THE UNITED CHURCH OF AVOCA
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Ruth Elmerie (Gallentine) Davis
March 19, 1919 - June 7, 2013
Ruth was born in Van Cleve, IA. She attended school in Green Mountain, IA. Ruth then went on to attend college in Ames at Iowa State, graduating with a degree in Home Economics in 1940. She married Joseph W. Davis II in 1942. They moved to Avoca and had two children, Joseph W. Davis III and Mary Ellen Davis. Ruth was a homemaker, and was active in church and the community. She and her husband enjoyed traveling to various places around the world. Ruth was involved in many things: Avoca Garden Club, PEO, active member of United Church of Avoca, the library board, held office of Moderator of thePresbytey of the MRV region.
Thelma Kennedy
December 31, 1915 - August 26, 2010
Thelma Kennedy was born on a farm near the town of Calvin in Cavalier County North Dakota. Calvin was a small town with only one church, the Presbyterian Church. Thelma attended school at Byron, a consolidated school in another county, but graduated from the school in Calvin North Dakota. The fall after graduation, she attended The State Teacher’s College at Valley City, North Dakota. It was after graduating from Drake University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in Education that Thelma began her teaching career.
Thelma was married in the Avoca Presbyterian Church to Frederick Rohlfs in 1939. She and her husband were the parents of two boys, Fred and Edward. Her husband was ordained in the Avoca Presbyterian Church as an ordained minister. Frederick was killed in a car accident near Afton IA several years later. After his death, Thelma and the boys, made their home in Avoca. In those years, the Presbyterian Church did not have a minister, only a Sunday school. Thelma and the boys all attended the Sunday school at the Presbyterian Church. When the Avoca Congregational and Presbyterian churches merged in 1968, the new and present United Church of Avoca was constructed on the former Presbyterian Church site.
Thelma, at that time, helped with the Sunday school and joined various church groups. Betty Johnson and Thelma served as co Superintendents of the Sunday school for several years. She has also helped, with Bible School as a teacher and, until recently, has found time to help in the kitchen for Bible school.
After her two boys were grown and on their own, Thelma married Edward Kennedy from Avoca. He was the Manager of Iowa Power here in Avoca for more than 30 years and served as the choir director at the Presbyterian Church for many years. At one time, he directed a complete men’s choir.
Thelma retired from teaching school in 1980. At that time she served one term on the church session, two terms as a deacon, was secretary for the Women’s UCW, and served on the bazaar planning committee. She attended Bible study groups, and served as a Trail Boss that kept the saddle bags going from member to member. She has worked many years helping with the bloodmobile. Thelma has served her church as an usher, a greeter for worship, a member of the John Calvin adult fellowship group, served on the committee to appoint elders and deacons, and has taken part in the church service when the minister was absent.
INA E. PEYTON November 14, 1909 - March 26, 2008
Ina was born on a farm outside Oakland IA. Her father died when she was only 4 and the family, along with her two brothers, moved to Avoca soon afterward to live in a small house near our existing museum. Ina was baptized in the Presbyterian Church in Avoca. She went to school here until she was 16 and her mother remarried moving the children to Tennant where she attended school until she graduated in 1928. After graduation she returned to Avoca and has called it home ever since.
In her early years in Avoca, Ina was very active in the Presbyterian Church. Her Grandmother, Ella Zimmerman, saw that she and her two brothers were baptized and she attended Sunday School on a regular basis. Ina made many friends and was very active in the church family.
After marrying Horace Peyton, she and her husband joined the Congregational Church in Avoca in 1942. They were parents of one son, Duane. Ina served three times as a deaconess and was a member of the Ladies Aid. She served as president for 2 years during the war. The church was active in collecting materials for the war effort and Ina remembers long hours collecting massive amounts of newspapers that had to be bound and shipped to Omaha. She also served as flower lady for funerals and served as the Treasurer of the church for several years.
