Author: Kadie Johannson

William Daniel Ledlow, 45, of Hillsboro died unexpectedly Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant.

Will was born October 8, 1980, in Hohenwald, Tennessee, the son of Levi and Barbara (Edington) Ledlow. He worked construction before moving to Iowa. He has lived in Hillsboro for the last 18 years and worked for West Liberty Foods for 10 years and most recently Lomont Molding. He loved to cook and was always coming up with his own recipes. Will enjoyed spending time with family and friends, bonfires and cheering on the Pittsburg Steelers.

Will is survived by his fiancé Sara Burns; four children, Nick (Mahala) Bur-Cart, Jamen (Hayden Durall) Ledlow, Trevin Burns-Ledlow, Ziggy Burns-Ledlow; his mother Barb Ledlow; a brother Christopher (Shelby) Ledlow, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and an aunt Mary Jane.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Will and his family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Kum Yea “Kay” Phelps, 96, of Eagan, Minnesota, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026, at her daughter’s home in Eagan.

Kum Yea was born August 27, 1929, in Osaka, Japan, the daughter of Boon Chang and Il Boon (Chun) Lee. On August 19, 1960, she was united in marriage to Thomas “Tom” Phelps in Seoul, Korea at the American Embassy. They lived in Chicago, Illinois, before moving to Mount Pleasant. Kum Yea worked for Lomont and then Motorola for 17 years before retiring. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church. Kum Yea enjoyed gardening, sewing, crocheting, going on country drives, embroidery and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Kum Yea is survived by her daughter Patricia Tinder of Eagan, Minnesota, son Thomas “Tim” Phelps IV (Maggie) of Irvine, California; five grandchildren Matthew Tinder (Christy), Alexa Tinder, Thomas “Martin” Phelps V, Serena Phelps, Melody Phelps; great grandchildren Leo Tinder and Eileen Tinder, a sister Kie Boon Han and a brother Seung Boo Lee, both of Chicago, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Thomas “Tom” Phelps III, a sister Sue Em, and three brothers Han Chul Lee, Han Sook Lee, and Katsuwa Lee.

A celebration of KumYea’s life will be at Calvary Baptist Church in the spring. Memorials may be directed to the Mount Pleasant Library or Calvary Baptist Church. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Kum Yea and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.

Larry John Raid (86) of Denmark, Iowa, died peacefully at home January 9, 2026 after surviving 10 years with dementia.Larry was born March 18, 1939 in Fairfield, Iowa the son of Arlo J. and Leontina D. (Schlecht) Raid. On May 28,1966 he married Mary Elizabeth Petsche at St. Alphonsus Church in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Larry graduated from Denmark Academy High School in 1957. He then attended Bluffton College in Ohio for two years and was inducted into their football Hall of Fame as “Rocky.” In 1962 he graduated from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (Truman State University) with a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Education. After graduation he returned to Denmark to found Pry Plastics Incorporated.

On the night of July 17, 1964, by a stroke of luck, Larry met Louis Armstrong, and by a stroke of fate, he also met his future wife Mary Petsche. Together, Mary and Larry built their family and community in Denmark. Larry served as volunteer fireman, coached softball and little league, and operated Pry Plastics for 55 years. He and Mary traveled with their children across the United States teaching them about the world. Larry found no greater joy than helping others discover and learn.

Larry led a big life. Owning a short line railroad, patenting a cap rack, collecting and showing antique gas engines, and establishing Linotype University, an annual pilgrimage for printers from around the world, there was not a person or machine he would not befriend. His impact on this earth will be forever felt from the thousands of bookmarks he printed, the hand he was always willing to lend, and for the cards he would endlessly play with his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Mary; his children, Michelle (Barry) Tuller, John (Linda) Raid, Laura (Chad) Witthoeft; his grandchildren, Zachary (Christine Isaguirre) and Rachel Tuller, Ethan and Jenna Raid, Elizabeth, Anna and, David Witthoeft; one sister, Kay Gingrich; two sisters-in-law, Margaret Petsche and Janet (Tom) Erickson.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers-in-law, Marvin Gingrich and Eugene, Donald, William and Neil Petsche; two nephews, Troy and Tod Gingrich.

