Ervin Earl McCracken

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 28th, 2022 at 1:58 pm CDT

Ervin Earl McCracken, 94, of Keosauqua passed away at 7:47 Saturday February 26, 2022 at the Keosauqua Health Care Center.  Visitation will open at 2:00PM with family present from 5 to 7PM on Tuesday March 1, 2022 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Wednesday March 2, 2022 at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Caston officiating.  Cremation will follow the service and burial of cremains with military honors by Sargeant-Osweiler Post No. 563 American Legion will be at Bonaparte Cemetery at 2:00 PM Monday March 7, 2022.  Memorials to Bonaparte Cemetery or Bentonsport Cemetery may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at 28361 Route J40, Keosauqua, IA 52565.

Ervin was born on February 17, 1928 on the family farm near Keosauqua to Richard Earl and Nellie Mae Walter McCracken.  He attended school at the Woods school house and graduated from Bonaparte High School in 1947.  Ervin worked on the family farm until he joined the army in his early 20’s and was quickly sent to Korea. He was there for a short time when he lost his leg and received the Purple Heart. He then returned home to Keosauqua and worked on the farm.  During this time, he met Donna Rosalie Winkler and they were married on September 9, 1953 at the Keosauqua United Methodist Church.  Ervin lived and worked the family farm until his health declined when he was 93 and he had to retire to town.  Ervin was on the Bentonsport Cemetery Board and was a life-long member of the Sargeant-Osweiler Post No. 563 American Legion in Bonaparte.

Left to cherish his memory are three sons, Leslie “Branch” McCracken, Glen McCracken (Wanda) and Roy McCracken (Teri) all of Keosauqua, two sisters, Letha Mellinger of Keosauqua and Donna Lou Pratt (Keith) of Birmingham, four grandchildren, Brandon McCracken (Samantha), Danielle Drillon (Ryan), Fallon Link (Kevin) and Chance McCracken, six step grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, many other extended family members and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Donna, a daughter in infancy, Glenda Rosalie McCracken, three sisters, Vera Behm, Mary Alice Keller and Leah McCracken, two daughters-in-law, Melinda McCracken and Julie McCracken and a step granddaughter, Tiffany Butler.

Burlington House Fire

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 28th, 2022 at 1:52 pm CDT

At 3:46 PM Saturday February 26, 2022 the Burlington Fire Department responded to a reported
house fire at 2601 Sunrise Lane in Burlington. Firefighters arrived 4 minutes later to find smoke
and flames in the back of the single-family home. The fire started outside near a screen porch
and traveled into the attic of the home. Six people were in the home at the time of the fire and all
escaped without injury.
The house is owned and occupied by Ryan Oleson and is insured. The home sustained
significant fire, smoke and water damage and damage estimates are still being assessed. The
Red Cross is assisting with victim assistance.
The fire is considered accidental and caused by a hot ember or ash from discarded smoking
material.
Fourteen Burlington firefighters responded to the call and were assisted by nine West Burlington
firefighters responding on automatic aid. Burlington Police and Alliant Energy also assisted.
Firefighters cleared the scene at 6:25 PM. There were no injuries

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 28th, 2022 at 1:02 pm CDT

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.

Henry County Jail

Date:   ____2-28-2022_____

18_    Henry County Inmates

 

51_    Out of County Contract Inmates

 

69   TOTAL

Pursuit Details

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at 2:05 pm CDT

On February 25 at approximately 7:30 pm  the Mt. Pleasant Police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 900 block of East Washington Street in Mt. Pleasant for a traffic violation. The vehicle failed to stop and continued westbound on East Washington Street at high speeds. The vehicle continued westbound out of Mt. Pleasant and turned north onto Franklin Avenue. The vehicle lost control at the T-intersection of Franklin Avenue and 170th Street and continued into a gravel lot where it struck a piece of farming equipment.

The driver and sole occupant of the vehicle was identified as Zackeus Lee of Chicago, Illinois. Zackeus was not injured and was assessed at the scene by the Henry County Ambulance crew. Zackeus was then transported to the Henry County Sheriff’s Office.

As a result of this investigation, Zackeus was charged with eluding-speed 25 over limit under Iowa code section 321.279(2), failure to obey stop sign and yield right of way under Iowa code section 321.322(1) and no valid driver’s license under Iowa code section 321.174(1).

Jazz Band Competition Update. Congrats Griff!

