Fern A. Kirfman

OTTUMWA — Fern A. Kirfman, 91, formerly of 1643 140th Ave., Bloomfield, died at 2:05 p.m. April 4, 2009, at The Good Samaritan Society, Ottumwa.She was born May 10, 1917, in Wapello County, Iowa to Clyde S. and Wanda E. Davis Bailey. She married Harley Kirfman on Jan. 3, 1940, in Munterville, Iowa. He preceded her in death Jan. 12, 1974. She married Elmer Thompson Nov. 8, 1983, in Ottumwa. He preceded her in death June 6, 1998.Surviving is a son-in-law and daughter, Arnold "Butch" and Pauline Carruthers of rural Wapello County, a daughter, Waunita Prose of Denton, Texas; six grandchildren, Deb (Vaughn) Cossel of Augusta, Kan., Kevin (Pam) Carruthers of Bloomfield, Dina (Mike) Mitchell of Pfafftown, N.C., Dawn (Mike) Barton of Rowlett, Texas, Brenda (Kevin) Howard of Lake Dallas, Texas and Andrew (Christy) Prose of Dominica; five great-granddaughters and seven great-grandsons; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a brother, Rex Bailey of Tulare, Calif.; three sisters, Faye Melton of Ottumwa, Dorothy (Richard) Darland of Rock Island, Ill.; Zelma (Raymond) Stufflebeam of Geneseo, Ill.; and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, Francis, Robert and Hubert Bailey and a sister, Alice Bailey.Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home with Rev. Ricky Fiedler officiating. Burial will be in Agency Cemetery.Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m.Memorials may be made to The Good Samaritan Society, Ottumwa or Hospice of Central Iowa.Obituary may be viewed at: www.legacy.com/ottumwacourier/Obituaries.asp