Author: Shelbi Swinscoe

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

Melvin B. Jennings, 94, of Coralville, passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at his home in Coralville.  Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services in Winfield.  Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  Burial will be held at the Winfield-Scott Township Cemetery at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Washington County Hospice in memory of Melvin.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Melvin Burdell Jennings was born on June 3, 1931, in Louisa County, Iowa, the son of Clarence Albert and Margurite (Marion) Jennings.  He was a graduate of the Wyman High School.  Melvin proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War being stationed in France.  He was a farmer in the Winfield area his entire life.  Melvin was a member of the Winfield Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder, served on the Board of Directors for the Sunrise Terrance Care Facility and was also a member of the Winfield V.F.W. and American Legion and the church bowling league.  Melvin raised Duroc hogs, showing them at many local fairs and also the Iowa State Fair and other state fairs.  He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed boating on Table Rock Lake, bird watching, his rose gardens, woodworking, golfing, bowling, listening to music, reading and his car, but most of all spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren.

Melvin will be deeply missed by his wife of 70 years, Jane of Coralville; his children, Kevin Jennings of Quaqueston, Iowa and Kyle (Adrienne Publicover) Jennings of Walnut Creek, California and five grandchildren, Margaret, Ben, Jacob, Alec and Clare.

Melvin was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Connie Green and one brother, Myron Jennings.

Carol (Boese) Garrett, 95, of Wayland, passed from this life on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Parkview Home in Wayland. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 10:30 AM at Finley Chapel south of Wayland. Burial will follow at Finley Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday, January 9, 2026, from 5 – 7 PM at the Finley Chapel. A memorial fund has been established for the Finley Cemetery and Parkview Home. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Carol Jean was born on January 10, 1930, on a farm a quarter of a mile south of Wayland, the daughter of Albert and Anna (Steffen) Boese. She graduated from Wayland High School in 1949. Carol worked as a bookkeeper in the Boshart Feed Store and at the Wayland State Bank. On June 17, 1956, she was united in marriage to Dale D. G

arrett at Finley Chapel. They lived on the same farm all their married life, until moving into Wayland in 1992. Carol was a regular attendee at the Wayland Coffee Club. She loved sewing, quilting, working outside with flowers, and working in the garden.  Dale and Carol enjoyed playing cards, square dancing, traveling to Europe, Alaska and interesting places in the United States.

Survivors include three sons; Thomas Garrett of Turner, Oregon, Curt (Tina) Garrett of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Mark (Karen) Garrett of Wayland, Iowa, one daughter; Beth (David) Wirka of Wahoo, Nebraska, nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Carol in death were her parents, her husband Dale, sister Alberta Miller, and brother Arley Boese.

Betty Joan Vickers, 91, of Bonaparte, IA passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Van Buren County Hospital.  As were her wishes, cremation has taken place.  A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.  Memorial contributions in Betty’s honor may be directed to the Bonaparte Cemetery Association, Bonaparte EMS, or to T.N.R (Trap, Neuter, Release) program that was important to Betty.   Memorials may be mailed to P.O. Box 75, Bonaparte, IA 52620.  Friends may share memories and leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Betty Joan Vickers entered this life on January 29, 1934, in Keosauqua, IA, the daughter of Elmer and Alena Bartholomew Green.  She was raised by her mother and her stepfather, Glenn Gares and attended country school as well as Bonaparte School before marrying the love of her life, Bill Vickers.  Betty became a mother at an early age and loved that role.  The family followed Bill’s work in the papermills, traveling to Arizona and Georgia.  The family eventually moved back to Bonaparte to a farmstead that Betty and Bill had purchased.   As the children grew older Betty entered the workforce at the Glove Factory and also managed the hardware store in Bonaparte.

Betty was the kind of person who never met a stranger and never knew an enemy.  She was affectionately known as “Grandma Betty” to everyone in the Bonaparte and surrounding area.  She not only supported her family, but also her community and was recognized for her service as the recipient of the Mainstreet Award in Bonaparte.

Not only was she kind to all people but also to all animals.  She had a special place in her heart for her dogs and enjoyed walks with them on her property.  She always did her part to keep Bonaparte beautiful, picking up litter whenever she came across it.  She will be deeply missed by her family and the many friends she made along the way.

Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Bill Vickers; two siblings, Joe Green and Vivian Green; a son-in-law, Mike Shriver and a great granddaughter, Lindsay Grace Shriver.

Left to share her story are her three children; Bethany (Gene) Pratt of Bonaparte, IA, Tamera Shriver of Bonaparte, IA, and Troy (Liz) Vickers of Blue Eye, MO; eleven grandchildren, many great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren with one on the way, her faithful cat, Alice, as well as many extended family and friends.