Des Moines IA Funeral Homes
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Heart-felt tributes to honor a dear friend or loved one who has passed away
3500 6th Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 288-6551
4400 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 278-4633
1550 48th Street
Des Moines, IA 50311
(515) 255-0153
2121 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50312
(515) 244-2121
3211 Hubbell Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50317
(515) 265-1652
121 Northwest 60th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 289-2442
5400 Southwest 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 285-3911
605 Lyon Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
(515) 243-5221
3500 6th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 309-6550
1 Northeast 60th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 289-2230
6325 Hickman Road
Des Moines, IA 50322
(515) 270-3800
6337 Hickman Rd.
Des Moines, IA 50322
(515) 276-4567
4400 Merle Hay Road
Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 278-4633
1451 East Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50316
(515) 244-5253
508 Northwest 54th Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50313
(515) 289-1533
2135 Southwest 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 282-7311
7601 Fleur Drive
Des Moines, IA 50321
(515) 285-4600
2135 Southwest 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
(515) 282-7311
6337 Hickman Road
Des Moines, IA 50322
(515) 276-4567
Des Moines IA Obituaries and Death Notices
Saturday, June 10, 2017Mr. D" DeFrance, 81, of Marshalltown, a man who lived life's three greatest passions- racing, racing and of course, racing, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 22nd, at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in the Turner Cemetery in rural Garwin. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The family would appreciate casual or racing attire to be worn in his honor. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.Born on Christmas Eve of 1935, in Toledo, IA, he was the son of Arthur and Fern (Lowry) DeFrance. He graduated from the Toledo High School's Class of 1954 and then served our country honorably in the United States Army. While stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he met the lovely Ivey.Article PhotosDale “Mr. D” DeFranceOn January 16th, 1958, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ivey Mary Louise Pruitt, in a wedding officiated by her father, the Rev. Ivan Pruitt. Dale always commented he "kidnapped her" and the two shared nearly 54 years of a blessed marriage before her passing in 2011.Da...
Tuesday, April 18, 2017Online condolences may be left at www.kalefuneralhome.com.Charles E. “Chuck” Cooper, son of Henry “Red” Cooper and Mildred Kellow Cooper, was born April 20, 1945, in Des Moines. Soon after high school, Chuck joined the United States Army and honorably served his country.On Oct. 23, 1971, Chuck married Cynthia Ann Felton Cooper at New Virginia. He began working in the concrete construction trade where he operated his own business for a time and also worked for SPECK USA until his retirement.Charles is survived by his children, Brian (Alyssa Halter) Cooper of New Virginia, Raquel “Rockie” (Bob) Lundy of Osceola, Tami (Donnie) Boutwell of Athens, Alabama, and Ricky (Jaque Harmon) Cooper of Indianola; grandchildren, Megan (Kyle Savage) Boutwell, Jaci Boutwell, Jessika (Manuel) Flores, Dilan Boutwell, Brandon (Rebecca) Lundy, Kelsi Lundy, Brooke Lundy, Jenna Lundy, Kaylee Cooper, Carson Cooper, Zoey Harmon, Annie Harmon and soon-to-be grandson Charlie Alan, due in August; eight great-grandchildren with another great-granddaughter due in May; brothers, Sonny (Mithes) Parker of Melcher, David (Fayetta) Cooper of Redfield, Bill (Rosie) Cooper of Melcher, Donnie (Jane) Cooper of Des Moines and Eddie Fleming; sisters, Jackie (Johnny) Vanderick of Williamson, Snooky (Mike) Mathes of Milo and Dianna Graham of Norwalk; sisters-in-law, Connie Felton of Indianola and Diana McDole of New Virginia; brother-in-law Merle Felton of New Virginia; mother-in-law Doris Jean Holm of Norwalk; as well as other relatives and many friends.Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; wife Cynthia Ann Coope...
