Obituary - Melvin Elward Pence - 1922

In Memory of Melvin Elward Pence Sr.

The son of George C. and Nora May Smith, Melvin was born November 1, 1922, at Liberty, Illinois. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Waterloo, Iowa, later moving to the Whitten and Ivester areas in Grundy County, Iowa. Melvin attended rural schools in Grundy County and the Whitten High School. On August 26, 1942, he was united in marriage with Dora Marie Stover at her home in rural Grundy County. During World War II, Melvin saw active duty in the U.S. Navy where he was a Gunners Mate on an LST. He served in the South Pacific from 1943-1945. In 1945 he was honorably discharged as a Fireman 1st Class.

Following his military service, he was engaged in farming near Eldora, Iowa, for several years. Since a small farm could not support his family, he began a career as a salesman, which he continued for 35 years. From 1976-1983 he and Dora delivered motor homes nation-wide for Winnebago Industries. In 1984, he and Dora moved to Newton, Iowa to assist their son, Levi, in his funeral home. Melvin was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren in rural Gundy County; a member of the Newton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #1655 and the Newton Moose Lodge #923.

Death came to Melvin on Friday, September 6th, 1991, in his home. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers: Kenneth, Lawrence and Harvey and by his sister, Georgia Wheat.

Those left to honor the memory of Melvin Pence include his wife, Dora; his five sons and their wives: George H. and Nancy Pence of Wellington, West Palm Beach, Florida; Melvin E. Jr. and Pam Pence of Lenox, Iowa; David L. and Cheryl Pence of Earlville, Iowa; Levi E. and Barbara Pence of Newton and Alex W. and Rose Pence of Nevada, Iowa; his 10 grandchildren: Heidi Pence; Kevin M. Pence; Brenda R. and Jim Schweitzer; Kellie M. and Jacob Brown; Jeffrey J. Pence; Tammy S. Pence; Christina M. Pence; Keary M. Pence; Danny L. Pence and Lucas J. Pence; and his brother, Howard Pence of Conrad, Iowa.

Learn more about Melvin on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/melvin-elward-pence-1922.

Obituary - Lawrence Eugene Pence

Services Held For Lawrence Pence, Age 69

Lawrence E. Pence, age 69, passed away Saturday, October 31, 1982, at his home. Funeral services were held Monday, November 1, at 2 p.m. at the Ivester Church of the Brethren, RR1, Grundy Center, with Rev. Arlin Claassen officiating. Burial was in Sheller Cemetery, RR, Eldora.

Mrs. Howard Cakerice accompanied the soloists, Mrs. John Dinnes and Mrs. Howard Sheller. Casket bearers were Jerry Pence, Michael Pence, George Pence, Melvin Pence, Jr., Mark Wheat and Dean Wheat. Mrs. Gerald Hess, Mrs. Virgil Mackie and Mrs. Lyle Neher were in charge of floral arrangements.

Mr. Pence was born January 12, 1913 in Jasonville, IN. He was the son of George and Nora M. (Smith) Pence. In 1925 Lawrence moved from Indiana to Iowa. While living in Indiana he enjoyed outdoor life and playing basketball. Lawrence attended Whitney high school.

His father died in 1930, at which time Lawrence and his mother took on the responsibilities of his brothers and sister. Lawrence worked for different farmers in the Ivester area where he lived and he also worked on the PWA during the depression years. His reputation was known for his willingness to accept responsibilities beyond his control.

In 1938, Lawrence and his mother entered into farming in Grundy county. In 1941, he assumed added responsibility in helping his sister raise her three children.

On November 11, 1949 at Clay City, IN he was united in marriage to Hazel I. Draper. She passed away on November 5, 1977. He resided on the 80-acre farm he and his wife bought in 1951 until the time of his death.

He is survived by one sister, Georgia (Mrs. Wilbur) Wheat, Eldora; three brothers, Harvey A. of Eldora, Howard W. of Conrad, and Melvin E. of Eldora.

He was preceded in death by one infant brother.

The Johnston Funeral Home of Conrad was in charge of the arrangements.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 11 November 1982, pg 3

Learn more about Lawrence on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/lawrence-eugene-pence.

