Bill Ackerman and Don Rinehart let us know that Walt Osborne’s dad Bill had passed away. Walt gave us permission to share his father’s obituary as a tribute to his life.
Bill Osborne
James William (Bill) Osborne, age 87, passed away on Saturday December 5, 2015 at the Lantern Park Care Center in Coralville.
Visitation was Friday December 11 from 4 Ð 7 PM, with a memorial service Saturday December 12 at 11 AM, both to be held at the Coralville United Methodist Church.
Bill was born on January 17, 1928 in Pana, Illinois, the son of Ruby (Ireland) and Fred Osborne. His quest for knowledge in the sciences began in Edinburg, Illinois, leading to a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1955, and continued through his appointments in the University of Iowa College of Medicine. Bill retired from the U of I in 2002 having served as Professor and Director of the Radiation Research Laboratory and Radiation Biology Program.
He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Walter (Nancy), son, David (Cindy); and five grandchildren, Jessica (Kevin), Sean (Lianne), Lindsay, James David (JD), and Berke.
Through his research work and teaching at the U of I, his dedication to the Coralville United Methodist Church, and the Radiation Research Society, Bill had a great impact on many lives. He enjoyed all sports – especially basketball Ð and Hawkeye athletics.
Memorials may be directed to the Coralville United Methodist Church or the J.W. Osborne Endowment Fund through the Radiation Research Society. Arrangements are with Gay & Ciha Funeral Service.
Jeff Bagford let us know that his father Jack passed away recently. Jeff gave us permission to share his father’s obituary as a tribute to his life.
Jack Bagford
Jack Bagford, 86, of Iowa City, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 at Oaknoll Retirement Residence. Funeral Services was held at 11 am on Saturday, August 29 at First United Methodist Church, 214 E. Jefferson Street, Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Jack Bagford Elementary Scholarship Fund, c/o The University of Iowa Foundation, 1 West Park Road, PO Box 4550, Iowa City, IA 52244.
Jack was born on April 1, 1929 in Clarksville, OH, the son of John and Gracie (Day) Bagford. He grew up in and around Clarksville farming, fishing and getting into trouble with his only sibling, his older brother, Larry. Jack earned his B.S. degree from Wilmington College, his M.A. degree from Miami University (Ohio), and his Ph.D. degree from Indiana University. He served as a helicopter mechanic instructor in the Army, which was a perfect fit for an engineering-minded teacher. He started his family when he married Mary Catherine “Katie” Farmer and they had Jack’s two oldest children, Jeff and Becky. Katie passed away, leaving Jack raising two small children while finishing his degree. It was at this time he met Ann Jane McNamara and just a short 4 months later (June 5, 1962), made her his wife. The new family set off for his new job at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, and they never left.
Jack was a beloved professor in the College of Education from 1962 until his retirement in 1991. Professor Bagford served with distinction as an elementary teacher, an elementary principal, a director of student teaching and a college professor. An active member of the International Reading Association, he was founder and president of the Iowa Council International Reading Association. A scholarship was established by a former student in honor of Dr. Bagford.
It is an absolutely impossible task to summarize all of the hobbies he enjoyed over the course of his lifetime. On the very top of his list, you would find: GOLF, fishing, gardening, hunting, horse-shoe pitching, IOWA sports, mushroom hunting, ‘coffee with the boys’, arrowhead hunting, bridge, bird-watching, teaching anyone anything, crossword puzzles and story-telling. Jack was a master at all these things and for the most part (golfing excluded), incredibly humble as well. Even in the last several years, he was able to share story after story and enrich the lives of those he met while at Oaknoll. He was tenderly cared for by so many special people and truly brightened the day of those around him.
Above all else, he was the very happiest when he was with his family. He led the Bagford Bunch on many adventures and shared his talents and love of life with his wife, children and most especially, his grandchildren. He was a ‘one of a kind’ who spent his time on this earth caring for it, learning and teaching for a lifetime and loving his friends and family. Jack is survived by his wife Ann, their son Jeff Bagford, his wife Michelle and children Lisa and Travis of Scottsdale, Az; their daughter Becky Page, her husband Tracy and children Katie, Amy, and Molly of Lubbock, Tx; their daughter Jane McCrill, her husband Mark, and son Thomas of North Andover, Ma; and their daughter, Pamela Page, her husband Roger and children Sarah Dougherty, Megan Dougherty, Garrett, Natalie and Arianna Page of Overland Park, Ks.
Pat Vaughan let us know that Mark Stasi’s mother Norma passed away recently. Mark gave us permission to share Norma’s obituary as a tribute to her life
Norma Stasi
Norma J. Stasi of Iowa City, passed away Saturday, June 20, 2015 at Mercy Hospital – Hospice Care Unit.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Coralville with Father Walter Helms. Visitation was held Tuesday, June 23, 2015 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Burial took place at St. Joseph Cemetery, Iowa City.