Saturday, April 08, 2017St. Mary's and superintendent of St. Mary's High School.McRaith jumped to the national stage in 1972 when he became director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, headquartered in Des Moines. He became known as an advocate on farming and rural issues, which Medley said was a factor in his becoming a bishop at a comparatively young age.From 1978 to 1982 McRaith was vicar general and chancellor for the Diocese of New Ulm. When Owensboro Bishop Henry Soenneker resigned in 1982, McRaith was named by Pope John Paul II to take his place.Responded to growing diversityAs bishop, McRaith "was on the cutting edge in welcoming international priests from India and Africa and the like," said Medley, a native Kentuckian. "And when people would say, 'They talk funny,' the Minnesotan in him would say, 'What do you mean, you people have an accent!'?"Added Medley: "We in Kentucky feel a debt of gratitude to Minnesota to have sent us one of your finest to spend his life with us. He never picked up much of an accent here, but he became a native son."McRaith's tenure saw the founding in 1993 of an Office of African-American Ministries, later renamed the Office of Black Catholic Ministry; that same year the diocese bought four properties to house the homeless. In 1997 he established an Office of Hispanic Ministry.In 2015, as part of the diocesan celebration of McRaith's 80th birthday, Medley renamed the Catholic Pastoral Center in Owensboro after him.Besides his sister, McRaith is survived by eight nieces and nephews.On March 23, a tractor-pulled wagon carried his body from Glenn Funeral Home to St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro for his funeral.Christy Taylor Chaney, an official with the funeral home, said it didn't surprise her to see people lining the streets. "He was a wonderful man, friendly to everyone, everyone loved him," she said.
Saturday, April 08, 2017Iowa in 2016, 43 percent of them were repeat drunk driving offenders. Since 2005, more than 134,000 people have been charged with drunken driving. A Des Moines Register investigation. WochitState officials have determined that a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash that killed two people is alcohol-related.(Photo: Courtesy of the Daily Iowegian)The number of people killed last year in alcohol-related traffic crashes has climbed to 84, new information from the Iowa Department of Transportation shows.One of the drivers involved in a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash in Appanoose County was impaired by alcohol, according to the DOT information.Robert L. Moore, 68, of Centerville, was killed in a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash. (Photo: Photo courtesy of the Daily Iowegian)An Iowa State Patrol crash report shows that a vehicle driven by Marcus C. McFall, 34, of Centerville, Ia., crossed the center line, slamming head-on into a vehicle driven by Robert L. Moore, 68, of Centerville.The crash happened around 10 p.m. south of Centerville on Iowa Highway 5 at Highway T30. Both men died from their injuries.The information provided by the DOT did not specify which man was driv...
Monday, April 03, 2017You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a cover of the Rodgers & Hammerstein song from “Carousel.”“I thought that song sums it up,” says Casey, on the phone from a Des Moines tour stop last month. “The most sad, tragic song you could have, mixed with hope and optimism.”[embedded content]The Boston-based sextet — plus touring bagpiper Lee Forshner — was busy with touring and family obligations, and had no plans to make an album at that point, their last, “Signed and Sealed in Blood,” having come out four years ago.But that song was a catalyst. For one thing, the Dropkicks decided to cover it — rock it up Celtic-punk style — but more than that, it inspired Casey to write. Out of that came their ninth studio album, “11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory.”So, when the band plays its annual skein of St. Patrick’s Day shows in Boston — March 15-17 at the House of Blues, March 18 at Agganis Arena and March 19, a final small club (read: very hard to get tickets) show at Brighton Music Hall -- they’ll have new material. Of the approximate 26 songs they’ll do in 90 minutes, nine will come from “11 Short Stories.” But as the band does multiple hometown shows, they like to rejigger their set lists. Their last tour dates are in Boston and, as Casey says, they’ve been rehearsing buried old tunes and can pick from anywhere in their catalog.The band formed 21 years ago and Casey is the sole remaining founder. Co-lead singer Al Barr replaced singer Mike McColgan, who now sings in Street Dogs, in 1998.“11 Short Stories” is a strong, hook-packed album, perhaps a little less Celtic-flavored than ...
