All but three of the railroad crossings in Mount Pleasant are closed today (Monday) for crossing maintenance. The crossings on Adams, Lincoln and Iris Streets are open. The other crossings should re-open midday Tuesday.
September 27th – October 3rd, 2021
09/27/21
Dave & Sharon Burk
09/28/21
Tina Loges
09/28/21
Dixie Crane
09/28/21
Dave Adams
09/28/21
Russ & Lisa Holtkamp
09/29/21
Mike Tometich
09/29/21
Bev Krogmeier
09/29/21
Tony Buffington
09/29/21
Ralph Matthews
09/29/21
Jack Edwards
09/30/21
Todd Davis
10/01/21
Abbey Mulford Hendrickson - 30
10/01/21
Karol Shaffer
10/02/21
Jepson Triplets - Bristol, Jet, and Carti - 3
10/02/21
Jerry McArtor
10/02/21
Colin Mulford
10/02/21
Jyge and Janet Parriott
Salem House to be on ASES National Tour Oct 2nd and 3rd
ASES, the American Solar Energy Society (founded in 1954!), has traditionally held a tour the first weekend of October of buildings across the country that use solar or other energy efficiency strategies. The goal is this annual tour is to help people understand what is possible in the area of saving energy.
The Hoyer home in Salem, Iowa, is part of this year’s tour (location: 202 West Oak Street, one block west of the town square). The house, built in 2018-2019, is intended for aging-in-place and enjoying in the interim. With a footprint of 1,344 sq feet, it consists of one main floor, plus a walk-out basement (unfinished due to Covid) with an extra bedroom.
The house is all-electric. Rather than gas or propane for heat, it uses a simple air-to-air heat pump that also acts as an air-conditioner. A 6KW solar system provides electricity through the Alliant net-metering program. The Hoyer home is one of the four homes in Iowa with a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) index below 10 (it has a rating of 6, and is the newest of the four). The house comes in at about double the Iowa Building Energy Code.
Home-owner Steve Hoyer said, “I was skeptical, but I have been happily surprised. In mid-April, we received the final bill from Alliant for our first full 12-month net metering period. Our total bill for the year was less than $300, $418 with the monthly line charge. We are about at the same place in “banked” energy this year as last right now, so I believe that this will be typical.”
Although energy-efficient, the house is comfortable, full of natural light and ventilation. It has standard energy-star windows and appliances, with a few new innovations. The goal was to build an energy-efficient home that cost no more per square foot than a typical new home, which was proved possible. People may stop by from 1-4:00 Oct. 2 or 3 to see the home for themselves. RSVP at https://www.nationalsolartour.org/rsvp/.
Mary Hoyer, who designed their new home, is available to give presentations on the house, and how their strategies might apply to existing homes. Contact her at hoyer.netzero@gmail.com
Ronald L. Garmoe
Ronald L. Garmoe, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, September 24, 2021 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.
Visitation for Ron will be from 9 AM – 2PM on Thursday, September 30, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The family will receive friends from 1-2 PM Thursday afternoon. A procession will form at 2 PM for a graveside service at 2:15 PM at Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant. Interment will immediately follow the service.
Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Intensive Care Unit of Mercy Hospital, Iowa City. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com
Ronald Lee Garmoe was born July 15, 1944 in Mount Pleasant. He was the son of Harold Wayne and Barbara (Cochran) Garmoe. He was raised in Burlington and graduated from Burlington High School. During his school days, he detasseled corn and hauled fruit for Maxwell Farms. On February 26, 1963 in Oquawka, IL, Ron was united in marriage to Coleta Rae “Connie” Nichols. Mrs. Garmoe died October 29, 2015 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
After his education, Ron began his working career at J.I. Case in Burlington. He then accepted a position with the former Heatilator Corp. (now Hearth and Home) in Mt. Pleasant. During his 40-year tenure there, Ron began as a welder. He became a Team Leader and then a Supervisor of the Assembly Line. He retired in 2006. Because of his long Tenure, Ron was a member of the Heatilator Silver Circle Club.
Ron loved to be with his grandkids and at their events. He enjoyed mowing the lawn, football, NASCAR and St. Louis Cardinal games with his family. At Easter time, Ron never missed “The Ten Commandments”. Ron volunteered as an umpire for the Mt. Pleasant Little League Association. In retirement, Ron truly enjoyed his little, daily trips around town.
