Charles Earl Hamberg

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 1:41 pm CDT

Charles Earl Hamberg, 84, of Farmington, Iowa, passed away at 1:17 P.M. Saturday July 2, 2022 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.

Born on September 22, 1937, in a log cabin near Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, the son of Harold “Whitey” and Mary (Chaplin) Hamberg. As a teenager he moved with his family to Iowa, where he graduated from Farmington High School in 1956. On June 7, 1959 he married his high school sweetheart Donna McIntosh at the Farmington United Methodist Church. They were blessed with two sons, Tom and Doug.

He is survived by his wife, of 63 years, two sons; Thomas (Jennifer) Hamberg of Greer, South Carolina and Douglas (Rosalind) Hamberg of Farmington, Iowa. Three grandchildren; Nathan, Emily, and Scarlett. Several Nieces and Nephews including Richard “Dick” (Sandy)  Boushley of Colorado. He is also survived by step grandchildren, step great grandchildren, and cousins

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers; Glenn, Howard, Wayne, and Harley. Two sisters; Ida Boushley, and Lois Garett

Charles served his country with three years in the United States Army Security Agency. He was active in his community; he worked as city maintenance man for seven years, served on the city council for ten years, owned and operated the Farmington Food Mart and Whatknots, he was a member of Farmington Jaycees and Actioneers, Charles volunteered as a fireman and EMS for many years, he worked in the Farmington grocery stores and many other communities in southeast Iowa.

Charles was devoted to his family, as the boys grew up he was very supportive of their activities in school; scouting and recreational activities. He and Donna enjoyed square dancing, ballroom dancing, yard saleing, and visiting family. Together they visited all forty eight continental states. His personal interests included mushrooming, fishing, woodworking, reading, watching westerns, and solving word puzzles.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A graveside service will be held 10:00 a.m.  Thursday July 7, 2022 at Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington, Iowa with Pastor Dawn Butler officiating.

A memorial has been established in his memory for Farmington EMT’s or Farmington Fire Department. Memorials may be mailed to Schmitz Funeral Home P.O. Box 56 in Donnellson.

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

Jean Van Syoc

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 1:35 pm CDT

Jean Van Syoc, 97, of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, June 19, 2022 at her residence.

The funeral service for Mrs. Van Syoc will be 2:00 PM Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at the First Baptist Church, 100 East Webster Street, Mount Pleasant. The Reverend Steve English will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mount Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Monday, July 11 at the The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends prior to the service from 12 Noon to 2PM on Tuesday at the church.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First Baptist Church, Every Step Hospice, the Paws Animal Shelter or the Kitten Haven at Vintage Raven. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, is assisting Jean and her family with the arrangements. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Players Workshop Holding Open Auditions for Fall Musical

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 1:27 pm CDT

Players Workshop will kick off its 90th year with open auditions for the popular musical Mamma Mia!, on Sun.-Tues., July 31-Aug 2 at 7:00 p.m. at the Workshop, 1431 Grove St. in Burlington, Iowa.

Featuring lyrics by Bjorn Ulvaeus & Benny Andersson, with book by Catherine Johnson, Mamma Mia!, is a romantic comedy told through the songs of pop group ABBA, as a young girl prepares for her wedding on an isolated Greek island.

The directors are looking for people ages 15-70, to fill 13 principal roles (6 female and 7 male), and a mixed ensemble of 12 or more people.

Tryouts will include readings, songs, and choreography from the play, all of which will be provided by the directors, so auditionees need not bring anything except their talent.

For more information, contact either the director, Matt Poling, at 319-750-0334 or via email at matsmp1981@mediacombb.net, or the producer, Robbin Poling, 319-750-1724 or at 4polings@mchsi.com.  Information is also available at www.playersworkshoptheater.com and on the workshop Facebook page

Mamma Mia! is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized materials are supplied by Music Theater International, New York, NY, 212-541-4684 mtishows.com.

Players Workshop is a 501(c)3 organization.

House Fire in Burlington

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 6:53 am CDT

At 5:04 PM Monday July 4, 2022 the Burlington Fire Department responded to a reported house fire at 3011 Market Street in Burlington. Upon arrival firefighters found light smoke coming from the west end of the attic. Firefighters were able to locate a small fire in the attic above the electrical panel. The fire was brought under control by 5:32 PM.

