Obituaries
Obituaries for Pauley Jones Funeral Home
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
Clarence "Sonny" Leslie Busch
Jun 18, 2026
Clarence ‘Sonny’ Leslie Busch
October 20, 1930 – June 18, 2026
Clarence ‘Sonny’ Leslie Busch was born on October 20, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska to Clarence ‘Ted’ and Florence (Alter) Busch. He went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 18, 2026 surrounded by family. On June 14, 1936, he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of...
Robert Paul Hamor
Jun 18, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
He is survived by his wife, René Hamor of Harlan, Iowa; children, Chad (Tracey) Hamor of Eagle, Nebraska, and Jason (Tiffany) Hamor of Nashville, Tennessee; 1 granddaughter, Brittany; 3 great grandchildren, Jayce, Junior, and Echo; sister, Linda Duncan of Ralston, Nebraska; other relatives and many friends.
Dillon Michael Wood
Jun 17, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
Survivors include his fiancée, Kourtnie Birgenheier of Avoca, IA; son, Andre Wood “Punkin Doodle”; mother, Jodi Wood of Avoca, IA; father, Runk Wood of Avoca, IA; brother; Dalton (Alex) Wood of Walnut, IA; twin nieces (Blake & Blaire) on-the-way; other family members and many friends.
Clark Zediker
Jun 16, 2026
Clark Zediker passed away on June 16, 2026, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Dorothy (Pyle) Zediker; wife, Renee (Meyer) Zediker; siblings, Christie Zediker and Jeff Zediker.
He is survived by his son, Randy (Tineka Rowe) Zediker of Salina, Kansas; sisters, Linda Hanson of Charter Oak, Iowa; and Trace...
Mary Jane Gubbels
Jun 16, 2026
Mary Jane Gubbels was born on October 15, 1948, to Merrill Sr. and Marie (Erlbacher) Stolz in Harlan, Iowa. She grew up in Defiance, Iowa where she was baptized at St. Peter's Catholic Church and graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School.
On August 5, 1967, Mary Jane was united in marriage to Cletus Gubbels at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance,...
Timothy Paul Schaben
Jun 15, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
He is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Tyler) Stahl of Harlan, IA; 3 grandchildren, Kobe Stahl, Ella Stahl, Willow Stahl; siblings, Steve Schaben of Denison, IA, Rick (Laurie) Schaben of Harlan, IA, Randy Schaben of Carroll, IA, Neil Schaben of Carroll, IA, Jeanne Schaben (Jason Selvog) of Council Bluffs, IA; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many...
Gerald Lee Summers
Jun 11, 2026
Gerald Lee Summers was born to Bernard and Mae Summers on July 15, 1939, in Harlan, Iowa, Jerry graduated from Harlan High School and went on to marry Jane Christiansen, his devoted wife of 64 years before enlisting in the Navy. While serving in the military, the couple welcomed their son Christopher and daughter Cynthia and following discharge, daughter Catherine....
Ronald Dean Heese
Jun 10, 2026
Ron was born on September 27, 1946, in Harlan, Iowa, and grew up attending Country School before graduating from Irwin‑Kirkman High School. From a young age, Ron learned the value of hard work—something that stayed with him throughout his life. Over the years, he built a long and varied career, working as a farmhand and later for Western Iowa Pork,...
Bonnie Agnes Jacobs
Jun 8, 2026
Bonita Agnes Kimmen was born to Lawrence and Hilda (Schumacher) Kimmen on March 25, 1936, in Defiance, Iowa. As a child, she was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. She attended country school for a few years before transferring to St. Paul's Catholic School in Defiance where she graduated with the class of 1954.
Bonnie met the...
Paul Peterson
Jun 7, 2026
Paul Stewart Peterson was born on December 6, 1934, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Clarence and Violet (Erickson) Peterson. He achieved the age of 91 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Paul was the second of four children, growing up on a farm northwest of Shelby. He graduated from Shelby-Tennant High School in 1952. Paul and Merry Lee went to school...
Gordon Laverne Wigness
Jun 6, 2026
Gordon Laverne Wigness, 80, passed away under hospice care on June 26, 2026. Services and burial will be held at a later date.
Gordon was born on August 26, 1945, in Harlan, Iowa, to Clifford and Frances (Thogersen) Wigness. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan and graduated with the Harlan High School Class of 1963.
Dedicated to...
Mildred "Mick" Goeser
Jun 5, 2026
Mildred “Mick” Elizabeth Goeser, daughter of Joseph Theodore and Olga Ann (Zimmerman) Goeser, was born on August 10, 1933, in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in Panama and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where she remained a life-long member. She attended St. Boniface School in Westphalia.
After school, Mick stayed home and helped around...
Phyllis A. Meyer
Jun 5, 2026
Phyllis Alayne Meyer was born October 8, 1928 to Elmer & Dosena (Nielsen) Brown. She graduated from Avoca High School in 1946 & taught country school for a short time. She married Eldon Chaney January 18, 1948 and they raised three daughters; Laraine (Robert) Scott of Avoca, Denice Duus of Omaha, NE and Patti (Davey) Weirich of Avoca. After Eldon's...
