in death by his beloved brother John, and nephew Gregory.

      Survivors include his wife Jackie and their three children: Emilie, Caroline, and Julia of Clarksville, TN; his sisters and brothers: Steve (Sharon) Finken of Harlan, IA; Alan (Donnelle) Finken of Littleton, CO; Richard Finken of Earling, IA; David Finken of Papillion, NE; Jean (Alex) Pruitt of Spencer, IA; Mark Finken of Carroll, IA; Joan (Jim) Henscheid of West Des Moines, IA; and Peter (Kara) Finken of Simsbury, CT. Mother In Law Juneadair Farrar of Toluca, Il.; Sisters-in-law Janine (Russ) Welp of Marshalltown, IA; Denise (Scott) McGillis of Toluca, Il. many nieces and nephews and godchildren.

      A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, November 11, 2006, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Earling, Iowa, at 11:00 A.M. with Rev. Michael Berner as the celebrant. Military Rites were conducted in the Earling Cemetery in Earling, Iowa, by the 101^st Airborne Division Color Guard. Serving as part of the Honor Guard were LTC Matt Ferguson, SSG Shannon Cole, SGT Nicholas Shaw, SPC Paul Ogilvie, PV2 Jose Richardson, PFC Erin Dotson, SGT Eugene Deriada, SPC Jonathan Allen, SPC Justin Major, SPC Dakarai Davis. LTC Michael Scott and LTC Jay Knox also served as the Paul’s personal escort and assistance officer throughout the ceremonies.

Murle "Casey" G. Fitzgerald - Age 97

     Murle "Casey" Glen Fitzgerald, the son of William and Laura (Hazard) Fitzgerald, was born on December 9, 1908, at Persia, Iowa. He attended country school near Persia. After receiving his education, Casey worked for John Bentlage on a farm. He then traveled by train to find various places of employment, including traveling to Canada and Colorado.

     On October 24, 1936, Casey was united in marriage to Verda Williams at Edgewood, Colorado. After their marriage, Casey and Verda lived in Denver, Colorado, where they were both employed at Montgomery Wards. In August of 1950, the couple returned to Persia, Iowa, where Casey was the Chief of Police. On April 1, 1951, they purchased Casey’s Club and they worked together until retiring in 1973. Casey then worked part-time for the hardware store in Persia, fully retiring when the hardware store was sold. Verda died on January 22, 2005.

     Casey enjoyed tinkering, working in the yard, hunting, especially pheasants, fishing and bowling. He even had his own bowling team in Minden, Iowa. Casey loved baseball. He was a member of the Persia Yanks and was inducted into the Southwest Iowa Baseball Hall of Fame. He was an avid collector of buckeyes and made various items with them. He also carried them in his pocket to help ease the pain from arthritis in his hands.

     On Tuesday, April 4, 2006, Casey died at the Avoca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Avoca, Iowa, having attained the age of ninety-seven years, three months and twenty-six days. In addition to his parents, and his wife, Verda, Casey was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: William and Joe Fitzgerald, Opal Schleimer, and Pearl Champlin.

     He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Engman Jensen of Salem, Missouri; three grandchildren: Diane Brich of Rolla, Missouri; Ron Engman of Avoca, Iowa; Rick Engman of Fort Worth, Texas; seven great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

     Funeral services were held on Thursday, April 6, 2006, at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, at 1:00 P.M. with John Farrell officiating. Interment was in Valley View Cemetery in Persia, Iowa, with Shea Engman, United States Navy and Tom Nelson serving as honorary casket bearers. Serving as casket bearers were Scott Brich, Jason Fitzgerald, Ron Engman, Nick Kuster, Rick Engman, and Travis Kuster.

     Robert "Dave" Force was born on March 17, 1946 to Dale and Jean (Fritts) Force in Portland, Oregon. He was confirmed at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church. He attended elementary school in Portland and graduated at Rainier High School in Rainier, Oregon, with the Class of 1964. He continued his education at Lower Columbia Community College in Longview, Washington.

