CHARTER OAK -- After scoring a combined 18 runs and splitting its two-game regular-season series with Charter Oak-Ute, the Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton softball team liked its chances going into last Monday’s Class 1-A regional final. But the rubber match was simply not meant to be for the Spartans. Doomed by seven fielding errors and just five hits at the plate, Exira-EHK kept the score close for three innings but was eventually outscored 15-2

    HARLAN -- Jan Davitt, 74, Harlan, died Friday, July 22 in Omaha, NE.    Services will be held Tuesday, July 26 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  A wake service was held Monday, July 25 at 7 p.m. at the church.  Friends were asked to call Monday from 3-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Lotus Jeanette Paulsen, 85, Avoca, died July 22 at Myrtue Medical Center.    Services will be held Friday, July 29 at 2 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Avoca with burial in the Graceland Cemetery at Avoca.  Family will greet friends Thursday, July 28 from 5-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Ole Daniel Olson, 90, Harlan, died July 22 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital.    Services will be held Wednesday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  A prayer service will be held Tuesday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at the church.  Family will greet friends Tuesday from 5-8 p.m.

    HARLAN -- Jewell Lois Payton, 89, Harlan, died July 21 at Elm Crest Retirement Community.    Graveside services will be held Tuesday, July 26 at 11 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery in Kirkman.  Visitation is Tuesday from 10-11 a.m.

    HARLAN -- Junior Holloway, 87, Harlan, died July 20 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services were held Saturday, July 23 at 10:30 a.m.

    KIMBALLTON -- Rodney Dean Soll, 49, Kimballton, died July 20 at Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan.    Services were held Sunday, July 24 at 6 p.m.

    HANCOCK -- Virgil Hildebrand of Hancock will observe his 90th birthday on August 1. His family is planning a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to 39683 Mahogany Rd., Hancock, IA  51536.    Virgil was born August 1, 1926 on the farm where he and his wife, Elaine, currently live.

    KIRKMAN -- Ron and Lois Heese of Kirkman celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 9.    Their children are Janlin Heese and friend, Christian Avery, Norfolk, NE; Deeann and Ryan Newell, Slater, IA: and Nicole Petersen and friend, Anthony Behrens, Harlan. The Heeses have six granddaughters and two great-granddaughters.