OBITUARIES

May 26, 2020

KEOTA-James A. "JAG" Gingerich, age 66, of Keota, died Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Jim was born January 4, 1954, in Iowa City to Ned and Rose (Reiland) Gingerich and graduated from Keota High School in 1972. On June 9, 1973, he married Peggy Mitchell and they were later divorced. Jim worked at Briskey Cabinetry...

May 22, 2020

OTTUMWA-Peggy Colleen Clarahan, age 74, of Ottumwa, died Friday, May 22, 2020, at Ridgewood Specialty Care in Ottumwa. Peggy was born May 3, 1946, in Harper, to John and Ellene (Huber) Clarahan. She grew up in Harper, graduated from Sigourney High School, obtained her RN at Coe College in Cedar Rapids and her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Buena Vista...

May 20, 2020

Williamsburg-Gordon E. Heitshusen was born April 30, 1929 near South Amana, Iowa. He was the son of Edwin and Mildred (Koester) Heitshusen. He was baptized on May 26, 1929 and confirmed on June 13, 1943 at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Gordon attended Immanuel Parochial School and graduated from Williamsburg High School in 1948. Gordon was united in marriage to Cleo L....

May 17, 2020

Our dear husband, father, Opa and Great-Opa, has completed his final Model A journey here on earth, and has safely arrived in his heavenly home. A public graveside service, practicing social distancing, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, May 22, 2020, at the Main Amana Cemetery, Main Amana, with Elder Tony Berger officiating. In lieu of...

May 16, 2020

Williamsburg-Robert Cormack Nichol was born September 6, 1929 in Elgin, Illinois the son of Alexander John (Jock) and Isabella (Cormack) Nichol. He studied at Illinois State University (1950) and Hamline University in St. Paul, MN (1951). Robert attended flight school in 1952 and served in the United States Airforce (First LT) from 1953-1956. He was united in marriage to Donna...

May 15, 2020

Larry W. VonAhsen, age 70, formerly of Williamsburg and Cedar Rapids, died Friday, May 15, 2020 in Amana, Iowa. Per his wishes, his body was donated to science. There will be no services at this time. Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo is assisting the family.

He is survived by his wife Nancy; his sons Rodney and Bradley; and...

May 15, 2020

Margaret Mary Malloy age 86 of Williamsburg passed away Friday, May 15, 2020 at her home. A private family graveside service will be held at St. Michael Cemetery in Holbrook with Father David F. Wilkening officiating. A public Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Memorials may be contributed to St. Michael Cemetery, Holbrook or REA Conroy...

May 14, 2020

KALONA - Edith Pauline (Ropp) Helmuth was born August 6, 1928, in Kalona, Iowa, the daughter of Lewis and Magdalena (Hershberger) Ropp. She attended Pleasant Hill rural school. On December 21, 1952, she was united in marriage to Paul Jay Helmuth. Edith served two years with her husband in 1W Service in Des Moines. The couple returned to Kalona and...

May 14, 2020

SIGOURNEY-Shirley Lynn Stonebraker, age 66, of Sigourney, died Thursday, May 14, 2020, at MercyOne Hospice Care in Johnston. Shirley was born January 31, 1954, at St. Joseph Hospital in Ottumwa, to Harry and Norma (Danels) Stonebraker. She attended grade school in Hayesville and graduated from Sigourney High School in 1972. Shirley worked as a secretary at Vision Ag from 1987...

May 14, 2020

KEOTA-Brian Patrick Cave, age 39, of Keota, died Thursday, May 14, 2020, near Libertyville, Iowa. Brian was born February 25, 1981, in Iowa City to Kevin and Luann (Sheets) Cave and graduated from Keota High School in 1999. A lifelong resident of the Keota community, Brian worked for Vision Ag, Leo Sieren, the West Chester Elevator and Hammes Masonry. He...

May 14, 2020

Williamsburg- Karen Sue White was born December 23, 1953 in Bloomfield, Iowa, the daughter of Edgar Burton & Helen Maxine (Cortum) Hamberg. While growing up she lived in various parts of Iowa, before moving to Iowa County. She graduated from Williamsburg High School. Karen was united in marriage to Clarence "Butch" Richard White Jr., on August 22, 1987 at Trinity...

May 14, 2020

Bernadette E. Cline, age 92, of Brooklyn, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Brooklyn Community Estate. Private family graveside services will be held at Calvary Cemetery, in Brooklyn with Father Corey Close officiating. A memorial mass will be held at a later date. Memorials may be contributed to the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church improvement fund. Kloster Funeral Home,...

May 13, 2020

Parnell- Leo "Jack" Johnson was born January 18, 1930 in Brighton, Iowa. The son of William and Viola (Waggoner) Johnson. He attended Parnell School until enlisting in the Navy. He served in the United States Navy from 1949 to 1969 retiring as a AMCS. Jack was united in marriage to Mary Sullivan on September 6, 1951 in Parnell. To this...

May 12, 2020

NORTH ENGLISH-Dorothy Sampson, age 96, of North English, died Tuesday, May 12, 2020, at the English Valley Care Center in North English. Dorothy was born March 10, 1924, near South English, Iowa, to Ira and Lela (Lockridge) Harris and graduated from Webster High School in 1942. On December 15, 1945, she married Max Sampson in Keswick. The couple lived and...

May 12, 2020

Williamsburg-Charles Keith Stithem was born November 7, 1930 in Hotchkiss, Colorado. The son on John and Daisy (Corsaut) Stithem. Charles enlisted in the United States Navy which he served for 36 years until his retirement. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Higbee in 1953. They were blessed with five children. They later divorced. Charles later married Marlys Kay Tschopp...

May 12, 2020

KALONA - Elwood Gene Miller was born January 19, 1934 in Wellman, Iowa, the son of Enos and Erma (Doolin) Miller. He graduated from Iowa Mennonite School in 1954. On October 17, 1954, Gene was united in marriage to Edna Hochstetler at the East Union Mennonite Church. He did Civilian Public Service (1W) for 2 years at the Iowa Methodist...

May 11, 2020

WELLMAN - Dan R. Shirkey was born August 3, 1957, in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the son of Dale and Marolyn (Conrad) Shirkey. He graduated from Keota High School, Lincoln Technical Institute, and received a degree in Computer Science from the University of Iowa. On October 4, 1975 Dan was united in marriage to Donna Greenfield in Fairfield. Dan farmed and worked...

May 11, 2020

KALONA - Kenneth Ray Schipper was born September 1, 1946 in Aplington, Iowa, the son of John and Jennie (Harms) Schipper. He graduated from Aplington High School. On August 24, 1975, Kenneth was united in marriage to Aline Lewis in Aplington. They lived and farmed in the Aplington community for many years, retiring in 1999 and moved to Kalona. He...

May 10, 2020

KALONA - Marvel Jean Hochstetler was born September 28, 1930, in rural Wellman, Iowa, the daughter of John and Katie (Gingerich) Kinsinger. She attended Kalona High School. On November 20, 1949, Marvel was united in marriage to Donald Hochstelter at the Lower Deer Creek Mennonite Church. They raised their family and farmed in rural Wellman. Upon retiring they moved to...

May 9, 2020

Nancy Lou Wright, age 79, formerly of Belle Plaine, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo. Private graveside services and burial will be Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Koszta Cemetery, rural Marengo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Compass Memorial Healthcare or Rose Haven Nursing Home, both of Marengo,...