Jim Joseph Dotzler
Jun 3, 2026
Jim Joseph Dotzler was born to Donald and Janet (Buckhaus) Dotzler on June 16, 1965, in Harlan, Iowa. As a child, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. He attended Harlan Community High School, graduating with the Class of 1984. Following high school, Jim attended Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree...
Norma Herrell
May 31, 2026
Norma Jean (Russmann) Herrell was born to Albert and Lisle (Harris) Russmann on Aug. 24, 1929 on a farm southwest of Avoca, IA. She died at her home in Orange, CA on May 31, 2026.
Norma attended country school from age 5 through 8th grade and graduated from Avoca High School in 1946. After attending Commercial Extension in Omaha, Norma stayed...
Frank Rueschenberg
May 31, 2026
Francis “Frank” Rueschenberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 63.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 6th at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Friends may greet the family for visitation on Friday, June 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic...
Delbert Andrew Bruck
May 29, 2026
Delbert Andrew Bruck was born to Mary (Bissen) and Tony Bruck on May 25, 1937, in Earling, Iowa. He attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, where he graduated with the class of 1956. He served in the Army after graduating from high school and then in the Army Reserves.
On May 25, 1961, Delbert married the love of...
Carolyn Schroder
May 29, 2026
Carolyn Schroder, daughter of George and Helen (Schuning) McKnabb, was born on December 23, 1932, at home in Earling, Iowa. She attended rural country school in Earling, Iowa and graduated from Harlan High School in 1950. Following high school graduation, Carolyn attended JEMH and graduated with her nursing degree in 1953. She was baptized at the Harlan Methodist Church and...
Kirk Douglas Byars
May 27, 2026
Kirk Douglas Byars passed away peacefully at his home in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 attaining the age of 69 years and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene (Samouris) and Arnold Byars. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Byars of Harlan, Iowa; children, Christopher Byars of Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew...
Jim Ryan
May 25, 2026
James “Jim” Kevin Ryan, 71, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Avoca, IA. He was born on September 20, 1954, to Robert and Joyce (Fisher) Ryan in Lincoln, NE.
Jim was a hard worker, putting in countless overtime hours at Lincoln Electric System as a Gas Turbine operator. After 44 years at LES, he retired and looked for new projects...
Clarence "Sonny" Leslie Busch
Jun 18, 2026
Clarence ‘Sonny’ Leslie Busch
October 20, 1930 – June 18, 2026
Clarence ‘Sonny’ Leslie Busch was born on October 20, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska to Clarence ‘Ted’ and Florence (Alter) Busch. He went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 18, 2026 surrounded by family. On June 14, 1936, he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of...
Robert Paul Hamor
Jun 18, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
He is survived by his wife, René Hamor of Harlan, Iowa; children, Chad (Tracey) Hamor of Eagle, Nebraska, and Jason (Tiffany) Hamor of Nashville, Tennessee; 1 granddaughter, Brittany; 3 great grandchildren, Jayce, Junior, and Echo; sister, Linda Duncan of Ralston, Nebraska; other relatives and many friends.
Dillon Michael Wood
Jun 17, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
Survivors include his fiancée, Kourtnie Birgenheier of Avoca, IA; son, Andre Wood “Punkin Doodle”; mother, Jodi Wood of Avoca, IA; father, Runk Wood of Avoca, IA; brother; Dalton (Alex) Wood of Walnut, IA; twin nieces (Blake & Blaire) on-the-way; other family members and many friends.
Clark Zediker
Jun 16, 2026
Clark Zediker passed away on June 16, 2026, at Jennie Edmundson Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clark and Dorothy (Pyle) Zediker; wife, Renee (Meyer) Zediker; siblings, Christie Zediker and Jeff Zediker.
He is survived by his son, Randy (Tineka Rowe) Zediker of Salina, Kansas; sisters, Linda Hanson of Charter Oak, Iowa; and Trace...
Mary Jane Gubbels
Jun 16, 2026
Mary Jane Gubbels was born on October 15, 1948, to Merrill Sr. and Marie (Erlbacher) Stolz in Harlan, Iowa. She grew up in Defiance, Iowa where she was baptized at St. Peter's Catholic Church and graduated from St. Paul's Catholic School.
On August 5, 1967, Mary Jane was united in marriage to Cletus Gubbels at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance,...
Timothy Paul Schaben
Jun 15, 2026
Full Obituary Pending...
He is survived by his daughter, Jessica (Tyler) Stahl of Harlan, IA; 3 grandchildren, Kobe Stahl, Ella Stahl, Willow Stahl; siblings, Steve Schaben of Denison, IA, Rick (Laurie) Schaben of Harlan, IA, Randy Schaben of Carroll, IA, Neil Schaben of Carroll, IA, Jeanne Schaben (Jason Selvog) of Council Bluffs, IA; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and many...