Visitation will begin at 11:30 am, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Barr Memorial Chapel, Ft. Madison, Iowa, with funeral services following at 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at Denmark Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Midwest Old Threshers Foundation and Denmark Academy Fund.

The Raid Family would like to thank Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. A special thanks to Phyllis Hinds, RN, for her care of Larry.Barr Memorial Chapel is honored to serve the Raid family and an online guest book may be found at www.barrmemorialchapel.com.

James Eugene Martindale, 61, of Donnellson, passed away at 12:06 p.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at OSF Hospital in Peoria, Illinois.

He was born on September 8, 1964, in Canton, Illinois, the son of Charles and Donna (Spangler) Martindale. He married Nancy Corbin. They later divorced.

He is survived by his daughter: Danielle Martindale of Donnellson, Iowa; son: Michael Martindale of Donnellson, Iowa; four grandchildren: Tavius, Serenity, Freya, Aurora; mother: Donna (Fred Wilson) Hollingsworth of Donnellson, Iowa; father: Charles (Kathy) Martindale of Lewiston, Illinois; two brothers: Richard Martindale of Donnellson, Iowa, Jay (Heather) Pritchard of West Point, Iowa; three sisters: Charlene Martindale – Markley of Smithfield, Illinois, Caitlin Martindale of Lewiston, Illinois, Celsey Martindale – Young of Peoria, Illinois and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; step-father: John Hollingsworth and brother: Kevin Martindale.

James served in the United States Army. He enjoyed karaoke, mushroom hunting, rock finding, playing pool, antique collecting and most of all, being with his family.

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

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home 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.

Craig Eugene Kongable, 65, of Mount Union, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Henry County Health Center in Mount Pleasant, surrounded by his family, following a courageous and extensive battle with COPD.

Craig was born on September 29, 1960, in Mount Pleasant, the son of Max and Wilma (Anderson) Kongable. He was a 1979 graduate of Winfield–Mount Union High School and spent his life rooted in the Winfield-Mount Union community he loved.

Known to all the locals as “Kid,” Craig was a man of hard work, steady loyalty, trust, caring, and had a great sense of humor. He was quietly dependable and consistently looked out for those he cared about.

Craig was a lifelong farmer and worked for 33 years at Dan’s Plumbing & Heating in Winfield, having started there while in high school until the business closed. Outside of family and friends, his greatest joy was working on the farm and tinkering with equipment. He enjoyed NASCAR racing, attending the Knoxville National Sprint Car Races, and a good Blackjack hand. As a kid, he enjoyed fishing, riding dirt bikes, and some hunting with his brothers — though recollections are that they weren’t very successful. He also had simple pleasures, including a fond love for Blooming Onions from Texas Roadhouse, which always brought a smile.

One of the most meaningful relationships of Craig’s life was with Kara Rene Davis, his high-school sweet-heart, first wife and later his fiancée. Their bond endured over time, and Kara remained the love of his life until her passing from breast cancer December 15, 2014.  Kara’s mother, Evelyn Davis, held a special place in Craig’s heart and is forever his mother-in-law.

Craig was deeply appreciative of the compassionate care he received from the Winfield first responders, staff at Sunrise Terrace Care Center and EveryStep Hospice, whose kindness and support meant a great deal to both Craig and his family.

Craig will be deeply missed by his parents, Max and Wilma Kongable of Mount Union; brother, Kevin (Lisa) Kongable of Mount Union; sister-in-law, Shelly Kongable of

Winfield; step-son, Benny (Meredith) Lee of Mount Pleasant; step-grandchildren, Lucas and Logan Lee; nieces and nephews, Alissa (Casey) Herrick, Janessa (Trent) Hoekstra, Kaleb (Hannah) Kongable, Sophie Kongable, and Jacob (Arianna) Kongable; great-niece and nephews, Jonas Hoekstra, Emersyn and Easton Herrick; Uncle, Terry Anderson of Geneseo, Illinois; and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; aunt, Dixie Anderson; brother, Kenny Kongable; and his fiancée, Kara Davis.

The Memorial Service and Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026 at the Winfield First Presbyterian Church. Visitation will begin at 4:00 p.m. with family present at 5:00 p.m. and the Memorial Service beginning at 6:00 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be directed to the Winfield First Responders in memory of Craig Kongable. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  The family asks that, in remembering Craig, others honor his life by quitting—or choosing never to begin—smoking or vaping.