Obituary - Georgia Lenora Pence Hickman Wheat

Georgia Wheat, 69

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, June 1, from the Ivester Church of the Brethren near Eldora at 2 p.m. for Georgia L. Wheat, 69, who died Tuesday evening at the Eldora Community Hospital.

Rev. Raymon Eller will officiate with vocal music by Mrs. Donald Butler, Mrs. Lyle Neher and Mrs. Gary Button. Organist will be Mrs. Dohn Kruschwitz. Flower ladies will be Mrs. Calvin Johnson, Mrs. Raymond Sherfield and Mrs. Karen Crandall.

Serving as casket bearers will be William Trampe, Steven Pence, Levi Pence, Alex Pence, Robert Kruse and Stephen Mugge with interment in the Sheller Cemetery. Andrle and Creps Funeral Home of Eldora is handling arrangements. Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.

Georgia Wheat was born October 12, 1916 near Eldorado, Ill., to George and Nora Mae Smith Pence. The family came to Iowa in 1926 or 1927 and lived north of Whitten.

She was married to Lyle Hickman in April of 1937 and three children were born to this union - Norman, Larry, and Lillian. On April 8, 1956 she was married to Wilbur Wheat at the Little Brown Church at Nashua. Two children were born to this union, Mark and Dean.

She was a member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren and the Christian Women's Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Richard and Lawrence, and one grandson, Ted Allen Wheat.

Surviving are her husband, Wilbur, of Eldora; four sons, Norman Hickman of Grundy Center, Larry Hickman of Waterloo, Mark Wheat of Davenport, Dean Wheat of Rochester, Minn.; one daughter, Mrs. Dirk (Lillian) Wheat of Waterloo; two stepchildren, Dirk Wheat of Waterloo and Betty Lou Jacobs of Grand Junction, Colo.; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; three brothers, Harvey Pence of Eldora, Howard Pence of Conrad and Melvin Pence, Sr. of Newton.

Eldora, Iowa, Friday, May 31, 1985

Learn more about Georgia on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/georgia-lenora-pence.

Obituary - Nora Mae Smith Pence

NORA MAY PENCE

Services were held Saturday, August 21, at the Brethren Church for Nora May Pence. Conducting the service were Rev. Charles Albin of the Brethren Church and President Robert Wayne Linke of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Nora Pence was born September 13, 1889, to Eli and Lydia A. Smith at Clay City, Owen county, Ind. She was blessed with the privilege of growing up thru the years with 3 brothers and 9 sisters. They are as follows: Lizzie, Daniel Smith, Ervin Smith, Mela Greenwood, Ada Schwarck, Mary Hostettler, Bessie Neiswinger, August Pearson, Myrtle Tommas, Ruth, Harvey Smith and Aretha Lawrence.

Nora Pence was married July 10, 1911, to George C. Pence. To this union were born one daughter and five sons. Richard Kenneth, their first child, who passed away at the age of 4 months; Lawrence, Mrs. Wilbur Wheat (Georgia), Harvey, Howard and Melvin. All are living either in Hardin or Grundy county, Iowa. Mrs. Pence was a devoted mother to her children. Each she considered a blessing, although she lost her companion in 1930 and was left alone to rear her family.

Nora was truly devoted to the things she believed in. She was a wonderful wife and mother to those whom she loved. Her belief in Christ was unshakable and all who knew her knew this.

Life offered many challenges to her. But as her life has proven, she met all things with the love and strength of a true mother.

Nora was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and received her Temple Endowments and Sealing July 11, 1963, in the Logan Temple, Logan, Utah.

She leaves behind her daughter, 4 sons, 19 grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren.

Learn more about Nora on the Pence Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/smith/nora-mae-smith.

Obituary - George Corner Pence

STRICKEN ON WAY TO CHURCH

George Corner Pence Died at the Home of Relatives

George C. Pence of Waterloo was suddenly stricken with a heart attack while on his way to church last Friday and died shortly after. He and his family had been visiting at the home of Mrs. Pence's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eli Smith, living hear Whitten.

Funeral services were held at the Ivester Church of the Brethren Tuesday afternoon with the local pastor, Rev. D. C. Gnagy, in charge. Rev. Galen Albright assisted at the service. Burial was in the Sheller cemetery.