Norma was born on May 5, 1931 at her farm house in Buchanan County, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Buena Belle (Marshall) Miller. She graduated from Stanley High School in Aurora and the University of Northern Iowa with a teaching certificate in 1952. Norma was united in marriage to John D. Stasi on August 7, 1954 in Oelwein, Iowa. They moved to Iowa City in 1964 and opened the Burger Palace. Later in life she was a realtor for Ambrose & Associates Realtors.
Norma was a devout Catholic and loving mother. The most important thing in her life was taking care of her family. Norma was an avid Chicago Cubs and Iowa Hawkeyes fan. She also enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles.
Norma is survived by her husband, John; seven children: Mark (Renee) Stasi of Littleton, Colorado, John (Lori) Stasi of Mechanicsville, Virginia, Ann (Steve) Phillips of Lake Forest, Illinois, Amy (Bob) Forte of Batavia, Illinois, Matthew (Kristi) Stasi of Austin, Minnesota, Jennifer (Dennis) Beaver of Post Falls, Idaho, and Jacqueline (Matthew) Kienzle of St. Charles, Illinois;
She is survived by sixteen grandchildren: Jared (Meredith) Stasi, Nick Stasi, Erin (Austin) Holst, Chris (Laci) Stasi, Andrew ‘Louie’ Stasi, Stephen and Michael Phillips, Austin, Zoe, and Sydney Forte, Courtney (Zach) Lundquist, Jordan and Lauren Stasi, Dillion and Corey Beaver, and Drake Kienzle; and one sister, Delma (Don) Derflinger of Aurora, Iowa.
Norma is preceded in death by her father, Ralph Miller; her mother, Buena; and her sister, Dorothy Welsh.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the COPD Foundation.
Patty (Kennedy) McBride let us know that Paul Maxwell’s sister Christy passed away recently. Paul gave us permission to share Christy’s obituary as a tribute to her life.
Christy Maxwell McGinty
Christy Maxwell McGinty passed away Monday, June 1, 2015 at home after dealing with breast cancer with her usual sweet grace and good humor.
Christy was born January 12, 1951, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. John R. Maxwell in Iowa City, IA. She graduated in the first class at West High School in 1969 and completed studies in medical technology at the University of Iowa in 1973. Christy married Dean Leslie McGinty in 1974 and lived in Charleston, SC; Muscatine, IA; Edmond, OK; and finally Portland, OR, where she worked as a medical technologist for 20 years, most recently with Kaiser Permanente. Christy was widowed in 1995. Last year, she retired and returned to Iowa to join her high-school friend, Bob Slotterback, in Cedar Rapids where she enjoyed her Master Gardener training. Christy shared her love of family, walking, and all things nature and her thoughtful curiosity with all those who knew her.
She is survived by her father, John Maxwell; two sons, Mitch McGinty of Phoenix, AZ and Rob McGinty of Bellefonte, PA; sister Carol Gorman of Cedar Rapids; two brothers, Paul Maxwell of Arlington, VA and Steve Maxwell of Dubuque, IA; and four grandchildren.
Christy’s family thanks the caring staff at the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, especially Dr. Leila Kutteh and Traci Ridgeway, and the loving caregivers at Mercy Hospice.
A memorial service was held for Christy on June 13th at 1 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Iowa City. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Christy’s name to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
I should have sent this earlier, but for anyone who might have taken Jr. High Science from Mrs. Bedell at either Northwest Jr High or at West before that…
She celebrated her 96th birthday here in Seattle a few weeks ago.
Well, it’s been a tough week. A week ago this past Wed., Feb. 25th, I fell twice outside my property in the street – we had a bad storm that day and little did I know that the pavement had heaved and dammed up the water in front of my mailbox. Ice skating rink and down I went – before getting up I assessed things even though in the road, no one was coming, and rolled closer to the middle of the street – got up and wham, down I went again – was still on ice.
Felt OK until Sat. a week ago and then went to insta care with wrist and thumb issues. Landed at a hand specialist’s yesterday and while there, they determined I’d better have ankle and pelvis xrayed as well as badly as I was walking – everything came out OK – thank goodness they found that I have a very dense bone structure that held up – just a lot of bone bruising that will take to heal and not hurt.
No more got back to work for the rest of my day (a whole two hours of work) and Steve (Steve Ward from City High that I’ve been dating since Oct.) texted that he was at the ER at Mercy in Iowa City with kidney stones passing. Poor guy – 3rd or 4th time for him. He came over after he got out and checked in with things at home and stayed here. They are in his bladder now but have to pass from there yet. One is too large to leave the kidney – not sure what they’ll do about that – I suppose wait until it blocks and then do surgery – sheesh – and ladies who have had them have told me they would rather have a baby again without pain killers.
