Author: Hayden Douglas

Raymond Paul DeRosear, 77, formerly of Primrose, Iowa, succumbed to rapid onset dementia at 7:38 a.m. Friday, October 3, 2025, at Living Center West in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

He was born on June 30, 1948, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa the eldest of three sons born to Verle Vincent and Edith “Jane” DeRosear. As a toddler, he and his parents relocated to the Farmington, Iowa area. He attended school in Farmington and graduated in 1966 from Harmony High School.

While still in high school, Raymond enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and was discharged in 1975. In 1968, he began studies at Iowa State University in Ames. It was there that he met his soulmate, Paula Joyce Davis on a blind date. They were married on May 30, 1970, in Ames and remained married for over fifty-five years. In 1971, the couple moved to Primrose, Iowa, in order for Ray to join his father in his electrical contracting business. He became a master electrician eventually taking over the business upon Verle’s retirement. A serious fall in 1987 forced him to close this chapter of his life. Not one to sit idle, Ray returned to college, eventually establishing a building construction business which he operated until the late 1990s. At that time he was hired by Southeastern Community College in Burlington, Iowa to develop and teach a building trades program. Ray loved working with his students and became friends with several over the years. In 2010 he retired from teaching to devote more time to hobbies and family.

He and Paula traveled extensively for many years with their campers. In 2019, they sold their acreage and became full time RVers for nearly six years until his health intervened.

Living to cherish his memory are his wife: Paula of Urbana, Iowa; daughters: Jennifer (Ricky) Clay,  of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Anne (Scott) Selberg of Urbana, Iowa; granddaughter: Olivia Limas; grandsons: Spenser Limas (Lyndsey Payden) Vincent Clay and Liam Clay; great granddaughter: Charlie Ray Limas. Also surviving are his brothers: Ronald (Linda) of Farmington, Jeff of Colfax, Wisconsin and several cousins and nieces.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents; son: Pyter James at birth and beloved granddaughter: Alyssa Delaney Limas.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Living Center West for the loving care given to Raymond in the few months he was there.

A celebration of life will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Pilot Grove Savings Bank Community Room in Donnellson, Iowa.

Memorials may be given to Alzheimers Association for research in ending this devastating condition.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Leland Max Diers, 89, of Farfield and formerly of Lockridge passed away on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the Jefferson County Hospital surrounded by his loving family.

Lee was born on April 30, 1936, in Jefferson County, the son of Fred Henry and Effie (Marshall) Diers.  He grew up on the family farm in Lockridge and graduated from Lockridge High School with the class of 1955. It was there that Leland’s lifelong love for farming and the outdoors began.  After his graduation he was drafted into the United States Army in 1959. He served his country bravely and was honorably discharged in 1962.  Leland worked for Rauscher Seed House, Dexter Company and later for Chain and Cable.  Eventually, Leland dedicated himself to farming full time, cultivating row crops and raising livestock. Farming was not just a profession for Leland, but a true passion that brought him great joy throughout his life.  He was united in marriage to Sue Ann Fry on November 27, 1971, at the United Methodist Church in Fairfield.  Together they enjoyed 54 years of marriage filled with love and laughter.  He had the wonderful gift of being able to fix anything, loved to tinker and loved to play pranks and tease people.   Throughout his life he was always there to help his neighbors regardless of what he was doing. Leland was an Americana Seeds dealer for several years. He later began to work at Graber Services in Lockridge.  In April of 2015, he and Sue moved to Fairfield.  He was a member of the United Life Community Church of Fairfield. 

Those thankful for sharing in his life include his wife Sue, and his children, Tim (Angie) Diers and Ted (Kandi) Diers, and his beloved grandchildren, Edith, Gabby, Ruby and Adeline. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Royal Fredrick Diers, one in infancy and Eugene Diers.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the United Life Community Church in Fairfield with Pastor George King officiating.  Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Friends may call on Tuesday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant.  The family will not be present.  Following the service at the cemetery the family will receive friends at the church for a time of food and fellowship. A memorial has been established in his memory to the United Life Community Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

The Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is honored to serve the family with love, comfort and dignity as we celebrate the life of Leland Diers.

Shirley Pauline Hermann-Dorothy, 89, a resident of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, October 4, 2025 at Country Lane Manor in Keosauqua.

Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 8th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be in Glasgow Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family and sent to 2097-185th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.

Shirley was born January 11, 1936 at the farm near Glasgow to LeRoy and Mary Ethel (Carter) Heisel. She graduated from Stockport High School in 1953, and then went to Burlington Beauty Academy. She married Toby Hermann in 1954. They later divorced.

Shirley worked at IRC in Burlington while pursuing her dream of becoming a country music radio personality. She started her career in Wichita, Kansas. She then moved to Shreveport, Louisiana, and finally to Amarillo, Texas, where she worked on Mel Tillis’ radio station. Her radio name was Jody Carter, in honor of her mother.

In the mid 1980’s, she left radio and began working at Dillard’s in Amarillo. She then moved to Jefferson City, Missouri and worked at Dillard’s for a career that spanned 19 years, receiving many recognitions as employee of the year, along with others.

Shirley moved back to Iowa in the early 2000’s. In 2011, she started dating an old school friend, Donnie Dorothy. They were married December 12, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.

Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Donnie; children, Toby (Laurie) Hermann of Iowa City, Tim (Lorrie) Hermann of Jefferson City, Missouri, Ted (Helene) Hermann of Winfield, Trudie (Ralph) Crum of Amarillo, Texas, and Tom (Michelle) Hermann of Iowa City; step-children, Dirk Dorothy of Fairfield, Peggy McDonald of Libertyville, and Brigit Kuchenbecker of Cedar Rapids; 11 grandchildren, 12 step-grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, 21 step-great grandchildren, 3 great-great grandchildren, and 7 step-great-great grandchildren; sisters, Bettye Davis of Wichita, Kansas, and Beverly Mason of Burlington; sister-cousin, LuEtta (Dennis) Fulton of Keosauqua; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; uncle and aunt, Lou and Marjory Wilhelm, who raised her after the death of her mother; brother, Allen “Willy” Heisel; grandson, Jace Stafford; step-son, Dennis Dorothy; along with aunts, uncles, cousins, and many friends.

Shirley reminds us all to make someone feel special today in your bank of memories. Online condolences may be made at www.behnerfh.com.