Mattie Lou DeWitt, 71, of Keokuk, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Sunday, June 13, 2021, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.
Jerry Taylor Sevier, 81, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 5:34 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, Iowa.
He was born on August 29, 1939 in Bucklin, Missouri, the son of Russell and Dorothy (Burris) Sevier. On February 18, 1966, he married Marianne Heaton in Brookfield, Missouri.
He is survived by his wife of fifty-five years: Marianne; daughter: Jodie Sevier of Des Moines, Iowa; grandchildren: Samuel Yon and Ella Yon of Des Moines; two sisters: Joanne Sevier Teeter of Olathe, Kansas and Judy (Joe) Sevier Trueblood of Kansas City, Missouri; one brother: John “Robin” (Connie) Sevier of Brookfield, Missouri and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant children.
Jerry served in the United States Army from 1963 to 1965 being stationed in Germany for thirty-one months. He worked for the Santa Fe/Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad for forty years. Jerry was a member of Green Acres Golf Club. He enjoyed golfing, gardening and baseball. Jerry was an avid New York Yankee, Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs fan.
His body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.
Friends may call after 12:00 noon Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. that evening.
Burial will be held at a later date.
A memorial has been established in his memory for the Central Lee Foundation.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements.
Marjory Marilyn Lox, 96, of New London, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at her home. She was born on December 30, 1924 in Chicago, Illinois; the only daughter of Roy and Jean Pearl Good Finley and sister to William Joseph Kalin (her best friend).
She worked at IRC in Burlington and married John Ellis Lox; he died March 27, 1993.
Survivors include three children, one granddaughter Lesley Lynn Stewart, who was like her own daughter; seven other grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren with another one on the way.
Marjory was an excellent cook. Her passion was her dogs and she was never without at least one at all times. She enjoyed many hours working in her yard with flowers and feeding and watching the birds.
A graveside service will be held at 10:00 Monday at Oquawka Cemetery with Pastor David Mixon officiating. A memorial has been established for New London Fire and Rescue. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements; online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Michelle “Shelley” Singleton, 68, of Wapello, IA, passed away on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at her home. Visitation for Dave and Shelley Singleton will begin at noon on Friday, June 18, 2021 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. The family will be present from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Private family burial will be at Mallory Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the community of Wapello in memory of Dave and Shelley Singleton. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Michelle West was born on October 16, 1952 in Burlington, the daughter of Ray and Dorothy (McCuen) Davis. Shelley was a 1970 graduate of Wapello High School. On July 7, 1973, she was united in marriage to David Singleton in Wapello. Shelley worked as manager for Casey’s in Wapello for over 35 years. In 2007, Shelley had a dream to begin Just 2 Moms, which Shelley and Jonie (Skip) Simmons began in 2008, working countless hours serving the community and giving to others. Over the years at Casey’s, Shelley used her powers of persuasion to initiate several movements, such as School Supply and Hat and Coat Drives, a Fireman Appreciation Weekend and Walk The Block. J2M donated countless hours and funds to the Ronald McDonald House, Dance Marathon and sponsored many cabins at the Heart Connections Kids Cancer Camp. Shelley served behind the scenes of many events and organizations. Anywhere and anytime that Shelley could lend a hand she was there. She helped fill the Firefighter widow bags at Christmas, donated her time to VFW, local schools, cemetery association and anyone else in need. Shelley was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and held season tickets to the Iowa Football games for over 30 years.
Shelley will be deeply missed by her children, Shad (Angela) Singleton of Mora, Minnesota, Sara (Mike) Maddux of Wapello and Seth (Teilsen) Singleton of Wapello; grandchildren, Schae, Wyatt, Tate, Landry, Owen and Teagan and many brothers and sisters.
Shelley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, David on November 29, 2020 and brothers, Russell “Buddy” West and Richard “Dick” West.
On Tuesday, June 15 at 9:30 am, all area residents are invited to gather at the fountain in Mount Pleasant’s Central Park to film “CommUnity” video. The video will be submitted to the state’s #IowansUnite Community Pride video contest for a chance to win a one-of-a-kind mural designed and installed by Iowa artist Ben Schuh that welcomes visitors to their shopping district or downtown area.
“Our small businesses are the cornerstone of our communities and have the most inspiring stories of resilience,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “Alongside these small businesses are the countless Iowans who rallied to support each other and their local businesses when they need it most. Through this contest, we elevate and celebrate those stories of Iowa resilience and showcase the true nature of our people.”
