Eric M. Richenberger

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 12:23 pm CDT

Eric M. Richenberger, 43, of Wellman, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, near Ladora, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. Burial will follow at North Hill Cemetery north of Wayland. Visitation will be held Friday, August 2, 2034, from 5 –  7 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. Folks are encouraged to wear their Chicago Cubs gear. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the family’s use.

Eric Matthew Richenberger was born July 30, 1980, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, the son of Duran Allen and Tracy (Conner) Richenberger. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in 1998. Eric worked as a purveyor of fine meats and cheeses at Freemans Foods in Wellman for the past six years. On January 26, 2008, he was united in marriage to Annie Bates in Cedar Rapids. Eric collected vintage video games, magic cards, coins, trains and comic books. He enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons, woodworking and spending time with this family. Eric was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.

Survivors include his wife Annie and children Xavier and Penelope of Wellman; his mother Tracy Richenberger of Wesley Chapel, FL; sister Laura (Micah) Scott of Wesley Chapel, FL, two nephews: Oliver and Emmet Scott, paternal grandmother Geraldine Rixe, uncle Mike Richenberger, two aunts: Cindy Richenberger and Mary Lou Richenberger, all of Wayland; and four cousins: Scott, Amy, Stephanie and Steven Richenberger.

Preceding Eric in death were his father Duran, his uncle Stan Richenberger, aunt Linda Richenberger, paternal grandfather Glen Richenberger, maternal grandparents William and Nina Evelyn Conner and father-in-law Mike Bates.

No Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting August 1st

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 10:19 am CDT

According to the Henry County Auditor, there will be no Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, August 1st, due to a lack of quorum. Quorum is defined as the minimum numbers of members of an assembly or society that must be present at a meeting for the proceedings to be valid.

Donations Welcomed for Fellowship Cup Back to School Supply Drive

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 7:56 am CDT

The Fellowship Cup is collecting school supplies for its annual Back to School Supply Drive today to August 15. They need backpacks, 1, 2, and 3-inch binders, dry erase markers, and wide-ruled loose-leaf paper. These donations can be dropped off at The Fellowship Cup at 203 N Jefferson St Mondays and Thursdays 8:00am to 4:00pm or any other day by calling ahead to make sure they have staff there. For more information, call 319-385-3242 during normal business hours.

Murder in Ottumwa! Man Stabbed to Death in Foster Park, Suspect Charged

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 7:54 am CDT

On July 30th, at approximately 1:02 a.m., police were called to Foster Park in Ottumwa on a report that someone had been stabbed with a knife. Police arrived and identified the victim as Jeffrey Wayne Johns, age 40, of Ottumwa. Johns had sustained a stab wound to his torso. Johns was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center where he was pronounced dead.

The Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted to assist the Ottumwa Police Department with the investigation.

At approximately 9:12 a.m., members from the Ottumwa Police Department’s Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at 2209 E. Main Street. The suspect in the homicide was found hiding in the attic area of this residence and taken into custody. The suspect was identified as Joshua Michael, age 32, of 2209 E. Main.

Michael was charged with Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony, for the death of Johns.

Severe Weather in Our Area

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 7:48 am CDT

Severe weather threatens once again today, with the National Weather Service forecasting a slight risk throughout the day in our area. Storms are possible through Friday. Flash flooding is also a factor, as repeated rounds of heavy rainfall may lead to that. Additional rounds of strong to severe thunderstorms are possible at times today, mainly this morning and again tonight. At this time, the likely hazards are damaging winds, capable of downing tree limbs and minor structural damage, and hail to the size of quarters. Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings today and tonight, especially late tonight while you are asleep!

Be ready to take shelter if you encounter these storms! For those that are less impacted by storms, very hot and humid conditions will be possible, but this is highly dependent on the location of storms and cloud cover.

Mount Pleasant: Iris Street CLOSED due to Flooding

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 6:24 am CDT

*Updated* Iris St is now open to traffic.

Iris St is closed from 34 all the way to Winfield Avenue due to flooded roads. Sources say that there is backup of cars due to the heavy rain that we have received this morning.

