Author: Theresa Rose

Carol A. McKillips, 70, of Winfield passed away on Sunday, April 19, 2020 at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.  Cremation rites have been facilitated and a private family graveside service will be held at a later date in Winfield Scott Township Cemetery.  A memorial has been established in Carol’s name.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Winfield, formerly the Honts Funeral Home is caring for Carol’s arrangements and her family.

Carol A. Courtney was born on July 4, 1949 in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Fred L. and Phyllis (Dye) Courtney.  Carol was a 1968 graduate of Cardinal High School of Eldon, Iowa and attended Open Bible College of Des Moines, Iowa. On May 26, 1972, Carol was united in marriage to Rev. Darwin Dean McKillips and served faithfully as a minister’s wife until his passing.  Carol worked in retail for 40 years before retiring in 2011.  She attended Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mt. Pleasant.  Carol enjoyed crafting, shopping with her sister and helping people.  She was very generous and most giving in so many ways.

Carol will be deeply missed by her sister, Irene (Leonard) Hesseltine; brother, Chuck Courtney; niece, Anisha Shapiro; nephews, Adwin (Amanda) Hesseltine and Clay Courtney; two great-nephews and baby dog companion, Buttons.

Carol was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Rev. Darwin McKillips on July 26, 2016; brother, Rev. David Courtney; infant sister, Susan Courtney and baby nephew, Adley Hesseltine.

Henry County Public Health is now a centralized point of collection and distribution for homemade masks and gowns in Henry County.  Please visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth/Donate to find guidance and templates for making and wearing masks and gowns.  Once masks or gowns are ready to be donated, please drop off or mail to Public Health at 106 N. Jackson St., Ste 103, Mt. Pleasant, IA 52641. The office is open Monday – Friday 8am-4:30pm.  Fabric and elastic may also be donated and if you need supplies to begin sewing, please call to check availability.

The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies). Healthcare professionals and emergency responders are also running low on masks and gowns.  “We know there are many generous individuals already making and donating masks, but we wanted to create a central location to make it easier for those in need to find supplies,” says Lori Bolin, Public Health Nurse.  If your local community already has a collection site, please let Public Health know so they can help direct people there also.  If you need a mask for personal use or masks or gowns for a facility, please call 319-385-0779 or email PublicHealth@henrycountyiowa.us.

For up-to-date information from Iowa Department of Public Health related to COVID-19, visit https://coronavirus.iowa.gov/.  For recent fact sheets, resources, and local organization updates, visit www.HealthyHenryCounty.org/PublicHealth.

William “Bill” Claude Hanks, 75, of Iowa City and formerly New London, died Friday, April 17, 2020 at Journey Senior Living of Ankeny. He was born in Burlington August 19, 1944 to Clarence and Helen Young Hanks.  He spent his school years on the Hanks farm northeast of New London.  Bill enjoyed helping on the farm and took part in both FFA and Des Moines County 4-H.  He showed Holstein dairy cows from the family farm for many years at the Des Moines County Fair even winning Grand Champion one year.  He also loved dogs all throughout his life.

Bill enjoyed sports such as football, basketball and bowling, which was his favorite to participate in.  He was manager for the New London football team in Junior High, played trumpet in band, was in a class play, and his senior year was recognized by Dova Tompkins for his work helping in the library.  He graduated from New London High School in 1963 and attended New London United Methodist Church.

After high school Bill did a short stint in the Navy and also worked at the IAAP in Middletown.   Bill attended Davenport Barber College and was a barber in Burlington for a time and then in Muscatine.  Eventually he moved to Coralville and enjoyed living in the Iowa City area for many years becoming a big fan of the Hawkeyes.  Bill liked to cook and worked at several area restaurants over the years.

Throughout his life Bill’s favorite hobby was listening to and collecting music albums.  He enjoyed Elvis, especially his movies.  But country music seemed to win out over time.  Some of his favorite country artists were Reba McIntyre, Miranda Lambert, and Aaron Tippin among others.  He was thrilled to share his birthdate with Lee Ann Womack whom he had seen in concert.

In his later years Bill loved watching game shows, particularly Jeopardy.  He also had a fondness for Perry Mason and old westerns.

Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, John & Mary Hanks and Charles & Vera Young, parents Clarence and Helen Young Hanks, his brother, Darrell Hanks, and brother-in-law Wayne Schnicker all of New London.  Surviving family members include Sister-in-law, Virginia Hanks, and Bill’s 4 sisters:  Sandra Schnicker of New London, Nancy (Bill) Larkins of Burlington, Meri Hanks of Ankeny, and Jane (Steve) Martin also of Ankeny.  Nieces and nephews include:  Rick (Diane) Schnicker, Marty (Mary) Schnicker, Shelley (Jason) Christianson, Sherry (James) Cox, Carolyn Hanks Farley, Toi (Troy) Mears, McKensie Martin, Madison Martin, and step nephews Bill (Christine) Larkins, Joel (Jill) Larkins, and Scott Larkins.

In October of 2019 Bill had a stroke and spent time in Great River Medical Center, Urbandale Health Care Center, and Journey Senior Living of Ankeny.  A memorial has been established for Suncrest Home Health & Hospice in West Des Moines.

Kim A. “Butch” Bittle, 66, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, passed away Sunday, April 19, 2020, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

According to his wishes, Butch’s body has been cremated.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Details of the celebration will be forthcoming at a later date.  Cards and memorial gifts, designated to the family, may be mailed to Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641.

Born April 17, 1954, Kim Allen was the son of Maynard G. and Shirley Francis (Walters) Bittle.  He was a 1972 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for two years.  On June 30, 1998, Butch married Melissa Jane Waier in Burlington, IA.

Known throughout southeast Iowa as a chef, Butch began his career at the Iris Restaurant in Mt. Pleasant.  He continued using his skills at Burlington Golf and Country Club and Bridgeport Pub in Naples, FL.  He then was owner and chef at The Brownstone in Mt. Pleasant and ended his culinary career, continuing his love of cooking, at Butch’s River Rock Café.

Family was Butch’s highest priority, and he devoted his life to supporting his daughters in their activities.

Survivors include his wife, Melissa of Mt. Pleasant, IA; four children, Madison Bittle, Grace Bittle, Francis Bittle and Ava Bittle all of Mt. Pleasant, IA; two brothers, Christopher (Gale) Bittle of Memphis, MO, and Andrew (Julie) Bittle of Des Moines, IA; along with a nephew and two nieces.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents.