OBITUARIES

Duayne I. Newhard, 85, passed away on September 9, 2026, at Bickford Memory Care in West Des Moines, IA. He was born on April 30, 1941, in Meadville, PA. to Wayne I. and Bertha (Rice) Newhard. Throughout his life he called several places home. He lived in Conneautville, Titusville, and Palmyra, PA before moving to Iowa. After moving to Iowa, he lived in Marshalltown, Des Moines and West Des Moines. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in Des Moines and attended Grand Vie

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mike Coenen. A Funeral Mass will be on Thurs. Sept 10th at 11:00 am at All Saints Catholic Church (650 NE 52nd Ave, Des Moines, IA 50313). A catered luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall following the service. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Cindy; his oldest daughter, Jessica Schaffer, and her children Sophie, Lucy, Liza, and Gus; his son, Jason, and partner Tiffany, and their children Kase, Trevyn, and S

Mark Edwin Hockett, 54, passed away on August 14, 2026, at Greater Regional Medical Center in Creston, Iowa. Mark was born July 14, 1972, at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue, Nebraska. He grew up surrounded by a loving family and, as he would say, was raised by a “pack of wild women,” including his mother and aunts. Mark proudly served his country in the United States Army, including service at the Pentagon. Throughout his life, he found happiness in the simple things. He lo

Laura Van Horn went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2026, at her home in Des Moines, Iowa. Laura, the daughter of Robert and Bertha (Weaver) Van Horn was born September 11, 1951, in Des Moines. She graduated from Ankeny High School in 1969. She had a creative spirit and enjoyed cooking, watching movies, making jewelry, as well as working on arts and crafts. She embraced her Native American heritage and took great pride in honoring that part of who she was. Laura also had a

Willis “Bill” Arthur Samuell Willis “Bill” Arthur Samuell was born on July 13, 1946, to Fawn and Margaret (Burr) Samuell in Menlo, Iowa. He also had a sister, JoAnn (Samuell) Manger and was raised in the Menlo-Scranton area. Bill married the love of his life, Linda “Jackie” Straker, in 1968. Their son, Richard David, passed away at birth in 1970. They continued to grow their family with the birth of their son, Billy Scott, (1971), followed by their daughter, Tina Michelle, (

Honoring the Lives of Franklin Dee Howell and Wauneta Earline Howell Franklin Dee Howell October 9, 1936 – January 13, 2025 Wauneta Earline Howell October 18, 1936 – July 24, 2026 Franklin (Frank) Dee Howell and Wauneta (Nina) Earline Pitchford were married in September 1962 in Los Angeles after growing up in the Midwest. They gradually moved back to the Midwest, moving first to Colorado then to Lincoln, Kansas and Topeka Kansas, before settling in Ames, Iowa, in 1971, where

Nola Read Nealey passed away peacefully at Brio of Johnston on August 2, 2026. Nola was born on November 25, 1934. She grew up in Cresco, IA, and graduated from Cresco High School. She later graduated from Iowa State Teachers College. Nola met Chuck Nealey and were married on June 3, 1956. Nola enjoyed teaching prior to the adoption of Nancy and Matthew. She continued as a teacher associate at the Des Moines Public Schools system for 19 years after the kids were older.

Cindy Lee McBride was born on March 1st, 1956 in Centerville, Iowa to Patricia Lee Boyce. Cindy passed away on July 4, 2026, at Every Step Kavanaugh House in Des Moines, Iowa. A memorial service will be held at 4:00PM, on Thursday, July 23rd, 2026, at Brooks Funeral Care, located on 2135 S.W. 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Cindy graduated from Hoover High School in Des Moines, Iowa in 1974. After high school, Cindy attended Indian Hills Community College where she received h

In Loving Memory . . . Mary Ellen Selby January 15, 1936 - June 16, 2026 Mary Ellen was born on January 15, 1936, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Lawrence V. and Mary Alberta (Plummer) Toomey. On January 17, 1953, she married Robert Glenn “Bob” Selby, and together they made their home in Pleasantville, Iowa. Mary Ellen and Bob enjoyed bowling, camping, watching Bears football, and spending time with family and friends. She loved singing, Elvis Presley, and celebrating St. Patrick’s

Kathryn “Kate” Easton (nee Henry) passed away on June 15, 2026, at the tender age of 47 plus 1 day. Born in Eureka, South Dakota, Kate was raised in Mina Lake, South Dakota where she learned to think creatively and discovered her artistic nature. After dabbling in college life, she met and married Phil Easton, then moved to Iowa where she worked for a time at Walmart. However, her true passion and calling was tirelessly focusing on raising and advocating for her children who

