February 26, 2024 – March 3, 2024

02/26/24
Lucas Lee
02/26/24
Lila Cook
02/26/24
Dale Davidson
02/26/24
Joe Hunsaker
02/26/24
Betsy Johnston
02/26/24
Spencer Newman
02/26/24
Lisa Price
02/26/24
Dr. Matt Donnelly
02/27/24
David Curtis
02/27/24
Wyatt Miller
02/27/24
Weston Miller
02/27/24
Carl Scott
02/27/24
Makenzie Kauffman-Ho
02/27/24
Nick West (16)
02/27/24
Mandi Bain
02/28/24
Elizabeth Garrels
02/28/24
Ashley Wesley
02/28/24
Allison Lowe
02/28/24
Grant Roberson
02/28/24
Ellie Stewart
02/28/24
Lisa Miller - 50th
02/28/24
Jim & Rhonda Molter *Anniversary
02/28/24
Kathy & Ken Hawkins - 45th Anniversary
02/28/24
Jim & Cora Arnold - 65 years
02/29/24
Danielle Broeker
03/02/24
Sherri Leaper
03/03/24
Stan and Charleene Stigge - 62 years
03/03/24
Jack and Janice Murphy - 57 years

Laura Lee Cooper McCollister

Laura Lee Cooper McCollister, 62, of Naples, Florida, formerly of Ft. Madison, Iowa passed away at 6:02 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, surrounded by her loving family, friends, and beloved dog “Moose”.

She was born on July 17, 1961, in Ft. Madison, Iowa, daughter of Roger and Laura (Vincent) Cooper, she was a 1979 graduate of Ft. Madison High School.

She began her career in the casino industry as a dealer on the Emerald Lady Riverboat in Ft. Madison, Iowa and later served as a pit boss at Casino Magic in Bossier, Louisiana that later was named Boomtown before being promoted to the position of table games manager at Seminole Casino in Immokalee, Florida. She was adored and respected by co-workers and patrons alike.

Laura Lee cherished rich relationships with family and friends. Her mantra in recent days was “my family was the love of my life,” which was reflected in the way she lavished her love, support, and resources on her many family members. Not only was she exceedingly generous, but also fun-loving, loyal, affirming, and unforgettable. A beach lover at heart, Laura Lee loved nothing more than bringing together friends or family for lively celebrations at the beach or around the swimming pool of her Naples home.

Survivors include one sister: Rachella Dravis of Denmark; two brothers: Keating (Janet) Hissem of Montrose and Kenny (Kerry) Cooper of Ft. Madison; one sister-in-law: Julie Aubé of Tenerife, Spain; eight nieces and nephews: Heather (Matt) Fuger, Jeremy (Kelli) Hissem, Kelsey (Ben) Summers, Kole (Zak Victory) Cooper, Kameron (Makenzie) Cooper, Emma (Brady) Roth, Marie Esther Aubé-Cooper, Aranxta Aubé-Cooper; ten great-nieces and nephews: Lily (Brian) Hayes, Keating, Kinsey, Kaylin, Blake, Lorelai, Layne, Greyson, Cade, and Cael.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother: Jeffrey Cooper; and brother-in-law: Bradley Dravis.

Via organ donation, Laura Lee’s final and lasting gift to the world was the gift of life and sight.

A visitation will be held from 1:00p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home  in West Point with Dana Leahy and Heather Fuger officiating.

Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Ft. Madison.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her memory.

