Wife of Richard McMasters Blanchard. Daughter of Sterling Stanley Deming and Cynthia Amelia Wyatt
OBITUARY
THE CHARITON LEADER
Chariton, Iowa
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BERTHA E. BLANCHARD
Bertha E. Blanchard, daughter of Sterling S. and Cynthia A. (Wyatt) Deming, was born September 28, 1915, near Rhodes in Marshall County, Iowa. She died Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Lucas County Health Center, Chariton at the age of 92. She was the last of eleven children and her goal was to live longer than any of her siblings. She reached that goal last September.
She graduated from Chariton High School in 1933 and worked as a Deputy for the Lucas County Clerk.
Bertha was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard McMasters Blanchard, on November 11, 1938 in Chariton, Iowa, while he was home on leave from the Navy. She went with him when she could, but there were times when he was stationed out of the country that was not safe for family.
They had four daughters: Patricia Sue, Michael Gae, Sheila Mae and Deborah Lee.
While Richard and family were stationed in Guam, he contracted polio and passed away three weeks before his youngest daughter was born. Bertha and the girls were quarantined for several days because of Richard's sudden death, and because she was pregnant, was unable to attend her husband's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
When Bertha was finally able to travel, she came back to the States with four children, ages 9, 3, 18 months and 9 weeks. She was a strong and determined woman and not everyone would have been able to do what she did and raise four girls alone.
Bertha was able to stay home with the girls until they started school. She then campaigned for Lucas County Clerk of Court and held that position for 10 years. She worked for Chariton Wholesale for many years. After her retirement, Bertha volunteered at the Chariton Manor until her eyesight prevented her from doing so.
At one time she was very active in the Republican Party, BPW and Civil Defense. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She attended Elizabeth Circle of the Chariton United Methodist Church when her health permitted.
For the last twenty years she has been challenged with diminishing eyesight and diabetes. She was diagnosed with Macular Degeration, which most people had never heard of. She utilized the talking books to satisfy her love of reading. Bertha seldom complained about her failing eyesight even when she was frustrated with her limitations.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her ten siblings: Wyatt Deming, Sterling Deming, Willard Deming, Mildred Deming, John Deming, Merle Deming, Beulah Joy, Sara Show, Harry Deming, and Vera Best; her husband, Richard; daughter, Patricia Singleton in 2003 and son-in-law, Roger Randolph in 1999.
Survivors include her three daughters: Mickey (George) Betz, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Sheila Blanchard, of Dana Point, California and Debby Randolph of Corydon, Iowa. Also six grandchildren: Robin Webb of Des Moines, Janel Miller and Jody Swarthout of Cedar Rapids, March (Allen) Fry of Corydon, Dee Dee (Mitch) Chance of Albia and Roger (Kris) Randolph of Iowa City.
She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Cassie McMurray, Seth Miller, Addison Fry, Blake and Drew Chance and Baby Chance due in August; several nieces and nephews who thought the world of Aunt Bertha.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 9, 2008 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton with Pastor John Poe officiating. Pallbearers were Mitch Chance, Roger Randolph, Jr., Allen Fry, Ron Elliott, George Betz and Larry Davis. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery.
OBITUARY
THE CHARITON LEADER
Chariton, Iowa
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BERTHA E. BLANCHARD
Bertha E. Blanchard, daughter of Sterling S. and Cynthia A. (Wyatt) Deming, was born September 28, 1915, near Rhodes in Marshall County, Iowa. She died Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Lucas County Health Center, Chariton at the age of 92. She was the last of eleven children and her goal was to live longer than any of her siblings. She reached that goal last September.
She graduated from Chariton High School in 1933 and worked as a Deputy for the Lucas County Clerk.
Bertha was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard McMasters Blanchard, on November 11, 1938 in Chariton, Iowa, while he was home on leave from the Navy. She went with him when she could, but there were times when he was stationed out of the country that was not safe for family.
They had four daughters: Patricia Sue, Michael Gae, Sheila Mae and Deborah Lee.
While Richard and family were stationed in Guam, he contracted polio and passed away three weeks before his youngest daughter was born. Bertha and the girls were quarantined for several days because of Richard's sudden death, and because she was pregnant, was unable to attend her husband's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
When Bertha was finally able to travel, she came back to the States with four children, ages 9, 3, 18 months and 9 weeks. She was a strong and determined woman and not everyone would have been able to do what she did and raise four girls alone.
