Obituaries

Helen Lucille Stark-Wilson, 75, of Keokuk, died at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at Donnellson Health Center in Donnellson.      The graveside service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 5 in Sunset Memorial Park in Keokuk, with Brother Bill Hauser officiating. The funeral procession will leave DeJong's Funeral Home in Keokuk for the park at 9:45 a.m. Following the service, family and friends will gather at

Russell H. Dean, 88, of Falls Church, Va., died on Monday, Dec. 22, 2003, at his home.      The body has been cremated.      Mr. Dean, born on Sept. 14, 1915, southeast of Kingston, the son of Willard and Nellie Hohmbraker Dean. He completed eight grades at the Kingston School and was a 1934 graduate of Mt. Union High School. He was a World War II Army veteran and belonged to the Masons. He worked at the Pentagon

Lena "Bea" Behrend, 79, of Washington, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at home, following a lengthy illness.      No services are planned. Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington is in charge of arrangements.      Mrs. Behrend was born on Oct. 4, 1924, in Washington, to Oscar and Violet (Engle) Collett. She married Herman Behrend on Aug. 30, 1946, in Davenport.

IOWA CITY-Kay Bernau, 64, of Iowa City, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at home, of cancer.      Memorial services will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, at 2 p.m. at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Iowa City, with the Rev. Kyle R. Otterbein and the Rev. Harlan Winter officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Iowa City. Family visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service

KALONA-Ruby Ellen Gingerich, 76, of Kalona, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at home, following a brief illness.      Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at East Union Mennonite Church near Kalona, with the Rev. Jay Miiller officiating. A private family burial will be held prior to the service in East Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 8 p.m. today, at Yoder-Powell

PORT BYRON, Ill.-Elmer L. Billingsley, 73, of Olds, died Monday, Dec. 29, 2003, at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.      Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, at Gibson Funeral Home in Port Byron, Ill. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery in Port Byron, Ill.. Visitation will be Thursday, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.      Mr. Billingsley was born on Dec. 19, 1930, in East Moline,

Olive Ellen Laughlin, 75, of Ainsworth, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at University of Iowa Hospitals in Iowa City, following a brief illness.      Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Ainsworth Community Church, with the Rev. Nancy Oehler officiating. Burial will be in Parsons Cemetery in Oakville. Visitation will begin at noon on Tuesday, at Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington, with

Ada Gundy, 100, of Washington, formerly of Sedalia, Mo., died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at McCreedy Home in Washington.      Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at Granger Cemetery in Granger, Mo. Visitation will be Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. Family visitation will be two hours prior to services at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka, Mo., Wednesday.

RIVERSIDE-Clara Mary Strabala, 91, of Hills, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, following a brief illness.      A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Hills, with the Rev. Lou Leonhardt officiating. Burial will be in St. Vincent's Cemetery in Riverside. Following services at the cemetery, a luncheon will be held at

KALONA-Russell E. Ellinger, 83, of Kalona, died Friday, Dec. 26, 2003, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, following a brief illness.      A celebration of life service will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 10:30 a.m., at Shiloh Church in rural Kalona, with Chuck Rogness, Ed Forbes, and Don Gaudreau officiating. Burial of cremains will be at a later date. Visitation will be this evening, from 6