1954 – 2025

William “Bill” J. Carpenter passed away peacefully at home on May 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on Christmas Day in 1954, Bill was known to his many friends as “Carp” or “Willie.”

Bill was raised on the family farm north of Boone in the unincorporated community of Ridgeport and remained in the Ridgeport/Boone area his entire life. A 1973 graduate of Boone High School, Bill stayed close with his classmates and played a key role in organizing reunions — proudly attending his 50th in 2024.

He earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from DMACC but soon followed his entrepreneurial spirit to start Carpenter Construction, Inc. in 1982, selling and building grain bins. In 1987, he became a dealer with Lester Building Systems, launching his successful career in pole building construction. Bill was well-known and highly respected in the industry — across a four-county radius, you will find grain bins and buildings bearing the Carpenter Construction name.

On March 22, 1986, Bill married Lila Leininger. Together they raised Lila’s two children, Michael and Kristen, whom Bill loved and treated as his own. The family shared many memories camping, fishing, attending MLB and NFL games, and vacationing at Disney World and New York City. He passed down a strong work ethic to his kids — one of his favorite sayings was, “I love to see kids work!”

Bill loved the outdoors — hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting and spending time at the cabin he owned north of his home. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, Green Bay Packers and Iowa State Cyclones. He played on the Adobe men’s slow-pitch softball team and bowled in the local farmers’ league. Bill also enjoyed hosting friends and family for pontoon rides at Don Williams Lake. One of his favorite songs was “Live Like You Were Dying” by Tim McGraw — and that’s exactly how he lived: with joy, generosity and enthusiasm. He never met a stranger. Bill was also a fan of laughter, comedy movies, attending concerts and being a huge jokester, playing pranks on many friends and family members, who often found ways to get him back.

After being widowed in 2001, Bill found love again and married Lori Litrell aboard a cruise ship in February 2014. Together, they enjoyed many cruises and adventures, traveling with friends and spending time with family.

Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Lila Carpenter; parents, John and Ruth Carpenter; in-laws, Lowell and Jessie Leininger; and his beloved cousin, Julie Molesky of Anaheim, California.

He is survived by his wife, Lori Carpenter; step-children Michael Crouthamel (Tina), Kristen Crouthamel (Josh), and daughter-in-law Amy Crouthamel; grandchildren Kenley and Lila Crouthamel; Lori’s children and grandchildren; sister Marsha Crouthamel (Scott); his dear cousin and lifelong friend Bart Kennedy; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

A funeral service for Bill was held on Friday, June 6 at First Baptist Church in Boone. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

In lieu of flowers or plants, memorials may be directed to the Boone County Hospital Foundation, Lila Carpenter Scholarship Fund — established by Bill in memory of his late wife.

1944-2025

Jane Rae Clarke, 81, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at the Guthrie County Hospital. Born on Jan. 8, 1944, in Perry, Jane was the only child of Vermyl Holmes Shick and Wilda Maxine (Danekas) Shick. She spent her childhood in Rippey and later Lanyon, where she developed a love for the outdoors and the close-knit spirit of rural life.

After graduating from Prairie Community High School in 1962, Jane attended college in Northern Iowa before making a bold move to St. Louis in 1965. There, she began her career with Monsanto Company, building a life of independence and adventure. It was in St. Louis that she met and married William Clarke on Jan. 7, 1967, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with love, laughter and travel. Together, they raised two sons, Sean William and Brian Matthew, and created a home full of warmth and memories.

In 1976, Jane and Bill returned to Iowa, settling on a farm near Jefferson in 1977. Her childhood passions for water sports and nature remained a central part of her life, leading to their purchase of a home on Lake Panorama in 1987 where they ultimately retired to. Whether she was water skiing, jet skiing with her beloved basset hound Rosie, or simply enjoying an afternoon at the lake with iced tea and good company, Jane embraced every moment with joy. She and Bill also cherished their years wintering in Arizona and later in Naples, Florida.

Jane’s love of games and camaraderie showed through her time playing bridge, board games and, later, online games with friends, her children and grandkids. Her appreciation for antiques and collectibles, passed down from her parents, led to many treasured finds over the years. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson and found happiness in simple pleasures — watching her grandchildren swim at the lake, sharing stories with friends, and, in later years, racing her scooter across the yard with spirit and determination!

She is survived by her devoted husband, William Clarke of Panora; her son, Sean Clarke and Liana of Naples, Florida; her son, Brian Clarke and his wife Angela of Long Grove, Illinois; and six grandchildren — Christian, Alexander, Isabella, Ricky, Bobbi and Angelyse. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vermyl and Wilda Shick.

Jane lived a life rich with adventure, love and laughter. She will be dearly missed but forever remembered by those who had the privilege to know her.

A visitation with the family will be held Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson.  A eulogy will be given at 10 a.m., followed by visitation with family and friends until noon.

Services were arranged by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson.

1947-2025

Dennis Ray Wailes, age 77, of rural Scranton, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born on Sept. 7, 1947, on a farm north of Bayard, and he was the son of George and Margaret (Dargon) Wailes. His father passed away when he was a young boy, and his family moved into Bayard where he graduated from Bayard High School in 1965. Dennis was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and served two years during the Vietnam Conflict. Upon his return from Vietnam, he lived in Des Moines where he met the love of his life, Leannah Simpson. They were married on Nov. 21, 1969, at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines. The couple lived in Des Moines for a short time before moving to DeSoto where he worked for Booneville Gravel as a heavy equipment operator. They later moved to Mechanicsville where he worked for Orkin Pest Control out of Cedar Rapids. In 1976, they moved to their current home south of Scranton, and Dennis began employment with West Central Cooperative, retiring in 2003. He also had a home business sharpening chainsaw blades. “Double Aught” continued to drive truck for the coop and always looked forward to helping his son-in-law and sister during harvest. Dennis enjoyed traveling, collecting project vehicles, chatting with his family and friends on the telephone, watching Fox news, tracking his family members on Find My iPhone, and, most of all, spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leannah; his children and their families: son Jason Wailes (Marlene) of Council Bluffs, son Brett Wailes (Andrea) of Scranton, daughter Heather Schoenherr (Dan) of Glidden, daughter Jennifer Wailes (Kris Foster) of Pleasantville, and bonus son Steve Kennel (Christine) of Youngstown, Ohio; 13 grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; two sisters: Beverly Lorenzen (Mike) of Dallas Center and Kathryn Hunter (Richard) of Scranton; his in-laws: Dorothy Biondi (Dan) of Sheldahl, Linda Moore (Andy) of Moravia, Dale Simpson (Joan) of Poway, California, George Simpson (Miriam) of Ventura, and Janice West of Wesley; many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.

Dennis was preceded in death his father, George Wailes; his mother, Margaret McDonald; his step-father, Scott McDonald; his in-laws: Louis and Ruth Simpson; a brother, Harold Dean Wailes; two sisters: Shirley Imler (Dean) and Clara Johnson (Marvin); and brothers-in-law: Donald Simpson and Richard Fox.

A visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Church of Christ in Bayard concluding with a prayer service at 4 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, at the Church of Christ in Bayard followed by inurnment at the Willow Township Cemetery near Bayard with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Bayard American Legion.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton, and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.