Obituaries

Tim Smith, age 62, was pronounced dead on November 7, 2023, from natural causes after a courageous battle from the effects of alcoholism. Tim is remembered by family and friends for the warmth, laughter, and joy he brought into their lives. A visi...

Charles “Chuck” Herfkens, age 86, passed away on November 6, 2023. Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 10, 2023, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church (510 E. 1st St., Ankeny) with a Mass of Christian Bur...

Dennis Shaltanis, 85, of Ankeny, entered into his heavenly home on November 1, 2023. A memorial service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church (1100 SE Sharon Dr., Ankeny) at 2:30pm on Sunday, November 12, 2023. Reception to follow at the church...

Bart L. Christianson, Jr., 76, of Ankeny, Iowa passed away on October 31, 2023. A memorial visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.). Bart was born on Marc...

James “Jim” Frost, 58, of Ankeny, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, October 26, 2023. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N Ankeny Blvd).  The funeral ser...

Rachel Louise Myers, 86, passed away on October 22, 2023, in Ankeny, IA. She was born on April 18, 1937, in Des Moines.   Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 27, 2023, at All Saints Catholic Church (650 NE 52nd ...

Julie Ann McClaflin, 67, passed away October 18, 2023, of Pancreatic Cancer at her home in Saratoga Springs, UT. A visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm, Wednesday, November 8, 2023, at Plymouth C...

Laverna (LJ) Den Adel, 83, passed away on October 12, 2023, at Trinity Center in Des Moines. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny). A funeral servi...

Jack Ryan Meyer died on October 12, 2023, after a courageous battle with anxiety and depression. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023, at Lutheran Church of Hope (520 NW 36th St) in Ankeny, Iowa. In honor of Ja...

Delores June (Lewis) Spahr was born February 25, 1942, in Truman, MN and passed away October 8, 2023, in Naperville, IL. Delores was born to Gordon Leslie Lewis and Edith Gwendola Lane Lewis. She graduated from Madelia High School, Madelia, MN, in...

Rena (Palandri) Vanni, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend, was called home to her Lord on October 7, 2023. Rena passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones. A visitation will be held from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on T...

John William Clearman, Father, ­­­Grandfather, Husband, Brother, Uncle and friend to many, passed away Friday, Oct 6, 2023, at home. John was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on Feb 18th, 1958 to George Philip and Jan Rae Clearman. A memorial service ...

Ginna Sue (Duffy) Blackford left us on September 28, 2023, after her 5-year battle with colon cancer. Ginna was the Matriarch of her family. She will be missed dearly by many friends, family and neighbors. Ginna loved working in her yard, and she ...

Daniel Curtis Spring passed away Monday, September 25, 2023, at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny.  Dan was born November 17, 1951, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Bill and Mary Spring. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 28...

Shirley L. Horton, 90, of Ankeny, Iowa, formerly of Newark Valley, New York, died September 25, 2023. Shirley was born November 25, 1932, in Dryden, New York. She was the daughter of Winston and Katheryn (Newlon) Givens and the wife of Rev. Howard D....

Gary Lee Welch, age 79, of Ankeny, IA went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 24, 2023.  Gary was born to Floyd and Isabelle Welch in Clarinda, IA on August 18, 1944. Visitation will be held from 9-11am on Saturday, September 30, 2023,...

Dale “Buz” Allen Barrett, age 87, of Ankeny, IA, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2023. Buz was born to Milo and Lola (Sutter) Barrett on Feb 6, 1936, in Des Moines, IA. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2023, ...

Milton E. Aunan, Sr. of Mill Pond Care Center in Ankeny, Iowa, formerly of Johnston, Iowa, died peacefully in his sleep on September 21, 2023. He was 94. He is rejoicing at seeing his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Milt was born February 6, 1929, ...

Janice (Jan) Marie Schwarting, 76, of Ankeny, Iowa passed away peacefully into Jesus' arms on Monday, September 18, 2023, at Mill Pond in Ankeny.  She was strong and determined to take care of herself despite the many health challenges she endured.�...

William Wallace (Wally) Romans, 83, passed away September 17, 2023. He was born on February 14, 1940, to Loren and Doris (Dodd) Romans in Des Moines. Wally graduated from East Des Moines High School in 1958. He served in the Air National Guard for...

Joanne (Joni) Claire Schouten, age 84, passed away on September 14, 2023, at Perry Lutheran Services in Perry, Iowa. Joni was born June 15, 1939, in Rugby, North Dakota. She was the second of three children born to Einar and Helen (Tollefson) John...