Beverly J. Wertz, 86, of Newton, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at Newton Health Care Center. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Memorials to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or the Jasper County Animal Rescue League may be left at the funeral home.
Beverly, the daughter of Lester and Elma (Polhamus) Adkins, was born April 29, 1933, in rural Laurel. She grew up in the Rock Creek area and graduated from Grinnell High School in 1951. On Aug. 29, 1958, Beverly was united in marriage with Wayne Wertz in Grinnell. They lived in the Kellogg area for many years before moving to Grinnell and later to Newton. Beverly was a homemaker and also worked part-time at the Newton Library, Hy-Vee and Christian Conference Center. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the Newton Optimist Club. Beverly volunteered for the art department at local Newton Community Schools. She also was an avid Iowa Hawkeye and Chicago Cubs fan. Beverly enjoyed square dancing in her younger years and loved to make jewelry.
Beverly is survived by her children, Sharon (Michael) Allison of Newton and Bret (Kimie) Wertz of Urbandale; three grandchildren, Jonelle Wertz, Kyle Wertz and Korry (Katelyn) Stephenson; her two great-grandchildren, Maria and Kevin; sister, Colleen Wileyof Grinnell; and her former daughter-in-law, Crystal Hannachi. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wayne; a daughter in infancy, Rebecca; brother, Morris Adkins; and sister, Gwyneth Schmidt.
