Sharon (Goddard) Gillis

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 11:06 am CDT

Sharon (Goddard) Gillis, 79, of Mount Pleasant, IA, joined her husband Ron and her parents in Heaven on Monday, May 2,2022. She is survived by her children, Bradley (Renee) Gillis of Mount Pleasant, IA; Cary Gillis of New London, IA; and Darin Gillis of Mt. Pleasant, IA; 8 grandchildren, Kristin (Tello) Chavez, Melinda Ray, and Shelby (Austin) Allen, Heidi (Gavin) Kennedy, Holly (Jason) Reyes, Heather, Hagin, and Harper Gillis; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister Donna Cook and brother Danny (Cookie) Goddard; and other loving family.

Visitation will be held Friday, May 6, 2022, from 1-7 pm at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel with family greeting friends from 5-7 pm. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. The family has established a memorial fund in her memory. The service will be Livestreamed at Powell Funeral Homes Facebook page and at powellfuneralhomes.com.

Sharon Lee was born September 22, 1942, in Mt Pleasant, IA, the daughter of Darrell and Phyllis (Gentile) Goddard. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1961 and married Ronald Gillis on May 26, 1963, in Mt Pleasant, IA, and together had 3 children. Sharon devoted her life to serving others and had a huge heart for children. She volunteered with the Mount Pleasant Marching Band for years and worked in the high school music office. Throughout her life, she served in many schools throughout the area, as a secretary and paraeducator. Sharon enjoyed gardening and knew the name of every flower; she loved music, marching bands, plays, watching sports, and caring for her many dogs over the years, most recently her little girls – Sophie and Daisy. More than anything, she loved her people fiercely, engaging in their lives in every way she found.  “Shanee” as her family (and many friends) knew her, rarely missed a game, event, or any opportunity to show up for those she loved. She had a contagious laughter and lit up whenever she was in the presence of her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. She was devoted to the Lord and gave generously to those in need.

Living in her hometown all her life, Shanee didn’t know a stranger and all who knew her, felt her genuine care and kindness through the ways she invested in them. She brought so much joy and laughter wherever she was, and this world was beyond blessed to have been touched by her beautiful and devoted heart. No one is loved quite like our Shanee, and we will greatly miss her presence in our lives as we carry countless, irreplaceable memories in our hearts until we see her again.

James Craig “Swede” Martin

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 11:06 am CDT

James Craig “Swede” Martin, 71, of New London, passed away at home on April 30, 2022.  Born January 5, 1951, in Fort Madison, he was the son of Merlin and Louise Boecker Martin.  He married Jeanette Brown on January 27, 1971 in Kahoka, Missouri and she died November 27, 1992.  He then married Jean Hill and they later divorced.  He attended Mount Pleasant schools and worked in the construction field.  He was a hard worker, who also enjoyed fishing, hunting, cooking, NASCAR and spending time with his children, grandchildren and family.

Survivors include his sons, Eric (Luann) and Jared (Missy) both of New London; grandchildren, Jaci Zippe, Kyler, Brady, Rylan, Brianna and Easton Martin and Zoe and Zane Long, step-grandchildren, Lexie Little and Boden Glaha; great grandchildren, JoJo and Cub Zippe; sisters, Gloria (Bob) Wagaman of Michigan, Yvonne (Nathan) Kerr of Morning Sun, brothers in law, Donny Messer of Washington and Doyle Dunn of Mount Pleasant.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, two sisters, Patty Dunn and Linda Messer, and two brothers, Johnny and Tommy Martin.

Swede donated his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program and there will be no formal services at Elliott Chapel, New London.  A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

Slow Down, Move Over This Mother’s Day Weekend

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 6:30 am CDT

Mother’s Day is May 8, and if you’re hitting the roads to celebrate, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Region 7, including Iowa, is reminding everyone to slow down and abide by posted speed limits and move over for emergency vehicles. Nationally in 2020, 30% of all crash fatalities were related to speeding. According to NHTSA, a road with a speed limit of 65 mph or greater is more than twice as likely to result in a fatal crash than with a speed limit of 45 or 50 mph and nearly five times as likely with a speed limit of 40 mph or below. Speeding significantly reduces the driver’s ability to slow a vehicle when necessary or to steer safely around an unexpected curve, another vehicle, or hazardous object in the roadway.  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hopes that drivers keep their mothers in mind when visiting over the weekend.