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

February 19, 2024 – February 25, 2024

02/19/24
Holly Jones
02/19/24
Jason Warner
02/19/24
Victoria Wilson
02/19/24
Barb Donnelly
02/20/24
Dean Aicher
02/20/24
Jean Barker
02/20/24
Lisa Dunn
02/20/24
Mason Fraker
02/20/24
Nadine Martin
02/20/24
Joseph Syfert
02/20/24
Kathy Goff
02/20/24
Belinda Allen
02/21/24
Scott McCarty
02/22/24
Nichole Franklin
02/22/24
Samuel Van De Berg
02/23/24
Martha Settles
02/24/24
Jeff McGohan
02/24/24
Scott Boles
02/24/24
Marilyn Vincent
02/24/24
Kendra Seibert
02/25/24
Tim Jacobs
02/25/24
Kyle Noble

Craig M. Peck

Craig M. Peck, 72, a resident of Fairfield, passed away, Thursday, February 15, 2024 at his home.

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, February 20, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Gabriel Claussen officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Craig was born April 11, 1951 in Ottumwa, the son of Glenn and Jennie (Sterner) Peck. He married Dixie Garrels, May 4, 1974 in Kahoka, Missouri.

Craig worked as a welder for ACCO Babcock in Fairfield. He enjoyed hunting, watching Iowa Hawkeye football, and cherished his time spent with his grandchildren.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Dixie; daughters, Brandi Peck of Whitsett, North Carolina and Kimberli (Jason) Sands of Dunn, North Carolina; step-son, Kelly Nicholson of Adair, Iowa; grandchildren, Ashlyn and Jenyka Sands, Cassie and Keenan Nicholson; four great-grandchildren; and his sister, Connie (Larry) Harryman of Fairfield.

He was preceded in death by his parents

Online condolences may be made to Craig’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com

February 12, 2024 – February 18, 2024

02/12/24
Sylvia Dale
02/12/24
Linda Keith
02/12/24
Mackenzie Notestein
02/13/24
John Pullis
02/13/24
Richard Ballou
02/13/24
Judy & Ray Hatch
02/14/24
Chuck & Jenny Andrews - belated from 2/13
02/14/24
Doug Kennedy
2/14/24
Pam Sefton
02/14/24
Brady Reynolds
02/14/24
Trace White
02/14/24
Dorothy Robertson (103)
02/14/24
Mason Donnelly
02/14/24
Barbie Hamilton Lynchard
02/14/24
Ron & Karen Osborne
02/15/24
Adam Creager
02/15/24
Teresa Garmoe
02/15/24
Sharon Burk
02/15/24
Addison Krogmeier
02/15/24
Cathy Ruschill
02/15/24
Nick Rose
02/16/24
Kendra Ruschill
02/17/24
Myar Rodgers
02/18/24
Mike Lance
02/18/24
Stone Stallman
02/18/24
Scott Davidson
02/18/24
Elias Hampton

David Albert Bell-Pending

David Albert Bell, 63 of Bonaparte, passed away on Thursday, February 8, 2024.  Funeral arrangements are pending with the Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington

Janice Brown

Janice Brown, 95, of Wapello passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, after suffering a stroke.  As staying with Janice’s wishes there will be a private family graveside service in the spring where Janice will be laid to rest next to her husband Don, at Wapello Cemetery.  Janice was always very concerned about others, she never wanted anyone worrying about her. It only seems fitting she did not want to trouble others with inconveniencing them with missing work or unsafe travels to attend her services.  Memorials have been established for First Presbyterian Church of Wapello and Wapello Fire Department in Janice’s name.  Memorials may be sent to Janice’s family in care of the funeral home, at 209 Franklin Street, Wapello, Iowa 52653.   Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservices.com.    Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are assisting the family with arrangements.

Janice Elaine Marie Bloomer was born on November 15, 1928 in Burlington, the daughter of John Oscar and Olive Florence (Miller) Bloomer.    Janice was a 1946 graduate of Wapello High School.  On June 22, 1947, Janice was united in marriage to Donald Raymond Brown in Wapello and to this union five children were born.  Janice was a stay-at-home mom who enjoyed and cherished being at home with her kids and seeing Don when he came home for lunch every day.  In 1974 Janice went to work for Louisa Publishing Co. as a typesetter, retiring at the age of 87.   Janice was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Wapello, playing the piano and organ for Sunday church services.  She was also a member of PEO, active in Girl Scouts and Wapello Music Boosters.  She found her greatest joy in time spent with her husband, Don, their kids and grandkids.  Janice and Don cherished each other and had a wonderful marriage.   Janice thoroughly enjoyed attending her kids’ and grandkids’ sporting events and band concerts.  A story has been shared that Hal Cross, the band director at the time, told the audience, “We can now start, Janice Brown is here.” Janice had a love for music all of her life, beginning with high school band and choir continuing throughout her life playing the organ and piano at church, singing in the church choir and accompanying David as he played the guitar at home.  Janice also enjoyed being outdoors and sitting on her porch.  She was a true home body, loving home and family.  They meant the world to her.

Those left to cherish Janice’s memory include her children, Greg (Regina) Brown of Wapello, Joan Thompson of Winfield, David Brown of Iowa City, Mary (John) White of Mason City and Martha (Dirk) Wilkerson of Wapello; grandchildren, Clint Brown, Ashley Brown, Joy (Josh) Sparrow, Julie (Jeremy) Hunold, Kendra (Caleb) Connop, Shelby (Craig) Halverson, Abra (Brandon) Kammrad, Lisa Wilkerson and Brady Wilkerson; great- grandchildren, Noah and Nick Sparrow, Kaylen and Brant Hunold, Briar and Rowan Connop, Easton and Adri Halverson, Mac and Baylor Kammrad.

Janice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Don on October 26, 1991; brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Betty Bloomer; son-in-law, Paul Thompson and daughter-in-law, Julia Ryan Brown.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

Jonathon Taylor

Jonathon Dale Taylor, 42, of Adel, formerly of Fairfield, died as a result of an automobile accident, February 4, 2024.

Friends may call after 1:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10th at Behner Funeral Home. Burial will be at Maple Hill Cemetery in Birmingham. Memorials may be made to the family for his daughter, Cadyn.

Jon was born October 21, 1981 in Keosauqua the son of Carol (Countryman) and Herman Taylor. He was a 2000 graduate of Van Buren High School.

Jon started working at 16 years old when he figured out he could skip class all afternoon and get paid for it. He was offered a full-time position at Agri-Plastics when he graduated from high school. Jon would work there for another 9 years before going to spend another 5 years in the plastics business as a supervisor at Tigerhawk. He liked running a forklift With Hearth and Home Technologies in Mt. Pleasant for a couple of years before relocating to Alabama. Jon got a job as a grocery selector at McLane Distribution in July of 2018. While at McLane, Jon obtained his CDL and proudly worked out of the Cottonwood, Alabama distribution center. He recently transferred to his home state of Iowa last summer and was currently dispatched out of the Ankeny Domicile.

Jon married April Marie Harter in September 2007 in Fairfield. They welcomed the peanut of Jon’s eye, Cadyn Caroline, April 17, 2013. Jon was a devoted father and enjoyed spending lots of time building Lego sets, going to the movies, or just going on a random adventure with his daughter. If he wasn’t spending time with Cadyn, Jon was always out riding his motorcycle when the weather would allow, or spending time with family and beloved friends. Uncle Jon loved annoying his nieces and nephew, but Jon was truly a child at heart for any kid he encountered. Jon didn’t know a stranger and most people that can remember him usually have an entertaining story of what happened, or what was said.

He is survived by his wife and daughter, April and Cadyn Taylor of Fairfield; sister, Winter (Craig Dresback) Taylor of Creston, Iowa; Nieces, Kordelia Taylor, Lehdyn and MaKenna Dresback; nephew, Edwin Dresbeck; cousins, Josh (Mandy) and Harley Gradwell.

Jon is preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Dale and Marjorie Countryman, and Ellie Mae Sunday; and cousin, Edwinna “Cookie” Proctor.

Online condolences may be made to Jon’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.