HARLAN -- Charles R. Gearhart, 91, Harlan, died Sunday, Oct. 16 in Harlan.    Services will be held Friday, Oct. 21 at 11 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Harlan with burial in the Harlan Cemetery.  Friends were asked to call Thursday, Oct. 20 from 2-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-7 p.m.

    MADISON, WI -- Violet Mae (Berge) Hazelton, 93, Madison, WI, died Tuesday, Oct. 18 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Madison.    A memorial service will be held Saturday, Oct. 22 at 1 p.m.

    AVOCA -- Rex Davis of Avoca will mark his 90th birthday on October 21. His family is requesting a card shower in his honor. Cards will reach him if sent to 401 W. Jack Frost, Avoca, IA 51521.    Rex’s family includes Craig and Ronda Davis, Shelby; Deb and Larry Manz, Shelby; and Scott Davis, Avoca.

    DENISON -- Megan Russell and Benjamin Claypool both of Ames exchanged marriage vows on July 30, 2016 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison. Deacon Rob Claypool, father of groom, and Father Paul Kelly performed the 2 p.m. double ring ceremony.    Parents of the couple are Bill and Susie Russell, Denison; and Rob and Sharon Claypool, also of Denison. 

HARLAN -- It was Fire Prevention Week last week, and local fire departments met with students from area schools to talk about fire safety.     Firefighters from the Harlan Fire Department were guests at the schools in Harlan to not only discuss fire safety such as the stop, drop and roll technique if caught on fire, but also the importance of working smoke detectors in the home and having a fire escape plan.  The students were able to see a fi

    HARLAN – Challenger Mark Maxwell says he’ll bring a fresh perspective with new ideas to the office of county auditor, while incumbent and long-time auditor Marsha Carter touts her years of service, accounting background, budgeting expertise and history of cooperation, communication and success as keys to providing her another term in office.    That’s what the two candidates for office brought to the table at a Shelby County Chamber of Com

    HARLAN -- The Harlan Community Intermediate and Primary Schools are celebrating Character Counts Week this week, focusing on the six pillars of character:  Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Trustworthiness, Caring and Citizenship.    It’s National Character Counts Week, and the highlight of the week at HCS came Monday with a presentation by the Ned Show, a character education program that centers around three important messages -- Never G

    HARLAN -- The City of Harlan is in need of a tree to be donated and used as the official Shelby County Christmas Tree this year.    Anyone with a suitable tree they are willing to donate is asked to contact city hall at 755-5137.  The tree can be removed from the property by city employees and placed downtown on the courthouse square for the holiday season.    A large pine tree is preferred.

    HARLAN -- Edward Michael Stephany, 69, Harlan, died October 13 at his home.    Services were held Monday, Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at St.