Things are going well for us – spending more and more time with each other – Chris, my oldest, really likes him. Folks like him – he’s so sweet – said he was a hell raiser in his younger years and I believe him, but he’s so kind and caring and considerate now and SOOOO much respect for women, it’s amazing.
It’s been hard to let him do things for me – I’ve found myself territorial about my home, my things – not wanting to give up independence after all the years I’ve been managing on my own – not just the time Tom had cancer – it’s been hard, but I’m learning I can let go some and still be independent – he’s the kind of guy that likes to take care of the woman in his life and be “the man”. It’s been over 11 years since I’ve had that so hard to adapt, but learning to find a good middle ground – we are a work in progress. 🙂
So, healing ankle, pelvis, hand, wrist, thumb and shoulder and arm all on my right side. At our age, pavement can be very unforgiving and just lucky my bone structure is very healthy. I now already have a mail box with a rear opening that I can get to from the easement without going out into the street for it. 🙂 Much safer!!!
It was nearly 40 when I got up this morning. HOpefully the warmer weather will be kinder on my joints and all the places I’ve injured in the past, which is a lot!!! That doesn’t help either to have so many past injuries that ache in the cold. I might be looking into a hot tub before next winter, my joints have ached to badly this year with all the below zero temps and windchills we’ve had this year.
Hope this finds you well and enjoying less snow!
Ruth
PS – feel free to share my news that I have seemingly found someone wonderful – things are going well, and you can use Steve’s name – he’s OK’d it. He knows nearly half of our graduating class from SE Jr. High days. We saw his home place last weekend when I was with him – literally 6 blocks from my place as the crow flies on the other side of the highway. 🙂 Small world – his daughter worked with a teacher who now is in our district and in the building that I work in, and he worked on the foundation of First Presb. church out on Rochester in Iowa City where dad served briefly before retiring from the ministry.
While on a business trip to Phoenix I met up with my old pal Jay Dinsmore. We became friends in kindergarten and attended each other’s 6th birthday parties. We both turn 60 in April.
I’ve included a photo of us both and Jay with his very smart and lovely daughter, Jennifer. Please share this with our classmates.
Pat Vaughan’s father Francis Vaughan passed away recently. Pat gave us permission to post his obituary as a tribute to his life
Francis G. Vaughan
Francis G. Vaughan, 89, of Iowa City, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 28, 2015 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Iowa City. Visitation will be from 5 – 7 PM Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service, Iowa City. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Iowa City. Contributions can be made to the Mercy Hospital Foundation of Iowa City.
Francis was born on February 16, 1925 in Ogden, Iowa the son of Dennis and L. Mary (Lentz) Vaughan. He graduated from Iowa State with a Civil Engineer degree. Francis was united in marriage to Suzanne Mill on April 11, 1950 and she preceded him in death on May 31, 2009. His family moved to the Iowa City area in 1957 and Francis worked for Viggo M. Jensen Construction Company where he became a partner. He was responsible for building numerous schools and hospitals in eastern Iowa, and University of Iowa buildings. He was a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Iowa City and was a long time contributor to the church as well as the Mary Knoll Catholic Charities. He enjoyed traveling around the United States visiting family and friends, and building radio controlled gliders.
He is survived by his 4 children; Matthew Vaughan (and partner Chriss Parker) of Wellman, IA; Patrick Vaughan of Bethel, CT; Timothy Vaughan of Ft. Collins, CO; and Sally Vaughan Johnson (and husband Bobby) of Roanoke, VA. Francis is preceded in death by his parents and wife Suzanne.
Online memories and condolences may be left for the family at www.lensingfuneral.com under obituaries.
This is what I wrote to share with our class about “Alice’s Song”:
Many of you knew my parents while we were growing up, so I would like to share a song with you that I wrote about my parent’s wedding day. It is a true story. My mom would always tell me stories of how it snowed in Iowa on her wedding day, which was March 23rd, 1952. She walked to church in her dress with her Dad’s rubber boots over her shoes, because of all the snow. In an attempt to keep the story alive for our children and grandchildren, I wrote this song. My mother, Alice, is living in Des Moines in a memory care facility and my father died 18 years ago. Writing this song has given me comfort and I hope that you enjoy listening to it!
I’d like to thank Keith Yoder (Paul Robert’s cousin!) for helping me with the arrangement and recording. Keith played the guitar and mandolin on this song and I played my guitar too. I would also like to thank our web master, Dave Gerlits, for helping put this song “in the clouds” so that it can be shared with all of you!
Best wishes,
Jackie (Dague) Nicholson
Please click the cover art to listen to the song
Jackie Dague’s parents on their wedding day 23 March 1952
