1958-2025

Johnny “Mac” McNeley, 66, passed away suddenly on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, with his wife by his side. He was born Feb. 16, 1958, in Omaha, Nebraska, and lived in Iowa. He was a member of the wrestling team from Guthrie Center High School, a treasurer of the local FFA chapter, and a dairy judge. After graduating in 1976, he joined the Navy and was honorably discharged in 2002 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, Damage Controlman, after proudly serving for 26 years. His last duty assignment was NAVMAC Millington, Tennessee. Upon discharge from the Navy, he attended horseshoeing school in Oklahoma, becoming a farrier.

Johnny was known to his friends in the South as Mac. He worked for Steel Warehouse of Memphis for 22-plus years in maintenance, retiring Oct. 31, 2024. In his off time when the grandchildren were young, he loved to have them spend the weekend at the farm with the menagerie of horses, goats, pigs, chickens and turkeys. Easter on the farm was always a fun time with easter egg hunts for the kids and “special” egg hunts for the grown-ups. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid hunter, as well as a fisherman on the ponds at his farm. He loved to participate in retriever hunt tests as a handler, judge and worker. He was an active member of Southern Flight HRC and a Started judge for HRC/UKC. He was also an active member and on the board of directors for Mid-South Hunting Retriever Club where he judged AKC Junior and Senior retriever hunt tests.

Johnny “Mac” lived in Holly Springs, Mississippi, with his wife, Janice. He is pre-deceased by his father, Billy McNeley, and a brother, Francis McNeley. Surviving family members are his mother, Shirley McNeley (Chichester), and two brothers, Roger and Terry McNeley, all still in Iowa, and his sister, Peggy Williams (McNeley) in Maryland. He has two adult children, Timothy McNeley in Millington, Tennessee, and Sarah Gaynor (husband Ryan) in Spanish Fort, Alabama. He has five grandchildren whom he loved dearly and bragged on whenever the chance arose: Dylan and Presley Gaynor; Drake, Mason “Cash” and Waylon McNeley. He also had two stepchildren, Samantha Poole (Williamson) in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Chris Williamson in Clearwater, Florida.

Johnny’s remains will be interred at the Van Meter Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Van Meter Township on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. with full military honors. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow at the adjacent American Legion from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

1940-2025

Ronald L Stevens, better known as Ronnie to friends and family, 85, died peacefully March 13, 2025, at Thomas Rest Haven Nursing Home, Coon Rapids. He was born at home in Guthrie County on Feb. 24, 1940, the eldest son of Glenn E. Stevens and Lillian J. (Richey) Stevens.

Ronald graduated from Audubon High School, class of 1958. Following graduation, he served with the U.S. Navy through December 1963. Following his time in the U.S. Navy, he studied at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. After his correspondence with Josefina V. Daugdaug, they married in Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines in 1974. They resided in Jefferson where Ron worked in manufacturing and was also self-employed. He was married to Josie until her death in 2021.

Ron enjoyed being physically active and outside in nature. He would often spend time at the local high school track and walking trails in Jefferson. He enjoyed reading and had an assorted collection of books and movies. Self-education was an important attribute that he passed on to his daughters. He wrote poetry and jokes. He often discussed movies and would readily debate in politics and other social issues.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by his daughter, Valerie.

He is survived by his daughter: Vanessa; his grandchildren: Kimora, Jaxon and Giovanni-Carlo; brothers: Kerry Stevens of Waukee, and Rick Stevens and his wife Peggy of Indianola; sister: Melodee Powers and her husband, Jay, of Newberg, Oregon; his nieces and nephews, great niece and great-great nephew.

Visitation will be held from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory, 1721 Park St., Perry, IA 50220. Service was held graveside at Union Cemetery, Guthrie Center following the visitation. Flowers and memorials can be sent to the funeral home. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

1941-2025

“Jack” Jackie Lynn Stringer was born on Dec, 2, 1941, and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his large, loving and loud family, on March 15, 2025. The birth and death of this dedicated father and farmer are not nearly as relevant as the days he lived between those two dates.