Monday, March 27, 2017Jim (Brooke) Skelley, of Davenport; grandchildren, Brittany Koutsky (Joey Kensinger), Illinois City, and Austin Koutsky (Brittany Patterson), Davenport; brother, Mark (Michelle) Skelley, Des Moines; sisters, Carol (Edwin) Angstrom, Nancy (Forrest) Ashcraft, all of Davenport and Connie Skelley, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. Sign up to get each day's obituaries sent to your email inbox .whatcounts-form-container.well { padding-bottom: 5px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col, .whatcounts-form-container .right-col{ float: left; width: 100%; max-width: 345px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col{ margin-right: 20px; } .whatcounts-form-container .whatcounts-min .left-col{ max-width: none; margin: 0; } .whatcounts-form-container .disclaimer { font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom:10px; clear:both; } .whatcounts-form-container .input-group-addon.wc-addon-captcha{ padding: 4px 10px; border-left: 0; } He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Thomas and Charles Skelley. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Mike’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
Monday, March 13, 2017KU Medical in Kansas City, KS, where he received his Certification as a Special Procedure X-ray Technologist. He spent many hours doing his clinical studies at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. On February 14, 1992, Merlin was united in marriage to Melody Robuck in Des Moines. Together they were proud parents to Donald, Eugene, Virgil and Jacquelyn. Throughout his career, Merlin worked in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa as a Radiological Technologist. In January of 2002, Merlin and his family moved to Storm Lake, where he continued his career until his health forced him to retire. Merlin was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. He attended and enjoyed tailgating at home games. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, horse- back riding and going to car races. Merlin had a passion for music and loved to play his guitar and sing. This love for music led him to become active in the Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta. Merlin’s life will always be cherished and celebrated by his family which include his wife: Melody of Storm Lake; daughters: Stephanie Bals of Lennox, and Jacquelyn Hutchinson of Storm Lake; sons: Donald Miller of Overland Park, KS, Eugene Hutchinson of Overland Park, KS, and Virgil Hutchinson of Storm Lake; seven grandchildren; mother Charolette Hutchinson of Sac City; sisters: Martha Sharpe of Temple, TX and Mary Coleman of Nemaha; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Merlin was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Hutchinson. Memorial Service will be: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 13 at the First Christian Church in Sac City. Visitation will take place Sunda...
Des Moines News
Saturday, June 10, 2017Mr. D" DeFrance, 81, of Marshalltown, a man who lived life's three greatest passions- racing, racing and of course, racing, passed away on the morning of Monday, May 22nd, at the Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. He will be laid to rest in the Turner Cemetery in rural Garwin. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home. The family would appreciate casual or racing attire to be worn in his honor. For condolences, please visit www.mitchellfh.com. Ph. 641-844-1234.Born on Christmas Eve of 1935, in Toledo, IA, he was the son of Arthur and Fern (Lowry) DeFrance. He graduated from the Toledo High School's Class of 1954 and then served our country honorably in the United States Army. While stationed at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky, he met the lovely Ivey.Article PhotosDale “Mr. D” DeFranceOn January 16th, 1958, he was united in marriage to the love of his life, Ivey Mary Louise Pruitt, in a wedding officiated by her father, the Rev. Ivan Pruitt. Dale always commented he "kidnapped her" and the two shared nearly 54 years of a blessed marriage before her passing in 2011.Da...
