Author: Kathy Snow

Jerry Dean Bonser, 88, of Agency, died July 12, 2026 at Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was born February 24, 1938 in Mt. Pleasant to Raymond O. and Hazel L. Cohenour Bonser. Jerry married Sharon Kay Hannum on November 15, 1959 and she preceded him in death on February 20, 2012.

A 1958 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Jerry attended Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. He had been a Nabisco cookie salesman. He also owned and operated Jerry’s Food Center in Agency and Jerry’s 7-11 on North Court in Ottumwa. He was a co-founder of Mrs. Bonser’s Noodles, retiring in 2010.

Jerry was a member of Agency Community Church. He served on the Agency Fire Department, a member of Agency Chief Wapello Association and Agency Lions Club. He was also a member of Agency City Council and served as Mayor of Agency.

He loved spending time with family, especially attending his kids and grandkids birthdays, activities and sporting events.

Surviving are his children, Andy (Kimberly) Bonser of Olathe, KS, Becky (Richard) Warren of Eldon and Susan (Paul) Jeffers of Ottumwa; 6 grandchildren, Taylor (Anthan) Swearingen, Nathan (Shawnda) Warren, Michael (Stacie) Warren, Brandon (Laci) Warren, Samantha Jeffers and Payton Jeffers; 12 great-grandchildren, Evangeline, Farley, Jaxon, Lilyn, Kaylin, Charlotte, Oliver, Grant, Wyatt, Layne, Trey and Karter; and his brother, Rick (Valerie) Bonser of Mt. Pleasant.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Matthew Ryan Warren; a brother, Raymond Bonser and former companions, Shirley Gingrich and Virginia Jones.

Visitation will be open at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 16th, at Reece Funeral Home with the family present to greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday.

Funeral services will be 9 a.m. Friday, July 17th, at Agency Community Church with Pastor Kelly Peavey officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.

Memorials may be made to Agency Community Church.

Emily Stone Reneker, 89, passed away July 13, 2026 surrounded by her family at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

Funeral services celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, July 18, 2026 at Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery northeast of Douds following the service. There will be a reception at the church following burial. Memorials may be made to Living Hope Bible Church for Youth Ministries, Heartland Pregnancy Center in Ottumwa, or Cradle of Hope in Mt. Pleasant.

Emily was born in Atlantic, Iowa on November 21, 1936 to John Hughes and Margreata Marie (Henderson) Stone. She graduated from Atlantic High School in 1954 and then from Simpson College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She taught elementary school music for one year in Jefferson, Iowa and the following year in Ames, Iowa.

She married William Daniel Reneker at the Methodist Church in Atlantic on July 10, 1959. They continued to live in Ames where their three sons were born. In 1965, they moved to Fairfield where they lived until Dan retired.

In 1998, after doing restoration to the original house that was built using home-made bricks, they moved to their Heritage Farm in historic Oak Grove neighborhood of Van Buren County, which they affectionately dubbed Reneker’s Wren Acres. It had been homesteaded by Daniel and Mary Ann Reneker in the 1848.

Through the years she had treasured friendships in the Wit and Wisdom Club, Bird Bath Bunch, Auld Lang Syne Gang, Come Double Class, Jessie Taylor Circle, Chime Choraliers Handbell Choir, Bible Pathway, Jefferson County Right to Life, Van Buren County Historical Society and Republican Central Committee of Jefferson and Van Buren Counties. She enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s sporting events and dance recitals while recognizing their academic achievements. She was thankful to have travelled to many destinations world-wide and equally enjoyed family times at the farm.

Most recently, she had attend Living Hope Bible Church in Eldon and rested in the assurance of the living hope in the Lord Jesus Christ. One joyful memory was touring Israel with Mike Huckabee in 2015 and hosting him in Douds during his presidential campaign. He was named US Ambassador to Israel in 2025.

