Obituaries
Obituaries for Pauley Jones Funeral Home
In Memory of Our Dear Loved Ones
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...
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...
John Schoemann
May 25, 2026
John Schoemann, son of Chris and Sophia (Blum), was born Sept. 1, 1935 in Harrison County. He was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA. John attended 1st through 3rd grade at Pleasant Ridge Country School in Harrison County and then 4th through 8th grade at Cass...
Terri G Thompson
May 24, 2026
Terri G. Thompson, was born on January 15, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Gene and Shirley (Schwensen) Quirk. From an early age, Terri exhibited a sharp intellect and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She graduated as Valedictorian from Tri-Center High School in 1970, a testament to her dedication and scholastic prowess. Eager to pursue her passion for healthcare, she...
Delores Mae Nordby
May 21, 2026
Delores Mae (Petersen) Nordby was born in Marne, IA on May 20, 1933 to Clinton and Carrie Petersen.
Delores and her brother Bud were raised in Jacksonville, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. She attended country school at Jackson #6 and graduated from Harlan High School. Delores worked at the Harlan Telephone Office during her...
Sally Irene Nairn
May 19, 2026
Sally Irene Nairn was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 21, 1946 to Howard Glen and Anna Irene (Herbold) Michaelsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville, Iowa. Sally lived her childhood and early adult years in Pierson, Iowa. She attended Pierson Consolidated School. Her high school years were spent at Kingsley-Pierson Community High...
Greg Becker
May 16, 2026
Gregory Robert Becker, age 63, of Avoca, Iowa, passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born on November 19th, 1962, in Columbus, Mississippi, Greg lived a life defined by love, devotion, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to family. Above all else, he was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and guiding presence to all who were blessed to know him.
Greg graduated...
Joleen Bandow
May 13, 2026
Joleen Bandow, was born on March 24, 1946, in Manning, Iowa, to George and Bernice (Schroeder) Justice. Joleen lived a life marked by dedication to both her profession and the people around her. Joleen’s educational journey began in Jefferson #2 grade school in Botna, Iowa, and continued through to her graduation from Manning High School. Early in her career, she...
Wayne Franklin
May 13, 2026
Wayne Franklin was born on June 24, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Leo and Mary (Kelly) Franklin. He attended Marshalltown schools and graduated with the Class of 1967. Following high school, Wayne continued his education at a two-year college where he earned his Associate’s Degree in electronics.
Wayne was a lifelong sports fan and especially loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes....
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...
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...
John Schoemann
May 25, 2026
John Schoemann, son of Chris and Sophia (Blum), was born Sept. 1, 1935 in Harrison County. He was baptized, received First Holy Communion, and was confirmed at St. Mary’s Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Portsmouth, IA. John attended 1st through 3rd grade at Pleasant Ridge Country School in Harrison County and then 4th through 8th grade at Cass...
Terri G Thompson
May 24, 2026
Terri G. Thompson, was born on January 15, 1952, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Gene and Shirley (Schwensen) Quirk. From an early age, Terri exhibited a sharp intellect and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She graduated as Valedictorian from Tri-Center High School in 1970, a testament to her dedication and scholastic prowess. Eager to pursue her passion for healthcare, she...
Delores Mae Nordby
May 21, 2026
Delores Mae (Petersen) Nordby was born in Marne, IA on May 20, 1933 to Clinton and Carrie Petersen.
Delores and her brother Bud were raised in Jacksonville, IA. She was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. She attended country school at Jackson #6 and graduated from Harlan High School. Delores worked at the Harlan Telephone Office during her...
Sally Irene Nairn
May 19, 2026
Sally Irene Nairn was born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 21, 1946 to Howard Glen and Anna Irene (Herbold) Michaelsen. She was baptized and confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church in rural Correctionville, Iowa. Sally lived her childhood and early adult years in Pierson, Iowa. She attended Pierson Consolidated School. Her high school years were spent at Kingsley-Pierson Community High...
Greg Becker
May 16, 2026
Gregory Robert Becker, age 63, of Avoca, Iowa, passed away on May 16th, 2026. Born on November 19th, 1962, in Columbus, Mississippi, Greg lived a life defined by love, devotion, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to family. Above all else, he was an incredible husband, father, grandfather, and guiding presence to all who were blessed to know him.
Greg graduated...
Joleen Bandow
May 13, 2026
Joleen Bandow, was born on March 24, 1946, in Manning, Iowa, to George and Bernice (Schroeder) Justice. Joleen lived a life marked by dedication to both her profession and the people around her. Joleen’s educational journey began in Jefferson #2 grade school in Botna, Iowa, and continued through to her graduation from Manning High School. Early in her career, she...
Wayne Franklin
May 13, 2026
Wayne Franklin was born on June 24, 1949, in Marshalltown, Iowa, to Leo and Mary (Kelly) Franklin. He attended Marshalltown schools and graduated with the Class of 1967. Following high school, Wayne continued his education at a two-year college where he earned his Associate’s Degree in electronics.
Wayne was a lifelong sports fan and especially loved cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes....