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at 1:45 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant High School jazz bands, Jazz 1 and Jazz 2, were scheduled to perform Thursday night at the Coe College Jazz Summit in Cedar Rapids but were unable to attend due to the weather. However, Winfield – Mount Union did compete and placed second in 1A, with Griffin Humphreys, trombone, chosen as the Outstanding Musician in 1A.

MP was also scheduled to compete at Indian Hills on Saturday, but that event was canceled a few weeks ago as the college’s music department was unable to host the contest.

In Motion at Central Connections Competition

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, February 27th, 2022 at 1:42 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant High School’s show choir InMotion was among 15 ensembles competing at the Central Connections competition hosted by Central Lee High School on Saturday. InMotion won the 4th Runner Up spot in the finals after placing second in class 3A in the daytime competition. Mount Pleasant received the Fan Favorite Award for having the most fans in attendance. Each group had a student named a Star Performer, with Thanh Phung getting that honor for Mount Pleasant.

El Paso – Gridley High School won the competition, followed by Center Point – Urbana, El Paso – Gridley’s prep group, Ottumwa, Mount Pleasant and West Branch.

Fort Madison placed third and Keokuk fifth in 3A, while in the prep division Fort Madison was third.

Both the Mount Pleasant Middle School and High School show choirs will be competing at the Fort Madison Stars in the Spotlight contest March 5, with Chain Reaction performing at 12:30 pm and InMotion at 3:45 pm. The top six from the daytime round will perform again in the evening finals.

Harriet D. Redwine

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, February 26th, 2022 at 12:34 pm CDT

Harriet D. Redwine, 96, of Wapello and formerly of the Grandview area, passed away on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at Wapello Specialty Care.   Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 4, 2022 at the Grandview Community Bible Church.  Rev. Darryl Erickson will officiate.  Interment will be in North English Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of service on Friday at the church.   Memorials may be directed to the Grandview Community Bible Church in Harriet’s name. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Harriet Delores Schauff was born on March 8, 1925 in What Cheer, Iowa, the daughter of Merle and Laura (Knipfer) Schauff.  Harriet was a graduate of North English High School.  While working at a local café, Harriet met her future husband, Herman.    On February 3, 1945, Harriet was united in marriage to Herman M. Redwine on February 3, 1945 in What Cheer, Iowa.  Harriet  worked as a clerk at Gladfelder pharmacy for many years.  She and her husband also worked as custodians at the Grandview Community Bible Church where Harriet also served on the Women’s Missionary and Women’s Fellowship Committees.

Harriet will be missed by her son, Steve (Debbie) Redwine of Burlington; three grandchildren; sister, Marlene (Jerry) Todd of Newton, Missouri and special friends, Marvin and Peachie Buffington of Wapello.

Harriet was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Herman on September 4, 2024; sister, Doris Brock and brother Ronnie Schauff.

Theodore “Ted” Jasper Heath

By Theresa Rose · Friday, February 25th, 2022 at 10:52 pm CDT

Theodore “Ted” Jasper Heath, 71, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Bismarck, North Dakota, passed away on Friday, February 25, 2022, at the Veterans Hospital in Iowa City.

 

Ted was born on October 4, 1950, in Fairbanks, Alaska, the son of Donald Jasper and Pearl May (Grantham) Heath.  Ted served his country in the United States Army.  Ted was united in marriage to Barbara Ann Styers on June 28, 1982 and instantly became Dad to her three beautiful children.  Barbara preceded him in death on November 29, 2016.  Ted was an outgoing person; he enjoyed talking to anyone and could carry on a conversation about anything.  He enjoyed fishing and tinkering on vehicles.  He had a strong faith and loved to worship his Lord Jesus.   Ted attended the Lockridge Baptist Church.

 

Ted is survived by his step-children, Richard Bolkla of Springfield, Oregon, Kristy Bolkla and Carla Binford both of Yelm, Washington, eight grandchildren, and his brothers and sisters, Venus H. (Louis) Masters, of Silver Creek, Washington, Nadine (Doug) Philp of Mt. Pleasant, M. David Heath of Bismarck, North Dakota, Jane T. Tucker of Winchester, Ohio and E. Wayne Sheets of Winchester, Ohio.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and one sister, Leona Heath.

 

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, February 28, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. at the Lockridge Baptist Church in Lockridge with Rev. Earl Swigart officiating.  Burial will be held at a later date at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.   A memorial has been established in his memory.

 

 

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

 

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for his arrangements.