Wednesday afternoon Mount Pleasant Fire Department, with assistance from New London, responded to a report of a structure fire at 304 S. Haynes. Crews arrived at the location of G&R Auto Body to find smoke coming from the building owned by Alan Coop. According to Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Drew Schumacher, grass and debris caught fire outside the building where steel was being cut. The fire spread to the building. Two engines, two support trucks and 12 firefighters were on the scene for about two hours along with an engine and firefighters from New London. Henry County EMS also responded to the scene but the Chief said there were no injuries and only minor fire damage.
Gary Dean Billings
Gary Dean Billings, 85, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 5:20 p.m. Monday, April 10, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
He was born on November 28, 1937, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Francis Emmett and Thelma Lee (Cox) Billings. On June 8, 1963, he married Barbara Ann Rempe in Nauvoo, Illinois.
Survivors include his wife: Barabara; two sons: Rickey Dean (Rachelle) Billings of Iowa City, Iowa, Rodney Eugene (Wanda) Billings of Donnellson, Iowa; one daughter: Fleeta LeAnn Billings of Donnellson, Iowa; grandchildren: Donnie (Laura) McDowell, Brooke (Jerry) Etter, Erica (Stephen) Silvers, Drew Billings, Zachary Billings, Marshall Billings, Colton Morill and Talon Morill.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers: Gene Elliott Billings and Lee Francis Billings.
Gary was a graduate of Argyle High School. He served in the United States Army Reserves and retired from Armour Dial. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving missions for the church from 1960 to 1962 in northern California. Later, he and his family served a mission for the Keosauqua branch for fifteen years. Gary owned and operated Chula Vista Coach and Carriage, giving horse and carriage rides at Hotel Nauvoo. He also gave horse and pony carriage rides throughout the Midwest. One of the things Gary enjoyed doing most was making walking canes.
His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 14, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Fort Madison with Bishop Jonathan Robbins officiating.
Burial will be at a later date.
A memorial has been established in his memory for the Donnellson Genealogy Department.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
James Steven Beger
James Steven Beger, 72, of rural Franklin, Iowa, passed away at 7:44 a.m. Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at his home.
A celebration of life will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the Tri State Gun Club in rural Montrose, Iowa.
A memorial has been established in his memory for the Job’s Closet Food Pantry of Bonaparte.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Ruth E. Buckert
Ruth E. Buckert, 90, of Hamilton, passed away at 10:27 AM Sunday morning, April 9, 2023, at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.
Ruth was born December 1, 1932, the daughter of Joseph and Mildred (Byers) McBride in Burnside, Illinois. She attended Carthage High School graduating in 1950. On October 1, 1955, she was united in marriage to Fred Buckert in Carthage, Illinois. He preceded her in death in 2016. Ruth was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton. She was very active in the Western Illinois Threshers and enjoyed quilt making.
Ruth is survived by her children, Kenny Buckert of Hamilton, Danny (Karen) Buckert of Warsaw, Alan (Lauri) Buckert of Mount Pleasant, Iowa and Richard Buckert of Hamilton; grandchildren, Kyle (Alyssa) Buckert, Kevin (Jenifer) Buckert, Kristin (Gary) Ortmann, Jared (Tori) Buckert, Jeremy (Kaley) Buckert, Amy (Cody Smith) Buckert, Allison Buckert and Austin Buckert; great grandchildren, Luke, Mary and Paul Buckert, Blair and Rylee Buckert, Kennedy and Abel Ortmann and Harrison and Miles Buckert.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Fred; a son, David; daughter, Debbie; and siblings, Vince McBride, Ann Wilkens, Theresa Dye and Mary Piette.
A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM Friday, April 14, 2023, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamilton with burial to follow in Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM Thursday evening at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton with a Rosary following at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to Western Illinois Threshers.
Virginia Ardith Boyd,
Virginia Ardith Boyd, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, April 10, 2023, at New London Specialty Care.
Virginia was born October 7, 1930, in Crawfordsville, Iowa, the daughter of Arch and Effie (Smith) Ross and received her education in Crawfordsville schools. On May 8, 1948, she married Jewell “J.C.” Boyd in Burlington, Iowa. Virginia was a homemaker and Group Leader at Metro Mail. She and J.C. also pastored a church in Kahoka, Missouri for a few years. A very devout Christian, Virginia enjoyed spending time with her family, holidays, shopping, collecting Pillsbury Dough Boy memorabilia and participating in the activities at the nursing home.
Survivors include her son, Lynn (Martie) Boyd of Danville, Iowa; three grandchildren, Jason Kiesey, Josh Kiesey and Michelle Follas; five great-grandchildren and sister-in-law, Betty Ross. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, J.C. in 2009; son, Larry Boyd; daughter, Linda Jones; four brothers, Ray Ross, Hoyt Ross, Ted Ross and Emmett “Pee Wee” Ross and two sisters, Hope Hoyt and Lucille Farr.
Visitation will be held from 12:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Olson – Powell Memorial Chapel in Mt. Pleasant where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday, April 14, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Olson – Powell Memorial Chapel, with Lester Schlatter officiating. Burial will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery in Ft. Madison, Iowa.
A general memorial has been established. Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant is caring for Virginia and her family. Tributes may be made at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.
Joni Lee Junkins
Joni Lee Junkins, 46, of Montrose, Iowa, passed away at 1:50 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2023, at her home in Montrose.
She was born on March 30, 1977, in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Nancy (Anderson) Stewart. On September 26, 2015, she married Jeff Junkins in Montrose, Iowa.
Survivors include her husband: Jeff; Parents: Charlie and Nancy Stewart; brother: Bill (Jenny) Stewart; sister: Stacy Stewart; step-daughter: Ashley (Brandon) Ruffcorn; grandchildren: Brody Ruffcorn, Brylee Ruffcorn, Brock Ruffcorn; nieces and nephews: Brayden Jordan, Kelsie Stewart, Cameron Stewart and mother-in-law: Sandy Junkins. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents.
Joni was a 1995 graduate of Central Lee High School. She was a member of the Zion Mennonite Church in Donnellson. She co-owned and operated “Trendy Looks” in Montrose. Joni enjoyed being outdoors, helping Jeff mow parks in Montrose and tending to her flowers. Most of all, she cared for her family and loved spending time with them.
Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been in established in her memory for Montrose Parks and can be mailed to: Jeff Junkins, 211 North 6th Street, Montrose, Iowa 52639.
Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
Burlington Fire
At 4:18 PM Saturday April 8, 2023 the Burlington Fire Department responded to 1128 Kroeger St for a garage fire. Firefighters arrived 2.5 minutes later to find a garage with a walkout basement fully engulfed in flames. The fire also caught a boat on fire that was located in the driveway. Heat from the fire caused damage to the house, a tractor and a camper all located near the fire. The property is owned by Edward Smith. There was no insurance on the garage. The fire started as a result of illegally burning a hillside off. Mr. Smith was given
a citation for illegal burning. Nine Burlington firefighters responded to the initial call and were assisted by Burlington Police Department and West Burlington Fire Department. There were no injuries reported. Firefighters cleared the scene at 5:25 PM.
Henry County Conservation Board Meeting
The Henry County Conservation Board will hold their April 2023 Board meeting on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023, at 4:30 pm in the
conservation board meeting room at the office in Oakland Mills. Items on the agenda will include:, Campground Update, Bidding of
Custodial Services, Hiring of New Naturalist, Director Update, and Naturalist Reports. Please contact the conservation department if you have any questions,
319-986-5067