Mr. Pence spent his early life in Virginia, and after growing to manhood the call of the west led him to come as far west as Indiana. He met his wife there and they spent several years of their married life in that state. A bout two years ago they came to Iowa and located in Waterloo, Iowa, where he was employed by the John Deere Company.

On July 10, 1911 he was united in marriage to Nora Mae Smith. Into this happy family circle were born six children, a daughter, Georgie, and five sons, Kenneth, Lawrence, Harvey, Howard, Melvin. Kenneth preceded his father in death.

He is survived by his wife, the children, his father, John Pence, a sister Mrs. Ida Langley of Alabama, and a host of other relatives and friends.

--Grundy Register, Grundy Center, Iowa, June 5, 1930

Learn more about George on the Pence Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/george-corner-pence.

Obituary - Harvey Alonzo Pence

Harvey Pence, 72, ELDORA

Services for Harvey A. Pence, 72, Eldora, who died Wednesday, September 12 at Mercy Hospital, Des Moines, will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Marshalltown. Burial will be in the Eldora Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday from 3 to 9 p.m. at the Creps-Abels Funeral Home. A memorial fund has been established.

He was born April 12, 1918 in Eldorado, Ill., to George and Nora Mae Smith Pence. He attended school at Whitten before serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. On June 6, 1946, he married Mary Louise Traasdahl in Ogden, Utah. He farmed for more than fifty years east of Eldora. He was a member of the Farm Bureau. He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and was first president of the Marshalltown Town Branch. He was a member of the District High Council and the Stake High Council in Des Moines. In 1974 he was called to serve as a Stake Patriarch. He and his wife also served one year at the Chicago Temple.

He was preceded in death by a brother and sister. Survivors include his wife, Mary Louise; five sons, Jerry, Story City; Michael, Ocean Shore, Wash.; Steven, Eldora; Gary, Alpine, Utah; Rick, American Fork, Utah; 23 grandchildren; two brothers, Howard Pence, Conrad; and Melvin Pence, Newton.

Learn more about Harvey on the Pence Family History website:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/harvey-alonzo-pence.

Obituary - Howard William Pence

Howard W. Pence, 92 of Eldora, Iowa, passed away Monday, May 27, 2013 at the Eldora Nursing and Rehab Center in Eldora, while under the care of Care Initiatives Hospice. Funeral services will be at 10:30 on Thursday, May 30, 2013 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. Burial will follow in the Conrad Cemetery. Visitation is from 5pm to 7pm on Wednesday at Creps-Abels Funeral Home in Eldora. Memorials may be directed to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the Ivester Church of the Brethren. Online condolences may be made at www.abelsfuneralhomes.com.

Howard William Pence was born July 18, 1920 to George and Nora (Smith) Pence at Carrie Mills, Illinois. He was the fourth of five children to be born to this union. Howard attended schools at Waterloo, Iowa and Whitten, Iowa. Howard and his brothers farmed for their mother.

On February 14, 1943 Howard was united in marriage to Alice Emmert at Eldora, in her parent's home. Howard and Alice farmed in the Whitten and Conrad area and Howard also worked many years for the Conrad Coop. They were the parents of one son, James, who was the first Grundy County boy to be killed in action in Viet Nam, and three daughters, Jane, Bonnie and Susan. Alice passed away on April 23, 1989. After her death Howard continued to work for Dick and Rick Hibbs.

On September 19, 1992 Howard married Hazel Harms at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Eldora. Hazel was a longtime friend having graduated with Alice. Howard and Hazel resided in her home on North Washington Street in Eldora.

Howard was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a member of the Conrad Lion's Club. He was a former member of the Ivester Church of the Brethren.

Left to mourn his passing is his wife, Hazel; daughters, Jane Kruse (Sue Ladehoff) of Canon City, Colorado, and Susan (Clarke) Oestereich of Grundy Center, Iowa; son-in-law, Steve Mugge of Conrad; 8 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice; son, James; daughter, Bonnie Mugge; son-in-law, Bob Schleisman; brothers, Lawrence, Harvey and Melvin; and sister, Georgia Wheat.

Learn more about Howard on the Pence Family History site:

https://sites.google.com/site/pencefamilyhistory/families/pence/howard-william-pence.