Bertha was able to stay home with the girls until they started school. She then campaigned for Lucas County Clerk of Court and held that position for 10 years. She worked for Chariton Wholesale for many years. After her retirement, Bertha volunteered at the Chariton Manor until her eyesight prevented her from doing so.
At one time she was very active in the Republican Party, BPW and Civil Defense. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She attended Elizabeth Circle of the Chariton United Methodist Church when her health permitted.
For the last twenty years she has been challenged with diminishing eyesight and diabetes. She was diagnosed with Macular Degeration, which most people had never heard of. She utilized the talking books to satisfy her love of reading. Bertha seldom complained about her failing eyesight even when she was frustrated with her limitations.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her ten siblings: Wyatt Deming, Sterling Deming, Willard Deming, Mildred Deming, John Deming, Merle Deming, Beulah Joy, Sara Show, Harry Deming, and Vera Best; her husband, Richard; daughter, Patricia Singleton in 2003 and son-in-law, Roger Randolph in 1999.
Survivors include her three daughters: Mickey (George) Betz, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Sheila Blanchard, of Dana Point, California and Debby Randolph of Corydon, Iowa. Also six grandchildren: Robin Webb of Des Moines, Janel Miller and Jody Swarthout of Cedar Rapids, March (Allen) Fry of Corydon, Dee Dee (Mitch) Chance of Albia and Roger (Kris) Randolph of Iowa City.
She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Cassie McMurray, Seth Miller, Addison Fry, Blake and Drew Chance and Baby Chance due in August; several nieces and nephews who thought the world of Aunt Bertha.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 9, 2008 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton with Pastor John Poe officiating. Pallbearers were Mitch Chance, Roger Randolph, Jr., Allen Fry, Ron Elliott, George Betz and Larry Davis. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery.
Wife of Richard McMasters Blanchard. Daughter of Sterling Stanley Deming and Cynthia Amelia Wyatt
OBITUARY
THE CHARITON LEADER
Chariton, Iowa
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BERTHA E. BLANCHARD
Bertha E. Blanchard, daughter of Sterling S. and Cynthia A. (Wyatt) Deming, was born September 28, 1915, near Rhodes in Marshall County, Iowa. She died Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Lucas County Health Center, Chariton at the age of 92. She was the last of eleven children and her goal was to live longer than any of her siblings. She reached that goal last September.
She graduated from Chariton High School in 1933 and worked as a Deputy for the Lucas County Clerk.
Bertha was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard McMasters Blanchard, on November 11, 1938 in Chariton, Iowa, while he was home on leave from the Navy. She went with him when she could, but there were times when he was stationed out of the country that was not safe for family.
They had four daughters: Patricia Sue, Michael Gae, Sheila Mae and Deborah Lee.
While Richard and family were stationed in Guam, he contracted polio and passed away three weeks before his youngest daughter was born. Bertha and the girls were quarantined for several days because of Richard's sudden death, and because she was pregnant, was unable to attend her husband's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
When Bertha was finally able to travel, she came back to the States with four children, ages 9, 3, 18 months and 9 weeks. She was a strong and determined woman and not everyone would have been able to do what she did and raise four girls alone.
Bertha was able to stay home with the girls until they started school. She then campaigned for Lucas County Clerk of Court and held that position for 10 years. She worked for Chariton Wholesale for many years. After her retirement, Bertha volunteered at the Chariton Manor until her eyesight prevented her from doing so.
At one time she was very active in the Republican Party, BPW and Civil Defense. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She attended Elizabeth Circle of the Chariton United Methodist Church when her health permitted.
For the last twenty years she has been challenged with diminishing eyesight and diabetes. She was diagnosed with Macular Degeration, which most people had never heard of. She utilized the talking books to satisfy her love of reading. Bertha seldom complained about her failing eyesight even when she was frustrated with her limitations.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her ten siblings: Wyatt Deming, Sterling Deming, Willard Deming, Mildred Deming, John Deming, Merle Deming, Beulah Joy, Sara Show, Harry Deming, and Vera Best; her husband, Richard; daughter, Patricia Singleton in 2003 and son-in-law, Roger Randolph in 1999.
