Author: Theresa Rose

Donald Weir, 90, of Mount Pleasant died Friday, August 20, 2021, at the Keota Health Care Center in Keota, Iowa.

Don was born January 2, 1931, in Albia, Iowa, the son of Jesse and Ethel (Evans) Weir. He graduated from Albia High School in 1949. He served in the United States Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. On January 17, 1954, Don was united in marriage to Phyllis Clouse in Albia. They have lived in the Mount Pleasant community since 1956.

Don worked at John Morell in Ottumwa, Sheets Motors as a mechanic and service manager. He was the head mechanic at the Mount Pleasant Mental Health Institute where he also served as fire chief. Don served his community as a special deputy for Henry County Sheriff’s Department, and was on the Henry County Rescue Squad. He was the president of the Southeast Iowa Firemen’s Association. Don also spent time teaching EMT classes. He was a member of the Oakland Mills Community Church. Don loved spending time outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, camping and walking in the woods.

Don is survived by his wife Phyllis of Mount Pleasant; three daughters, Penny (Earl) White of Marion, Linda (Steve) Jacobi of Winfield, Renee (Jeff) Fisher of Iowa City; six grandchildren; four great grandchildren; four step grandchildren; numerous step great grandchildren and several great great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son Danny in 2015, a grandson Jeremy Barrett, step grandson Mark Cunningham, a sister Anne Bratteig, a brother Jesse Allan Weir.

Funeral service will be held 10:00 am, Monday, August 23, 2021 at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Pastor Rick Moorman will officiate. Burial will be in the Winfield Scott Township Cemetery, with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will be held 2:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, August 22, 2021. A memorial fund has been established for dementia research and Hospice of the Midwest. The service will be livestreamed at Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page and www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Rob McCuen, passed away at the age of 67.

Robert David McCuen was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, on December 1, 1953, to Charles R. McCuen and Alice Barnes McCuen who preceded him in death. He died of natural causes on August 11, 2021, in Oskaloosa, IA, where he was staying to attend auto races in Knoxville.

Rob graduated from Mount Pleasant Community High School in 1972 and graduated from Truman University (Kirksville, MO) in 1977.

His books, Square Dancing in a Round House; Shut Up and Listen: Me vs. Me — Confessions of a Bipolar Rock and Roller and Tales from the Crypt of an American Working Class Hero: More Confessions of a Bipolar Rock and Roller, speak of growing up in the middle of America in Rob’s colorful, inimitable voice.

Rob might have been born with motor oil in his blood. A lifelong auto racing enthusiast, he wrote sprint car racing features for Flat Out Magazine. His other passion was rock and roll. Like many kids in his generation Rob was bit by the bug early and began a drumming career that led to a move to Milwaukee, WI, where he was a part of the music scene up until his passing.

Among the many bands he played and recorded with were the RPMs, Red Ball Jets, Plasticland, Liquid Pink, Trance and Dance Band, Mark Shurilla’s Greatest Hits, Wanda Chrome and the Leather Pharaohs, The Riverwesterners and The Carolinas. He was working on another album at the time of his death.

A natural showman not unlike his hero Iggy Pop, he would also front bands Love Bully, Rob McCuen and the Ruins and White Hot Tizzies. McCuen assembled the group Animal Magnets and in 2013 released the album Step on Your Neck. Backed by a stable of Milwaukee’s stellar musicians, the album is the equivalent of taking a ride in a vintage muscle car with Rob at the wheel.

Decades ago Rob was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Myriad Facebook posts depict Rob ricocheting and deflecting friendships. Many of these anecdotes ultimately resolve with a genuine fondness that folks will remember him for. He always had a lust for life and had hundreds, if not thousands, of friends and fans. For the last 5 years, Rob enjoyed traveling and spending time with girlfriend Carmen Bayliss in Elk River, MN. Rob treasured his relationship with Sean Nolan, whom he thought of as a son, and Sam Wensing, his Godson.

Rob McCuen is survived by sister Mary L. McCuen (spouse Diane Vazis) of Goodyear, AZ. He will be cremated and laid to rest in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, IA.

A celebration of life in Milwaukee, WI will be announced at a later date. Contributions can be made in his memory as a suicide survivor www.preventsuicidemke.com.

Adrian “Abie” Box, age 84, of Salem, Iowa, passed away on August 17, 2021. He was born in Salem on July 20, 1937 to Lawrence and Agnes Holtkamp Box. He attended Saint John’s Catholic School in Houghton and carpentry school in Ames. On November 7,1959 he married Carol Ann Peterman at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mount Pleasant.

He employed his hard work and dedication in various roles as a carpenter, brick mason, and lifelong farmer, and owned and operated Hoschek and Box Masonry. In later years he was employed at Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility where he was a maintenance supervisor. He was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and Iowa National Guard. He enjoyed being outside, working cattle, wintering in Texas where he particularly liked teaching woodworking, playing euchre with his grandkids, talking on the phone with friends and family, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and woodworking where he made many bowls, cutting boards, rolling pins, and other beautiful creations for those he loved. He will be remembered for his tenacious work ethic, faith, stubbornness, and card playing. He never knew a stranger; just friends he hadn’t met.

Survivors include his wife Carol; siblings Dorothy Holtkamp, Marcella Holtkamp, Ed Box, Eileen (Dave) Pranger, and Norbert (Karen) Box; children Judy (Layne) Barnes, Jan (Mike) Steffensmeier, and Jodi (Lamont) Sutter; grandchildren Jesse (Mary Beth) Barnes, Janel (Scott) Fedler, Andrew (Kaitlyn) Steffensmeier, Zach Steffensmeier, Nate Steffensmeier, Lizzy Steffensmeier, Avery Sutter, and Aiden Sutter; great-grandchildren Owen Steffensmeier, Sofia Steffensmeier, and Layla Barnes; many nieces and nephews; and a host of friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law Sally Box, and brothers-in-law Dennis Holtkamp and Adrian Holtkamp.

Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm on Saturday, August 21st at Elliott Chapel, New London, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm with a Vigil Service immediately following.
The funeral mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 pm on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau officiating. Interment will follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the St. John’s Catholic Church and the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.