Those thankful for sharing in Ron’s life include his children – Ronald Scott Garmoe, Brett Lee Garmoe and his wife Teresa and Barbara Denise Garmoe, all of Mt. Pleasant; his grandchildren – Cody Garmoe, Bailee Garmoe (special friend Nick Oldfather) and Brady Garmoe; a brother – Larry Garmoe and his wife Rexanne of Taylor Ridge, IL; sisters – Sandy Christner and husband Gene of Mt. Pleasant and Shirley Stewart of Burlington as well as several nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents and wife, a brother – Harold Garmoe, 4 brothers-in-law, 2 sisters-in-law and 2 nephews precede Ron in death.
Joann Thompson
Joann Carol Thompson, 74, of Mt. Hamill, Iowa, passed away at 4:30 p.m. Friday, September 24, 2021, at Aspire of Donnellson (formerly Donnellson Health Center) in Donnellson, Iowa.
She was born on December 3, 1946 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Zenas and Arlene (Herdrich) Haeffner. On August 27, 1977, she married Fred Thompson at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Franklin, Iowa.
She is survived by her husband of forty-four years: Fred; two sons: Robin (Celisa) Willson of Dallas, Texas and Tim (Mendy) Thompson of Keokuk, Iowa; three grandchildren: Gavin, Abigail and Gracie; one brother: Gary (Janet) Haeffner of Donnellson, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Joann worked for ten years at Winegard in Burlington, she then did childcare out of her home where she had an affect on so many young lives over a period of forty years. The joy Joann shared with all of them when she could watch them grow, graduate high school, college and get married to raise the next generation meant so very much to her. Along with this, her grandchildren were the light of her life and she enjoyed attending their school events. Joann will be missed by so very many!
Friends may call after 12:00 noon Monday, September 27, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, Iowa, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Michael Bennett officiating.
Burial will be at Clay Grove Cemetery, rural West Point, Iowa.
A memorial has been established in her memory for Houghton Fire and Rescue or Clay Grove Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
MP Band Results from Linn-Mar
The Mount Pleasant High School Panther Marching Band competed in Marion Saturday morning at the Linn-Mar Marching Band Festival, placing eighth in Class 3A in field show competition. The color guard particularly received high scores by the judges, earning the second highest point total among the 17 bands in the contest.
Next competition for Mount Pleasant is the Parade of Champions hosted by Clark County High School in Kahoka, Missouri on October 9.
Congrats to New London Homecoming King and Queen!
Then 2021 New London Homecoming Queen is Aliyah Christensen, the daugther of Peggy and Chris Christensen and the King is Joshua Catala, the son of Sheila Catala. The rest of this year’s court includes…
Saige Barron and Drew Benz
Bailey Hanson and Elijah Curry
Ashlyn McSorley and Joel Lacy
Paris Wilka and Ethan Streeter
Don’t Forget About the Flu
While the focus remains on COVID-19, another virus that claims thousands of lives each year will begin circulating soon. While less deadly than COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates an average of 36,000 people die each year from influenza.
While you consider receiving a COVID-19 vaccination or booster shot, remember there’s a vaccine for the flu, too and EveryStep’s Community Health program offers on-site flu shot clinics to schools, workplaces and senior living communities across the state.
Flu vaccination reduces the burden of flu illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths on the health care system and conserves medical resources for care of people with COVID-19. The CDC estimates that during the 2019-2020 flu season, which coincided with the arrival of COVID-19, flu vaccination prevented 7.5 million flu illnesses, 3.7 million influenza-associated medical visits, 105,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations and 6,300 influenza-associated deaths.
“EveryStep’s experienced team makes it easy to organize and conduct a flu shot clinic,” says Rosario Manzano, EveryStep’s community health and wellness business developer. “Beyond the health benefits of these flu vaccination clinics, the proceeds directly benefit EveryStep, one of Iowa’s oldest and largest non-profits.” Proceeds fund the more than 30 EveryStep programs that help at-risk children, families and seniors who are facing life’s changes and challenges.
EveryStep provides the following for on-site school, workplace and senior living community flu vaccination clinics:
- Online registration for employers
- Educational materials to increase employee participation
- Qualified, experienced and friendly nurses to administer flu vaccinations
- Submission of all insurance claims
- Competitive pricing
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate multiple sites and times
- Various billing options
- Other immunization services available upon request
The influenza season typically begins in October and continues through May. Scheduling an on-site flu vaccination clinic for September ensures those receiving the vaccine will have the best protection from the virus when the flu season begins.