Olive Jean Tarbell's Obituary
Olive Jean Tarbell, 90, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2021, at MercyOne Hospital in Centerville, Iowa, surrounded by her loving family.
Olive Jean was the first child born to J. Keith and Mildred (Horstman) Phillips at their home in Appanoose County, Iowa, where she grew up with her two brothers on their family farm. She was raised in a Christian home and accepted the Lord as her savior at an early age. She attended country school through 8th grade and was a proud 1948 graduate of Centerville High School.
On February 27, 1949, Olive Jean was united in marriage to Ivyl Carroll Tarbell at the Dale Church in Appanoose County, Iowa. They were the second couple that were married at the Dale Church. Three children were born to this union and they raised their family on a farm near Moravia, Iowa. In 1980, Olive Jean and Ivyl moved to Centerville, Iowa.
Olive Jean was a very active member at the First Baptist Church in Centerville, Iowa and was on the Condolence Committee for several decades helping serve delicious home-cooked meals for families from their church that had lost a loved one. She was also that happy face that you would see at Fareway Grocery Store as she passed out samples of food products. She never met a stranger, loved to visit with everyone, and always had a smile on her beautiful face.
Besides her family and church, Olive Jean loved the Iowa State Fair. It was a hobby that was passed down to her by her parents by entering food exhibits at the fair. She loved the competition and loved her Iowa State Fair family. She won thousands of ribbons and in the 1960s she was chosen to do an ad for Crisco and even starred in a commercial. In 2016, her picture was taken for advertisement for the Iowa State Fair and she was on a banner, the daily program, and even starred in another commercial. She was definitely an icon of the Iowa State Fair and loved every minute of being a celebrity at the fair.
Olive Jean is survived by her son, Darl (Greta) Tarbell and daughter, Robin (Jim) Thomas of Centerville, Iowa; grandchildren, Amanda (Kyle) Merry and Molly Thomas of Centerville, Iowa; Nathaniel, Joshua, and Samuel Tarbell of Overland Park, Kansas; and great-grandchildren, Dylan and Olivia Merry of Centerville, Iowa. Survivors also include her brothers, Howard (Joyce) Phillips of Mystic, Iowa; Wendell (Dixie) Phillips of Hollister, Missouri; and brother-in-law, Loal Tarbell of Centerville, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivyl Tarbell, and son, Kim Tarbell and his wife, Shari. Also, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Truman and Margaret Tarbell, Bob and Truis Turner, Mansel and Mildred Tarbell, Orville and Florene Marlin, Delbert and Mae Tarbell, Raymond and Veon Ferren, Cleland and Veletta Jolly, Keith and Lorelda Frazier, Jeannie Tarbell, Shirley Tarbell, and Eva Doralee Tarbell.
Funeral services will be held at 10 AM, Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Centerville with Pastor Brian Hargrave officiating. Burial will follow the service at Haines Cemetery, north of Centerville. A visitation will take place, Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at Lange Funeral Home and Crematory in Centerville, with the family greeting friends from 5-7 PM. Memorials have been established to either the First Baptist Church, Haines Cemetery, Mercy One Centerville Foundation, or to EveryStep Hospice, and may be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, C/O Tarbell family, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Visitation
2021-05-11 17:00:00
19:00:00
Lange Funeral Home & Crematory
1900 South 18th St
Centerville
IA
52544
Funeral Service
2021-05-12 10:00:00
First Baptist Church
603 W. State
Centerville
IA
52544
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