Author: Allison Jacobs

Gladys Josephine Ranney age 97 formerly of Packwood passed away in Sigourney, Iowa.

There will be a private family gathering celebrating her life at a later date.  Memorials may be made to the family and mailed to Jodi Milligan, 402 Suellen Street, Richland, Iowa 52585.  Behner Funeral Home is helping the family with arrangements.

Gladys was born March 18, 1928, in LeMars, Iowa to John and Elvina Bourne.

Gladys moved to Iowa Falls when she was younger. Later she met Donald Ranney. They married November 3, 1946 and raised their daughter Diane. They lived most of their life in Marshalltown but decided to move to Packwood to be close their daughter Diane (Lee).

Gladys loved to flower garden, bake, doing jigsaw puzzles and her word-finds. Her chocolate chip cookies never lasted long around the grandchildren. She loved working at Fannie Mae and Hallmark and spending time with family. Later in life she enjoyed her Fridays with daughter Diane when they would get their hair done at Miss Kitty’s, go shopping, and grab lunch. She enjoyed visiting with her grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.

Left to share her memories are her grandchildren Michael (Sheila) Vokoun, Jodi (Matt) Milligan, Michelle (Mike) Hoy, Teri (Mike) Miller and Traci (Todd) Hoefler, her great grandchildren, Nathaniel, Nicholas, Neil, JJ (Addi), Josh (Tefna), Jade (Michael), Andrea, Erica, Danielle (Charles), Lee, Daphne (Chase), Rhyan and Hayden and her great-great grandchildren Garett, Graci, Ainsley, Jase, Braxton, Charlotte and soon to be Viola. Her brother Richard (Pat) Bourne and sister Eileen Ramey.

Gladys was proceeded in death by her husband Donald Ranney, her daughter Diane Stone, her parents John and Elvina Bourne, and her brother Robert Bourne.

John Ollis Miller, 86, of Marion, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Cedar Rapids.  He was born January 27, 1939 in Kirksville, Missouri to Louis and Fern Miller.  On September 29, 1957 he married Mary Lou Toft.

He was a 1957 graduate of New London High School, served in the US Army, and was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marion.

John worked as a construction supervisor for NorthWestern Bell, later known as US West.  He was a member of NW Bell Pioneers in which he was active for twenty years; he was a leader for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion during his tenure at US West.

John won many awards in marketing; volunteered through the church and was a church sponsor.   He enjoyed his family, his neighbors, genealogy, woodworking and his tool collection.

He is survived by his wife Mary; two sons Bradley (Manny) Miller-Garcia of Davenport and Craig (Barb) Miller of North Oreton, Ohio; five grandchildren, Sara Ealey, Seth, Owen, Audrey, and Scott Miller; and two great-grandchildren, Lelan and Ridge Ealey.  Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Steven J. Miller and grandson John Miller.

The family will greet friends at a luncheon at Elliott Chapel, New London beginning at 11:30 am, Monday, July 14, 2025.  Immediately following the luncheon will be a 1:00 PM graveside service with his grandson Seth Miller officiating.  Military rites will be presented by the Henry County Honor Guard.  A memorial has been established and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Lynn E. Hitchings, 82, of New London, died Thursday, July 10, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital, West Burlington.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Robert V. Hays, 80, of Morning Sun, passed away on Friday, July 4, 2025, on the farm in Morning Sun.  Visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Mediapolis.  Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at the Sharon RP Church.  Burial will be in the Sharon RP Church Cemetery with full military rites.  Following the committal service, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the church.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Robert.  Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Robert Veale Hays was born on February 9, 1945, in Morning Sun, Iowa the son of John Milford and Margaret (Beck) Hays.  He was a 1963 graduate of Mediapolis High School and graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in engineering.  Robert proudly served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.  He was united in marriage to Leslie Giles in Texas who passed on March 3, 2000.  Robert later was united in marriage to Debra Kay Barker on December 29, 2005, in Glenwood, Iowa.  Robert was a Civil Engineer for Peter Kiewit, serving as Unit District Supervisor.  He was a member of the Sharon RP Church and the Morning Sun American Legion. Robert enjoyed collecting tractors and antiques, tinkering, visiting with family and friends and spending time with his great granddaughter, Kelby.  He was a wonderful, caring and generous husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and friend.

