Loraine Colman McKay (Atkinson) (83) passed away on December 13, 2022. Loraine was

born on July 22, 1939, in Parkersburg, WV, to Theodore and Mary (Callihan) Atkinson. After Loraine graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1958, she served our country in the Women’s Auxiliary Corps. There she met Ronald J. Colman, and they were married on October 31, 1959. During their 30 years of marriage, they raised two daughters, Heidi Ann and Merry-Noel. After Ronald’s death, Loraine found love again and married Austin F. McKay on September 1, 1992. Austin brought to the family two daughters, Annie and Louisa.

Loraine’s first and last employment involved her love of books. When her children were old enough, she quit being a homemaker and became a supervisor for the U.S. Army Main Library in Heidelberg, Germany. Then, she served several years for the Civilian Payroll Division as the Payroll Supervisor for the Department of Defense and was rewarded for her service in 1991. Upon retirement, Loraine returned to her passion for reading and with a dream to share her love of books, she helped establish the St. Charles Public Library, St. Charles, Iowa in 2001. Loraine received the Governor’s Volunteer Award for reading The Des Moines Register to the blind and print handicapped for Iowa Radio Reading Information Service in 2007. She volunteered in the Project Connect Mentoring Program in 2010 and was recognized by the Internal Revenue Service for public service for helping prepare tax forms and provide tax counseling

for the elderly in 2013. Loraine also received the Quilt of Valor in 2019. She was the Head Librarian for her retirement community in Des Moines, Iowa, before moving to Fairfield, Iowa.

Loraine is predeceased by her father, Theodore M. Atkinson, and her mother, Mary L. Rhodes (Callihan); brothers, David Atkinson and Homer Rhodes; nephew Troy Rhodes and both her husbands: Ronald J. Colman and Austin F. McKay.

Loraine is survived by her daughters, Heidi (Mark) Unkrich, Merry-Noel (Martin) Chamberlain, Annie (James) Pelzman, Louisa (Frank) Buford DeJarnette; sisters, Sandy Kenny, Crystal (David) DeLong and Linda Welch; grandchildren, Royene (Phillip) Bozek, Eric (Amanda) Pelzman, Audrey (Ryan) Smith, Emily (Nick) Fraser, and Ashleah; great grandchildren, Kassidy, Phillip, Mallory, Jozlyn, Collette, Quinnlyn, Noelle, Jonas, Mirah, Alton; and great-great granddaughter, Aurora; plus, nieces, nephew, and several cousins.

A graveside service will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, December 19, 2022.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Charles Public Library, 113 S. Lumber St., St. Charles, IA 50240.

“Anything that increases the intelligence level of a community is a benefit,” said Loraine McKay. “You sponsor interesting programs for children, for seniors, for everybody. If you don’t do well for the children in your community, you might as well close your town.”

Irvin E. Meier, Jr., 71, of Wapello, passed away on Monday, December 12, 2022 at his home in Wapello.  Friends may call after noon on Monday, December 19, 2022 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello, the family will be present from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.   Celebration of Life for Irv will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Wapello High School Gymnasium.  For those attending please wear your blue FFA jacket or rodeo shirt in honor of Irv.  Private family burial will be in Oakland Cemetery at a later date.  Memorials will be used toward the Wapello FFA Program and the Wapello Pro Rodeo in memory of Irv.   Condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Irvin Eugene Meier, Jr.  was born on November 22, 1951 in Algona, Iowa, the son of Irvin, Sr. and Adabelle (Grandgeorge) Meier.  Irv was a 1970 graduate of Belmond High School where he was the valedictorian of his graduating class.  While in high school he was actively involved in FFA and was a member of the wrestling team.  Following high school, he went on to attend college at Iowa State University, where he received his B.S. in Agricultural Education.   Irv then began his career of teaching at Dysart-Geneseo High School for 15 years from 1974 until 1989.  While there, he also served as the Advisor of the Dysart-Geneseo FFA Chapter (which later became the LaPorte-Dysart FFA Chapter) from 1974-1992.  In 1989, Irv briefly left his teaching career and became an agronomist at Tama-Benton Cooperative in Dysart.  Returning to teaching in 1992, Irv accepted a position as the Agricultural Education Teacher and FFA Advisor at Wapello High School.  Irv retired from teaching in 2013; although no one could say Irv ever really “officially” retired as he continued helping students obtain opportunities and achieve their full potential.

Irv had received the regional winner of the Sound Off Agriculture award, which is given to the top four young Ag teachers in the U.S.  He had also received the honorary Iowa FFA degree and honorary American FFA degree and was inducted into the Iowa 4-H hall of fame.  Irv worked countless hours on the Wapello Pro Rodeo, working with several judging teams and coached several state and national champions.  In addition to his extensive history of accomplishments, Irv enjoyed time spent with his brothers, sisters and their families.  He loved spending the holidays with them and playing cards.

Irv will be deeply missed by his siblings, Philippe (Annette) Meier of Boone, Marjorie Aldrich of Boone, Richard (Colleen) Meier of Clarion and Ada Martin of Clarion and nine nieces and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; nephew, Kelly Aldrich; brother-in-law, Dennis Aldrich and niece, Amanda Stracke.