Survivors include her three daughters: Mickey (George) Betz, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Sheila Blanchard, of Dana Point, California and Debby Randolph of Corydon, Iowa. Also six grandchildren: Robin Webb of Des Moines, Janel Miller and Jody Swarthout of Cedar Rapids, March (Allen) Fry of Corydon, Dee Dee (Mitch) Chance of Albia and Roger (Kris) Randolph of Iowa City.
She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Cassie McMurray, Seth Miller, Addison Fry, Blake and Drew Chance and Baby Chance due in August; several nieces and nephews who thought the world of Aunt Bertha.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 9, 2008 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton with Pastor John Poe officiating. Pallbearers were Mitch Chance, Roger Randolph, Jr., Allen Fry, Ron Elliott, George Betz and Larry Davis. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery.
OBITUARY
THE CHARITON LEADER
Chariton, Iowa
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
BERTHA E. BLANCHARD
Bertha E. Blanchard, daughter of Sterling S. and Cynthia A. (Wyatt) Deming, was born September 28, 1915, near Rhodes in Marshall County, Iowa. She died Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Lucas County Health Center, Chariton at the age of 92. She was the last of eleven children and her goal was to live longer than any of her siblings. She reached that goal last September.
She graduated from Chariton High School in 1933 and worked as a Deputy for the Lucas County Clerk.
Bertha was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Richard McMasters Blanchard, on November 11, 1938 in Chariton, Iowa, while he was home on leave from the Navy. She went with him when she could, but there were times when he was stationed out of the country that was not safe for family.
They had four daughters: Patricia Sue, Michael Gae, Sheila Mae and Deborah Lee.
While Richard and family were stationed in Guam, he contracted polio and passed away three weeks before his youngest daughter was born. Bertha and the girls were quarantined for several days because of Richard's sudden death, and because she was pregnant, was unable to attend her husband's burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
When Bertha was finally able to travel, she came back to the States with four children, ages 9, 3, 18 months and 9 weeks. She was a strong and determined woman and not everyone would have been able to do what she did and raise four girls alone.
Bertha was able to stay home with the girls until they started school. She then campaigned for Lucas County Clerk of Court and held that position for 10 years. She worked for Chariton Wholesale for many years. After her retirement, Bertha volunteered at the Chariton Manor until her eyesight prevented her from doing so.
At one time she was very active in the Republican Party, BPW and Civil Defense. She was also active in the American Legion Auxiliary. She attended Elizabeth Circle of the Chariton United Methodist Church when her health permitted.
For the last twenty years she has been challenged with diminishing eyesight and diabetes. She was diagnosed with Macular Degeration, which most people had never heard of. She utilized the talking books to satisfy her love of reading. Bertha seldom complained about her failing eyesight even when she was frustrated with her limitations.
Bertha was preceded in death by her parents; her ten siblings: Wyatt Deming, Sterling Deming, Willard Deming, Mildred Deming, John Deming, Merle Deming, Beulah Joy, Sara Show, Harry Deming, and Vera Best; her husband, Richard; daughter, Patricia Singleton in 2003 and son-in-law, Roger Randolph in 1999.
Survivors include her three daughters: Mickey (George) Betz, of Cedar Rapids, Ia., Sheila Blanchard, of Dana Point, California and Debby Randolph of Corydon, Iowa. Also six grandchildren: Robin Webb of Des Moines, Janel Miller and Jody Swarthout of Cedar Rapids, March (Allen) Fry of Corydon, Dee Dee (Mitch) Chance of Albia and Roger (Kris) Randolph of Iowa City.
She is also survived by five great-grandchildren: Cassie McMurray, Seth Miller, Addison Fry, Blake and Drew Chance and Baby Chance due in August; several nieces and nephews who thought the world of Aunt Bertha.
Services were held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, June 9, 2008 at the Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton with Pastor John Poe officiating. Pallbearers were Mitch Chance, Roger Randolph, Jr., Allen Fry, Ron Elliott, George Betz and Larry Davis. Interment was in the Bethel Cemetery.
Family Members
Siblings
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Wyatt Edward Deming
1901–1970
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Sterling Stanley Deming II
1902–1966
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Mildred Mae Deming
1905–1934
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Beulah Marie Deming Joy
1907–1995
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John Collins Deming
1909–2000
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Merle Deming
1911–1964
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Willard Justin Deming
1913–1972
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Harry Miles Deming
1914–1929
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Sara Amelia Deming Show
1916–1991
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Vera Grace Deming Best
1918–1994
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