All Obituaries

Terry Joe VeVerka, 79, of Newton died on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, January 21, 2022, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m., Friday until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorials to the Izaak Walton League or the Salvation Army Loan Closet may be left at the funeral home.  Terry, the son of Junior Orville and Catherine Jane (McMaster) VeVerka, was born...

Robin Lynn Southern, 52, of Newton died on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at her home. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.  Memorials in Robin’s name (checks made payable to Brock Southern) may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Robin, the daughter of Darrell and Pam (Tabor) Smith, was born on July 27, 1969 in Newton. She graduated from Newton High School in 1988. Robin then received her Associated Degree from Indian Hills Community...

Margaret Ann Jensen, 79, of Newton died on Saturday, January 15, 2022, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials to the American Heart Association may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory.  Margaret, the daughter of John R. and H. Lucile (French) Johnstone, was born on March 9, 1942 in Newton. She graduated from Newton High School. Margaret was united in marriage with David R. Jensen on September 2,...

Sharon Kay Smith, 77, of Newton died on Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. The family will greet friends from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials in Sharon’s name (checks made payable to Chris Brain) may be left at the funeral home. Sharon, the daughter of Robert and Wilma (Tool) McMaster, was born on March 14, 1944 in Newton.  She graduated from Newton High School in 1962. Sharon...

Julie A. (Bequeaith) Neef, 81, of Newton died on Monday, January 10, 2022, at Unity Point Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines. No services are scheduled at this time. Memorials in Julie’s name (checks made payable to Kevin Neef) may be left at the funeral home. Julie, the daughter of Donald and Louise (Doyle) Bequeaith, was born on February 26, 1940 in Des Moines.  She graduated from East High School and from AIB. Julie was a life long Jehovah Witness. She was united...

Darlene Michelle (McDaniel) VanBalen, 46, of Monroe died on Friday, January 7, 2022, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials in Darlene’s name (made payable to Glenn VanBalen) may be left at the funeral home. Darlene, the daughter of Donald “Don” and Pam McDaniel, was born on November 10, 1975, in Kentucky. She graduated from high school in Villa Park, Illinois, before settling down in Newton in 1998. Darlene was...

Lloyd Dale “LD” Palmer II, 77, of Lake Ponderosa, formerly of Newton died on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 12, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m., Tuesday, January 11, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Newton Dollars for Scholars may be left at the funeral home.  LD, the son of Lloyd D. and Grace...

Howard L. Ohler, 81, of Newton died on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at Accura Healthcare of Newton East. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 11, 2022, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service on Tuesday.  Memorials in Howard’s name may be left to his family.  Howard, the son of Raymond and Louisa (Deaver) Ohler, was born on June 1, 1940, at his family’s home...

Norma Lea “Pudge” (Peterson) Allspach, 95, died on Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Park Centre. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Memorials on behalf of Pudge may be sent to the Jasper County Historical Museum. Pudge, the daughter of Roy and Elva (Lowry) Peterson, was born on December 13, 1926, in Colfax, Iowa. She graduated from Newton High School in 1945. In 1946, Pudge was united...

Joseph “Joe” Charles Waiksnis, 82, died on Friday, December 31 2021, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown. A graveside service with military honors will be held at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 12, 2022, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home Cemetery in Marshalltown. Memorials to the American Legion Post 111 may be left at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Joe was born on December 18, 1939 to Joseph and Anna Waiksnis in New York City, New York.  He...