Obituary of Ray Lavern Nearmyer

R. Lavern Nearmyer, 77, of rural Newton, passed away Monday morning, February 25, 2013, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton, under the care of Skiff Hospice. Funeral services for Lavern will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 25, 2013, at the Pence - Reese Funeral Home in Newton. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday until service time, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Newton Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are being designated in Lavern's name, and may be left at the funeral home. Lavern, the son of John Ray and Letha Marie (Bell) Nearmyer, was born May 23, 1935, near Monroe. He was a graduate of the Newton Senior High, Class of 1954. Lavern had devoted his life to his family and friends, and was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Newton. He had farmed the family farm just south of Newton, for many years. Lavern was a kind and warm hearted gentleman, and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him. Those left to honor Lavern's memory include his granddaughters: Elizabeth Bush and Rebecca Bush; a grandson Jordon Stone; his sisters: Donna (Ivan) Moore of Story City, Ruth (Don) Trott of Dillsburg, PA, Susan (Keith) Jones of Newton and Sharon (Steve) Dick of Mesa, AZ; his many nieces and nephews; and his many friends. Lavern was preceded in death by his parents; his daughters: Valerie R. Stone and Lisa Bush; and his son Lavern A. Nearmyer.