Twyla V. Edwards Gilkey Isett
June 3, 1903 - January 9, 2002

Twyla Isett IVERNESS, Fla. #45;- Twyla V. Edwards Gilkey Isett died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2002, at Mariner Nursing Home in Inverness. Mrs. Isett was born on June 3, 1903, to Leonard and Saidee Shipman. She attended high school in Wapello. She graduated from Cornell College in Mount Vernon and taught art, music and other subjects in the Reinersville, McConnelsville/Malta and Centerville, Ohio school systems for about 22 years. In 1947, she and her first husband, Harry Edwards, bought a large home in Columbus Junction and converted it into a nursing home called Restopia. They divorced in 1951 and in 1955 she married William Gilkey. He preceded her in death in 1963, and she operated Restopia until 1969, when she retired. Around 1970, she married Ewing Isett of Wapello and they divided their time between Columbus Junction and Clearwater, Fla. He preceded her in death in 1990, and she resided in New Horizon ALF in Inverness near her son, Lynn, until the time of her death. She was known for her artistic abilities and during her teaching years was very active in the drama departments where she taught. She was one of the founders of the Iowa Nursing Home Association and was the first vice president. In her retirement years she wrote an autobiography and two novels, as well as doing numerous paintings. Survivors include an adopted son, Lynn Gilkey; and three stepchildren, William Gilkey of Clearwater, Mrs. Roger Hill of Burlington and Myrna Martin of Clearwater; 12 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a brother, Leonard James Shipman and a sister, Elzy Cooper.

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