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, May 3rd, 2022 at 6:30 am CDT

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented yesterday on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Secretary Naig is quoted saying “Despite another cold, wet week that slowed fieldwork, planting has begun in some areas of the state. Looking ahead, short-term temperature outlooks suggest a shift toward much needed warmer weather but, unfortunately, with a wetter storm track.” The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov. Despite rain and cold conditions, Iowa farmers made progress planting corn and soybeans with 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 1, 2022, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Fieldwork activities also included tillage, applying anhydrous and nitrogen, planting oats, and limited spraying.

Prep Track: Drake Relays Finals

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 12:23 pm CDT

Des Moines — The Drake Relays closed up on Saturday from the Blue Oval in Des Moines and it was a great showing for southeast Iowa.

New London junior Kade Benjamin finished 4th in the high jump, Friday.

The bouncy Tiger cleared 6’7′ as his sights get set on a 1A state field that could be his for the taking.

His teammate Carter Allen ended his trip with a 10th place finish in the shot put.

Allen’s best throw Friday was 50 feet, 9.5 inches.

On Saturday, New London’s 4×100 relay team of Boden Pickle, Joel Lacy, Reean Seberg and Josh Catala finished 57th.

That team went 44.68.

Mount Pleasant finished 48th in the same event, running 44.50.

Comprising Mount Pleasant’s group was Colton Huston, Will Davidson, Morgan Van Nyhuis and Avin Truong.

WACO junior Simeon Reichenbach ended his Drake Relays trip with a 28th place finish in the 110m hurdles.

The all-state running back, who led WACO to the state quarterfinals, ran 15.92.

In relay action from Mediapolis, the distance medley team of Cole Lipper, Kadin Salek, Anthony Isley and Logan Rosas finished 20th.

The Bulldog quartet ran 3:38.24.

That same group placed 11th in the 4×400, as well.

They ran a huge seasons best of 3:25.88

Prep Wrestling: Postseason Changes Headline New Look Wrestling

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 12:21 pm CDT

KILJ — In a major shakeup this year, Iowa High School wrestling will drop sectional tournaments in Classes 1 and 2A and move the annual State Dual Team tournament to that previously occupied date.

As a result of those changes, all three classes will now compete solely in district tournaments to determine individual qualifiers to the state tournament.

Eight additional wrestlers will be added to each field, bringing the number of qualifiers up to 24 per weight class.

A new facility for the state dual team tournament has not yet been determined.

The traditional individual state tournament will continue to run over four days on its previously scheduled week.

College Golf: CAC Championships Begin

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 12:21 pm CDT

Burlington — The Continental Athletic Conference men’s and women’s golf tournament will begin today at Burlington Golf Club in Burlington.

The event is being hosted by Iowa Wesleyan.

The Wesleyan men are led by former Mount Pleasant standout Trace White, while the women are paced by Karli Kirchner.

The two day tournament will feature two, 18-hole rounds per day.

Houston-Victoria was last year’s champion.

College Baseball: Tournament Field Set for CAC Baseball

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, May 2nd, 2022 at 12:20 pm CDT

Lawrenceville (Ga.) — The season will continue for teams from four states selected to compete in the Continental Athletic Conference’s inaugural baseball championship tournament, scheduled May 7-9 at Georgia Gwinnett College’s Grizzly Baseball Complex in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Joining the host Grizzlies will be Edward Waters University (Florida), Fisher College (Massachusetts) and Iowa Wesleyan University in the double-elimination tournament.

Seeds and opening-round matchups will be announced later by conference officials.

The 2022 CAC baseball tournament begins Saturday, May 7, with games scheduled at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Three games are scheduled Sunday, May 8, with the final two teams playing Monday, May 9, for the championship.

The tournament champion and runner-up will receive automatic bids to represent the CAC in the NAIA Opening Round.