The Rev. Charles Tweed, 75, of North Liberty, died Friday, November 5, 2021, at New London Specialty Care. He was born August 3, 1946 in Marshalltown to Omar Gordon and Laura LuRee Blake Tweed. On May 28, 1967, he married Jean Percilla Capen in Middletown, Connecticut.
He graduated from Tama Toledo High School, studied music in Oberlin, Ohio and received a Bachelor’s in History at Grinnell, Iowa.
For more than forty years he served as Minister of the Congregational Universalist Church in Mt. Pleasant retiring in 2004. He was of the Christian faith, a humanitarian, and a classical pianist who also loved biking, hiking and camping in the Tetons, and sipping coffee with friends. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell jokes, but he was happiest when surrounded by family.
Survivors include his wife Jean of North Liberty; two daughters, Ellise Tweed of North Liberty and Heather (Billy) Schlarbaum of New London; and four grandchildren, Hunter, Angelica, Joshua, and Caleb. His parents preceded him in death.
Acccording to his wishes his body has been cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held in the spring. Cards and condolences may be sent to Heather Schlarbaum at 104 E. Madison, New London, Iowa 52645. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be directed to www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Bernice Jennings
Bernice Jennings, 96, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, November 6, 2021 at Savannah Heights in Mt. Pleasant.
The funeral service for Mrs. Jennings will be at 11 AM on Friday, November 12 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon – 8 PM on Thursday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM Thursday evening.
Mrs. Jennings, the former Bernice Farmer, was born August 16, 1925 in Wayland, IA. She was the daughter of Frank B. and Anna E. (Messer) Farmer. She graduated from Wayland High School in 1943. On November 17, 1944 in Mt. Pleasant, Bernice was united in marriage to Homer Jennings. Mr. Jennings preceded in death in 1980.
Bernice was an employee of the former Motorola Corporation in Mt. Pleasant. For 17 years, she worked primarily as an inspector and in the packaging department. She retired in 1990. After retirement, Bernice volunteered for the RSVP Program and the AEA.
Bernice was a member of the First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed reading, word search puzzles and bird watching. She was well known in her family for her sugar cookies. They were frequently a treat for her family members as they celebrated special occasions.
Those thankful for sharing in Bernice’s life include her 3 children – Karen (John) Davis of Mt. Pleasant, Becky (Michael) Metcalf-Kelly of Libertyville and Nancy Hackett of Indianola; 3 sisters – Dolores McGuire, Jean (Kenneth) Clark and Evelyn (Larry) Morrow, all of Wayland; 9 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 14 great-great grandchildren. Bernice was also anticipating the birth of 3 additional great-great grandchildren.
Her parents, husband, a grandson and 2 great grandchildren precede Bernice in death.
Those considering an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church or the Savanna Height Activity Fund.
On-Line condolences may be directed to kimzeyfuneralhome.com. The funeral will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist YouTube Channel and later to the Kimzey Funeral Home Facebook page.
November 8th – November 14th, 2021
Mediapolis Man Arrested For October 31 Incident
On October 31, 2021 the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office took a report of criminal mischief at LaRue Boutique and Scoop’s Bar and Grill in Mediapolis, IA. Both businesses reported their windows had been shot by steel balls. The total damage to the windows was estimated at $1,944.29. Deputies reviewed surveillance video in the area and were able to identify the suspect as Heath Leonard Hand Jr, age 30, of Mediapolis, IA.
Hand was interviewed and admitted to shooting metal balls from a slingshot in the direction of both businesses. On November 5, 2021 at approximately 11:14a.m. Heath Hand Jr. was placed under arrest on a Des Moines County warrant for Criminal Mischief 2nd Degree in the 200 block of N. Orchard in Mediapolis, IA. Hand was transported to the Des Moines County Jail and his bond was set at $5,000 cash or surety.
Bernice Jennings
Jaquelyn “Jaqui” Rae Tolson
Jaquelyn “Jaqui” Rae Tolson Age 71, passed away on Sunday October 31, 2021, at Great River Hospice House in Burlington, Iowa. Jaqui was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on September 11, 1950. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in 1968 and went on to attend Southeastern Community College graduating with an Associate degree in nursing. She later attended Iowa Wesleyan University, graduating in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Jaqui loved nursing and worked for over 45 years at Burlington Medical Center, which later became Great River Medical Center, and is now known as Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center. A natural born caregiver, she cared for her parents, Ailleen and Glenwood until their passing.
Jaqui was passionate about many things in life. Born into a musical family, Jaqui loved music and enjoyed singing in the First Presbyterian Church choir, during her free time. She also loved art, drawing and painting in her leisure time. In her early years, Jaqui spent her time creating ceramic and crochet masterpieces that she shared with her loved ones. Jaqui was an avid traveler, and she ventured around the country by bus, car, or train attending graduations, weddings, recitals, birthday parties, and family holidays. While she spent her entire life avoiding planes, that never stopped her from showing up for her family and friends. Above all else, Jaqui loved her family. She was Godmother to her nieces, Timeka and Cherie, and favorite aunt to many more. Jaqui was a true blessing to all who knew her.
Jaqui was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ailleen Rebecca (Turner) Tolson and Glenwood Floyd Tolson; her sister Mildred “Milli” (Henry) Dawson, and nephew Jeffrey Dawson. She leaves to cherish her in fond memory, siblings; sister, Carolyn Rumph (Madison, WI) and brother, Gerald “Jerry” (Karen) Tolson (Louisville, KY); nephew, Kevin Dawson; nieces, Charlesetta Dawson, Luana (Fred) Steele, Lisa (Keith) Elzia, Cherie Rumph and Timeka Rumph; great-nephews and nieces, Brandon, Derek, Tia, Noah, Joshua, Asia, Staisha, Cymaron, and Gabriella, “adopted siblings” Debbie McClain and Reynolds Roth, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Jaqui’s homegoing celebration will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2021 with visitation at 10:00 AM followed by the service at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt Pleasant. Interment will be in Forest Home Cemetery. In order to accommodate social distancing and reduce the risks of COVID-19, masks will be required, and the service will be live streamed on the church’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/fpc.mtpleasant. Kimzey’s Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant is in charge of all arrangements. Those who wish to pay their respects may do so at the funeral home on Friday, November 12 from noon until 8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Jaqui’s honor to the Iowa Wesleyan University Nursing program, the Glenwood and Ailleen Tolson Music Scholarship at Iowa Wesleyan, or the American Diabetes Association.
The family would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness shown to Jaqui and the family during this time. The family would particularly like to thank the caregivers at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and Great River Hospice House for their compassionate care and concern for Jaqui.
Patrick McCormick
17 Year Old Charged in Shooting Death of 15 Year Old
According to the Fort Madison Police Department 17-year-old Dimari D. J. Meredith of Fort Madison has been arrested and is being charged with 1st degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a 15-year-old boy Wednesday in Fort Madison. The victim’s name still has not been released. According to police Meredith was detained and questioned at the scene and then taken into custody. The Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations is assisting with the investigation