Betty L. Hixson

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 9:27 pm CDT

Betty L. Hixson, 91, of Columbus Junction, died Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at her home.  A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 10:30 AM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Facebook page. Burial will follow at Oregon Township Cemetery in Ainsworth.  Visitation will be held from 9 AM until the time of service on Saturday.  A memorial fund has been established for Salem Church of God or Hospice of Washington County.

Betty L. (Miller) Hixson was born March 1, 1930, at home in LaPlata, Missouri, the daughter of Willie Glen and Mabel (Schumaker) Miller. She graduated from Ainsworth High School. On November 17, 1947, she was united in marriage to John Hixson in Columbus Junction.  Betty was a homemaker and farm wife until the age of 61. She then began working as a dietary aid at Halcyon House in Washington, where she worked for 22 years. Betty was a member of the Salem Church of God and enjoyed reading, bird watching, loved game shows and never missed Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She was a NASCAR fan, rooting for Kyle and Kurt Busch. Going to the races at Columbus Junction was an activity she enjoyed with her mother.

Survivors include her daughter Connie Meyer of Naperville, IL, Larry (Kathy) Hixson of Brighton, IA; five grandchildren: Michael Meyer, Sherry Elliott, Lisa Hixson, Matt Hixson, Jason (Audrey) Hixson; four great-grandchildren: Katrina, Raeann, Harper and Holden, her sister Wilma Craig of Washington, IA and sister-in-law Elizabeth Miller of Columbus Junction, IA.

Preceding Betty in death were her parents, her husband John, and infant sister Ruby, and three siblings: Wanda Parcell, Louis Miller and Roy Dean Miller.

 

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 5:16 pm CDT

Henry County Jail

 

Date:   _02-23-2022________

 

  _21_      Henry County Inmates

 

  _52_      Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

 _73_     TOTAL

Community Invited to Black History Month Events

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 4:16 pm CDT

Wednesday evening a public storytelling event titled “Stories of Unknown Civil Rights Activists” will be hosted in the Iowa Wesleyan Howe Student Activity Center Social Hall at 7 pm. The public is invited to hear students, faculty and staff share stories about lesser known Civil Rights events and individuals. This event is part of Iowa Wesleyan University Black History Month events. There will also be a reception, with complimentary appetizers and beverages, in the Howe Atrium (hallway outside of the Social Hall) at 6 pm. Please park in the parking lot south of the Howe Student Activity Center and enter the southwest doors. These events are free and open to the public.

Results of Recent Traffic Enforcement Effort

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 9:15 pm CDT

The Iowa State Patrol is pleased to announce that during the February 15 Highway 218 Avenue of the Saints enforcement efforts there were ZERO traffic fatalities or crashes reported on that state-wide roadway.   Over 600 traffic enforcement contacts were made, as well as multiple motorists assist during the reporting hours.    One concern that continues to be a statewide issue is SPEEDING.    136 citations were issued for speed and another 113 warnings for the same during this effort.   Driving the posted speed limit is still very important for overall safety.

Curtis Dean Anthony

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 8:37 pm CDT

Curtis Dean Anthony, 66, of Salem, IA, formerly of Sherrard, IL and Ennis, MT, died Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

A celebration of life will occur at a later date. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA, is caring for Curtis and his family.

Jack D. Gillis

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 8:36 pm CDT

Jack D. Gillis, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, February 21, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA.

A memorial service for Jack will be held at 10AM on Saturday, February 26 in the Chapel of Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.  A flag presentation will be conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Interment will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call to sign the register from 9AM – 6 PM on Friday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Jack Duane Gillis was born April 31, 1930 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Gordon Edward and Alice Marie (Harper) Gillis. He attended school in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. On August 28, 1961 in El Dorado, IL, Jack was united in marriage to Brenda Joyce McClary. To this union a son, Kirk Duane Gillis, was born on September 28, 1968.  Mrs Gillis died Friday, October 23, 1998 at their residence in Mt. Pleasant.

Jack was called to the service of his country. He entered the United States Army on March 16, 1956 at Ft. Des Moines. He received schooling at the Southeastern Signal School at Ft. Gordon, GA. He served in the Army Signal Corp and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1959 at Ft. Lewis, WA.

