James “Jim” Frary

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 4:21 pm CDT

James “Jim” Frary, 64, passed away Monday, April 25, 2022, surrounded by his family at his rural Salem home.

Jim was born August 22, 1957, the son of Bob and Esther (Waldmeier) Frary of Salem, Iowa. He was the sixth child born to the family. Jim grew up helping on the family farm that has been in the Frary family since 1865, when his great great grandfather Thomas Edgar Frary bought the original 160 acres. It has been recognized as a Century Farm and has been owned by Jim since his father Bob’s passing in 2007. Jim was a self-employed farmer and also worked for Jerry Francy. On May 11, 1985, Jim married Ruth Wilson in Mount Pleasant. To this union, their son James “JJ” Edgar Frary, Jr. was born. The couple later divorced. Jim was a member of Pheasants Forever, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, and the Salem Fire Department. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, the Chicago Cubs and NASCAR racing. Jim especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, Madden, Hynlee, and McCoy.

Jim is survived by his son JJ (Nikki) Frary of Fort Madison; three grandchildren, Madden, Hynlee, and McCoy; two brothers, John (Lisa) Frary of Magnolia, Texas, Tom (Cindy) Frary of Mount Pleasant; sister Sara (Mike) Miller of Brownwood, Texas; brother-in-law Jim Harshbarger of Salem; sister-in-law Sue Frary of Mount Pleasant and many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and a great great niece.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, sister Martha Harshbarger, and a brother Neal Frary.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 29, 2022, from 12:00-7:00 pm, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant, with family greeting friends from 4:00-7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will begin at 4:00 pm, Saturday, April 30, 2022, at The Underground in Salem. Burial will be at a later date in the Salem East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for his grandchildren’s education. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Linda Tomson

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 2:27 pm CDT

Linda L. Tomson, 55, of Salem passed away on Thursday, April 21, 2022, at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Linda’s family will host a private family celebration of her life.  Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.  A memorial has been established for her grandson’s education, and may be mailed to Miranda Marlow at 807 East Washington Street, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 52641.

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

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

Girls’ Golf: Wibben Ties for 8th at Flint Hills

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:04 pm CDT

Burlington — Samantha Wibben carded a 49 as the Panther senior finished in a tie for 8th at yesterday’s Southeast Conference meet at Flint Hills Golf Course in Burlington.

Wibben tied with Fairfield junior Viola Welsh for 8th.

Mount Pleasant sophomore Kylie Walderbach tied for 19th.

Walderbach carded a 56.

Lauren Briggs of Burlington was the meet medalist shooting a low score of 40.

Keokuk’s Natalie Ames finished second with a 41 while teammates Makenna Conrad and Kaylin Long — both of Washington — finished with 43’s for third.

Washington won the team race with 180 strokes, with Keokuk placing second.

Mount Pleasant — with just two golfers competing — did not have enough players for a team score.

Boys’ Golf: Kempker Medalist at Sheaffer Memorial

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:04 pm CDT

Fort Madison — Mount Pleasant senior Reece Kempker picked up medalist honors, carding a 1-under 34 as Mount Pleasant second at the last Southeast Conference boys’ golf meet of the year.

Nick Matheney finished as runner up with a 39.

Washington won the team race with 173 strokes.

Tyler Wade was the leader for Fort Madison with a 42. Nick Profeta paced Keokuk registering a 43.

Fairfield, Fort Madison and Keokuk went 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively.

Washington won the season championship with 856 strokes over five different courses.

Girls’ Tennis: Mount Pleasant Falls to Hounds

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:03 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — Melanie Olivas earned her first varsity singles win, 8-4 over Fort Madison’s Brianna Wright but it was the Bloodhounds who picked up a 6-3 win over Mount Pleasant yesterday.

Ellie Situmeang won in No. 4 singles, coming from behind for an 8-6 triumph.

In No. 1 doubles, Savana Walls and Olivas rolled to an 8-2 win.

Fort Madison improved to 4-2.

Mount Pleasant dropped to 0-7.

Boys’ Tennis: Mount Pleasant Rolls Again

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:02 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — Mount Pleasant yielded just two points to Fort Madison in singles play as the Panthers swept the Bloodhounds last night at East Lake Park.

Owen Vansickel got the day started with a 10-1 win in No. 1 singles and Levi Graber followed suit with a 10-1 win of his own in No. 2 singles.

Elliot Cook, Tim Cam and Lou Schimmelpfennig all won 10-0.

In doubles, Van Sickel and Graber won 10-0 with Cook and Cam surging to a 10-2 win.

The Panthers improved to 5-1 with the win.

Girls’ Soccer: Lopreato Scores Four Times as Panthers Win

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:02 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — Andrea Lopreato scored four goals helping lead Mount Pleasant to a 5-4 extra time win last night over Washington.

Lopreato also had an assist in the win.

Elly Manning had a goal and three assists, while Charice Auwerda also assisted.

Evelyn Escobar made eight saves in the victory.

The win moved moved Mount Pleasant to 5-3.

The team will be back on the pitch on Thursday when they take on Keokuk.

Boys’ Soccer: Demons Blank Mount Pleasant

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, April 26th, 2022 at 12:02 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant — Washington scored twice in the first half, shutting out Mount Pleasant for a 2-0 win.

The Demons improved to a sparkling 8-1 on the season.

Mount Pleasant dropped to 2-9.

They’ll travel to Calvert Stadium Thursday to battle the 1-8 Keokuk Chiefs.

Kick is set for 6:45 p.m.