David Franklin Brown, 78, of Danville, died Monday, March 31, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington.  He was born in Burlington on November 7, 1946 to Virril Franklin and Exxa Lou “Peggy” Garland Brown.  He was a 1965 graduate of Wapello High School and then joined the United States Marines, serving in Vietnam from 1965 – 1968.

In 1967 he married Susan Small; they later divorced.  On May 7, 1998 he married Kathryn Gerst at City Hall in Mt. Pleasant.  Dave was the assistant manager of the New London Coop for many years; manager of the Danville Coop; and retired as head of maintenance for Raider’s Precast Concrete.  He was a member of the Marine Corps League in Burlington and a life time member of the New London VFW #7641.  Before his declining health, he enjoyed attending events at Memorial Auditorium and Fairfield Arts and Convention Center; loved dancing with his wife; and enjoyed watching sports, especially football.

Dave is survived by his wife Kathy of Danville; son Shannon (Heidi) Brown of La Vernia, Texas; three stepsons, David Fletcher of Cedar Rapids, Robert Fletcher of Morning Sun and Kenny Fletcher of Wapello; granddaughter Courtney Lynn Fletcher who he helped raise; grandson Jonny Salvador; great-granddaughter Thea Jordan Salvador; one brother Jerry Brown of Winfield; two sisters Louanne Whitehair of Burlington and Jane Armstrong of Loveland, Colorado; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his father Virril; his mother and step-father Peggy and Forrest Hunt; daughter Letha Brown; and two brothers, Danny and Jim.

A Celebration of Life for David and his daughter Letha Brown, who died December 3, 2024, will be held June 7, 2025 at the New London VFW Post #7641; 802 E. McKinley, New London; from 2:30 – 4:00 pm.  The Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League will present military rites at 4:00 pm.  Memorials to honor both David and Letha have been established for the Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps League or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.

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

Merle C. Unkrich

Merle Clement Unkrich, 92, of rural Winfield, died Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, MO.

Memorial services for Mr. Unkrich will be at 10 AM Saturday, April 12, at the Olds United Church of Christ. Pastors Carl and Elaine Vass will officiate.  Burial will be in the Asbury Cemetery, rural Olds, with a flag presentation by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Visitation will be from 4-7 PM Friday at the church. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is in charge of the arrangements.

Merle was born September 12, 1932, in Henry County, IA. He was the youngest child of Harold Henry and Alice Grace (Canby) Unkrich. Merle graduated from Olds High School in 1950 and then attended Iowa Wesleyan College, where he met his future wife, Betty Arlene Wait. Merle graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1954, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.  He was a lifelong supporter of Iowa Wesleyan, serving as the chapter advisor for the Phi Delta Theta fraternity for many years as well as establishing the Betty and Merle Unkrich Scholarship.  In later years Merle received an honorary doctorate degree from Iowa Wesleyan.

On March 13, 1953, Merle and Betty were united in marriage at the Olds Congregational Church. They were married for 65 years until Betty’s death in 2018.

Merle was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in Germany during the Korean War.  After the Army, Merle started farming with his father and two brothers.  The three brothers also started Unkrich Feed and Grain in 1956.  Throughout his farming career, Merle was active in various farming related organizations, including serving as a director with the Iowa Corn Growers Association and serving on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.  Merle was especially proud when the farm where his parents settled and where he was born was recognized in 2017 as a Century Farm.

Merle loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as spending time at his condo in the Lake of the Ozarks.  He also enjoyed working at the Olds Church food stand at Old Threshers, never missing a year.

