Lyman E. ‘Bill’ Auten

Lyman E. “Bill” Auten will be remembered for his endearing humor, good nature, kindness and curiosity. He resided in Newton, born in Perry and employed by Maytag in engineering, retiring early to see “The World’s Tallest Ships Celebration” in New York City. Bill celebrated every birthday with fanfare, most recently in Vero Beach, Fla., with family, friends and beloved Methodist ministers with a colorful cake and motto: “I’m 95 and Still Alive!” Shortly thereafter he departed peacefully. He was an inspiration and will be missed! He was dedicated to his interests, the Maytag Management Club, SPAH (Preservation of the Harmonica), Tower Point Harmonica Band in Mesa, Ariz., Methodist Church, Sunday School and Builders Class, Boy Scout leader, Masonic degrees, Newton Lodge #59, Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, Jasper County Jokers, serving as a clown, Eastern Star and Rock Island Arsenal during World War II. Bill and Clora loved Mesa, Ariz., in the winter and travelled extensively in the 49 States, Caribbean and Europe. He was proud of his Dutch heritage and visited the historical Hendrick Aten Compound in Pennsylvania, home of the first settlers. He started the day with “the best” cartoons, usually “Dennis The Menace” — no matter what he started the day with a smile! He was on a self-appointed mission to stop smokers, and he was successful to the end! He lived the teachings of masonry “friendship, brotherly love and charity.” It was “Love At First Sight” when Bill met and married Clora Estella Lynn on Aug. 11, 1941, in Springfield, Mo. Clora passed away in July of 1995. His parents, Edward Lyman and Sarah Jane Wood Auten, also preceded Bill in death. He is survived by his children, John Auten of MacGregor, Melinda Meikle of Vero Beach, Fla., Douglas Auten of LeClaire and Deborah Van Auten of Boston, Mass.; his grandchildren, Jennifer Reames of Adele, Joshua Auten of Boulder, Colo., Bradford Meikle of San Francisco, Calif., Sarah Meikle of Shelburne Falls, Mass., Alexander Meikle of Los Angeles, Calif., Jodi Roskind of Knoxville, Tenn., and Amy Olson of Knoxville, Tenn.; great-grandchildren, Johnathan and Nicholas Muilenburg of Adele and Lillian and Alexis Roskind and Gabriella Olson of Knoxville, Tenn. Bill was pre-deceased by his siblings, Merle Auten of California, Sarah Jeanne Hinshaw of Kellogg, John E. Auten of Newton, Richard E. Mason of Mishawaka, Ind., Jay C. Auten of Newton and Catherine Collins. He was blessed with many wonderful Auten, Hinshaw, Mason and Lynn nieces and nephews and their children. The family is thankful for the dedicated kind- hearted caregivers who kept Bill on the road, especially after he mastered Skip-Bo! Funeral services will be at Wallace Family Funeral Home on Jan. 16. The family will greet attendees at 12:30 p.m. with services at 1 p.m., followed by social time hosted by Methodist Ladies.    Memorials are suggested to Bill’s favorite charity, Shriner’s Childrens Hospitals, c/o Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, 1100 Shriners Parkway, Altoona 50009.*