     Dave left college to enlist in the United States Air Force in 1965. He received his specialty training and worked as a weather forecaster, beginning with Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and ending with Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska. He also served in a financial capacity at the Army Chapel in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. During the summer of 1967, Dave met LaVonne Walker on McChord Air Force Base in Washington State. It was at the base that Dave was united in marriage to LaVonne two years later on June 5, 1969. One son, Steven, was born to this union. He was also stationed at Thulle Air Force Base in Greenland for one year of duty.

     Dave spent twenty-six years in the Air Force, obtaining the rank of Senior Master Sergeant, and receiving his honorable discharge on November 1, 1991. After becoming a civilian, he went back to college and obtained his degree in computerized bookkeeping at Charter College in Anchorage, Alaska. After completing his degree, Dave worked as a full charge bookkeeper for two construction companies until his retirement in July 2006. Between the summer of 1997 and September of 2006, when Dave and LaVonne moved to Harlan, he was very active at Dimond Grace Fellowship in Anchorage. He had a servant’s heart and was an Elder, bookkeeper, teacher, and leader, touching many lives as he lived for our Lord.

     Dave and LaVonne enjoyed spending time with family and often vacationed together with her sisters and their husbands. Dave was very proud of the accomplishments of his son Steven and wife Melanie. He was the best grandpa to Malcolm, Cameron, and Isabella, playing with them and spoiling them as much as he could.

Dave became sick in June of 2007 and was admitted to Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska. It was there that he died on August 14, 2007, having attained the age of sixty-one years, four months, and twenty-eight days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Sumner Earlywine, and his step-mother Patience Force.

     He is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, LaVonne of Harlan, Iowa; his son Steven Force and wife Melanie of Ewa Beach, Hawaii; three grandchildren: Malcolm, Cameron, and Isabella; his brothers: Don Earlywine and wife Annie of Prineville, Oregon, Dan Force and wife Diane of Vancouver, Washington, and Tim Force of Rainier, Oregon; nieces, nephews, other family members, and many friends.

     A funeral service was held on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, with Rev. Chris Ball and Rev. Gundar Lamberts officiating the 1:30 PM service at First Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. Serving as casket bearers were Mike Dorland, Jeremy Walker, David Martin, Jim Powell, Mike Brandt, and Joe Powell. Military Rites were held by the Harlan American Legion Helmer Reyelt Post No. 150 and Shelby County VFW Post No. 941 at the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan.

Leroy G. Frahm - Age 86

     Leroy Gerald Frahm was born on a farm northwest of Avoca, Iowa on July 8, 1918. He was the son of Harry and Margaret Wolf Frahm and was one of four children in the family. He attended Prairie country school and then graduated from the Avoca High School.

     Leroy was a farmer in the Avoca, Corley, Walnut and Elk Horn, Iowa areas until 1978 when he retired from farming and moved into Walnut, Iowa. He lived in Walnut with his brother Clyde and together they grew a large garden and enjoyed growing a lot of flowers. He and Clyde did a little canning of their garden produce. Leroy enjoyed fishing in Minnesota and Missouri and also playing softball with his nieces and nephews. Leroy was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Avoca, Iowa.

     Leroy died on Sunday, January 30, 2005 at the Myrtue Memorial Hospital in Harlan, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Virginia Piittmann.

     He is survived by his brother, Clyde Frahm of Walnut, Iowa; his sister, Leona Piittmann of Hancock, Iowa; nieces, Nancy Kelly of Hancock, Iowa; Peggy and her husband, LeRoy Hansen of Minden, Iowa; Becky and her husband, Paul Jensen of Underwood, Minnesota; nephew, Randy Piittmann and his wife, Barb of Hancock, Iowa; seven great-nephews and one great-niece; other relatives and many friends.