The Congregational Church and the Presbyterian Church merged in 1968. Both of the old buildings were torn down and the present United Church of Avoca now stands on the site of the old Presbyterian Church. In the years that have followed, Ina has served her church in almost every way possible. She has been Vice-president of UCW, served as a bazaar planning committee member, an usher, a greeter for worship, a member of John Calvin Adult Fellowship group, a trail boss for the stewardship campaign, served on a committee that went door to door to ask for donations to help build the new church, has assisted with the bloodmobile, a member of Morning Circle, a leader of the Prayer Circle, and a member of the Friendly Visitors of our church.
Ina is a joy to be around. She has adapted to change a number of times over the years. She became a widow at the age of 55 and learned to drive at that time so she could maintain her independence. She has been faithful to the church throughout her life. It was her and several other ladies that kept the Congregational Church alive during the difficult time of the war years.
Ina is a true historian in the Avoca area. She has a talent of knowing and remembering details about our community that only a few ever master. Besides her church life, Ina has been very active in the community. She has always loved to play cards, has belonged to many Avoca organizations, served as the Avoca city librarian for 38 years, is a Past Matron of the Eastern Star, a member of the Avoca Historical Society, and is always willing to help a friend in any way she can. It is difficult to measure Ina's contribution to the church. All of us, that know her, know she is faithful in all areas of church life - Worship, Stewardship, Prayer, and Mission.
Allan L. Sams
November 1, 1944 - December 27, 2013
He was united in marriage to Nan West in 1967. They were parents of children: Brian, Mark, and Jennifer. Allan served the country in U.S. Navy. He worked for Stemple Implement, retiring in January 2011. Allan was involved with the following clubs: Avoca Optimist, President of Avoca Optimist, Boy Scout Leader, Fair Board, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Commionerof Legion Baseball, 40 & 8, Commander of the Legion and Sergeant at Arm. He was a member of the United Church of Avoca, where he served as Elder, Sunday School Teacher, and Youth Sponsor. Allan also raised the flag at the home football games for many years. During the time of the Blue Grass Country Music Festival, Allan could be found at the church stand cooking meat, which he continued to do for special occasions.
Janice Marilyn Schultz
November 11, 1935 - July 29, 2010
Jan attended Iowa State University where she met Roy, her husband. They were married in 1958. She graduated and became a registered Medical Technologist. She worked at Iowa State University until Roy graduated from veterinary school. They moved to Avoca where Roy was in veterinary practice. They have three children, Gary, Kathryn, and Kent. Jan was involved in many community organizations: PEO, the Avoca Library Board, and Federated Women's Cllub, where she was instrumental in establishing the Avoca Meals on Wheels program. She was active in the Presbyterian United Church of Avoca serving as Elder, Secretary, UCW, and Choir member. She was involved in the Presbytery serving on the Committee on Ministry. For several years she worked in the Avoca School System listening to the second graders read.
Mary Leona Leslie
June 18, 1917 - September 22, 2014
Mary graduated from Avoca with the Class of 1935. She taught school 4 years. In 1939, Mary was married to Orin Leslie. They became parents of three children: Peggy, Janet, and Mike. She was a long-time and faithful member of the United Church of Avoca, serving in different roles throughout the years. She was moderator of UCW for many years.
Marcella J. Caughell
February 19, 1920 - March 4, 2012
Marcella graduated from Avoca High School in 1937. She taught for a few years. She married Floyd Caughell in 1948. They were parents on one son, who died at birth in 1950. Marcella helped on the farm and later was employed as Clerk of Court. She spent many winters in Mesa, Arizona. She was a member of the United Church of Avoca and a charter member of the Newtown-Avoca Historical Society. She was active in Construction of the Sweet Vale of Avoca Museum. Marcella founded a Scholarship Fund for high school graduates.
Shirley J. Davis
December 26, 1932 - June 20, 2011
Shirley graduated from Thomas Jefferson in 1951. In 1951 she was united in marriage to Rex Davis. The couple had three children: Craig, Debra, and Scott. Shirley worked as the admissions secretary at Iowa Western Community College before retiring. She enjoyed gardening, reading, and crocheting. She was a member of the United Church of Avoca and active in many church activities.