Jack was born to Ralph and Jody (Mary Josephine Hoyt) Stringer on his Great Grandpa Stringer’s home place. In the spring of 1942, the family moved just down the road to the farm of Rufus Couch, Jack’s other Great Grandpa. Jack and his sisters grew up in the house that their Great Grandpa built in 1909. Jack still owns the land he loved so much and was proud to have had both farms designated as Century Farms. His childhood farm is currently home to the sixth generation of Couch/Stringer descendants.

Jack attended Beaver Country School through junior high and had fantastic stories to tell of the shenanigans that he, some cousins and other neighbor boys could instigate. For high school, Jack attended Guthrie Center Community High School. He loved playing sports and excelled in all of them. It was there where he met a cute cheerleader named Beverly Railsback, who would become the love of his life. He graduated from high school in 1960 and then attended an auto mechanical school in Omaha.

After several years of dating through high school, on July 16, 1961, he married that cheerleader. In the spring of 1962, Jack, Bev and baby John moved to the farm west of Wichita, where Jack lived, raised his family and farmed for 63 years. They had two mischievous boys: John (1962) and Jimmy (1970), and one somewhat strong-willed, bossy daughter, Brenda (1964). During the 1980-81 school year, they welcomed an exchange daughter from Greece, Elizabeth Xanthopoulou. A lifetime of love and adventure spanned over 56 years until Bev’s death in 2017.

Jack was a very progressive farmer. In 1969, he was selected as a soil conservation winner in the “Guthrie District Owner-Tenant Division” of The Des Moines Register contest, recognizing farmers practicing outstanding soil conservation. He served many years on the Soil Conservation board. In the early 1970s, he was recognized as an outstanding Beef Producer.

The Guthrie County Fair was a huge part of the Stringer family life and tradition. Jack started as the Sheep Superintendent, then Swine Superintendent, and later served many years as a Fair Board Member. Years and years of wonderful memories were made camping at the fair, riding motorcycles, and showing off Bev’s 1955.

Arm wrestling was a 45-year family tradition. Jack started by taking John in 1979 to the first of many years of competitions in Monster Arm Wrestling. It was just a matter of time before it became a family event, as Jimmy joined in at age 18, followed by many of the grandkids, and even a great-granddaughter in 2023.

Jack has always felt a need for speed, whether in his Chevy cars or Mud Bog Trucks. In 1999, he started mud bog racing at Guthrie with a stock truck named “Grandpa’s Toy,” eventually graduating to a 1,000-horsepower truck in the Outlaw Class. At the age of 82, after 24 years of racing, he won his final race in 2023.

Farmers never retire, so when Jack finally slowed down his farming operation, he simply pivoted to another passion that he had put on hold — playing in the dirt. Doing dozer work, running the excavator, or buying calves at the sale barn and raising them at the farm was definitely his happy place.

Jack loved sports and livestock. He especially loved football and basketball, and watching grandkids play sports or show livestock at the fair was something he truly enjoyed. In recent years, his companion, Judee Eischeid, and her family joined him in life’s many adventures.

Immediate family waiting in heaven to welcome him are his wife, Bev; his parents; grandson, Jacob Stringer; and son-in-law, David Christensen.

Jack left deep roots in the family who remain. His infectious laugh and giving heart will be missed by his loved ones: his children, John Stringer; Jimmy (Laurie) Stringer; Brenda (Michael) Esdohr; and exchange daughter, Elizabeth Xanthopoulou.

He leaves 10 grandkids: Lainey (Drew) Stringer (John’s daughter); Brea (Derek) Chaplin; Ashley (Wes) DeMaris; Cory (Heather) Esdohr; Elizabeth Esdohr; Ali Stringer (Brenda’s kids); Laurisa Stringer (Austin Fabian); LeAnna (Mason) Rasmussen; Jessica Stringer (Brandon Thomas); and Jenna (Dustin) Deist (Jimmy’s kids).

27 great-grandkids: John: Lilah (Jacob and Katie); Cooper, Emery, Griffin, Nora, and Juniper (Lainey and Drew); Brenda: Noah, Asher, Kaleb, Leah, Elijah, Rebekah, Benjamin, Jude, Sam, and new baby No. 10 due in August (Brea and Derek); Olivia and Stella (Ashley and Wes); Sal, Niki and Lexi (Ali); Hally, Zach and Luke (Cory and Heather); Jimmy: Waylon and Landry (Laurisa and Austin); and Opal (LeAnna and Mason).