Howard L. Fuller - Age 79

     Howard Lester Fuller, Jr., the son of Howard and Dorothy Newman Fuller, Sr., was born on September 19, 1927 in New York, New York. He attended school in Pottstown, Illinois until the eighth grade. After his schooling Howard started helping his father on the farm. When he was seventeen, he enlisted into the United States Navy. Howard served his country from 1944 to 1948 with the Navy Amphibious Corps in the South Pacific where he received numerous medals.

     After his discharge from the Navy, Howard moved to Avoca, Iowa and made his home. He was employed as a truck driver for Melvin Trucking, Pabst Blue Ribbon and finally with Stowe Ready Mix. He enjoyed woodworking, making signs and building doll furniture. He was a member of the American Legion Post in Avoca and was very proud of his military background. He was very meticulous with his cement work and even helped pour sidewalks for the Avoca playground.

     Howard died on Friday, August 31, 2007 at his home in Avoca, Iowa having attained the age of seventy-nine years, eleven months and twelve days. He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Virginia Smith and four brothers: John, Russell, Milton and Arthur and one grandchild.

     Survivors include his children: Michael Fuller and Daniel Fuller and his wife, Roberta, all of Bloomington, Illinois and Cinthy Beach of Peoria, Illinois; his grandchildren: Stacy Fuller of Hudson, Illinois; David Fuller of Bloomington, Illinois; Rayna and her husband Lester Kauffman of Wapella, Illinois and Amanda Fuller of Bloomington, Illinois; six great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

     Graveside Services were held on Thursday, September 6, 2007 at 11:00 AM at the Graceland Cemetery in Avoca, Iowa with Father John Frost as the Clergy. Serving as honorary bearers were Barb Popp, Arlene Roush, Carol Gubbles, Kathy Jacobsen and Shona Bramman. Military Rites by the Fred Funston Post No. 227.

Herbert J. Funk - Age 86

     Herbert Joseph Funk was born on March 3, 1922, to Lawrence and Barbara (Windeshausen) Funk at Langley Field, Virginia. A few years later, he moved with his parents to a farm west of Panama, Iowa. He attended country schools until he entered St. Mary’s Catholic School in Portsmouth where he graduated.

     He was drafted into the military in 1942 and was discharged in January of 1946. After his discharge from the service, he attended Iowa State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1951. In the summer of 1953, he took employment with St. Benedict’s College in Atchison, Kansas, and remained there for six years. While working at St. Benedict’s, he went to Kansas State University where he received a Master of Science degree in 1957. He left St. Benedict’s in 1959 to return to Iowa State University where he received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1964.

     Herbert began teaching at Creighton College and stayed for seven years before going to Creighton University where he taught for twenty-eight years. He returned to St. Benedict’s in Kansas and retired in 1966. In the fall of 1968, he returned to Creighton and remained there until he retired again in 1990.

     He became a resident of Elm Crest Retirement Community in 1997 and moved to Little Flower Haven in Earling, Iowa, in October of 2002. It was there that he died on Monday, May 12, 2008, having attained the age of eighty-six years, two months, and nine days. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Lawrence Funk and Harold Funk, and his sisters, Marie Funk and Josephine Arkfeld.

     Herbert is survived by his brothers: Alfred Funk of Buffalo, New York, Joseph Funk of Citrus Heights, California, and Frank Funk and his wife Judy of Portsmouth, Iowa; and his sister Cecelia Wegner of Woodbine, Iowa; his brother-in-law George Arkfeld of Oceanside, California; his sister-in-law Lucille Funk of Kirkland, Washington; nieces and nephews, other family members, and friends.

     A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Friday, May 23, 2008 with Rev. John Dorton celebrating the 10:30 AM service at St. Mary Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Iowa. Casket bearers were John Wegner, Wayne Zitzlsperger, Pat Hoffmann, Bill Wegner, Kyle Funk, and Alan Miller with Military Rites performed by Portsmouth American Legion Post No. 547 and Shelby County VFW Post No. 942 at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth.