Cecil “Gene” Eugene Pratt, 73, of Ottumwa passed away on Friday May 13, 2022 at Good Samaritan Nursing Home, Ottumwa.  In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated and no services are planned at this time.  Scattering of Gene’s ashes will take place at a later date. Memorials in Gene’s honor may be directed to Hospice of Wapello County or The American Cancer Society and may be mailed to the family at 606 W Walnut, Eldon, IA 52554.  Friends may leave condolences online at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com

Gene was born November 5, 1948 in Fairfield, IA to Bert Cecil and Charlotte Louise (Davis) Pratt. He graduated from Cardinal High School in 1968 and immediately joined the Navy. He married Caroline Weeks and they later divorced.

In addition to his parents and grandparents he was preceded in death by a niece, Melissa Lei Haines.

Gene is survived by son, Aaron (Laura) Pratt of Mound View, MN, two daughters, Farah of Ottumwa and Satinka (James) McCraw of Mountlake Terrace, WA, two grandchildren, Olivia and Eleanor, two sisters, Betty Haines (Mike) of Eldon, MO, Diane Box (Tom) of Eldon, IA, a brother, Phil Pratt of Bloomfield and many extended family and friends.

Georgianna Vantiger, 87, of Mt. Union, died Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Park Place, Mt. Pleasant.  She was born in Burlington August 22, 1934 to Raymond E. and Vennessa Grace (Kimbrough) Dodge.  On May 26, 1956, she married James Vantiger at St Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.

She was a 1952 graduate of Burlington High School and was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.  Prior to marriage, she worked as a telephone operator, then enjoyed being a homemaker and raising her family.

She enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy and for twenty-six years she volunteered for Bingo at Park Place.  She was an amazing cook and was known for her peanut brittle and pies which she made for Old Threshers and church auctions.

Survivors include her husband of Mt. Union; children, Bill (Pam) Vantiger of Yarmouth, David Vantiger of Mt. Union, Patty (Larry) Ford of Mt. Pleasant, Scott Vantiger of Mt. Union, and Karen (Kurt) Palar of Danville; daughter-in-law Marcy Vantiger of Mt. Union; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers Floyd (Patty) Penrod and Dick Penrod of Burlington; sisters Florence (Paul) Bolander, Elsie Stafford, and Barb (Gary) Glendening all of Burlington.  She was preceded in death by her parents; stepfather Ray Penrod; son Joe Vantiger; brother James Penrod, sister Viola Patton, and one bonus son, Rick Rodgers.

The funeral service for Mrs. Vantiger will be Thursday, May 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Father James Flattery officiating.  Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union.  Visitation will begin at noon Wednesday with the family receiving friends from 4 -7 PM.  Memorials have been established for Park Place Activity Fund and EveryStep Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Deborah Eileen Collins, 72, of Albia and formerly Delta, Iowa, died Saturday, May 14, 2022 at Oakwood Specialty Care in Albia, Iowa.  She was born June 6, 1949 to Bate T. and Dorotha M. Trainer Collins.

Deborah was a graduate of Fremont High School.  She spent most of her life as a caregiver for her parents and also helped elderly people in their homes.  She enjoyed sight-seeing and loved animals.

She is survived by nieces and nephews and was preceded in death by her parents; her brother William T. Collins of Missouri; and her sister Juanita Gauler of Muscatine.

According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a graveside Celebration of Life will be held at a later date at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville.

Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Michael E. “Mike” McKenzie, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, died Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at his residence.

A graveside memorial service will be held on Monday, May 16 at the Blakeway Cemetery, rural Danville, IA. Pastor Dan Buck will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Every Step Hospice. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Michael Eugene “Mike” McKenzie was born November 29, 1948 in Mt. Pleasant, IA, the son of Clyde Donovan and Mary Jane (Thornburg) McKenzie. He was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant. Mike received his formal education at Mt. Pleasant High School.

Mike was employed at the former Blue Bird Bus Manufacturing Co. and the H. Eugene Smith Construction Company, both in Mt. Pleasant. For many years, Mike was a truck driver for several trucking companies, the longest time for BTI. Mike enjoyed NASCAR races and attending the sprint car races in Knoxville. Mike was a devoted Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed the games on TV.

Survivors include his siblings – Janet Stevens of Arvada, CO, Dottie Hotovec and her husband Ron of Oskaloosa, IA, John McKenzie of Norfolk, NE and Patricia Milks and her husband Roger of Mt. Pleasant; eleven nieces and nephews and thirty-one great nieces and nephews.

His parents and a niece, Melissa Welcher Fiedler precede in death.

Vincent “Kelly” Donald Kelly 85 of Keosauqua passed away at 4:47PM Thursday May 11, 2022 at his home.  In accordance with his wishes his body has been cremated and a private burial of cremains in Fellows Cemetery will be at a later date.  Memorials in Kelly’s honor may be directed to friends of Lacey State Park and may be mailed to the family at 1601 8th St Keosauqua, IA 52565.

Kelly was born on February 22, 1937 in Bayfield, WI to Dale and Nora Marie Johnson Kelly.  He lived in Bayfield as a child and left for California at the age of 12 where he worked in a diamond mine until there was an explosion and he was severely injured and sent to Boston for medical care. After he recovered, he moved to Clinton Iowa and started working construction.   During this time he worked on the bridge in Keosauqua and met Caroline B. House And they were married on November 7, 1987 in Keosauqua. During his years working construction he was able to earn his GED.  Kelly continued to work construction until he was 80 years old, he was the hardest working man you would ever know, he loved his family and cherished every moment he spent with them. He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved gambling, his time spent at Tillie’s and trips out to the State Park for Caroline “Little Hillbilly” as he liked to call her.

Left to cherish his memory are two sons, Gerald Himes (Bev) of Douds and Jeff Himes (Amanda) of Douds, a daughter, Peggy Chambers of Keosauqua, a cousin, Pudge of Bayfield, WI, several brothers and sisters, 8 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and many other family and friends.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Caroline and a son, Rick Himes.

Mary Francis Long, 103, of Crawfordsville and formerly of Olds and Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, peacefully at the Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.

Private family burial will be held at the Columbus City Cemetery, at Columbus City, Iowa.  In lieu of flowers, cards and memorials may be mailed to the Long Family at 3164 Vine Ave, Crawfordsville, Iowa 52621.

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

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.