Ferne Hill

Ferne Hill, 67, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died on Monday, June 28, at the Danville Care Center. Visitation will be held from12 noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 4th, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel of Mt. Pleasant, where the family will greet friends from 2 to 4 p.m. that afternoon. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 5th, at Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with the Reverend Jeff McPheron officiating. Inurnment will be at the Green Mound Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established to the Trenton United Methodist Church and the Henry County Conservation Board for a project to be decided later on. On-line condolences may be left at www.olsonpowell.com. Born May 29, 1943, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, Ferne Arlene was the daughter of Glen and Hattie Pearl (Brown) Stafford. She completed her GED and later enrolled in the LPN program at Southeastern Community College. On February 2, 1980, she married Lawrence "LJ" Hill at the Oakland Mills Community Church. He preceded her in death on September 5, 1994. Ferne lived most of her life in Mt. Pleasant. After leaving her LPN position with the local MHI, she assisted her husband in operating their painting business, followed by her work as an attendant at the Midtown Laundry for several years. She was a member of the Trenton United Methodist Church and a former member of Women of the Moose. Ferne enjoyed nature and taking walks around Oakland Mills. Her greatest love was spending time with her family and friends. Ferne is survived by three sons, Kim (and special friend, Rose Eacker) Starman of Canon City, CO, Doug (and special friend, Lisa Burgess) Branch of Creedmoor, NC, and Tony Branch of Mt. Pleasant, IA; one daughter, Arlene (Brian) Hoel of Bonaparte, IA; nine grandchildren, three great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. Also surviving are four sisters, Evalyn (Virgil) Riley and Violet Mills of Mt. Pleasant, IA; Ruth Yakle of Wapello, IA, and Pauline Hinkle of Burlington, IA; three brothers, Dean Stafford and Paul (Sandy) Stafford all of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Wayne (Connie) Stafford of Winfield, IA; a sister-in-law, Caralee Beames of Mt. Pleasant, IA, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding in death were her parents; her husband, Lawrence Hill; two brothers, Don Beames and John Henry Stafford; and one sister, Mary Louise Stafford.