Author: Theresa Rose

Michael E. “Mike” McKenzie, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his residence.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, May 16 at the Blakeway Cemetery, rural Danville, IA. Pastor Dan Buck will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Every Step Hospice. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Michael Eugene “Mike” McKenzie was born November 29, 1948 in Mt. Pleasant, IA, the son of Clyde Donovan and Mary Jane (Thornburg) McKenzie. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Mike received his formal education at Mt. Pleasant High School.

Mike was employed at the former Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing Co. and the H. Eugene Smith Construction Company, both in Mt. Pleasant. For many years, Mike was a truck driver for several trucking companies, the longest time for BTI. Mike enjoyed NASCAR races and attending the sprint car races in Knoxville. Mike was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed the games on TV.

Survivors include his siblings – Janet Stevens of Arvada, CO, Dottie Hotovec and her husband Ron of Oskaloosa, IA, John McKenzie of Norfolk, NE and Patricia Milks and her husband Roger of Mt. Pleasant; eleven nieces and nephews and thirty-one great nieces and nephews.

His parents and a niece, Melissa Welcher Fiedler precede in death.

Vincent “Kelly” Donald Kelly 85 of Keosauqua passed away at 4:47PM Thursday May 11, 2022 at his home.  In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated and a private burial of cremains in Fellows Cemetery will be at a later date.  Memorials in Kelly’s honor may be directed to friends of Lacey State Park and may be mailed to the family at 1601 8th St Keosauqua, IA 52565.

Kelly was born on February 22, 1937 in Bayfield, WI to Dale and Nora Marie Johnson Kelly.  He lived in Bayfield as a child and left for California at the age of 12 where he worked in a diamond mine until there was an explosion and he was severely injured and sent to Boston for medical care. After he recovered, he moved to Clinton Iowa and started working construction.   During this time he worked on the bridge in Keosauqua and met Caroline B. House And they were married on November 7, 1987 in Keosauqua. During his years working construction he was able to earn his GED.  Kelly continued to work construction until he was 80 years old, he was the hardest working man you would ever know, he loved his family and cherished every moment he spent with them. He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved gambling, his time spent at Tillie’s and trips out to the State Park for Caroline “Little Hillbilly” as he liked to call her.

Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Gerald Himes (Bev) of Douds and Jeff Himes (Amanda) of Douds, a daughter, Peggy Chambers of Keosauqua, a cousin, Pudge of Bayfield, WI, several brothers and sisters, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Caroline and a son, Rick Himes.

Mary Francis Long, 103, of Crawfordsville and formerly of Olds and Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, peacefully at the Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.

Private family burial will be held at the Columbus City Cemetery, at Columbus City, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be mailed to the Long Family at 3164 Vine Ave, Crawfordsville, Iowa 52621.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.

Lottie Jane McConahay Austin, 87, of Wapello, passed away on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.  Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 20, 2022 at the Wapello Cemetery.  Rev. Darryl Erickson will officiate.  A celebration of life luncheon will follow at the Wapello United Methodist Church.  Memorials have been established for the Wapello Fire Department and the Wapello United Methodist Church in Lottie’s name.  Sympathy messages can be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are caring for Lottie’s arrangements.

Lottie Jane Stineman was born on July 17, 1934, in Grandview, the daughter of Simon Paul “Dyke” and Lois Alice (Harrison) Stineman.  Lottie was a 1951 graduate of Grandview High School.  On May 20, 1952, Lottie was united in marriage to Wayne McConahay in Grandview.  Wayne preceded Lottie in death on June 3, 2001.  Lottie later married Marvin Austin on February 14, 2004, at the Wapello United Methodist Church.  Marvin also preceded Lottie in death on April 21, 2008.  Lottie spent her working years in banking; beginning first at Muscatine Bank and Trust then Bank of America while spending eight years in California. Upon her return to Wapello, she worked as a cashier for the State Bank of Wapello for over 37 years before at last retiring.  She was a member of Wapello United Methodist Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, United Methodist Women, “Umicas” Club of Grandview, Red Hats Society and card club.  She thoroughly enjoyed crafting and playing cards.  Lottie will be remembered by many for her extraordinary talent in working with flowers; often assisting on many weddings with the making of food and flower arrangements.

Lottie will be deeply missed by her children, Dallas McConahay of Wapello, Tamara Prier of Wapello and Jona (Jeff) Taylor of Pella; grandchildren, Levi (Callie) Prier of Okalahoma and Colt Prier of Tennessee; five great-grandchildren, Blake, Creede, Lyla Jane, Haleigh and Piercen and brother, Paul Stineman of Grandview.

Lottie was preceded in death by her parents; both husbands and one brother, James Stineman.