Enjoy KILJ’s America 250 Focus Program highlighting local celebrations.
Charles Edward Case
Charles Edward Case, 34, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 1:43 a.m. Thursday, June 25, 2026, at his home.
He was born on January 14, 1992, at Martin Army Community Hospital in Fort Benning, Georgia, the son of Bryan and Tammy S. (Warner) Case.
He is survived by his parents: Tammy and Bryan Case; son: Valek Case; brother: Kurtis Case; sister: Kailee Case; nephews: Daxton and Camden: grandparents: Kathleen Brookhiser and the late Bob Ross, Raymond and the late Norma Case and David Warner. Also surviving are several cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his great grandma: Helen; several grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousin.
Charles was a 2010 graduate of Central Lee High School. He worked as a roofer and was known to take on a variety of handyman jobs. Charles loved spending time outdoors, especially deer hunting and fishing. In his younger years, he also enjoyed riding horses and camping.
Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Josh Yeakey officiating.
Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson.
A memorial has been established in his memory.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Brian Lawrence Riesberg
Brian Lawrence Riesberg, 65, of New London, Iowa, died at his home on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. He was born in Carroll, Iowa, on September 17, 1960 to Paul and Delores Burl Riesberg. He graduated from Kemper Catholic School in Carroll. Brian married Mary Jo Neff; they later divorced. He spent many years farming and working in construction. He enjoyed anything to do with farming and especially spending time with his children and grandson.
Brian is survived by his sons Louis Riesberg of West Point and Dayne Riesberg of New London; his daughter Jossie Riesberg of Houston, Texas; grandson Sampson Riesberg; sister Corey Hlavac of Chicago, Illinois; and brothers Bruce and Kevin Riesberg both of Des Moines, and Keith Riesberg of Rolla, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Mark and Steve.
According to his wishes his body has been cremated and a private celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting with the arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Martin Raymond “Marty” Phillips
Martin Raymond “Marty” Phillips, 70, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at his residence.
Marty was born January 26, 1956 in Ottumwa, Iowa. He was the son of Raymond Andrew and Patricia Ann (Wren) Phillips. Marty moved to Mt. Pleasant with his family where he attended St. Alphonsus School and Mt. Pleasant High School.
Marty was conferred with a degree as a Registered Nurse. For some 20 years, Marty was a Registered Nurse on staff at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant. He also worked some years at the Montrose Care Center in Montrose, IA.
In his spare time, Marty enjoyed camping on the Skunk River. A very adept and gifted barbeque cook, Marty found great pleasure in creating barbeque meals for family and friends.
Those thankful for sharing in Marty’s life include his 2 sons and their wives – Stuart and Shariah Phillips of Jerome, Idaho and Zach and Libbe Phillips of Iowa City; a brother – John Phillips of Wake Forest, North Carolina; a nephew and his wife – Billy and Molly Roach, and 5 grandchildren – Gabriella, Connar, Quinn, Theo and Beau Phillips.
Marty is preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters – Teresa Phillips, Laura Roach and Mary Ann Phillips.
A memorial service to celebrate Marty’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 2nd at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant. Mr. Bill Roach will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem East Cemetery, Salem, IA. Marty’s family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the memorial service on Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be directed to the family for charity to be named later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Shooting in Nauvoo Results in One Injured Person
One person was injured in a shooting Friday morning in Nauvoo, and the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the Illinois State Police, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office contacted Illinois State Police at approximately 7:13 a.m. regarding a shooting in the 100 block of North Fulmer in Nauvoo.
Authorities say one person was transported to a hospital with injuries. The extent of those injuries has not been released. It has been reported the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison has been placed on lockdown due to a gunshot wound victim.
Illinois State Police say the investigation is active, and no additional information is being made public at this time.
Fort Madison Pharmacy Sues State Over Withheld Medicaid Payments
The owners of a former Fort Madison pharmacy have filed a lawsuit against the State of Iowa, claiming the state improperly withheld millions of dollars in Medicaid payments over allegations of fraud that never resulted in criminal or civil charges.
Rashid Pharmacy is seeking judicial review of a May 22nd decision by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees Iowa Medicaid Enterprises. The pharmacy, which operated in Fort Madison from 1963 until closing in March 2022, alleges Iowa Medicaid suspended all payments in June 2021 based on what it called a “credible allegation of fraud.”
According to the lawsuit, a federal search warrant executed at the pharmacy in 2022 focused on possible Medicare inventory discrepancies, not Medicaid fraud. The pharmacy claims investigators later determined the data had been misinterpreted because it failed to account for different drug packaging, creating the false appearance that medications had been dispensed without sufficient inventory.
