Author: Kadie Johannson

Connie S. Barnes, 80, of Winfield, passed away on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at Wapello Specialty Care. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Connie. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Winfield is caring for Connie’s family and arrangements. Sympathy notes may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Connie Sue Rogers was born on November 21, 1945, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of William and Mildred (Fitch) Rogers. She was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and attended Southeastern Community College in Burlington. Connie was united in marriage to Richard Baldwin and later divorce. She later married Outher “Butch” Barnes. Connie worked at Shaeffer Pen in Ft. Madison, owned and operated, Connie’s 34 Café in Danville, Metromail in Mt. Pleasant and then Walmart in Mt. Pleasant. She was a past member of the Ft. Madison Moose and Eagles. Known for her strong work ethic, she never shied away from doing what needed to be done. Connie enjoyed fishing, taking family to amusement parks, watching Hallmark movies, and having coffee with her friends, she was an avid pet lover that never met an animal she didn’t love, but most of all she loved to spend time with her family, especially the grandchildren.

Connie will be deeply missed by her children, Jeff Rogers of Mt. Pleasant, John (Marianne) Rogers of Ft. Madison and William (Erin) Barnes of Winfield and seven grandchildren.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Outher “Butch” Barnes and one grandchild.

Scott James Linnenburger, 56, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, passed away at 4:46 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

He was born on May 25, 1969, in Keosauqua, Iowa, the son of Carolyn (Muntz) Linnenburger.

He is survived by his mother: Carolyn Higgins of Keokuk, Iowa; uncles: Terry Muntz, Dale (Carol) Muntz and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Scott was a graduate of Harmony High School and Iowa State University. He was a teacher and coach at Burlington High School and later worked at McDonald’s where he worked up the ranks to become manager. In high school, Scott played football, basketball and track. After high school he continued to be an avid sports fan as he enjoyed bowling and being an Iowa Hawkeye fan.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation. A visitation will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 4, 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.schmitzfuneral homes.com.

Our beloved Dad and Grandpa Gene Robert Myhre, a longtime resident of Donnellson, passed away on December 28, 2025 at the age of 93. He was born on August 29, 1932 in Zion, Illinois, the son of Beuell and Esther (McGuillvary) Myhre. On September 1, 1951 he married the love of his life Ruth Varner in Kahoka, Missouri. They remained devoted to each other until her death on April 26, 2015. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his sister Beverly Brooks.

Survivors include his son Daniel (Deborah) Myhre of Montrose, Iowa and his daughter Diana (George) Smith of Fort Madison, Iowa. He has four grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.

Gene was a United States Army veteran having served in the Korean War. He worked as a printer at the Daily Gate City for seventeen years and he also worked for Fruehauf. He worked for the City of Donnellson into his eighties.

He loved playing his guitar and singing gospel music and shared those talents with the community and Bethel Bible Church, where he was a devoted member. He was an avid reader, cartoon drawer, and joke teller. Above all else, he was a man of God who lived a life that honored Him. His love for God overflowed into our family and into everyone who crossed his path. He was truly a living testimony of what a man should be, sacrificing daily for those around him. Even until the very end, he yearned to learn more about God, faithfully reading his Bible and soaking in every word.

We will deeply miss his dry sense of humor and his ability to brighten anyone’s day with a smile, upside down glasses and a joke. Each of us has been touched by the love that Grandpa poured into our lives. Grandpa and Grandma built a legacy that we hope to carry on. We love you so much dad/grandpa and we look forward to the day we will see you again.

“Well done good and faithful servant”-Matthew 25:21

Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson where the family will meet friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026, at Bethel Bible Church rural Donnellson, Iowa, with Pastor Aaron Hand officiating. Burial will be at Evangelical Cemetery in Donnellson with a flag presentation by the Donnellson American Legion Gillaspey – Moodie Post #474.

A memorial has been established in his memory for Bethel Bible Church.

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

Jerry Lee Sims, 77, of New London, Iowa, formerly of Burlington, died Monday, December 29, 2025, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. He was born October 22, 1948, in Galesburg, Illinois to Forrest Laverne Sr. and Dorothy Jane Lane Sims. He married Connie Baughman on July 20, 1968, in Galesburg and she died February 27, 2023.

Jerry graduated from Galesburg High School and started his career with Hi-Lo Grocers in Galesburg. In 1973 he went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad, where he retired in 2008. He was of the Christian faith and enjoyed traveling with his wife in their RV, camping, woodworking, genealogy, spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; he especially loved making calendars for his family at Christmas.

Jerry is survived by daughters Julie (Ed) Earhart and Brenda (Bruce) Hunter, both of Burlington; six grandchildren; Breanna Purvis, Brittany Earhart, Lorraine Emde, Matthew Earhart, Zach Hunter, and Abby Hunter; seven great grandchildren; Charli Connor, Alexis Emde, Finley Emde, Emma Purvis, Bowden Schier, C.J. Purvis and one on the way, Ivy Lee Schramm. He was preceded in death by his wife, brother Forrest Jr. and sister Joyce Lufkin.

Visitation will be from 9am-2pm, January 17 at Elliott Chapel, New London with the family receiving friends from 1pm-2pm and a graveside service immediately following at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for family expenses.

Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com

Barbara Jean Ledbetter, 90, of Salem died Sunday, December 28, 2025, at her home.

Barbara was born February 14, 1935, in Henry County, the daughter of Jack and Eva (O’Conner) Vicker. On June 14, 1953, she was united in marriage to Walter Ledbetter. She served as a military wife living in Washington, Iowa, Fort Riley, Kansas, Germany, Georgia, Illinois and Texas before moving to Salem in 1974. Barbara worked as a Dietary Supervisor for Southeast Iowa Area Agency of Aging for many years. She was a member of the Salem Auxiliary. Family was very important to Barbara, and her grandchildren were the love of her life. She enjoyed quilting, dancing, and being outdoors fishing and camping.

Barbara is survived by her eight children, Michael (Carol) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Ronald “Tony” Ledbetter of Edwardsville, Kansas, Randy (Tracy) Ledbetter of Mount Pleasant, Kathy (Kenny) Hawkins of Salem, Rhonda (Mumbles) Foss of Salem, Robert (Diane) Ledbetter of Salem, Connie (Scott) Young of Mount Pleasant, Gail Ledbetter of Lone Tree; 27 grandchildren, 46 great grandchildren, 10 great great grandchildren; and five siblings, Jack Vicker of Fort Madison, Jerry Vicker of Mount Pleasant, Ronald (Barb) Vicker of Omaha, NE, Susan (Steve) Gholson of Mount Pleasant, and Holly (Rick) Stewart of Coal Valley, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two sisters Kay Hudson, Linda Thabus and two grandsons Aaron Anderson and Evan Ledbetter.

According to her wishes her body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Barbara and her family. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com.