Marybelle Handley

Graveside Services: Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at the Fontanelle Cemetery, Fontanelle, Iowa, at 2:00 p.m. with pastor Cathy Nutting officiating.  A luncheon will follow the graveside service at the Fontanelle United Methodist Church.

Memorials: May be directed to the favorite charity of your choice in Marybelle's name.

Marybelle Handley died December 30, 2011, at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. Born June 20, 1915, at Fontanelle, Iowa, she was the daughter of Gaston Parker Hains and Luella J. Rafter Hains. She graduated from John Brown University in 1959 with a degree in elementary education. She had lived in Siloam Springs since 1952 and was active in various committees and church activities. Mrs. Handley was a second grade teacher for the Siloam Springs School District for a number of years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Siloam Springs and a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She was active in church as a Sunday school teacher, as past president of the United Methodist Women, and many other activities. She was also a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star, past Noble Grand Rebekkah Lodge of Iowa. She was a member of the L.L’s of Greenfield, Iowa; a 50 consecutive year member of American Legion Auxiliary in Greenfield, Iowa. Additionally, she was a member of the Federated Women’s Fortnightly Club, past President of the Arts Club, Siloam Springs, VFW Auxiliary and was active in the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association. She married Donald Victor Handley on June 20, 1937.

She was preceded in death by her husband Donald Victor Handley in 1988: three sisters, Naomi Murray, Dorothy Hains, and Betty Clemens.

She is survived by her daughter, Linda Diane Allison and son-in-law, Don, of Tulsa, Oklahoma; sister, Mabel Root (104 years) of Clearfield, Iowa; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.