The lawsuit also states that no criminal charges, civil claims, or documented patient complaints of fraud have been filed in the more than five years since the investigation began.
An administrative law judge previously acknowledged there was “precious little” evidence indicating Medicaid fraud but ruled the state had enough justification to continue suspending payments while the investigation remained unresolved.
Rashid Pharmacy alleges Iowa Medicaid Enterprises has withheld between $2 million and $3 million for medications that were lawfully dispensed to Medicaid patients. The pharmacy is asking the court to overturn the state’s decision to deny payment, arguing the ruling is unsupported by the evidence and irrational.
The State of Iowa has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit and does not comment on pending litigation.
All God’s Creatures Shelter Seeks Community Donations During Busy Kitten Season
All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter is asking for the community’s help as kitten season keeps staff and volunteers busier than ever.
In a Facebook post, the shelter says it’s running low on several everyday supplies needed to care for the growing number of animals in its care. Among the most urgent needs are laundry detergent, wet cat food, bottles and nipples for bottle-fed kittens, and stuffed toys to provide comfort for the shelter’s dogs.
The shelter has created an Amazon Wish List for those who would like to donate online, and many of the requested items are also available locally at Walmart, Tractor Supply, and Hy-Vee.
Shelter officials say every donation, no matter the size, helps provide care for animals waiting for their forever homes. Those who aren’t able to donate are encouraged to share the shelter’s post to help spread the word.
For more information or to find the shelter’s donation wish list, visit the All God’s Creatures Facebook page.
Joy Lee Johnson
Joy Lee Johnson, 90, of Mount Pleasant, passed away at Park Place Elder Living on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and went to be with the Lord. Born in 1936, in Des Moines, Joy was the daughter of Lawrence and Eleanor (Standing) Hutzell. She graduated from Algona High School in 1954 and attended Cornell College in Mt. Vernon for two years; she completed her BA in 1958, at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, with a major in Sociology and a minor in Religion.
Joy and her husband, C. Leroy Johnson were united in marriage June 24, 1956, sharing 51 wonderful years together until Leroy’s death in 2007. They had three children: Merilee, Tim, & Gayle. Since 1968, they made their home in Mount Pleasant. Together the couple enjoyed church activities, music, traveling, bird-watching, and Henry County Nature Club.
Over the years, Joy worked as homemaker, teacher at Humpty Dumpty Preschool for six years, teacher’s aide at the Mental Health Institute for one year, and secretary at Iowa Wesleyan’s “Responsible Social Involvement” office for 11 years, retiring in 1987. After her retirement, Joy served as vice-president of Hutzell’s, Inc., her parents’ office supply store in Algona, for several years.
When their children were young, Joy volunteered with band, Scouts, 4-H, and various other activities. She was in League of Women Voters, where she was a board member for many years. During her retirement, she volunteered at Pleasant Manor Care Center, visiting residents weekly for 25 years.
Joy had a deep, personal faith in Christ throughout her life. During Leroy’s years in the ministry, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. The two always supported missions to end world hunger. A 50-year member of First Presbyterian Church, Joy was ordained as both elder and deacon; she was active in the church’s Session, Christian Education, committee work, Ruth Circle, Presbyterian Women, Mariners, and English as a Second Language classes.
Joy was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, as well as a devoted daughter. Of all her involvements, her greatest pleasure was simply spending time with her family, and watching her granddaughter, Leah learn and grow.
Joy is survived by daughter Merilee Johnson of Woodside, NY; son Tim (Diane) Johnson of Council Bluffs; daughter Gayle (Jeff) Sheetz of Coralville; granddaughter Leah Johnson of Council Bluffs; brother Larry (Karen) Hutzell of West Des Moines; brother-in-law Lyle Coon of Lohrville; several nieces & nephews; and many cousins.
Along with her beloved husband, Leroy, Joy was preceded in death by her dear parents; parents-in-law Roy & Helen Johnson; step-mother-in-law Leone Johnson; brother-in-law Paul Johnson; sisters-in-law Marilyn Coon & Beverly Johnson; a cherished aunt, Miriam Standing; and many other special aunts, uncles, & cousins.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the First Presbyterian Church, Mount Pleasant, with Rev. Trey Hegar officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Following the committal, a dessert reception will be held at the church. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until the time of service on Sunday. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home is caring for Joy and her family. www.olsonyoderfh.com
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to:
–S.E. Iowa Regional Hospice: 1306 S Washington Rd, West Burlington, Iowa 52655
–First Presbyterian Church: 902 S Walnut St, Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641