Cletus Miller (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 at 11:59 am CDT

Cletus Samuel Miller, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, peacefully went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant. Visitation for family and friends will be 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona, IA, the funeral service will follow the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Tim Peter will officiate. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Facebook and Youtube pages. Burial will follow the service at East Union Mennonite Church, Kalona. A memorial fund has been established for Pine Lake Camp in Eldora, Iowa.

Cletus was born at home on December 13, 1929, in rural Kalona, the second of five children of Sam T. and Mary (Bender) Miller. He married Dorothy Hershberger at West Union Mennonite Church on January 7, 1951.  He loved her dearly and enjoyed 72 years of marriage.  Cletus was fortunate to live at home with Dorothy until the last two weeks. Cletus graduated from Iowa Mennonite High School near Kalona and went to Hesston College in Hesston, KS to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Education.  He received additional teaching and administration degrees from Colorado State Teachers College (now UNC), Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He was a teacher, pastor, coach, and administrator over his career spanning Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and Iowa.  His coaching career culminated with a loss in the 1965 Colorado state 8-man football championship where he was named the NE Colorado Coach of the Year.  His administrative career started in 1965 and ended with retirement in 1996 while serving at Tri-Center, Prairie City, and South Tama schools.  In 2015, Cletus was honored by the IHSAA with an Administrator Award at the Boys State Basketball Tournament.  Cletus served on many church, civic, camp, and community boards and committees in his 70+ years of joyful service to others.  He had the unique ability to communicate with people of all ages and backgrounds while making each person feel important.  His love of sports began with his grade school basketball team and continued for his entire life.

He will be sorely missed by his wife, Dorothy of Mt. Pleasant; four children, Dr. Linwood (Judy) Miller of Mt. Pleasant, Ron (Wanda) Miller of Goshen, IN, Sharon Miller of Mt. Pleasant, and Anthony (Lisa) Miller of Anderson, SC; eight grandchildren, Tom “Buster” McGehearty, Laura Miller Bjork, and Jennifer Clark; Nick Miller, Nathan Miller and Natalie Miller; Hannah Miller and Sarah Taylor; nine great-grandchildren; sister Dolores Miller, sister-in-law Doris Redding, brother-in-law Jake Flisher and many nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his father, mother, and sisters Arvilla Flisher, Darlene Logan, and Loretta Kauffman.

Human Remains Located East of Fairfield Have Been Identified

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 at 10:13 am CDT

On April 8, 2022, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office received a call that human remains had been located east of Fairfield near the Fairfield Loop Trail and the BNSF railroad tracks. Deputies located human remains belonging to an adult male in a state of advanced decay.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation and have identified the remains as Harold “Hal” Bennett 11/12/1956. Mr. Bennett had been reported missing by family and friends to the Fairfield Police Department in the fall of 2020. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has determined there is no evidence of foul play and no threat to the public. The following agencies assisted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation:
Fairfield Police Department
Fairfield Fire Department
Jefferson County Medical Examiner
Iowa Office of State Medical Examiner
Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation – DNA Unit
Jackson (Wyoming) Police Department
The Jefferson County Attorney’s office said a special thanks is due the citizens who called the Sheriff’s Office and provided information to assist in this investigation. The Attorney also sent out condolences to the family and friends of Hal Bennett.

Dennis J. Fitzpatrick (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 5:35 pm CDT

Dennis J. Fitzpatrick, 79, longtime Mt. Pleasant Pharmacist, died Sunday, February 12, 2023 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

The Funeral Mass for Dennis will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Friday, February 17 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant. Fathers Edward Fitzpatrick, Nick Adam and Paul Connolly will concelebrate the Mass. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery with a military flag presentation conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Friends may call at the church from 2-7 PM on Thursday. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 PM. Visitation will conclude with a Scriptural Wake Service at 7PM. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Dennis and his family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Midwest Old Threshers, Holy Trinity Catholic Schools or the Fellowship Cup.

Dennis John Fitzpatrick was born August 20, 1943 in Burlington, IA, the son of Matthias John and Dorothy Anne (Pryor) Fitzpatrick Schwertley. He moved with his family to Mt. Pleasant at age 2 and graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School in 1961. He entered the University of Iowa School of Pharmacy and graduated in 1966.  On August 4, 1980 in Mt. Pleasant, Dennis was united in marriage to Alice Louise Donald McWilliams.

Dennis began his pharmacist career at Sutter Drug Store in Burlington. Dennis was called to the service of his country. He entered the United States Army on Sept. 24, 1968 at Ft. Des Moines, IA and was assigned as a pharmacist to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC. His duties there were attached to the Pentagon. He was honorably discharged as an SP5 on September 23, 1970.. He remained in the North Virginia area to be a manager over several Dart Drug Stores in the area. Dennis returned to Mt. Pleasant in 1978 to manage the Panther Rexall Drug Store. Dennis opened Fitzpatrick Pharmacy in Dick’s Super Valu in 1983. He incorporated Brau Pharmacy into his own in 1987 and in 1989, formed a partnership with Linn Hunsaker. They opened a second pharmacy, Park Pharmacy at Family Medicine of Mt. Pleasant in 1990. For 10 consecutive years, Dennis was proud of being voted the Favorite Pharmacist by readers of the Mt. Pleasant News. Dennis sold the pharmacy to Hy-Vee in 2003 and retired in 2013.

