05/15/2000
Funeral services for Leora Maxine Whitlatch, 85, of Knoxville, who died Monday,
May 15, 2000 at the Knoxville Area Community Hospital, were held Thursday, May 18
at 10:30 a.m. at the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home. Reverend Steve Bagby officiated
at the services.
Interment was at the Olive Chapel Cemetery. Casket bearers were Roger James, Brent
Hoehns, Kevin Clark, Jim Hoehns, Doug Newton, Steve Hoehns and Rick Kauzlarich.
Maxine was born on April 4, 1915 on a farm east of Knoxville, the daughter of Otto
and Anna (Ream) Emerson. She was raised in the Knoxville area and graduated with
the Knoxville High School Class of 1933. After graduation, she worked at the local
Hog and Corn Office.
Maxine married Corwin Worth Whitlatch on October 10, 1936 in Ottumwa.
The couple farmed and raised their family in the Olive Chapel Community. Maxine
was an energetic farm wife, raising the children and helping Corwin with the chores.
After the children were raised, she worked at Collins Hospital as an aid. The couple
retired in 1978 and moved to town.
Maxine enjoyed cooking, sewing and quilting for her family. She was a member of
the Olive Chapel Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband; a brother, John Emerson; and
two sisters, Helen Overton and Eula Hodgson.
She is survived by three daughters and three sons-in-law, Sandra and Dan Fall of
Knoxville, Rachel and Thomas "Dude" Hoehns of Knoxville, and Roberta and Joe Hoehns
of St. Louis, Mo.; a sister, Norma Jeanne Cummings of Knoxville; seven grandchildren,
Steve, Brent and Jim Hoehns, Sue Kauzlarich, Sally Clark, Lynn James and Lome Newton;
and 13 great-grandchildren, Erika, Kelsie, Lindsay, Kyle and Megan Hoehns, Zeke
and Jenna Kauzlarich, Eric and Benjamin Clark, Brett and Lauren James, and Katie
and Ryan Newton.
Memorials may be given to the Hospice of Central Iowa or the Olive Chapel Methodist
Church
Arrangements were made by the Bybee & Davis Funeral Home.