Jack was a longtime employee of the former Metromail Corp. in Mt. Pleasant. He was a longtime member of the Henry County Rescue Squad and the Mt. Pleasant Police Reserves Association. Jack often volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers during the Reunion and throughout the year.

Survivors include a brother and his wife, Ed and “Skip” Gillis of Burlington, and his “bonus granddaughter” and her husband, Jessica and Jason Loving of Mt. Pleasant.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jack is preceded in death by his son Kirk, who died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at his residence in Mt. Pleasant. Jack is also preceded in death by a brother, James H. Gillis and Jack’s longtime companion, Francine Kite.

Harlan-Lincoln House to Host Annual Brown Bag Lecture Series 

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 4:36 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA – February 22, 2022 — The Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House, in coordination with Iowa Wesleyan University, is excited to host the Brown Bag Lecture Series once again. This series brings together authors, historians, and experts to present on a wide range of topics. For more than a decade, supporters have blocked off their calendars for each Tuesday in March in anticipation of gathering together to explore history.

Beginning on March 1, author, historian, and member of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Paul Juhl, and Director of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Madison Pullis, will present “Pieces of the Past: The Harlan and the Lincolns.”

On March 8, join architectural history consultant, curator, researcher, and author, Paul Larson for “Folk Cottages of Southeast Iowa.”

Jeff Meyer, historian, and Iowa Wesleyan archivist, will present “Did You Hear About the Lady Lawyer? Telecommunications, Railroads, and Information Transmission in 1869” on March 15.

Then, on March 22, the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House are hosting a bus trip for a unique opportunity to experience the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Currently, this event has reached its capacity, and registration is closed.

Finally, historian, author, and genealogist Rich Hileman presents “And Also in Iowa: Lincoln’s Iowa Cousins” on March 29.

Lectures are held at noon in the Social Hall of the Howe Student Activity Center at Iowa Wesleyan University. All on-campus Brown Bag Lectures are free to the public. For questions or more information please visit harlanlincolnhouse.org/brown-bag-lecture-series/, contact hlhouse@iw.edu, or call 319-385-6319.

Iowa Wesleyan University – As Southeast Iowa’s regional comprehensive University, Iowa Wesleyan University is a transformational learning community whose passion is to educate, empower and inspire students to lead meaningful lives and careers.

STEMFest Returns March 12

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 3:56 pm CDT
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – The annual Southeast Iowa Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Festival (STEMFest) will take place at SCC’s West Burlington campus on March 12 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The family-friendly event is a joint effort among SCC, the Southeast Iowa STEM Region, the Lee County Economic Development Group, Greater Burlington Partnership, local businesses, manufacturers and area educators.

 

STEMFest presents careers and opportunities in STEM-related fields through hands-on activities led by exhibitors across the region. Participants explore these pathways through robotics and healthcare simulations, as well as electronics and renewable energy exhibits.

SCC Work-Based Learning Specialist Leanne Krogmeier says this is a great event for everyone in the family.

 

“Bring the little ones and bring your teenagers,” she says. “STEMfest showcases activities for students in every grade from elementary through high school.”

 

With the increasing demand for jobs that require digital and technical skills, a background in STEM has become essential for an expanding variety of fields. Krogmeier says the festival is a great way for students to discover a range of careers in southeast Iowa’s growing industries.

 

“STEM careers are projected to grow faster than all other careers over the next ten years,” says Krogmeier. “That’s why it’s so important we get kids interested while they’re young. STEMFest is a fun and creative way to introduce kids to concepts and career paths they may never see or consider.”

 

Along with the traditional Saturday event that is open to everyone, the STEMFest planning committee added a special STEM Day just for high school students on the West Burlington campus on March 11.

 

Hundreds of families attend the Saturday event each year, and Krogmeier hopes the trend continues.

 

“My hope for this year’s STEMFest is that we can keep teaching parents and children about how fun STEM can be. We’ve got dozens of exhibitors from across the region and state with plenty of hands-on activities and items for kids of all ages to take home.”

 

STEMFest is free and open to the public.

 

To learn more about the Southeast Iowa Regional STEMFest, visit http://se.iowastem.org.

 

For questions about STEMFest at SCC, contact Leanne Krogmeier at (319) 208-5053 or email lkrogmeier@scciowa.edu .