Month: June 2021

Michael M. “Mike” Moeller, 64, of Salem, Iowa, passed away at 11:05 p.m. Monday, June 7, 2021, at his home in Salem.

Mike was born on September 5, 1956 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Clarence and Helen (Merschman) Moeller. On October 14, 1978, he married Linda Mehmert at St. James the Less Catholic Church in St. Paul, Iowa.

He is survived by his wife: Linda; two sons: Adam (Ashley) Moeller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Austin (MaryJo) Moeller of St. Louis, Missouri; three grandchildren: Maclan Moeller, Liam and Beckam Moeller; mother: Helen Moeller of West Point, Iowa; one sister: Kathy Orth of Burlington, Iowa; two brothers: Dan Moeller of Phoenix, Arizona and Doug Moeller of Tucson, Arizona; three sisters-in-law: JoAnn (Jim) Boeding, Glorine (Jim) Scharpman and Paulette Kruse; two brothers-in-law: Eugene (Sandy) Mehmert and Kenny (Karen) Mehmert. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father: Clarence; mother and father-in-law: Rita and Joseph Mehmert and brother-in-law: Peter Orth.

Friends may call after 12:00 noon Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening. A Christian wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

A private graveside service will be held Friday, June 11, 2021, at St. James Cemetery in St. Paul with Father Dan Dorau officiating.

Burial will be at St. James Cemetery in St. Paul.

A memorial has been established in his memory for Salem Fire and Rescue, Every Step Hospice in Mt. Pleasant or St. James Cemetery.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with local arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Richard “Cracker” Ritz, 62, of New London, died Sunday, June 6, 2021 at his daughter’s residence in Oskaloosa.

A private family burial service will be held at Lambirth Cemetery, rural Mt. Pleasant. A Celebration of Life for Richard will be held from 2-6 PM on Saturday, June 12 at the New London Community Center.

Memorials may be directed to the family or to a hospice of the donor’s choosing. They may be mailed to or left at Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, which is assisting the family Richard’s arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Richard Irvin “Cracker” Ritz was born August 6, 1958 in Mount Pleasant. He was the son of Donald Irvin and Wilma Jean (Smith) Ritz. He attended school in Mt. Pleasant. On March 3, 1978 in Oskaloosa, he married Brenda L. Johannes. The couple later divorced.

“Cracker” was in the construction trade for most of his life. He worked for Indiana Wood, Bloom Builders, Wesley Barton Construction, Cunningham’s and Robert Smith Construction. For a while, Richard worked for Clow Mfg. Co . in Oskaloosa, a fire-hydrant manufacturer. In his spare time, Richard loved to fish, hunt mushrooms and spend time on the banks of the Skunk River at Oakland Mills. He also loved to tend to the plants in his house.

Those thankful for sharing in Richard’s life include his 3 children – Kristi (Jason) Anderson and Levi (Buffie) Ritz all of Oskaloosa and Collin Ritz (Cheyenne Kracht) of Burlington, IA; siblings – Deb (Tom) Ellis and Ed (Carol) Ritz, all of Wayland, IA and Mike (Denise) Ritz of Mt. Pleasant, and seven grandchildren – Chase, Electra, Dylan, Gage, Kenzi, Ava and Izzy.

His parents and a sister, Linda Chance, precede in death.

Richard M. “Dutch” Chaney, 90, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, June 6, 2021 at University of Iowa Hospital.

Dutch was born on April 12, 1931 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the son of Horace and Georgie (Martin) Chaney. He was a lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant and graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1950.

On March 17, 1954 he married Twyla DeYarman in Winfield, Iowa. She preceded him in death on August 25, 1990. Dutch was a member of the Iowa National Guard for 12 years.

Mr. Chaney was an automobile salesman for Chevrolet and Buick dealerships for 35 years in Mount Pleasant. He retired in 1985.

Dutch was a member of the Mount Pleasant Golf and Country Club and the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Pleasant.

Survivors include his son, Hal W. (Muffin) Chaney of Mount Pleasant; one granddaughter Crystal Chaney of Mount Pleasant; two great grandchildren; three brothers, Robert W. Chaney of Moline, IL, Edward M. Chaney of Mount Pleasant, William M. Chaney of Marion; two sisters, Betty M. Lanphear of Santa Rosa, CA and Louise M. Berg of Fairfield. Also surviving is a very special friend, Donna Teeter of Fairfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Horace and Georgie, and his wife Twyla.

Visitation will be held 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Friday, June 11, 2021 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A private service will be held Saturday, June 12, 2021. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dutch and his family.

Lea Ann Cardoni, 61, of Danville, Iowa, was called home to heaven on February 24, 2021 at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington from cancer. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 AM, June 12th at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with a Celebration of Lea’s life to follow from Noon until 3:00 at Old Thresher’s Museum B, Mt. Pleasant. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Great River Hospice House or Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. She was born on February 6, 1960, to Thomas and Geraldine Graham in Newton, Iowa. She graduated from Newton Senior High School with the class of 1978 and Iowa State University in 1982.
Lea found and married her soul-mate, Bob Cardoni, in 1988. They shared a love deeper than life itself. Lea was a humble, dependable, hardworking woman; always ready to help friends, family, and her community, including Old Threshers and Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant. Lea set high expectations for herself and inspired others to reach their full potential. She had a quick wit and fun sense of humor that brought joy to everyone around her. She enjoyed gardening, camping, reading, and spending time with her friends and family. Lea thoroughly enjoyed working the last 21 years at TDT CPAs and Advisors.
Lea is preceded in death by her father, Tom Graham; Grandparents Dwight and Thelma Monroe, Ruth Larson, Harold Graham; and infant twin brothers, Timothy & Terry.
Survivors include her mother Gerry Graham; loving and supportive husband, Bob Cardoni; daughters Jen Woods (Clay) and Anne Becker (Dan); step-daughter Liz Cardoni Quinn; step-son Matt Cardoni (Beazley); adorable and forever loved grandchildren Caitlin, Emily, Alex, Sebastian, and Lara; sisters Jodi Feddema (John), Mary Snow (Kevin), and Jeane Keplinger (Scott); and nieces and nephews Rick, David, Miranda, Anna, Ellen, and Graham.

Michael Duane Polka, 71, of New London, died Friday, June 4, 2021 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. He was born December 19, 1949 in Cedar Rapids to Paul John and Doris June Brown Polka. He married Connie Konicek Weaver and then on July 30, 2007 he married Lori Jo Wasson Poe in New London.
He was baptized in the Catholic church and was of the Christian faith. Following high school, he served in the United States Marine Corp in Vietnam earning the rank of Lance Corporal. Michael worked two years as a realtor, owned his own construction business for 18 years, and retired after 17 ½ years at the Mt. Pleasant Treatment Center where he held several union positions including union president. He was a member of the Donald Wasson VFW Post #7641 in New London.
Survivors include his wife Lori (Lena) Polka; his father Paul; children Michael D. Polka and Mindy Frazier both of Memphis, Tennessee, Derrick Poe of Mt. Pleasant and Justin (Josie) Poe of Bonaparte; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister Patti (Bob) Youngman of Tama, brothers Dan (Teri) Polka of Tama, Bill (Brendie) Polka of Carlisle and Marty (Lori) Polka of Norwalk. He was preceded in death by his mother; sister Angela (Dolan) Van Nevel and one great-granddaughter.
A Celebration of Life will be held June 26th from noon until 3:00 at the Tama Civic Center. A local Celebration will be held at the Donald Wasson VFW at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Lori (Lena) Polka to help with funeral expenses. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.