Author: Theresa Rose

Constance L. Gartin, 90, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Friday, January 27, 2023, at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Tony Von Broeker, 74, of New London, formerly of Mt. Union, died Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital, West Burlington.

According to his wishes his body has been cremated.   A visitation will be held from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm, Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London.  Inurnment will immediately follow at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard.  A memorial has been established to help with funeral expenses.   Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Phyllis Iva Lane Klopfenstein2, age 97 of Mount Pleasant, passed away January 25. She was born September 25, 1925 in rural Henry County, Iowa, the daughter of John and Iva Bates Lane. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1943. Phyllis was united in marriage to Wayne Lewis Klopfenstein on April 25, 1945 in Anniston, Alabama, where Wayne was stationed during World War II. During that time, she did clerical work at the Anniston Ordinance Depot. She also worked as a dental assistant for Dr. Frank V. Coles in Mt. Pleasant. Phyllis was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant and participated in many clubs. Phyllis passed away January 25, 2023.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Wayne, son Philip Wayne, a sister Virginia Sommerfeld, three brothers – Warren, Johnny and Russell , 2 nieces and 2 nephes.

She is survived by her children – Judith Elaine Klopfenstein Miller (Jim), John David Klopfenstein (Lin) and Ted Lewis Klopfenstein; 5 grandchildren – Jamey Elaine Miller Musgrove (Greg), Matthew James Miller (Amy) Amanda May Klopfenstein Barry (Chris), John David (JD) Klopfenstein II and Wayne R. Klopfenstein; 6 great grandchildren – Brady Ryan Musgrove, Lexi Elaine Musgrove, Nolan Matthew Miller, Cameron James Miller, Aliyana Jo Barry and Lacie Nicole Barry and twelve nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for Phyllis will be held from 1-3 PM on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Mt. Pleasant Masonic Lodge, 206 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. A private family interment will take place at the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call to sign the register from 9AM to 7PM on Friday, February 3, at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. On line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Memorials may be directed to the First United Methodist Church or, because of her love and compassion for all animals, to All God’s Creatures in Mt. Pleasant.

Randyl Jay Pickle, 68, of Mt. Union, died Friday, January 27, 2023 at his home in Mt. Union.

Randy was born July 7, 1954 in Burlington, the son of Richard Jack and Bertha Ann Yaley Pickle.  He was a 1972 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and a veteran of the United States Marine Corp.  On November 26, 1983 he married Mary Elizabeth Hastings.  She preceded him in death on July 15, 2020.

He was an electrical lineman by trade and also helped his father on the farm.  He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and spending time at the lake with his cousins.  He was very particular about his acreage.  Randy loved kids and doted on the Lane grandchildren.

Randy is survived by his mother of Mt. Pleasant; sisters, Diane Pickle of New London and Jacque (Richard) Dayton of Bentonville, Arkansas; brother, Brad (Lora Larson) Pickle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; two nephews, one niece, one great-nephew, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a host of friends.  He was preceded in death by his father and his wife Mary.

According to his wishes, he has been cremated and an inurnment will be held at a later date.  Memorials have been established to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and EveryStep Hospice.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com

Frances Warth, 75, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the Great River Medical Center Hospice House, West Burlington, IA.

A memorial service for Frances will be held at 1:30 PM on Friday, February 3, at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend David H. Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Friends may call from 12 -8 PM on Thursday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 5-7 PM Thursday evening.

Memorials may be directed to the family for decisions to be made later. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Frances was born November 22, 1947 Sigourney, IA, the daughter of James and Miriam (Cathey) Pobanz. She moved with her family to Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1966. She worked on the line for the Mackay Envelope Company in Mt. Pleasant. She also was a bartender at several establishments, including the Iris Restaurant, the Lantern Lounge and the Cabaret.

Frances was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. She enjoyed traveling, photography, old movies, music, reading and crocheting. She loved Scrabble, seldom taking a back seat to anyone. She was “Mom” and a mother figure to many of her friends and her children’s friends. A big fan of the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Team, she loved to watch their games whenever she could. Frances seldom turned down the opportunity to instigate a practical joke, as she and her friends shared many a laugh over them.

Those thankful for sharing in Frances’ life include her two daughters – Rebecca “Becky” Warth of Mt. Pleasant and Beth Gaffney and her husband Mark of Chandler, AZ; a brother – Brian Pobanz and his wife Karen of Wayne, NJ; a sister – Carolyn Westbrooks of St. Louis, MO and two grandchildren – Dylan and Grace Gaffney.

Her parents and a sister – Catherine Gibson – precede Frances in death.