Beth Waddle

Beth Waddle, 63, of Corning, passed away Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, at her home in Corning. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 28, with Fr. Livinus Anweting, Celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Corning. Open Visitation will be 3–7 p.m., with family receiving friends 5– 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 27, at Pearson Family Funeral Service & Cremation Center. Rosary/wake service at 7 p.m..

Memorials may be directed to the Adams Community Foundation or to the family. Memories and condolences may be left online at www.pearsonfuneralhomes.com.

Elizabeth Anne Cooley Waddle was born June 20, 1961, to Harold Eugene Cooley Jr. and Mary Lou (Sullivan) Cooley in Dexter. Beth attended Corning Community Schools all 12 years and graduated with the class of 1979. Growing up, Beth attended St. Timothy, Reno, Cumberland, with her family, where her deep faith began.

Beth was always involved in activities: 4-H, Y-Teens, band, chorus, speech and sports, with her favorite being basketball coached by Don Kenworthy and voted Most Valuable Guard by her teammates. Beth attended NWMSU, in Maryville, Missouri, for one year. Returning to Corning, Beth worked for a brief time at Colonial Manor in Corning and the Fort Madison area, sharing an apartment with her older sister, Mary Jo. Beth switched to insurance work in Omaha, Nebraska.

When Beth decided to spread her wings, she accepted a position in New York, New York, for the National Youth Prolife Coalition for a few years, then returned to the Corning area. Beth settled in Corning and drove to Creston, employed by Kenyon and Kenyon Law Firm. When two new physicians came to Corning, Beth became a part of the Drs. Gruba and Kopp’s staff. After leaving the medical center, Beth worked from home, working in a government job out of Red Oak. But as always, Beth returned to Corning, where she began the longest career path of her life.

Beth was hired by the Corning Chamber and Main Street Corning where she served well. Beth changed hats and offices, accepting the position of executive director of ACEDC. Adams County held her heart as she spent countless hours promoting Corning and Adams County. Beth was a recipient of many awards while working and volunteering for the Adams County area. Beth’s final position was executive director of Southern Iowa Council of Governments.

Beth did not stop with her public jobs and volunteering with the school youth. She coached young girls youth basketball, she enjoyed judging speech, music contests and many others. She was the official scorekeeper for high school basketball, even traveling to all the away games.

Beth believed in volunteering. Beth had such a deep-rooted faith. She was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Corning, where she served the parish as lector, cantor, teacher and religious education director. Beth took many confirmation students on retreat to Conception Abby in Missouri.

Beth’s biggest blessing was her husband, Dan Waddle. Beth and Dan were united in marriage Oct. 6, 1990, at St. Patrick Church, Corning. Dan supported her always, in anything she chose to give of herself. Beth’s second biggest blessing was her beloved nieces and nephews. She spread her time between them to get to at least one game of the sport they were playing, to dance recitals, baptisms, First Communions, confirmation, graduations and weddings and then moved on to the great-nieces and -nephews and was doing all of the above again.

Beth is survived by her husband of 34 years, Daniel Waddle of Corning; siblings, Mike (Dawn) Cooley of Orient, Mary Jo (Jeff) Hidecker of Lexington, Kentucky, Jane Mack of Burlington and Paul Cooley of Clarinda; sister-in-law, Bev (Steve) Keeler of Gravois Mills, Missouri; father-in-law, Joseph Waddle of Ottumwa; brothers-in-law, John (Deanna) Waddle, Matt Waddle and James Waddle, all of Ottumwa; sisters-in-law, Mary (Rick) Sheeley, and Deb (Jim) Dyer; nieces and nephews: Anne (John) Goebel, Chad (Emily) Cooley, Scott (Meghan) Cooley, Kyle (Marie) Cooley, Michael (Crystal) Cooley, Dawna (Heath) Mitchell, Patrick Cooley, Mark Cooley, Ayla Hidecker, Mylanie Hidecker, Stephanie (Brent) Giles, Tamara (Tim) Mullen, Thomas (Shay) Kibbe, Sarah Mack, Ashle (Cliff) Holmes, Thomas Cummings, JoAnna (Travis) Lawrence, Stacy (Joe) Yarkosky, Alisia Thomas Cummings, JoAnna (Travis) Lawrence, Stacy (Joe) Yarkosky, Alisia Waddle (Rick), Nick Sheeley, Mike Sheeley, Karen Sheeley (Ryan), Benjamin Sheeley, Alan Waddle, Cody Waddle, Kelsey Waddle, Samantha (Jeremy) Tipton, Mary Dyer, Joseph Dyer, William Dyer and Jackie (Doug) Ekurt and 42 great-nieces and -nephews.

Beth was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Mary Lou Cooley; her mother-in-law, Alma Waddle; her brother, Marty Cooley; brother-in-law, Richard Mack and one great-nephew, Noah Holmes.