Author: Theresa Rose

Ronald Hedrick “Ron” Sadler, 76, of New London, IA, and formerly of Cleveland, TN, passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020.

He was born on May 7, 1943, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, to Robert and Pauline Hedrick Sadler.

He attended Mt. Pleasant Jr. High and Bradley Central High in Cleveland, and was of the Baptist faith. Following high school he served in the Navy Reserves.

Ron was New London’s Mayor for twelve years and had a great time serving the community.  Among his many accomplishments as mayor, he was most proud of the shelter house renovation in the city park, the new community center, and the sidewalk improvements. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge AF & AM #28 and Independent Order of Oddfellows and the VFW Post #7641.  Special interests included restoring vintage cars, browsing thrift stores and socializing at the VFW.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Ronald Jeffrey “Jeff” Sadler; brothers: Les Sadler, Rex Sadler, twin brother Don Sadler; his sister, Sue Escoda; and his companion of 30 years Veronda Pickle.

Survivors include his daughters: Donna (Shane) Keller of Charleston, TN, and Hope (Phillip) Stocker of Rock Hill, SC; grandchildren: Kayla Sadler of Cleveland, TN, Shelby and Alex Keller of Charleston, TN, Alyvia, Peyton and Addison Stocker of Rock Hill, SC; brothers: Jon (Mary Ann) Sadler of Burlington, IA, and Bullhead City, AZ, Bill (Carol) Sadler of Cape Girardeau, MO, Tom (Brenda) Sadler of Canyon Lake, TX, and Tim Sadler, Pella, IA; sister, Jane (Bert) Green of Cleveland, TN; sisters-in-law: Hilda Sadler of Keokuk, IA, and Darlene Sadler of Mechanicsville, VA; and many nieces and nephews.

The family is very grateful for the love and care given to Ron by Dr. Ben Carter, Kirk Miller, Tracy Cooper, Roger Walker, Marlene Bennik, Patsy Dillon, Kasi Howard, and many others.

Memorials in memory of Mayor Sadler may be directed to New London Child Care Center or New London’s South Pine Street Development.  According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and there will be no formal service.  A Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held at 12:00 Noon on Saturday, April 25^th at the New London VFW Post #7641. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Haidee Jocelyn Binns Armstrong, 94, of Lowell, died Saturday, March 14, 2020 at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant.  She was born January 23, 1926, in New York City to Jocelyn and Iris Mae Black Binns.  On March 27, 1960, she married Douglas Ian Armstrong in Oahu, Hawaii.  He passed away February 6, 1997.

Haidee got her undergraduate at Hunter College in New York, and received her master’s in library science at Columbia University.

For 23 years, she was a pastor’s wife at New Song Christian Life Church in Lowell where she was a Sunday school teacher, youth group organizer, part of the women’s ministry, very involved in prayer meetings and was very committed to sharing the gospel.

She worked as a librarian at Danville Community Schools.

Mrs. Armstrong was a voracious reader, enjoyed bird watching, gardening, arts and the theatre, traveling, and especially enjoyed being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by two children, Christopher (Shelley) Armstrong of Riverside and Elissa (Brian) Swafford of Mt. Pleasant; four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; brother David (Barbara) Binns of San Diego, California; and nephew Danny Binns.  Her husband and parents preceded her in death.

A memorial has been established for “Stir The Fire Ministry”.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Due to the Covid-19 health crisis, services will continue to be pending at Elliott Chapel.

Michael A. Bonar, 61, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at Great River Medical Center in Burlington surrounded by his family.

Mike was born on April 5, 1958, in Ft. Madison, the son of Robert D. & Arlene A.

(Henschen) Bonar.  He was a 1976 graduate of Notre Dame High School in Burlington, Iowa.  During his high school years he exceled in football and basketball, in July of 1975 Mike had a diving accident which left him paralyzed, being a paraplegic did not stop him from living his life to the fullest.  He was employed with Motorola in Mt. Pleasant for over 20 years as an inspector, many friendships were formed during this time.

Coming from a basketball family, Mike’s love of the game never stopped.  He enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes trying never to miss a game.  Sprint car racing was a passion which lead him to a large collection of die cast model cars.  Not to leave out football watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Los Angeles Rams were his favorite teams.  Mike is leaving behind a legacy of love and friendships, his heart was as big as he was, always willing to help anyone in need.

In 1978, Mike received the Iowa Rehabilitation Association’s Achievement Award.  It is a symbol for all handicapped people that determination can overcome the frailties of the body.

Mike is survived by his mother Arlene of Mt. Pleasant, his sister: Pam (Tom) Tipton of Mt. Pleasant, and his brothers, Steve (Jackie) Bonar of Burlington and Scott (Leigh) Bonar of Phoenix, Arizona, nieces and nephews, Jennifer, Morgan, Chase, Brandi and David, five great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, and grand-parents.

A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020, friends may call after 1:00 p.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  A memorial has been established for the Notre Dame High School Athletic Department in his memory.  Private family burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.

Warren R. Garrels, Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, March 13, 2020 at Sunnybrook Assisted Living in Mt. Pleasant.