The duplex rental house is owned by Larry Graham and occupied by Laura Talbott and is insured. The fire was contained to the attic with smoke damage throughout and water damage in the kitchen. Damages are estimated at $20,000. Working smoke detectors were present, but the fire was discovered before they activated. The Red Cross has been called for victim assistance.

The cause of the fire is electrical in nature and is considered accidental.

Eleven Burlington firefighters responded to the call and were assisted by nine West Burlington firefighters and four Mediapolis firefighters responding on automatic aid. Officers with the Burlington Police Department and Alliant Energy also assisted at the scene. There were no injuries. Firefighters cleared the scene at 7:09 PM

Daily Jail Count

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 6:50 am CDT

Henry County Jail

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

Date:   7-5-2022______

JAIL COUNT

   20_    Henry County Inmates

  46      Out of County Contract Inmates              

  66       TOTAL

Marilyn Leichty

By Kadie Johannson · Tuesday, July 5th, 2022 at 6:46 am CDT

Marilyn Kay Leichty, 80, of Mount Pleasant, Iowa passed away on August 15, 2021. Marilyn was born in Mount Pleasant on June 30, 1941, the daughter of Raymond and Doris (Roth) Graber. She graduated from Iowa Mennonite School and continued on in her education to receive a bachelor’s degree in nursing at Goshen College. Her postgraduate education included master’s degrees in nursing and sociology, as well as a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Iowa.

Marilyn was united in marriage to Norman Hoyt Leichty on May 19, 1974. They were married for 47 years and had three children together. Her career as a nurse and professor of nursing and sociology included instruction at Hesston College, Director of Nursing at Goshen College and Iowa Wesleyan University, and Director of Sociology at Iowa Wesleyan University. She volunteered at The Crowded Closet and The Fellowship Cup and was a member of the board of the Parkview Home. She was an active member of the Pleasant View Mennonite Church and served in several capacities throughout her life. Marilyn enjoyed spending time in her garden and turning the harvest into innovative meals and canned goods. She promoted critical thinking and inclusion of those on the fringes of society.

Marilyn was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Norman and their three children: Ellen Leichty and Mitchell Havard of Christiana, PA, Jonathan and Amanda Bleichty of Mount Pleasant, IA, and Mary Leichty and Andrew Gingerich of Canby, OR, as well as four grandchildren. Also surviving are brothers Gerald Graber of Freeman, SD and Russel Graber of Hesston, KS. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Iowa PBS in celebration of her dedication to education.

A memorial service will be held at the Sugar Creek Mennonite Church on Saturday, July 9 at 10:30 am.

Supervisors and HCHC Halt EMS Discussion

By Kadie Johannson · Thursday, July 30th, 2020 at 3:45 pm CDT

The Henry County Board of Supervisors met in regular session this morning (Thursday) at the Henry County Courthouse in Mount Pleasant. The big item on the agenda? Furthering the discussion with the Henry County Health Center regarding emergency medical services. The Supervisors were presented with a letter from the HCHC Board of Trustees requesting that both parties temporarily suspend discussions. It was stated in the letter that the Henry County Health Center felt the county and the board of trustees both needed more time to review and assess data and options related to the costs of the Emergency Medical Services and what the best route to take would be.

When the Supervisors asked Michelle Rosell of HCHC if there was a time frame as to when the discussion may pick back up, she explained there was no specific time frame and that the discussion would depend on state and federal legislature possibly changing rules regarding cost based reimbursements for Medicare and Medicaid. She also mentioned suspending discussions would allow both parties more time to explore all options and possibly come to more of a long-term solution rather than a short-term one. While the county’s offer to make up the difference in lost revenue to the health center for continuing to run emergency medical services would help the hospital some especially in the short term, it still left the hospital with less than desirable financial standing due to the reimbursement penalties.

Rosell expressed gratitude to the Supervisors for their time and work regarding Emergency Medical Services in Henry County. In response the Supervisors thanked the health center and expressed their door is always open for the time when discussions need to resume and asked Rosell to keep them posted on the matter.

The only other item on the Supervisor’s agenda was approval for a lease extension with the Iowa Department of Transportation for office rental – which was approved and extended through December of 2021. The Henry County Board of Supervisors meet Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 9 inside the lower level of the Henry County Courthouse.