Scholarship in Memory of Mike Orris Applications being Accepted

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 5:35 pm CDT

The Washington County Fair Association started an endowment fund with the Community Foundation of Washington County in 2019 to provide for an annual scholarship.  The third scholarship in the amount of $1,000 will be awarded to a member of the graduating Class of 2022 who has been a participant in Washington 4H or FFA for 4 years.

Mike Orris, a long-time community member, veteran, and volunteer member of the Washington Fair Board for 50+ years passed away in the summer of 2019 at the age of 92.  “They don’t make volunteers like Mike anymore,” said Fair Board member, Jarrod Horning.  “He has had a huge impact on our organization over the past 50+ years.”
The Fair Association approached Mike’s family to create this fund, and they were immediately onboard with the idea.

“The Community Foundation is uniquely capable of creating a fund such as this,” said Executive Director, Millie Youngquist. “Our whole purpose is to create permanent endowment funds that continue providing money to support local non-profits and their causes.  We are especially honored to create a fund in the memory of such a community leader and volunteer.”

Donations of any amount to this fund qualify for the Endow Iowa tax credit, a program giving donors a state tax credit of 25% of the amount of their donation.  Individuals interested in making a donation to this fund may donate by writing a check to: The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation, writing “Mike Orris Memorial Scholarship Fund” in the memo line, and mailing it to: The Community Foundation of Washington County, Attn: Millie Youngquist, 831 South 13th Ave., Washington, IA 52353.

Scholarship application forms are available on the Fair Association website: washingtoncountyfairia.com.  Applications will also be available from area high school guidance counselors, FFA advisors and at the Washington County Extension Office.   Applications are due on February 28, 2022.

Beulah Welcher

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 4:22 pm CDT

Beulah E. Welcher 91, of Mt. Pleasant formerly of Lockridge passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant with Pastor Steve English officiating.  The family will receive friends from 9:30 until service time at the church on Friday. Burial will be in the Lockridge Cemetery.  Friends may call from 2 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  Memorials may be directed to the Lockridge Cemetery Association or to the Lockridge Veterans Association in her memory.

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

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

Lois Ann Robbins

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 4:21 pm CDT

Lois Ann Robbins 90, of Lone Tree, formerly of Wapello, Iowa died Sunday January 9th, 2022, at the Lone Tree Care Center.  She was born on November 19, 1931, to Glenn Samuel Housman and Pearl Letitia Conn Housman.

Lois graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1949.  She spent her earlier years taking care of her home and family, and in later years worked for the Louisa County Clerk of Court.   She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed attending her grandchildren’s activities.

Lois was united in marriage to Keith Robbins on September 2nd, 1949. Together they had three children, Tim Robbins, Brenda Wagg and Pamela Pugh.

Lois was an active member of the Wapello United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Keith Robbins, a daughter Pamela Pugh, five brothers Howard Housman, Leland Housman, Floyd Housman, Dale Housman and Wendell Housman and four sisters, Vivian Fry, Pauline Lee, Dorothy Pontzius and Wanda Syphrit.

Her surviving family includes a son, Tim and Beth Robbins of Wapello, daughter Brenda and Tom Wagg of Cedar Rapids and son-in-law Mark Pugh of Columbus Junction, ten grandchildren, Aaron Robbins, Angela Jenks, Doug and Faith Housman, Crystal and Jeff Wiley, Janelle and Mike Clymer, Andrew and Megan Wagg, Morgan and Larry Gauze, Mallory Wagg, Todd and Abby Pugh and Matt and Ashley Pugh, as well as 18 great grandchildren.

Visitation for Lois will be from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at the Wapello United Methodist Church.  Funeral Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the church.  Family request all that attend to wear a mask due to COVID-19 concerns.  Pastor Pam Kranzler will officiate.  Immediately following the funeral service, a time of food and fellowship will be held in the church fellowship hall.   Graveside services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday in Elmwood Cemetery, Morning Sun.  In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Wapello United Methodist Church.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.  Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello are caring for Lois’ arrangements and her family.

Jerry Eugene Caughron

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 4:19 pm CDT

Jerry Eugene Caughron, 87 of Cantril, Iowa, died at 11:30 AM Sunday January 9, 2022 at Addington Place of Ottumwa.  Visitation with family will be from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M. Sunday, January 16, 2022, at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua, Iowa.  Funeral service will be at 10:30 A.M. Monday, January 17, 2022, at Milton Christian Church in Milton, Iowa, with Kevin Mote officiating.  Burial will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril.  Any memorials can be made out to Vicki Duncan, with the funds distributed between St. Jude’s Hospital and Maple Grove Cemetery in Cantril and can be left at the funeral home, Milton Christian Church or mailed to the family at 109 North Van Buren, Milton, IA 52570.