He is also survived by his three sisters, Mary Jo (Jim) Laughery, Barb Hambleton, and Martha (Rick) Buttler, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and so many good friends.

Visitation was held on Monday, March 17, 2025, from 4- 8 p.m. at the Event Center at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds. Funeral services, officiated by Pastor David Morris, took place on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center.

Deb Menning accompanied the congregational hymn “It Is Well With My Soul,” while special music included “Monsters,” performed by LeAnna Rasmussen, Jenna Deist, and Jessica Stringer, along with two recorded songs, “In Color” and “Lead Me Home” by Jamey Johnson.

Interment followed at Monteith Cemetery in rural Guthrie Center. Pallbearers included grandsons-in-law: Andrew Stringer, Derek Chaplin, Wes DeMaris, Austin Fabian, Mason Rasmussen, Dustin Deist, Brandon Thomas, and step-grandson Cory Esdohr. Honorary pallbearers were granddaughters: Lainey Stringer, Brea Chaplain, Ashley DeMaris, Laurisa Stringer, LeAnna Rasmussen, Jenna Deist, Jessica Stringer, step-granddaughter-in-law Heather Esdohr, step-granddaughter, Elizabeth Esdohr, and adopted daughter Ali Stringer.

Following the services on Tuesday, the family invited all guests to a time of fellowship and a luncheon at the Event Center at the Guthrie County Fairgrounds, catered by Café on the Hill in Guthrie Center. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.

1959-2025

With love and remembrance, we announce the passing of Derry Gene Hick, born on Oct. 14, 1959, who peacefully passed away on Feb. 19, 2025, in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters, Melissa and Erika, by his side. He was 65 years old.

Born in Guthrie Center, Derry joined the U.S. Air Force after high school, serving his country with honor. After leaving the service, he lived a life defined by acts of service and generosity to others. Known to so many as a kind and generous man, Derry left a lasting impact on all who knew him. His love for music, movies and cross-country driving brought him joy throughout his life.

While on military leave after a deployment in Korea, Derry met Elizabeth, a nursing student and his sister Debbie’s friend, during a visit to his family in Des Moines. They married in 1983 in Los Angeles and had two daughters, Melissa Ann and Erika Elizabeth. Derry and Elizabeth spent more than 41 years together, building a lifetime of cherished memories. Both Derry and Elizabeth served in the United States Armed Forces, sharing a deep sense of duty, service and love for their country.

Derry and Elizabeth were blessed with four grandchildren: Cameron and Gisele, children of their daughter, Melissa, and her husband, Stephen; and Henry Wyatt and Jane Lillian, children of their daughter, Erika, and her husband, James. Derry loved being their “Papa” and cherished every moment with them.

Derry is survived by his beloved wife of more than 41 years, Elizabeth Hick; his two daughters, Melissa and Erika; his four grandchildren; his mother, Joyce; and his brothers, Dan and Michael, along with their spouses and children. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend with a legacy of kindness and generosity that will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

Derry will be laid to rest at the VA National Cemetery in Riverside, California.

A Celebration of Life will be from 1-3 p.m. in the basement at First Baptist Church, 113 N. Fifth St., Guthrie Center, on April 12.

1932-2025

Delbert (Tobe) Gene Benton, son of Clarence (Rich) and Opal (Sheeder) Benton, was born on the family farm in Guthrie County on Jan. 7, 1932. He passed away peacefully on March 13, 2025, at the Guthrie County Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He spent his early life in Grant Township attending country school. Tobe graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1950. Following graduation, he worked as a farm hand for various farmers in the area until he enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on Dec. 9, 1952. Before he headed overseas to Korea, he married his soul mate and the love of his life, Ruth Cannon, on June 23, 1953, at the Christian Church in Perry. They were blessed with nearly 72 years of married life together.

