Laura Bernice Stoneking

Laura Bernice Stoneking, 85, of Hamilton, died at 2:55 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 2009, at River Hills Village, Keokuk, Iowa.

She was born May 15, 1923, in Warsaw, to Virgil and Imogene Knight Symmonds.

She married Donald B. Stoneking Jan. 20, 1941, in New London, Mo. He preceded her in death in 1996.

She was also preceded in death by one son, Marion Stoneking; her parents, Virgil Symmonds and Imogene Holecek; two sisters Merle Rose and Hazel Huffman and three brothers Jim, Bill and Jerry Symmonds.

She is survived by three sons, Donald B. (Joyce) Stoneking, Basco, Ronald V. (Kittie) Stoneking, Burlington, Iowa and Arlo C. Stoneking, Hamilton; one foster son, Richard (LaVonne) Bourne, Quincy; three sisters, Mary Kratzer, Phoeniz, Ariz., Ruth Evenchai, Keokuk Iowa and Julia Greer, Keokuk, Iowa; six grandchildren, Kevin Stoneking, Renee Hughes, Cheryl Carter, Kent Bourne, John Bourne and Paul Bourne; seven great-grandchildren, Shawn, Brynna, George, Brennen, Alan, Amanda and Jazmin and 1 step-great granddaughter, Caitlyn.

She was employed as a clerk for Woolworths and Carson, Pirie, Scott, Quincy and K-Mart in Springfield and Keokuk, Iowa. Most recently she worked for Casey's in Carthage.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Lamporte-St. Clair Funeral Home, Hamilton.

Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, Warsaw.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 19, 2009, after 2 p.m., with family meeting friends from 6-8 p.m. at Lamporte-St. Clair Funeral Home, Hamilton.

Memorials may be made to Hancock County Alzheimer Groups and Anchor of Hope Church of Keokuk, Iowa.

Condolences can be left online at www.lamportefuneralhomes.com

Lamporte - St. Clair Funeral Home, Hamilton in charge of arrangements.