Lorraine Dee Scott was born on January 7, 1959, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Ruth and Jerry Peacock. She was one of ten children and cherished the love and connection of her large family throughout her life. Lorraine passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord on June 9, 2026, at the age of 67. Lorraine was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness touched many lives. She lovingly raised her four children and opened her heart and home as a foster mothe

Scott Joseph Bull, age 56, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away peacefully on June 10,2026 at Harmony Care Facility in West Des Moines Iowa. Scott was born to Kenneth and Margo Bull on September 14, 1969, in Postville, Iowa where Margo grew up. For the first 7 years of his life, Scott lived in Waterloo, Iowa. At that time, his family was relocated to Detroit, Michigan where Scott made many friends. He graduated from Lee M. Thurston High School in 1988, where he played trumpet in t

Matthew Andrew Bennett, Age 51, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on May 23rd, 2026. Matt was born on December 20th, 1974 in Des Moines to Marcena and John Bennett. Matt was raised on the East Side and graduated Des Moines East High School in 1993. Matt married Lynann in November of 1995 and together raised their four children. Matt served as founder of Des Moines Paranormal Activity Research Team, DPART, for many years and many investigations. Matt volunteered for the Save t

Dixie Lee Long, age 82, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully on June 3, 2026, at Taylor House Hospice. Dixie was born to Robert Taylor Jones Sr. and Doris May (Pickett) Jones. She grew up alongside her two younger brothers, Frank and Robert Jr. "Bobby." She was baptized at the age of 10 at Chesterfield Church in Des Moines, and her faith in Christ remained a guiding foundation throughout her life. On August 18, 1961, Dixie married the love of her life, Ronald Eugene Lo

Jane Ann Dearden, 84, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2026, at UnityPoint Medical Center. Jane was born on October 12, 1941, in Colfax, Iowa, to Stanley and Ruth (Meyer) Miller. She graduated from Colfax High School and later attended beauty school. On October 12, 1961, she married the love of her life, Russell Dearden. Together they were blessed with five children and shared many years of love and devotion. Jane worked for Hallmark Cards for several years, but her greatest

December 18, 1963 — March 27, 2026 Michael John Sams, 62, passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026, at his home in Gardner, Kansas, cause of death was a pulmonary embolism. Mike was born on December 18, 1963, in Des Moines, Iowa. He was the son of Steven and Janet Sams and the brother of Eric Sams and Jennifer Sams Ozbek. Mike graduated from Valley High School in West Des Moines, Iowa on May 30, 1982. Mike became a journeyman meat cutter and worked in the West Des Moines Hy Vee

Laura Ingram, 92, passed away on April 21, 2026, in West Des Moines, IA of heart disease. She was born at home in Ottumwa, IA to Mervle and Janet Baker. She married Thomas Daniels in 1950 and had 3 children, Tim, Tom, and Cindy. Her husband Tom died tragically at a young age. She later married Winston Cannon in 1959 and had one child, Mishell. They all initially lived together in Des Moines IA, eventually moving to a small acreage at St. Charles in 1970. She was a homemaker f

David Wayne Leaf was born on July 3, 1954, in Des Moines, Iowa. His wife decided that is was time they celebrated their wedding anniversary together this year and he passed peacefully in his bed. David was a loving husband, a great dad, and a proud “cool grandpa.” He loved talking about his family, old friends, and his teammates. He enjoyed camping, watching sports, buying fireworks, shooting squirrels, and feeding the birds—but he never did care much for his walnut tree. He

Charles E. Long Jr. was born on January 24, 1957, in Ft. Riley, Kansas, and passed away on March 23, 2026, in Des Moines, Iowa. It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the peaceful passing of Charles E Long Jr. He was a highly skilled competitive diver at North High School 1970-1974. He is known for clearing Birdland Pool as he dove off the 33 ft board. His 35-year career included several years at Wilbert Vault and Waste Management (WM). Notably, in early 2000 Charli

Keith J. Johnson was born on December 14, 1931, in Clear Lake, Iowa. He passed away peacefully, surrounded with love, on March 24, 2026, at his home. Keith proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He later dedicated 30 years of service as a postal worker. He was a loving father to three children and a proud grandfather to eight. Keith enjoyed sports and the outdoors and will be remembered as a devoted husband of nearly 39 years. He is s