Darlene Mehaffy

Darlene Mehaffy, 76, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, Dec. 31, at Pleasant Manor Care Center.

According to her wishes, Mrs. Mehaffy's body has been cremated. Friends may sign the register book and leave memorials on Friday, Jan. 4, from noon until 8 p.m., at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Hope Haven, American Cancer Society, or the Parkinson's Foundation. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

She was born Aug. 5, 1931 in Trenton, the daughter of Henry and Gladys Smith Alter. On July 4, 1952, she married Rodney Mehaffy in Reno, Nev.

A graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, she worked for the Iowa Telephone Company. While her husband was in the service, she worked for Berkley Telephone Office in Berkley, Calif. After returning to Iowa, she worked for Midwest Biscuit Company and was co-owner, manager, and dispatcher for Mehaffy Moving and Storage. She worked for Metromail in Mt. Pleasant for 29 years, retiring in 1996.

She was the organizer and leader for the Henry County 4-H group designed especially for retarded children. She was a member of the Henry County Association for Retarded Citizens and served as their treasurer. She enjoyed motorcycle riding and outdoor sports.

She is survived by her husband; two daughters, Vicky Mehaffy of Burlington and Tammy Mulford and her husband Doug of Mt. Pleasant; one sister, Beverly Mullin and her husband Walter of Mt. Pleasant; one son-in-law, Dan McCabe of Mt. Pleasant; and four grandsons.

Her parents, daughter Pam McCabe and brother Jerry Alter preceded her in death.