Jerry was born on September 29, 1934 in Iowa City to Suell and Lucille Caughron.  Jerry grew up in Waterloo and due to family issues, spent most of his childhood in an orphanage.  Jerry married Patricia Ann Morrison on February 22, 1952 in Waterloo, she died August 17, 2008.  Besides Jerry’s great love for the Lord and ministry through his life’s work as a pastor, in his 30’s he also had a secondary responsibility as Town Marshal in Macedonia, Iowa.  The Caughron family moved numerous times driven by God’s calling. Towns that Jerry impacted included rural Lucas, Seymore, Macedonia, Douds, Henderson and finally to Cantril in 1978, where he was the pastor of the Cantril Christian Church until his retirement. 

Jerry left school in 8th grade although he ultimately did receive his GED in Douds the same year his daughter Faith graduated from the 8th grade.  Jerry loved music, his family and preaching God’s word to his churches.  Jerry made two trips to Israel and one trip to Haiti in his life.  He was Vice President of the Haiti’s Children’s Home and a former member of the Cantril Lions Club.

Left to cherish his memory are four daughters, Vicki (Stanley) Duncan of Milton, Faith (Pat) Trachsel of Bloomfield, Debra (Shawn) Shiley of Cedar Rapids and Jeri (Jeff) Crile of Fairfield, two brothers, Howard (Joyce) Caughron of Waterloo and Robert Caughron of Waterloo, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends.  In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Caughron and a brother in infancy.  

 

Arline F. Osborne

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, January 11th, 2022 at 12:04 pm CDT

Arline F. Osborne, 61, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, January 7, 2022 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

A visitation will take place from 2-8 PM on Friday, January 14, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 13 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM on Friday.

Cremation rites will be accorded following the visitation. A memorial service will take place in the Spring of 2022 at the Church of the Open Bible, 306 N. Cherry St., Mt. Pleasant. Inurnment will be in the Winfield Scott Township Cemetery.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Church of the Open Bible           . On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

Shooting Investigation Update

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 10:30 pm CDT

The Washington Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation continue
their investigation into the shooting that occurred shortly after 8pm on Friday, January 7, 2022.
Kenneth R. James, 41, of Coralville has been identified as the victim in this incident.
James reported he was in the parking lot of the Woodridge Apartments, 601/603 West Adams in
Washington waiting for an acquaintance when a lone male approached the driver’s side of his
vehicle and fired one shot into the driver’s side window, striking James in the left torso.
James then left the area, eventually crashing his vehicle at the intersection of South Iowa and
East Monroe, where he called 9-1-1 and was located and transported to the University of Iowa
Hospital for treatment of his injury.
Officials believe this was an isolated incident and there is no threat to the public.
Investigators continue to follow-up on leads and anyone with information is asked to contact the
Washington Police Department at 319-653-2107.

Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 9:57 pm CDT

AGENDA
January 11, 2022
Approve Agenda
Approve Minutes
9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update
Resolution to Purchase New Motorgrader
Other County Business as time allows
Supervisors Sub-Committee Update

Caralee Beames

By Theresa Rose · Monday, January 10th, 2022 at 9:46 pm CDT

Caralee Beames, 90, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, January 9, 2022, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.

Caralee was born on August 31, 1931, in Clarinda, Iowa, the daughter of Veldie and Opal (Newman) Sunderman. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1949. On July 7, 1950, Caralee was united in marriage to Don Beames in Kahoka, Missouri. She worked at the Mount Pleasant Telephone Company for eight years. She worked at Candy Lane Preschool, Smitty’s Cleaners for 2 years, and subsequently, Caralee worked as a teller supervisor for Henry County Savings Bank, later renamed Firstar Bank, for 28 years, retiring in 1997.  Caralee was a longtime, devout member of the First Presbyterian Church since becoming a member in 1959. She was an elder, served on the Parish Life Committee and a member of the Presbyterian Women. Additionally, Caralee was a member of James Harlan Questers, Henry County Nature Society, South Center Club, JS Club, and San Souci Club.

Caralee is survived by her son Joseph and his wife Lisa, of West Burlington; three grandchildren, Emily (Nate) Hall, Honolulu, HI, Olivia (Adam) Winge, Iowa City, IA, and Don (Liz) Beams, West Branch, IA; and eight great-grandchildren, Tucker, Lena, and Edison Hall, Jaxon and Vivian Winge, Chase, Lila, and Charlie Beames.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and husband Don.

Funeral Service will be held Friday, January 14, 2022 at 10:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, with Pastor Trey Hegar officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday January 13, 2022 at Olson Powell Memorial Chapel from 1:00-7:00 PM with family present from 5:00-7:00 PM. A memorial fund has been established for First Presbyterian Church and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. www.powellfuneralhomes.com