Choreographer Cody Fleitner has written a jingle about Mount Pleasant and has a vision to have residents shopping and supporting our small businesses in and around Mount Pleasant. In the end, we all gather as a community at the fountain in Central Park. We need as many people as we can get in the park to help us win this award.
“We want all of our residents, young and old, to be part of this important community video. The support of our small businesses this past year has been amazing and this video gives us the chance to celebrate the unity of Mount Pleasant,” said Kristi Perry, Executive Vice President of the Mount Pleasant Area Chamber Alliance.
To be part of #IowansUnite Community Pride contest, the video must feature residents and small businesses and must incorporate elements reflecting each community’s unique brand of hometown pride. Examples include storefronts, main street districts, notable landmarks and people shopping or eating.
This video is a joint project of the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Mount Pleasant. For more information, please call Kristi Perry at 319-385-3101 or email kristi@mpiowa.org.
Gerald Alan Dunn (Jerry) age 66, died in the early morning hours of June 6, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a long battle with Leukemia. Throughout his illness he kept high spirits and a positive outlook hoping that whatever treatments he tried would further research in a cure for Leukemia.
Jerry was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa at St. Luke’s hospital on November 20, 1954 to Robert and Jean Dunn. He graduated from Solon high school in 1973. He was a finish carpenter for the last decade of his life. Other employment he ventured with was a butcher, building Harvestore grain silos, framing carpenter, and siding, gutters and insulation installer. He was never late to work and always pulled his weight.
Jerry was an avid hunter and fisherman, going every chance he could. His other passion was for his vintage Harley Davidson motorcycles, always keeping them in pristine condition and riding with his friends. Jerry will be forever remembered and loved for his infectious fun-loving personality, his unmistakable laugh, his stories, helping his friends and was known for lending a helping hand to strangers. His true happiness was found within, being one with God’s open roads and beautiful countryside.
Survivors include his father, Robert Dunn, sister Trisha Dunn, brothers Robert B. (Carmen) Dunn, Scott E. (Jodi) Dunn, Jim (Joanne) Long and Ken Long; nieces, April (Matt) Peoples, Tia Dunn, Heidi Fay and Shaina Fay; and several cousins. He was preceded in death by his mother Jean Dunn; grandparents, Clarence and Gertrude Dunn and Ruth Rogers; brother, David Dunn; nephew Clinton Dunn; great niece Nylah Crawford, and his beloved dogs Annie, Chachie, and Maggie.
For the past several years, Jerry lived with Patty Kiefer. They were fishing buddies and wouldn’t hesitate on any opportunity to cast their poles. Patty assisted Jerry extensively through his illness and our family is grateful that she was able to give him the daily care he needed.
A celebration of life will be held at the American Legion in Solon, Iowa on Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 2 -5 pm. A small lunch will be provided as well. Any donations, flowers, and condolences may be offered to Jerry Dunn Memorial or sent to: Robert B. Dunn, 3407 Oak Hill Dr. N.E., North Liberty, Iowa 52317.
Elliott Funeral Chapel, New London, Iowa assisted the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.
Date: 06-10-2021______
JAIL COUNT
_22_ Henry County Inmates
_47_ Out of County Contract Inmates
_69_ TOTAL
On June 7, 2021 at approximately 6:57p.m. a deputy with the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office performed a traffic stop on a vehicle at US Highway 61 and Summer St. for illegal window tint. The deputy identified the driver as Amanda Jo Thompson, age 41, of Quincy, IL and the passenger as Mark Anthony Smith, age 38, of Quincy, IL. During the stop, the deputy smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and asked the passenger to exit the vehicle. The passenger was detained after the deputy located marijuana on his person. While doing so, the vehicle fled from the traffic stop.
At approximately 7:05p.m. deputies were notified of a motor vehicle accident at 12222 50th St. and the vehicle description matched the vehicle that had fled from the traffic stop a few minutes earlier. Deputies responded and located Amanda Jo Thompson in a field nearby. Deputies detained Amanda and searched the vehicle, locating additional marijuana.
As a result of the traffic stop, Amanda Jo Thompson was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, interference with official acts, no valid driver’s license, failure to yield to an emergency vehicle, and window tint. Mark Anthony Smith was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Both individuals were transported to the Des Moines County Jail.
