Effie Mewhirter, 100, of Atlantic and formerly of Elliott, IA, died Sunday morning, November 23, 2008, at the Heritage House in Atlantic.

Effie Susanna Maxell was born in Pilot Grove Township, Montgomery County, rural Stanton, IA, on August 11, 1908, the daughter of John Albin and Anna Wilhelmina (Hult) Maxell. She was baptized and confirmed at Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church, Wallin, IA, as were her 6 brothers and sisters. Effie graduated from Red Oak High School. Effie married Lee Allen Mewhirter on August 30, 1928, at the Methodist Parsonage in Atlantic and to this union four sons were born. They farmed near Elliott, except for 6 years when they farmed near Atlantic. They moved to Elliott in 1961 and Lee continued to farm until 1980. Effie has lived at the Heritage House for the last 8 years and the family acknowledges and thanks the staff for the loving care she received while living there. Effie was a member of the Elliott United Methodist Church, the O.N.O. Club and the Research Club in Elliott.

Preceding Effie in death were her parents, her husband Lee on February 3, 1988, siblings and/or their spouses John (Lucille) Maxell, Marion (Maxine) Maxell, Clarence Maxell, Minnie Maxell, Helen (Don) Thomason and Don Beck.

Effie will be missed by her loving sons and their families, Tom (Betty) of Chapel Hill, NC, Joe (Barbara) of Atlantic, Jack (Donna) of Indian Shores, FL, and Jim (Martha) of Vancouver, WA. Effie's grandchildren and great-grandchildren are: [Tom's] Greg (Jennie) Mewhirter of Tampa, FL, and daughters Erica (fiancé Allen) and Kelsey; Debra (Steve) Straw of Johnston, IA and children Adam (Angela) of Columbia, SC, and Sarah (fiancé Brad) of Columbia, South America; [Joe's] Jeffrey (Deanna) Mewhirter of Northlake, TX and daughters Ashley and Amy; Cheryl Barry and children Taylor and Nick of Atlantic; [Jack's] Robin (Bill) Wilson of Jacksonville, FL and children Crew, Joe and Jenna; Tracey (Dean) Braun of Barrington, IL, and children Avery and McCall; Ben (friend Karen) Mewhirter of Orlando, FL; Jack Michael Mewhirter of Tampa, FL; [Jim's] Leigh Ann Mewhirter of Dallas, TX; Erin (Rich) Glick of Alexandria, VA; and Jay (Cindy) Mewhirter of Denver, CO and sons William and Frederick. Also surviving is Effie's sister Ruth G. Beck of Lawrence, KS and one sister-in-law, Iona Maxell of Stanton, IA, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, Pastor Gary Degeest of the First United Methodist Church in Atlantic officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery at Elliott. Open visitation will be at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold, however the family will not be present at any given time. Memorials are suggested to the Elliott United Methodist Church, the Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund, the American Cancer Society or any other life saving and caring organizations of your choice.

Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting Effie's family with the arrangements.

On this day: "Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle"