Laverne Jewell Sheely, 81, of Brownsdale, died Friday, April 29, 2011, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Laverne was born Sept. 5, 1929, to Charles Arthur and Peryl Leah (Davis) Sheely in Williamsburg, Iowa. He graduated from Elkton High School. On Jan. 2, 1956, he was united in marriage to Catherine Theobald at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Adams She preceded him in death in 2005.

Laverne was a United Stated Army veteran. He was a farmer and truly loved it. He was a member of the Hayfield American Legion, Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Brownsdale and many farm organizations.

Survivors include three children: Douglas Sheely, Brownsdale, JoAnn Workman, Springfield, Mo., Bradley (Bridget) Sheely, Brownsdale; five grandchildren: Richard Stevens, Nixa, Mo., Mark Sheely, Jennifer Sheely, Joseph Sheely and Benjamin Sheely, all of Brownsdale; great granddaughter: Maryjane Stevens, Nixa; six siblings: Eloise Foss, Austin, Lowell (Wilma) Sheely, Eyota, Eleanor Johnson, Austin, Bill (Carol) Sheely, Pennsylvania, Carolyn Bernard, Austin, Larry (Karen) Sheely, Austin.

In addition to his wife, he is preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Ann; daughter-in-law, Pamela Sheely.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 2:30 p.m. Monday, May 2, at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Brownsdale with Father Gregory Parrott officiating. There will be a 6:30 p.m. wake service on Sunday at Mayer Funeral Home where friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. and one hour before the service at the church on Monday. Interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post 330.