Norma Jean Roth

By Yorke Prough · Wednesday, July 31st, 2024 at 6:02 am CDT

Norma Jean “Jean” Roth, 96, of Washington, passed away Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at Halcyon House in Washington. A family graveside service will be held Monday at 10:00AM, August 5, 2024, at Sugar Creek Cemetery south of Wayland. A time of fellowship, open to the public, will be held Monday at 10:30AM at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church. A memorial fund has been established for Sugar Creek Mennonite Church, Crooked Creek Christian Camp and Hospice Compassus. The Beatty Peterseim Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Norma Jean (Burden) Roth was born March 20, 1928, in Milford, NE, the daughter of Floyd and Hazel (Schweitzer) Burden. She graduated from South English High School, worked as a nurse’s aide, and later earned her LPN nursing license from Southeastern Community College in Burlington. On March 4, 1951, she was united in marriage to Vernon Roth at Bethel Church. Jean worked as an LPN at Parkview in Wayland for many years, before working at the University of Iowa Hospital in the kidney transplant department, retiring in 1990. Jean was a member of the Sugar Creek Church where she was active in the Crusader’s Sunday School Class, the WMC sewing group and was a MYF sponsor. She also volunteered as a cook at Crooked Creek Christian Camp. Jean was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, holding season tickets for football and basketball, and enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events. She enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting and sewing. Jean made her own wedding dress, her bridesmaids dresses, her daughters’ wedding dresses, and countless other dresses and outfits. In their later years Jean and Vernon spent winters in Sarasota, Florida.

Survivors include three children: Jason (Lauren) Roth of Mt. Pleasant, IA, Jacquelyn Rich of Crawfordsville, IA, Joni (Gordy) McAlpin of Villisca, IA; 10 grandchildren: Chad (Esperanza) Roth, Brent (Crystal) Roth, Noelle (Justin) Brunet, Darcy Rich, Neil (Kori) Rich, Stephanie (Tony) Dacey, Darin (Diana) Rich, Kristen (Eric) Eblen, Amy (Cody) Hughes, Lori (Alex) Burton; 17 great-grandchildren; and three sisters-in-law: Rosemary Burden, Betty Burden and Kathy Burden.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents, her husband Vernon in 2016, infant son Ricky, son-in-law Phil Rich, grandson Perry Rich, and seven brothers: Lowell, Ken, Bill, Dick, Jack, Bob and Gary Burden.

This Day in Sports History, July 30th

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, July 30th, 2024 at 2:00 pm CDT

July 30th, 1874 1st baseball teams to play outside US, Boston-Philadelphia in British Isles.

THE EUROPEAN TRIP OF THE BOSTONS AND ATHLETICS

The Athletics and Bostons will sail for England Thursday, and all the arrangement have been completed. They will sail on the steamship Ohio, of the American Steamship line, and expect to arrive at Liverpool in time to play their first game, July 30. The day before their departure they will play in Philadelphia, and there is no doubt but the contest will be close. We learn from a Philadelphia paper that President Grant has been invited to attend, also Governor [John F. ] Hartranft and Mayor [William S.] Stokely, and other city and State officials, the officers of the steamship company, and the officers of the steamship Ohio.

The party will be comprised as follows:

From the Athletic Club – James M. Ferguson, Esq., president of the club; Mrs. James M. Ferguson, Jr., Master C. Collins, Master J. Ferguson, Jr., Mrs. M. A. Dougherty, David F. Houston, Charles R. Cragin, Esq., George Taylor, William Milligan, James Houston, A. F. Gerhard, J. R. Rockhill, W. T. Gaine, J. Spering, F. C. Waterman, J. A. H. Carr, H. Gunmere, James Cambell, D. F. Lynch, John Haley, and William Schilling. Player Members of the Club – J. D. McBride, W. D. Fisler, J. P. Sensenderfer, A. J. Reach, M. H. McGeary, A. C. Anson, J. E. Clapp, E. E. Sutton, J. F. McMullen, Joseph Batting, T. Murnan, A. W. Gedney.

From the Boston Club  — C. H. Portert, Esq., T. E. Long, H. S. Kempton, J. O. Egerton, L. K. Brigham, J. Wright, E. D. Dougherty, C. M. Bromwich, H. R. Terry, Jos. Wainwright, E. A. Pope, George Will, J. H. Farrington, D. L. Howell, J. H. Kane, H. G. Gibbs. Playing Members of the Club – George Wright, George W. Hall, T. L. Beals, S. G. Spalding, C. A. McVey, A. J. Leonard, R. C. Barnes, H. Wright, S. Wright, James O’Rourke, Harry Schafer, and James Wright.

1874 Boston Herald coverage of the Red Stockings tour