Author: Hayden Douglas

Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Calvary Baptist Church.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. until the time of service.

Burial will be in the Floral Hills Cemetery in Kansas City, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider a memorial contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association – Iowa Chapter.

The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Russ and his family. Condolences may be left for the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com

Well, if you are reading this, it is ……. On …………. You might want to grab a book instead, if not, read on. After so many negotiations with God about when, where, and how, God chose when, but I got my wish of going to sleep and passing peacefully on Saturday, November 1, 2025, in my own bed, in my own home. I am now getting ready for special uber angels to take me to my forever home. First, I asked to be cremated so my ashes can be mixed with Mike’s, and later David’s and Mitch’s, with some to be buried and some to be scattered at a later time. But before I leave, most people already know this, but in case your memory is going, or you read obits in order to rob houses, please don’t. And forget about hooking up with my hubby, he’s too tired from taking such good care of me and will be busy sorting through the crap I kept. He did take good care of me with help from Mitch and my siblings and too many others to name. Hospice was very helpful, even Annie who I kept getting wet during my showers.                                                                                 I will give you this information and if it is not correct it will make for a good conversation starter at my visitation. So, if you are curious, please join my friends who haven’t passed and my family who still claim me on Saturday November 8^th from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at Elliott Chapel, One Redbud Lane, New London, Iowa.  

I was born October 2, 1942 to Richard W. and Refa E. Bequeaith Miller in Ottumwa, Iowa. I had an older sister Janice. My brother was born three years later and I became that middle child.  I first lived by my paternal grandparents, Martin and Eva Miller outside of Batavia and started country school at Cross Lanes. Next for first grade was Pulaski. Then on to Keosauqua for second grade, elementary, middle and high school.  Many friends and fun times. I liked school but my favorite thing was basketball. I have a few very good friends that still live there.

Then, of course, I thought I knew what I wanted and got married to Glen Carr. Together, we raised three children; Cathy, Michael and Mitchell. We lived a short time in Fairfield, then moved to Libertyville where the children started school and I enrolled in Joan Tedrows nursing class at Jefferson County Hospital. Such a great person and friend.  Great place to work for twenty eight years, great people to work with.

In the early seventies we moved to a farm in Douds, Iowa.  We didn’t do such a great job of farming but we’re forever thankful to raise the children on the farm.  I loved Douds, the school and more friends. Good times with the kids, 4H, horse shows and their sports. I didn’t love one thing though, but I survived it; the drive to and from work. I worked 11 to 7 the first 10 years. Every deer in the county was on that road, or it was the weather and bad ice. But let me tell you, getting home in the morning was worse. I guess you are not supposed to drive on both sides of the road with your eyes closed. The good Lord drove those mornings and the neighbor met me the last mile on his way to town and honked to wake me up. Probably good that once the kids were on their own and I worked better hours we moved back to Libertyville. During the next years of work I had a few auto accidents and a couple back surgeries and worked in nursing administration. Better hours but I missed the ER and coworkers.  It’s very hard to keep your sanity when putting out the schedule while trying to make that many women happy and be fair to everyone. IMPOSSIBLE!!!!! Time to retire and enjoy the grandkids, reading, and other hobbies for a while.

The next few years were both busy and stressful. I was happy to donate a kidney to my son Michael.  Both sad and relieved to separate and later divorce Glen. Spent time with family, friends and others. Also helped Mike with Logan’s home school. I met David in 2007 and we married in 2012.  Other than a few bumps it’s been a great eighteen years. Thanks to him, I got to experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise. We have traveled; spent winters in Mexico, Arizona and Texas; summers at Lake of the Ozarks on our boat; time with bonus daughters and grandkids; and time with granddaughter and the Bruce families, especially the four wild great-grandsons. I am going to miss all of this plus of course, David and Mitch. But it is what it is and I am looking forward to seeing Michael and so many others. Other survivors are my husband David; son Mitchell Carr; daughter Cathy Schaus; step daughters Tara (Ben) Nahorney and Ashley Banes.  Also my sister Janice (Bill); brother Larry (Janet); stepbrother David; stepsisters Diane (Larry) Williams and Barb (Greg) Dyer; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Castle; Nick, Andy and Rob Schaus; Chelsie (Trinity) Bruce; Logan Carr; Aubrey and Liam Nahorny; and Weston and Blaire Banes.  Also, nine GREAT GRANDSONS; Tony, Bobby and Stevie Castle; Tyler and Nathan Schaus; and the youngest four, Graham, Benjamin, Oliver and Cooper Bruce.   I am really going to miss this group but am anxious to see the following people who are waiting on me. My grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and step brother Bob. Looking for that big hug from my son Michael. For sure I hear the angels and I don’t want to be late; who am I kidding…. I am always late! I will miss you all (well depends on who you all are) but for sure will try to watch you all below.   Ooops. I am heading to my forever home.

STAY WELL….BE HAPPY…..And above all….BE KIND.

David A. Neff, 77, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025 at Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.

Memorial Services celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 10, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. A luncheon and time for gathering of friends and family will follow until 2:00 p.m. Private family burial will be at Fell Cemetery in Libertyville. Memorials may be made to the Carnegie Museum Foundation or Jefferson County Historical Preservation Commission. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Dave was born November 9, 1947 in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Julius Cleveland and Nelle Conner Thompson Neff. After graduating high school, Dave moved to Fairfield and enrolled in Parsons College, graduating in 1969 and later began teaching at the college. While at Parsons, he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He married Sally Rinehart Sheffield, April 1, 1972. They later divorced. Dave married Sheri (Lint) Blough, May 26, 2007 at First United Methodist Church.

After teaching at Parsons, Dave found a job as a cashier at Iowa State Bank. Over his 35-year career he rose through the ranks, becoming president of the bank. A role he held for four years.

Dave was an active civic minded citizen of Fairfield, serving on numerous boards including, Greater Jefferson County Foundation, Carnegie Museum Foundation, Parsons College Foundation, Parsons Alumni Association, Fairfield Parks and Recreation, Fairfield Arts and Convention Center and Octoberfest. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Fairfield for over 40 years and later First United Methodist Church in Fairfield. Dave was honored as Fairfield Citizen of the Year in 1985.

Dave attended the Drake Relays as an annual event with friends and family for 54 years. He was an annual Santa’s helper on the square and at various events during the Christmas season, ran in the annual Parks and Rec Turkey Trot, served as an official for 30 years for Fairfield High School Cross Country and Track, and mentored children in an investment club.

In 2017, Dave and Sheri donated 36 acres of land for wetlands preservation in collaboration with the Iowa National Heritage Foundation.

Dave also belonged to special groups where various life problems were discussed and solved; the Templeton Rye Templers, and the Glasgow Road Mafia, where he and his friends had controlled prairie burns.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Sheri Blough Neff; children, Laurie (Jamie) Swanson of Bondurant, Iowa, Betsy (Kelly) Luck of Oskaloosa; and

Scott (Allison) Blough of Sanford, North Carolina; grandchildren, Spencer and Parker Swanson, Reid and Mia Luck, and August Blough; and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Online condolences may be made to Dave’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.