Dennis was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  For 25 years, Dennis served on the Board of Directors for the Pilot Grove Savings bank. Fishing was his biggest pastime, most notably fishing in ponds. He loved to landscape, so much so that in addition to the landscaping he did for enjoyment in his backyard,  he was put in charge of the landscaping when St. Alphonsus built their new church. Dennis was a gifted painter. He painted a toybox for each grandchild, decorating each one uniquely with a favorite childhood theme. In addition, he created numerous paintings on walls and portraits.

Those thankful for sharing in Dennis’s life include his wife Alice of Mt. Pleasant; 3 children – Terry (Cyndi) McWilliams of Mt. Pleasant, Tracy (John) Dingman of St. Paul, IA and Ty (Lindsey) Fitzpatrick of Kansas City, MO; 8 grandchildren – Bri, Nathan and Rachel McWilliams, Emily, Abby and Alexa Dingman and Sydney and Ben Fitzpatrick; a sister – Patricia Miller of Cedar Rapids and 2 brothers – Bill (Donna) Schwertley of Ames and Dwight T. (Jeannie) Schwertley of Rock Island, IL.

Dennis’s parents and brother Mike Fitzpatrick precede him in death.

Shed Fire Near Donnellson

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 3:50 pm CDT

The Hohl  family of rural Donnellson wishes to thank everyone for their concern following a fire Sunday night.  The family wants to make sure that it’s clear the fire was not at Harvestville Farm.  Rather, a shed at the back of the regular farming operation owned by the family, caught fire.  Departments from Donnellson, West Point, Montrose, Farmington and Argyle responded.  No one was injured and no livestock was lost.  The shed was used for storage for the regular farm operation.  The family also extends their gratitude to the fire departments that assisted with putting out the blaze.

Show Choir Update

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 3:41 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant High School Show Choir InMotion competed at the Power City Classic in Keokuk on Saturday. In the daytime competition InMotion placed first in Class 3A with Fort Madison placing second. Both schools qualified for the  top six spots in the finals but this time Fort Madison edged out Mount Pleasant, with Cedar Rapids Jefferson placing first, followed by Fort Madison, Mount Pleasant, Davenport West, Ottumwa, and the prep group from Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Next competition for Mount Pleasant will be February 18 at the Pella Dutch Masters Invitational.

Mount Pleasant School Board Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 3:10 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant School Board meets in regular session at 6 pm Monday, February 13 in the Mount Pleasant High School Media Center.

The Board will a presentation from the Title 1 and Math Interventionists.

The Superintendent will report  on Fiscal Year 24 new Monday calculations, free and reduced lunch percentages in the state and statewide open enrollment.  He will also give an update on the adjustment of the School Board Director Districts. There will be information on negotiations with the AFSCME Local and a legislative update.

The Board will be asked to approve the FY22 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and to approve the school calendar for next year.  A vote on whether or not to approve a grade alike elementary configuration is on the agenda and then the Board will move into exempt session for a negotiations discussion following some policy readings.

Jean Steele (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 9:48 am CDT

Jean Steele, 68, of Mount Pleasant died Friday, February 10, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospital.

Jean was born May 2, 1954, in McGregor, Iowa, the daughter of Bud and Christine (Reagan) Nordhus. She graduated from MarMac High School. On May 17, 1975, she was united in marriage to Mike Steele at the Methodist Church in McGregor. The couple has made Mount Pleasant their home since 1976. Jean worked for Motorola for 27 years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. Jean enjoyed cross stitch, and making all types of crafts, especially wreaths. She loved cats, they were very near and dear to her heart. Jean was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan. She and Mike had season tickets for more than 25 years, they included football, basketball, and for Jean especially wrestling.

Jean is survived by her husband Mike; nephew Chris Steele of Scottsdale, AZ; and close family friends Jen Schwartz of New London, Ted and Debbie Simmering of Rockford, IL, Jacob and Katherine Simmering and their daughter Charlie of Iowa City, Jordan Kasymov and her daughter Melina Simmering and Jack Simmering of Rockford, IL.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral Service will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Trey Hegar officiating. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel where the family will be present to greet friends from 4:00-6:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Henry County EMS and Kitty Haven. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Jean and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Missing Juvenile

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 13th, 2023 at 9:42 am CDT

On February 11th, at approximately 7:34P.M. The Henry County Sheriff’s Office received report of a missing juvenile from the 200-block of Jefferson Street in Salem.

Many area agencies, as well as Salem residents, assisted in the search for the missing juvenile who was later located at around 9:13P.M. The juvenile was uninjured and returned home safely.

The Henry County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Iowa State Patrol, Salem Fire, Henry County Ambulance, Henry County Emergency Management, and residents of Salem for their assistance in locating the missing juvenile.