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.

1946-2025

William (Bill) Warren Masters, 78, son of Alva C. and Ruby Myrnell (Knauer), was born in Des Moines on Nov. 14, 1946, and passed away at his home in Guthrie Center surrounded by his loved ones on Jan 3, 2025.

Bill spent the younger years of his childhood in Guthrie Center. After his father’s death in 1953, Myrnell moved Bill and the rest of the family to San Diego, California, in 1954. Bill graduated from Point Loma High School in San Diego in 1966. Bill served his country by joining the Air Force later that same year. He was a jet engine mechanic and spent the majority of his military career at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. After his honorable discharge in December of 1970, he returned to Iowa to make a home in Guthrie Center.

Bill was married to Carolyn Stewart in May of 1967. Three children — Tami, Nicole and Tim — were born to this union. They later divorced.

Bill began his civilian career working for the Guthrie County Road Department from 1971 to 1973. He then worked for The Des Moines Register until 1994. Bill loved to fix things and craft with his hands, so he decided to start his own painting and remodeling business and called it “The Masters Touch.” Later, Bill also owned another business, Breadeaux Pizza, in Panora until he finally retired in 2015.

In July of 1990, Bill married Judy Hill, and he welcomed her daughter, Trina Brusman, as part of the family.

After Bill retired, he and Judy took many memorable vacations traveling and spent their winters in Tucson, Arizona, where he volunteered as a maintenance worker at Gilbert Ray Campground and gained a whole new family of terrific friends.

Bill enjoyed spending time in the garage working on woodworking projects, traveling, wintering in Arizona and cruising around in his 1939 Studebaker Commander and entering it into car shows. Bill also enjoyed working in the yard, birdwatching and watching the other wildlife that frequented their acreage. Perhaps Bill’s favorite pastimes were cooking and gathering around the table to share memories and talk about the future with his beloved family.

Bill is survived by his wife, Judy; his children, Tami Masters (David), Nicole Hansen (Ed), Tim Masters and Trina Brusman (Ulises); grandchildren, Nathan Somsky (Danielle), Owen Hansen (Mallory), Abby Hansen (Rush), Daniel Jensen (Kena), Teressa Stillwell (Nick), Heather Brusman (Kyle) and Shelby Brusman (Ashton); great-grandchildren, Carter Somsky, Dameon Lawrence, Dominik Stillwell, Finn Stillwell and Izabella Bookout; brother, Robert Masters; nephews, Dan Masters, Ken Masters, Ron Masters, Andrew Masters and Mike Mohr; and niece, Tina Mohr.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Richard Masters (Caryl), and sister, Joyce Mohr (Gary).

Bill was a cancer warrior and fought a very brave fight as he was cared for by the oncology staff at the Des Moines VA Medical Center and nurses of Hospice of the Midwest. His family will be forever grateful for his caregivers and their tireless efforts to give Bill the best life he could have in his final months.

Bill will be greatly missed by many lifelong friends and family.

A Celebration of Life for Bill will be held at the Guthrie Activity Center, located at 209 State St., Guthrie Center, on April 13, 2025, from 1-4 p.m. The family looks forward to sharing stories and celebrating Bill’s life with everyone who knew him.

Bill’s remains will be laid to rest at a small, private graveside service at Union Cemetery in Guthrie Center at a later date.

1934-2025

Richard Louis Zapf, 90, son of Alphonse and Imelda (Loso) Zapf, was born Oct. 5, 1934, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. He passed away Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at the Mayo Clinics in Rochester, Minnesota. 

He graduated from Cathedral High School, St. Cloud, Minnesota in 1952. He enlisted into the United States Army in 1954. He was stationed in Kansas, New Jersey and Arizona before being honorably discharged in 1955. He attended St. Cloud State College. On Dec. 28, 1957, he married Diane Baker in St. Cloud, Minnesota. To this union, one son and three daughters were born. After several moves, the family settled in Des Moines in 1965. Richard worked as a general merchandise manager for Super Valu, Des Moines Division. In 1988, Dick and Diane moved one last time to Lake Panorama.

Richard enjoyed golfing, woodworking and supporting junior golf in Panora, but his family was the true joy of his life. Dick was a man of faith and attended St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Panora.

Richard is survived by his son, Mark (Lynette) Zapf, of Rogers, Arkansas; three daughters, Chris (Robert) Dowd, of Altoona, Kathy Moline, of Panora, and Kelly (Sean) Mullane, of West Des Moines; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Zapf of Cold Spring, Minnesota; and a sister, Jeanette “Pi” Peterson of Virginia, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Diane in 2012; brothers, Mike, Johnny and Frank “Butz” Zapf; and a sister, Maryann Zachman.

A rosary service will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 9 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m. and Mass/funeral service at 11 a.m., all at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Panora. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery, rural Guthrie Center, following the services. A celebration of life will be held from 1-3 p.m. at the Lake Panorama National Conference Center.

Memorials may be directed to St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 220 N. First St., Panora, IA 50216.

Twigg Funeral Home, Panora, is entrusted with his services.

1926-2025

Mildred (Millie) Sloss Kent was born Nov. 24, 1926, at the family farm home of her parents, Samuel and Mary (Shroyer) Sloss, Sr., south of Guthrie Center. Millie and her twin brother, Willard, were so tiny that they initially slept in a warm chicken incubator in the storm cellar. In 1943, she graduated from Guthrie Center High School.

Millie married John Brotherson, and, to this union, two sons were born, Ronnie and Gary. In 1954, she married Ivyl Kent, and they had two sons, Doug and Dan. Millie was a hard worker and spent many years waitressing at Cronk’s Café and the Beef ‘N Brew. In later years, she worked for the Guthrie Center School District in the kitchen.

Family was important to her, and she delighted in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She enjoyed playing cards and participated in regular groups that played cribbage, pinochle and pitch. Even in her 90s, she was still winning at cribbage. She was known for her apple pie, homemade buns and Christmas peanut brittle, all of which she generously shared.

Millie died Feb. 23, 2025, and is survived by sons Gary (Carol) of Burlington, Doug (Teresa) of Guthrie Center, and Dan (Cindy) of North Richland Hills, Texas; eight grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands; son, Ron; grandson, Jim; and her siblings, Edna Rhodes, Gerald, Phil, Max, Richard, Sam Jr., Lulu Cline, Willard and Maxine Miller.

Visitation with family will be held Friday, March 7, 4-6 p.m., in the Fellowship Building of First Christian Church, 104 North Fourth St., Guthrie Center. Per her wishes, there will be no service.

Memorial gifts may be made to the ACGC school lunch program in memory of Millie.