Tobe was so very proud of the years he spent serving our country. While in Korea, he worked in the motor pool, and following his discharge, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Good Conduct Medal during his time in the service. Always a humble man, he felt great pride whenever someone would thank him for his service, and he took great pleasure in riding on the American Legion float in the Guthrie County Fair Parade each year.

He spent his life dedicated to farming the land. Farming was not just a job but a way of life that he cherished. For many years, he raised hogs, cattle and row crops. During the 1970s and 1980s, he and Ruth had a dog kennel in which they raised purebred Pomeranians, Maltese, West Highland White Terriers, and Old English Sheepdogs. Dogs were truly a passion for Tobe. Until just a few years ago, you would always see him with a trusted companion riding beside him on his four-wheeler or in the back of his pickup as he checked cows. His commitment to his community was very important to him. He served as a director on the Guthrie County Beef Producers and the Farm Service Administration. Tobe always enjoyed working with kids, and while his children were in school, he served as a 4-H Leader and was recognized as an Honorary Chapter Farmer by the Guthrie Center FFA. He was instrumental in organizing the Guthrie Center Booster Club and helped raise funds for the first weight room at Guthrie Center Schools. He loved watching his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in school activities. Many good times were spent enjoying wrestling tournaments, football and baseball games, band and vocal concerts, and school plays. He took great delight in spending many hours at the pond dropping a line with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It was always a contest to see who could snag the biggest fish.

Although Tobe worked hard, he always made time to enjoy the good things in life with his family and friends. He and Ruth belonged to a card club that met monthly for more than 50 years. Pitch was the game of choice whenever family members would get together, and he smiled with pride when his grandchildren learned how to “shoot the moon!” He and Ruth spent several years vacationing in Minnesota with their neighborhood group. Numerous neighbor kids found amusement in visiting the Bentons so they could ride the bag swing Tobe had assembled in the old cottonwood tree in the corner of their yard. He loved going to the county fair and spending time looking at the exhibits or just stopping to catch up with old friends. You could always find him and Ruth at their same spot in front of the former Guthrie County Bank building enjoying the fair parade. Tobe was a member of Bowman Chapel United Methodist Church where he shared a pew with the same people and looked forward to fellowship with his church family following worship each Sunday.

Tobe was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Opal Benton; his step-mother, Adah Parish Benton; brother, Max Benton and wife, Jean; his sister, Bea Millhollin and husband Bob; his in-laws, Frank and Minnie Cannon; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Roger and Lois Wickland; and his nephew, Pat Benton. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Ruth; children, Julie (Doug) Rutherford, Scott (Karen) Benton, and John Ely who summered with them for nine years; four grandchildren, Brody (Michelle) Benton, Bethany (Nicholas) McCool, Ian (Claire) Rutherford, and Alec (friend, Sara Freimuth) Rutherford; and his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Norah, Levi and Jace Benton, and Casen, Crayton and Coy McCool, as well as many other family and friends.

Tobe will be greatly missed, but his memory will live on in all those who knew and loved him.

1960-2025

Kerry K. Sheeder was born Dec, 6, 1960, in Guthrie Center, to Richard and Betty (Sheley) Sheeder. He passed away on March 8, 2025, at the Guthrie County Hospital in Guthrie Center.

He grew up on a farm west of Guthrie Center. He graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1979. On May 26, 1990, he married Brenda Barnard in Pickrell, Nebraska. They were blessed with two children, Richard and Kassandra. They were his life, and he enjoyed showing his passion of farming with them.

Kerry’s passion was farming. He loved his cows and enjoyed raising hogs when he was growing up. He worked in the pipeline from 1979 to 1991, where he enjoyed meeting new people and seeing many sites around the country. He returned home to his farming career where he farmed until he got sick in 2020.

He fought a long hard battle with various health conditions.

He had a big heart, liked to tell stories, and he never knew a stranger.

Kerry is survived by his wife, Brenda, and children, Richard Sheeder of Guthrie Center and Kassandra Sheeder of Guthrie Center. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Doug; and brother, Danny.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 14, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church in Guthrie Center. Visitation will be Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 4-7 p.m. at the Twigg Funeral Home in Guthrie Center.