Tuesday, April 18, 2017Online condolences may be left at www.kalefuneralhome.com.Charles E. “Chuck” Cooper, son of Henry “Red” Cooper and Mildred Kellow Cooper, was born April 20, 1945, in Des Moines. Soon after high school, Chuck joined the United States Army and honorably served his country.On Oct. 23, 1971, Chuck married Cynthia Ann Felton Cooper at New Virginia. He began working in the concrete construction trade where he operated his own business for a time and also worked for SPECK USA until his retirement.Charles is survived by his children, Brian (Alyssa Halter) Cooper of New Virginia, Raquel “Rockie” (Bob) Lundy of Osceola, Tami (Donnie) Boutwell of Athens, Alabama, and Ricky (Jaque Harmon) Cooper of Indianola; grandchildren, Megan (Kyle Savage) Boutwell, Jaci Boutwell, Jessika (Manuel) Flores, Dilan Boutwell, Brandon (Rebecca) Lundy, Kelsi Lundy, Brooke Lundy, Jenna Lundy, Kaylee Cooper, Carson Cooper, Zoey Harmon, Annie Harmon and soon-to-be grandson Charlie Alan, due in August; eight great-grandchildren with another great-granddaughter due in May; brothers, Sonny (Mithes) Parker of Melcher, David (Fayetta) Cooper of Redfield, Bill (Rosie) Cooper of Melcher, Donnie (Jane) Cooper of Des Moines and Eddie Fleming; sisters, Jackie (Johnny) Vanderick of Williamson, Snooky (Mike) Mathes of Milo and Dianna Graham of Norwalk; sisters-in-law, Connie Felton of Indianola and Diana McDole of New Virginia; brother-in-law Merle Felton of New Virginia; mother-in-law Doris Jean Holm of Norwalk; as well as other relatives and many friends.Chuck was preceded in death by his parents; wife Cynthia Ann Coope...
Saturday, April 08, 2017St. Mary's and superintendent of St. Mary's High School.McRaith jumped to the national stage in 1972 when he became director of the National Catholic Rural Life Conference, headquartered in Des Moines. He became known as an advocate on farming and rural issues, which Medley said was a factor in his becoming a bishop at a comparatively young age.From 1978 to 1982 McRaith was vicar general and chancellor for the Diocese of New Ulm. When Owensboro Bishop Henry Soenneker resigned in 1982, McRaith was named by Pope John Paul II to take his place.Responded to growing diversityAs bishop, McRaith "was on the cutting edge in welcoming international priests from India and Africa and the like," said Medley, a native Kentuckian. "And when people would say, 'They talk funny,' the Minnesotan in him would say, 'What do you mean, you people have an accent!'?"Added Medley: "We in Kentucky feel a debt of gratitude to Minnesota to have sent us one of your finest to spend his life with us. He never picked up much of an accent here, but he became a native son."McRaith's tenure saw the founding in 1993 of an Office of African-American Ministries, later renamed the Office of Black Catholic Ministry; that same year the diocese bought four properties to house the homeless. In 1997 he established an Office of Hispanic Ministry.In 2015, as part of the diocesan celebration of McRaith's 80th birthday, Medley renamed the Catholic Pastoral Center in Owensboro after him.Besides his sister, McRaith is survived by eight nieces and nephews.On March 23, a tractor-pulled wagon carried his body from Glenn Funeral Home to St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro for his funeral.Christy Taylor Chaney, an official with the funeral home, said it didn't surprise her to see people lining the streets. "He was a wonderful man, friendly to everyone, everyone loved him," she said.
Saturday, April 08, 2017Iowa in 2016, 43 percent of them were repeat drunk driving offenders. Since 2005, more than 134,000 people have been charged with drunken driving. A Des Moines Register investigation. WochitState officials have determined that a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash that killed two people is alcohol-related.(Photo: Courtesy of the Daily Iowegian)The number of people killed last year in alcohol-related traffic crashes has climbed to 84, new information from the Iowa Department of Transportation shows.One of the drivers involved in a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash in Appanoose County was impaired by alcohol, according to the DOT information.Robert L. Moore, 68, of Centerville, was killed in a Dec. 27, 2016, head-on crash. (Photo: Photo courtesy of the Daily Iowegian)An Iowa State Patrol crash report shows that a vehicle driven by Marcus C. McFall, 34, of Centerville, Ia., crossed the center line, slamming head-on into a vehicle driven by Robert L. Moore, 68, of Centerville.The crash happened around 10 p.m. south of Centerville on Iowa Highway 5 at Highway T30. Both men died from their injuries.The information provided by the DOT did not specify which man was driv...