Gerald Lee Summers
Jun 11, 2026
Gerald Lee Summers was born to Bernard and Mae Summers on July 15, 1939, in Harlan, Iowa, Jerry graduated from Harlan High School and went on to marry Jane Christiansen, his devoted wife of 64 years before enlisting in the Navy. While serving in the military, the couple welcomed their son Christopher and daughter Cynthia and following discharge, daughter Catherine....
Ronald Dean Heese
Jun 10, 2026
Ron was born on September 27, 1946, in Harlan, Iowa, and grew up attending Country School before graduating from Irwin‑Kirkman High School. From a young age, Ron learned the value of hard work—something that stayed with him throughout his life. Over the years, he built a long and varied career, working as a farmhand and later for Western Iowa Pork,...
Bonnie Agnes Jacobs
Jun 8, 2026
Bonita Agnes Kimmen was born to Lawrence and Hilda (Schumacher) Kimmen on March 25, 1936, in Defiance, Iowa. As a child, she was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Defiance. She attended country school for a few years before transferring to St. Paul's Catholic School in Defiance where she graduated with the class of 1954.
Bonnie met the...
Paul Peterson
Jun 7, 2026
Paul Stewart Peterson was born on December 6, 1934, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Clarence and Violet (Erickson) Peterson. He achieved the age of 91 years, 6 months and 1 day.
Paul was the second of four children, growing up on a farm northwest of Shelby. He graduated from Shelby-Tennant High School in 1952. Paul and Merry Lee went to school...
Gordon Laverne Wigness
Jun 6, 2026
Gordon Laverne Wigness, 80, passed away under hospice care on June 26, 2026. Services and burial will be held at a later date.
Gordon was born on August 26, 1945, in Harlan, Iowa, to Clifford and Frances (Thogersen) Wigness. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan and graduated with the Harlan High School Class of 1963.
Dedicated to...
Mildred "Mick" Goeser
Jun 5, 2026
Mildred “Mick” Elizabeth Goeser, daughter of Joseph Theodore and Olga Ann (Zimmerman) Goeser, was born on August 10, 1933, in Panama, Iowa. She was baptized at St. Mary’s Church in Panama and confirmed at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia, where she remained a life-long member. She attended St. Boniface School in Westphalia.
After school, Mick stayed home and helped around...
Phyllis A. Meyer
Jun 5, 2026
Phyllis Alayne Meyer was born October 8, 1928 to Elmer & Dosena (Nielsen) Brown. She graduated from Avoca High School in 1946 & taught country school for a short time. She married Eldon Chaney January 18, 1948 and they raised three daughters; Laraine (Robert) Scott of Avoca, Denice Duus of Omaha, NE and Patti (Davey) Weirich of Avoca. After Eldon's...
Jim Joseph Dotzler
Jun 3, 2026
Jim Joseph Dotzler was born to Donald and Janet (Buckhaus) Dotzler on June 16, 1965, in Harlan, Iowa. As a child, he was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Defiance, Iowa. He attended Harlan Community High School, graduating with the Class of 1984. Following high school, Jim attended Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree...
Norma Herrell
May 31, 2026
Norma Jean (Russmann) Herrell was born to Albert and Lisle (Harris) Russmann on Aug. 24, 1929 on a farm southwest of Avoca, IA. She died at her home in Orange, CA on May 31, 2026.
Norma attended country school from age 5 through 8th grade and graduated from Avoca High School in 1946. After attending Commercial Extension in Omaha, Norma stayed...
Frank Rueschenberg
May 31, 2026
Francis “Frank” Rueschenberg, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away on May 31, 2026, at the age of 63.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 6th at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Westphalia. Friends may greet the family for visitation on Friday, June 5th from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at St. Boniface Catholic...
Delbert Andrew Bruck
May 29, 2026
Delbert Andrew Bruck was born to Mary (Bissen) and Tony Bruck on May 25, 1937, in Earling, Iowa. He attended school at St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Earling, where he graduated with the class of 1956. He served in the Army after graduating from high school and then in the Army Reserves.
On May 25, 1961, Delbert married the love of...
Carolyn Schroder
May 29, 2026
Carolyn Schroder, daughter of George and Helen (Schuning) McKnabb, was born on December 23, 1932, at home in Earling, Iowa. She attended rural country school in Earling, Iowa and graduated from Harlan High School in 1950. Following high school graduation, Carolyn attended JEMH and graduated with her nursing degree in 1953. She was baptized at the Harlan Methodist Church and...
Kirk Douglas Byars
May 27, 2026
Kirk Douglas Byars passed away peacefully at his home in Harlan, Iowa on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 attaining the age of 69 years and 14 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, Irene (Samouris) and Arnold Byars. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kathy Byars of Harlan, Iowa; children, Christopher Byars of Des Moines, Iowa, Matthew...
Jim Ryan
May 25, 2026
James “Jim” Kevin Ryan, 71, passed away on May 25, 2026, in Avoca, IA. He was born on September 20, 1954, to Robert and Joyce (Fisher) Ryan in Lincoln, NE.
Jim was a hard worker, putting in countless overtime hours at Lincoln Electric System as a Gas Turbine operator. After 44 years at LES, he retired and looked for new projects...