The Funeral service for Mr. Garrels will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner will officiate. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 9:00 PM on Tuesday at the Kimzey Funeral Home. The family has decided not to be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church or the American Quarter Horse Association. On line condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Warren Robert Garrels was born April 6, 1936 at the family home, rural Henry County. He was the son of Elmer Stanley and Wilma Florence (Beattie) Garrels. He attended Pleasant Lawn School through the 8^th grade and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1954. On August 30, 1959 at (Elliott Lunning Chapel in Burlington, Warren married the love of his life, Barbara Ann (Hill) Garrels. Mrs. Garrels died May 8, 2018 at the University Hospitals in Iowa City.

Mr. Garrels was a lifelong farmer, primarily with cattle and hogs. Beginning with his reining horse “Flash”, Warren began a long career in Quarter Horse breeding. He established Iris Quarter Horses, which was known and respected countrywide. His horses were frequent winners on dirt track and at county fairs as well as winning prestigious races at Prairie Meadows in Des Moines. Warren was a member of the Iowa Quarter Horse Association and Legacy Breeder with the National Quarter Horse Association. For registering a colt every year for 50 years, Warren was inducted into the American Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame.

Warren was an enrolled member of the former Beulah Methodist Church. After Beulah Church’s closing, he became a member of First United Methodist Church. During part of his working years, Warren was a member of the Iowa National guard. He enjoyed playing in several card groups. As a motorcycle enthusiast, he and Barbara loved the “Poker Runs” until he settled into riding Goldwing motorcycles. They loved to travel, making trips out west for Cheyenne Frontier days and many other trips and cruises which took them around the country and locations around the world. Dear to their hearts were the countless hours they spent to attend events involving their daughters, granddaughters and great grandchildren.

Those thankful for sharing in Warren’s life include 2 daughters and their husbands, Kerry & Craig Voelker and Kendra & Jerry Ruschill, all of Mt. Pleasant; 3 granddaughters and their husbands – Jerilyn & Tyler Horn, Jordy & Tyler Dingman and Karley & Damen Dawson; 6 great grandchildren – Anders & Kendall Horn, Lucy & Logan Dingman and Demi & Owen Dawson; a brother and his wife – Richard & Liz Garrels of Mt. Pleasant; a brother-in-law, David Peterson of Storm Lake, IA and a host of nieces and nephews and their families.

His parents, wife, a son – Scott Garrels, 2 brothers – Floyd and Clifford Garrels and 2 sisters – Charlotte (Clyde “Sam”) Summers and Ruth Ann Peterson precede Warren in death.

Haidee Armstrong, 94, of Lowell, died Saturday, March 14,

2020 at Sunnybrook at Mt. Pleasant.  Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Ricky Dale Scarff, 64, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.

Rick was born on December 26, 1955 the son of Donald D. and Thelma (Graber) Scarff.  He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1974.  Rick was a man of many talents, he owned and operated a furniture store, was an auctioneer for Emry Auctioneering, had his real estate license, and working on cars.  He worked for Blue Bird Midwest, drove a school bus for Mt. Pleasant Community Schools and he worked at Scarff Service in Trenton.  Rick enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, going camping, playing golf, boating, feeding the birds and gardening.  He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and enjoyed NASCAR.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Mt. Pleasant.  Rick never knew a stranger and he lived life to the fullest.

Rick is survived by his mother, Thelma of Mt. Pleasant and his children, Amber Scott (Cole Kellogg) of Winfield and Jaime (Amy) Scarff of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, seven grandchildren, Kenzie, Sully, Lennon, McCartney, Javin, Sebastian and Summit, one brother, Kevin (Mary) Scarff of Mt. Pleasant and two sisters, Kristy (Rick) Anderson and Sandy (Roger) Ernst all of Mt. Pleasant, along with four nephews and one niece.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant with Rev. Steven English officiating.  Burial will be in the White Oak Cemetery rural Rome.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Tuesday at the Murphy Funeral Home where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Iowa Donor Network, American Diabetes Association or to the University of Iowa Hospitals Children’s Burn Unit.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.

John Lester Hobson, 87, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, March 13, 2020 at his home in Mt. Pleasant.

He was born on July 20, 1932, at Eldora, Iowa the son of Pleasant Ellis & Rosa Della Brindle Hobson.  He was united in marriage to Lola Haberkamp on September 6, 1957, at the Peace Reformed Church in Garner, Iowa.  John served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict.  John graduated from Iowa State with a Bachelor of Science Degree on February 25, 1961, in Agricultural Engineering.  He went on to work at John Deere in Dubuque then later to J. I.  Case in Burlington.  He later moved to Mt. Pleasant where he owned Mid-America Engineering.  John was an excellent welder, loved to restore old cars, attending swap meets, and spending time outdoors.  He was a member of the Congregational United Church of Christ in Danville, Iowa, where he served as deacon and treasurer.

John is survived by his wife Lola of 62 years, and his children, Linda (Steve) Mackin of Bellevue, Washington and Steve (Shea) Hobson of Mt. Pleasant, three grandchildren, Logan Mackin, Mike Hobson and Alexis Hobson and one great grandson, Carl, two brothers, Bob Hobson of Hillman, Minnesota, Bill Hobson of Marshalltown, Iowa and two sisters, Ruth Holm of Sarasota, Florida and Betty Kearns of Palmetto, Florida.

John was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Carroll Hobson.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2020, at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational United Church of Christ in Danville.  Burial will be in the Jagger Cemetery, rural Danville.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Make-A-Wish Foundation in his memory.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is handling the arrangements.