Monday, April 03, 2017You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a cover of the Rodgers & Hammerstein song from “Carousel.”“I thought that song sums it up,” says Casey, on the phone from a Des Moines tour stop last month. “The most sad, tragic song you could have, mixed with hope and optimism.”[embedded content]The Boston-based sextet — plus touring bagpiper Lee Forshner — was busy with touring and family obligations, and had no plans to make an album at that point, their last, “Signed and Sealed in Blood,” having come out four years ago.But that song was a catalyst. For one thing, the Dropkicks decided to cover it — rock it up Celtic-punk style — but more than that, it inspired Casey to write. Out of that came their ninth studio album, “11 Short Stories of Pain & Glory.”So, when the band plays its annual skein of St. Patrick’s Day shows in Boston — March 15-17 at the House of Blues, March 18 at Agganis Arena and March 19, a final small club (read: very hard to get tickets) show at Brighton Music Hall -- they’ll have new material. Of the approximate 26 songs they’ll do in 90 minutes, nine will come from “11 Short Stories.” But as the band does multiple hometown shows, they like to rejigger their set lists. Their last tour dates are in Boston and, as Casey says, they’ve been rehearsing buried old tunes and can pick from anywhere in their catalog.The band formed 21 years ago and Casey is the sole remaining founder. Co-lead singer Al Barr replaced singer Mike McColgan, who now sings in Street Dogs, in 1998.“11 Short Stories” is a strong, hook-packed album, perhaps a little less Celtic-flavored than ...
Monday, March 27, 2017Jim (Brooke) Skelley, of Davenport; grandchildren, Brittany Koutsky (Joey Kensinger), Illinois City, and Austin Koutsky (Brittany Patterson), Davenport; brother, Mark (Michelle) Skelley, Des Moines; sisters, Carol (Edwin) Angstrom, Nancy (Forrest) Ashcraft, all of Davenport and Connie Skelley, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. Sign up to get each day's obituaries sent to your email inbox .whatcounts-form-container.well { padding-bottom: 5px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col, .whatcounts-form-container .right-col{ float: left; width: 100%; max-width: 345px; } .whatcounts-form-container .left-col{ margin-right: 20px; } .whatcounts-form-container .whatcounts-min .left-col{ max-width: none; margin: 0; } .whatcounts-form-container .disclaimer { font-size: 13px; line-height: 14px; margin-bottom:10px; clear:both; } .whatcounts-form-container .input-group-addon.wc-addon-captcha{ padding: 4px 10px; border-left: 0; } He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Thomas and Charles Skelley. Online remembrances and condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting Mike’s obituary at www.hmdfuneralhome.com.
Monday, March 13, 2017KU Medical in Kansas City, KS, where he received his Certification as a Special Procedure X-ray Technologist. He spent many hours doing his clinical studies at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. On February 14, 1992, Merlin was united in marriage to Melody Robuck in Des Moines. Together they were proud parents to Donald, Eugene, Virgil and Jacquelyn. Throughout his career, Merlin worked in Kansas, Missouri, and Iowa as a Radiological Technologist. In January of 2002, Merlin and his family moved to Storm Lake, where he continued his career until his health forced him to retire. Merlin was an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. He attended and enjoyed tailgating at home games. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, horse- back riding and going to car races. Merlin had a passion for music and loved to play his guitar and sing. This love for music led him to become active in the Summit Evangelical Free Church in Alta. Merlin’s life will always be cherished and celebrated by his family which include his wife: Melody of Storm Lake; daughters: Stephanie Bals of Lennox, and Jacquelyn Hutchinson of Storm Lake; sons: Donald Miller of Overland Park, KS, Eugene Hutchinson of Overland Park, KS, and Virgil Hutchinson of Storm Lake; seven grandchildren; mother Charolette Hutchinson of Sac City; sisters: Martha Sharpe of Temple, TX and Mary Coleman of Nemaha; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. Merlin was preceded in death by his father, Virgil Hutchinson. Memorial Service will be: 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 13 at the First Christian Church in Sac City. Visitation will take place Sunda...