Robert will be deeply missed by his wife, Debra of Morning Sun; his children, Denine Greco of Council Bluffs, Troy Gillam of Council Bluffs, Kaleb Hays of Council Bluffs and Kelsey Hays of Des Moines; grandchildren, Marina Greco of Omaha,  Amanda Greco of Omaha, Mariah Greco of Omaha; great grandchildren Kelby Greco, Lavinia Greco and one on the way; nephew, John Hays of Washington and nieces, Kathy (Barry) Heilman of Yarmouth and Becky Hays of San Diego.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, John Hays and Bill Hays and niece, Peggy Hays.

Danny J Lampe of West Point, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at the age of 78.

There is a poem called “The Dash,” which talks about not so much the importance of someone’s date of birth and date of death, but focuses on the dash, the time between death and birth.  Danny filled that with plenty, both happy and tragic events.  At age 1, he began to have symptoms of a chronic right side rare disease, which would haunt him the rest of his life, with multiple doctor’s appointments, surgeries, a prominent limp, etc.  At age 6, Danny lost his father in a tragic accident; age 12, he lost his 6-year-old brother to an aneurysm.  Throughout this time into his adulthood, the surgeries to combat the effects of his disease also took place.  Life went on, and so did the challenges.  Danny’s mother, Hilda died of cancer when Danny was twenty-nine, while he was recovering from major lung surgery.   Then came the real tragedy of his life, his son Jason died at the age of forty-nine, after fighting a long-term chronic illness.

Despite all of this, there were wonderful events in his life.  On April 19, 1969, he married JoAnn Fullenkamp.  Together they were blessed with three children, Joe, Jason, and Amy.  He was thrilled at the birth of each and took pride (that he shared with everyone) in each of their achievements and made sure that he provided them with all the advantages that he was not allowed growing up.  Then came the grandchildren.  There was no prouder grandpa than Danny.  He had a pet name for each of these kids and made sure everyone knew each of their accomplishments.

During this time, Danny was very involved with his church and his community.  He was on the city council, chairperson of the Corn Festival, St. Mary’s Fall Festival, West Point Community Club, a member of the West Point Fire Department, West Point Jaycees, etc.

Danny built a successful career at General Electric. where he worked for 35 years. He was very proud of his accomplishments and work life.  He developed long-term friendships with all of his treasured “GE Buddies.”  After retirement, he managed the grounds at Calvery Cemetery in West Point.  He took a lot of pride in making sure it was always well maintained.

Danny was born on April 22, 1947, to Clarence and Hilda Lampe.  He married JoAnn Fullenkamp on April 19^th, 1969.  Together, they had three children, Joe (Jamie) Lampe, North Liberty, Jason, deceased, and Amy (Brandon) Mills, Iowa City, Iowa. He had nine grandchildren, Jackson, Christian, Samara and Quentin Mills, Mya, Halle and Nora Lampe and Keira and Leah Sickels.  He also had a special niece, Emily Fullenkamp Kelch, (Corey) and their four children.  Danny is also survived by his brother, John (Linda) Lampe and sister, Linda (Richard) Lyons of Mt. Pleasant.  He was blessed with and dearly loved his large number of nieces and nephews, all who meant so much to him.

Danny passed away at the Ft. Madison site of Southeastern Iowa Regional Medical Center with his family surrounding him.

Danny was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Hilda Lampe, mother and father in-law, Abie and Agnes Fullenkamp, son, Jason, brother, Bobby, brother in laws, Bobby Meierotto, Ron Fullenkamp, Pat Griswold;  sisters-in-law, Judy Fullenkamp.

Visitation will be held from 1:00p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday, July 7, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Christian Wake Service will be held at 6:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

Memorials have been established in his memory for Calvary Cemetery in West Point or Regina Catholic School System in Iowa City.

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