Emily is survived by her husband Dan; sons, Steven (Susan) Reneker of Palm Bay, Florida, Scott (Terri) Reneker of Fairfield, and Jeff (Lixing) Reneker of Columbia, Missouri; grandchildren, Jaymie Leigh (Ray) Reneker of Port Orange, Florida, Joseph Li Reneker of Columbia, Missouri, Lilly Faith (Tristen) Cummings of Des Moines, and Sabrina Grace Reneker and fiancé Jonathan Watson of Knoxville; sister-in-law, Mary Lee Hoage of Fort Worth, Texas and sister-in-law, Nancy Stone of Marshalltown.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Edwin Stone and Arnold Stone.

Online condolences may also be sent to the family at www.behnerfh.com in memory of Emily Reneker.

Shirley Long, 78, passed away peacefully on the morning of July 12, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on November 6, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Raymond and Helen (Novack) Pollack. She graduated from Mount Assisi Academy in Lemont, Illinois, and continued her education at the Cameo Beauty Academy in Oaklawn, Illinois.

Shirley lived a life defined by hard work, resilience, and an unwavering love for those around her. She was first married in July 1966, and together they welcomed two children. Later, she found lasting happiness when she married Michael Long on September 6, 1997, beginning a beautiful chapter they shared together.

Throughout her life, Shirley embraced many different careers, working as a beautician, various factory positions, and in office administration, along with several other jobs over the years. No matter where life led her, she approached each role with dedication and determination.

Outside of work, Shirley found joy in life’s simple pleasures like tending to her garden and lawn. She loved collecting pottery, sewing, and spending weekends searching flea markets for hidden treasures. She especially loved decorating for the holidays, filling her home with warmth and creating cherished memories for her family. She enjoyed listening to music and dancing with Mike. More than anything, Shirley treasured the time she spent with those she loved.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Michael Long; her daughter, Kimberly (Keith) Perron; her son, Jeff (Jill) Baker; stepchildren; Kendra (Scott) Dudley, Justin Long; along with several beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a brother Robert Pollack, extended family members, and dear friends who will forever cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers Raymond and Richard.

Shirley’s kindness, strength, and generous spirit touched the lives of everyone who knew her. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she shared and the memories she created will live on in the hearts of her family and friends.

A private graveside service will be held in the Forest Home Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Cards and memorials may be sent to the family at 709 E Mapleleaf Dr. Mount Pleasant, Iowa 52641. Messages may be sent to the family at www.olsonyoderfh.com. The Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Shirley and her family.

Helen Caris, 91, died July 4, 2026, at the Wesley on Grand care facility in Des Moines, Iowa. She was born on March 10, 1935 at home near Denmark, Iowa. Helen was the first of four daughters born to Fred and Pauline (Smith) Holsteen who farmed near Denmark.

Helen graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. It was there she met Crane Caris, to whom she was married for 57 years until his death in 2014. Helen was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years in public schools in Shenandoah, Iowa, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and Lehigh Acres, Florida, directly impacting the lives of thousands of children over her career. Helen and Crane lived in Shenandoah and Mt. Pleasant, and then moved south to Ft. Myers, Florida in 1990 to enjoy more sunshine. Following Crane’s death, Helen moved to Des Moines and resided there until her death.

Helen was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority and Presbyterian Churches in Shenandoah, Mt. Pleasant and Ft. Myers. She was a frequent member of the church choir. Helen had a beautiful voice and growing up, she and her sisters performed a cappella for various events around the community. She also was an avid reader and accomplished seamstress. Helen always had a positive outlook on life and was a devoted wife and mother.

Helen is survived by her son, David (Hallie) Caris of Des Moines, and daughter, Marty Caris of Des Moines. She also is survived by her grandson, Charlie Caris of Arlington, Virginia, granddaughter Libby (Caleb) Holder of West Des Moines, and great granddaughter Sophie Holder of West Des Moines. Helen also is survived by her sisters Dorothy (Roman) Klodnycky of Peoria, Illinois, and Bette (Sonny) Mynatt of Denmark, Iowa and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Helen was preceded in death by her sister Carol Kelly, brother-in-law, Aaron Kelly, and brother-in-law, Barry Caris.

A private funeral and burial will be held in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in August with family. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Enhance Henry County Community Foundation, 2411 Radio Road, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Friends may sign the guest book at www.IlesCares.com.