Merle leaves behind four children and their spouses – Merle Ann Unkrich and Brad Davis of Mediapolis, IA; Wallace and René (Gray) Unkrich of Winfield, IA; Amy and Peter Philipp of Green Bay, WI; and Micki Unkrich of Thousand Oaks, CA; 11 grandchildren – Diana (Kelly) Nichols, Philip Davis, Brent Unkrich, Alicia (Alex) Haas, Kerry (Hannah) Unkrich, Lauren Philipp, Chloe (Brennan) Davies, Grace Philipp, Rachel Philipp, Margaret Teegarden, and Laura Teegarden; and 9 great grandchildren – Davis, Simeon, Leah, and Bo Nichols; Nile and Wray Unkrich; Blake Slater; and Grayson and Isla Davies.

His wife Betty, his parents, his 2 brothers – George Unkrich and Clarence Unkrich – and his grandson Marc Davis precede Merle in death.  Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to Wounded Warrior Project, Operation Hope Medical Mission (volunteer surgical mission to Honduras), or Hope House of Miller County, Missouri (food pantry).  Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Nancy Jane (Brown) Longwell, 82, of Mount Pleasant, IA, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025.

Nancy was born on November 20, 1942, the daughter of Donald and Edith Brown. She was a 1960 high school graduate of Mount Pleasant Community Schools. She married Dale Longwell at St. Alphonsus Church on August 20, 1966.

Nancy started her career at Insurance Plan Savings & Loan in 1960, where she met Dale. She spent several years as the plant secretary for Metromedia and Scientific Applications, Inc. prior to starting at Lomont Molding in 1981, where she provided 36 years of service in the accounting department before retiring in 2017.

A lifelong resident of Mount Pleasant, Nancy was a member of St. Alphonsus Church, the Mount Pleasant Golf & Country Club, the Moose Lodge, and the VFW. She was blessed with several close friends she often traveled with or, most recently, gathered to discuss ‘old times’ and trips to the casino. She also enjoyed watching her grandchildren grow into adults.

Nancy is survived by two sons, Jim (Julie) Longwell of Lakewood, CO, and Mike (Dawn) Longwell of Ely, IA. Four grandchildren: Ashley Longwell, Brandon (Anna) Yale, Aaron (Catherine) Longwell, and Adam Longwell. A sister, Margaret Cimeley of Paducah, KY, and two sisters-in-law, Patricia Wera-Longwell of St. Paul, MN, and Lorraine Longwell of Marion, IA, and five nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald & Edith Brown, her husband, Dale, and brother-in-law, John Wera.

Friends may call from 12 Noon to 7 PM on Tuesday, April 15 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mount Pleasant. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-6 PM on Tuesday evening. The funeral service for Nancy will be 10:30 AM on Wednesday, April 16 at the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 607 S. Jackson Street, Mt. Pleasant, with Father Ross Epping, Pastor of St. Alphonsus, officiating. Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

A memorial has been established in her memory. Proceeds will support the Mount Pleasant Fellowship Cup and St. Alphonsus Church.

Thoughts and memories may be shared with her family and friends at www.kimzeyfh.com.

Cleo Lucille McKim, 99, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, April 3, 2025 at the Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield.

Cleo was born November 30, 1925 in Fertile, Iowa. She was the daughter of Paul James and Verna Lucille (Brown) Humphrey. She attended school in Fertile and graduated as the Valedictorian of the Fertile High School Class of 1943. She then attended the former Midland Radio School in Kansas City, MO.

Cleo worked as a radio operator for American Airlines at LaGuardia Field in New York City. A longtime gifted pianist, Cleo played the piano for young female singer named Jean McKim, who happened to be the sister of a US Navy Sailor from Iowa. A courtship between Cleo and the young sailor ensued. On March 15, 1947 in Cedar Rapids, IA, Cleo was united in marriage to Robert William “Bob”  McKim.

The couple settled in Mt. Pleasant where Cleo worked for a time at the Shafer Pen Company. Cleo continued with her piano and music skills. At age 50, Cleo began instruction in playing the pipe organ. She studied organ under Carl Moehlman, Associate Professor of Music and College Organist of Iowa Wesleyan College. She first became the Assistant Organist at First United Methodist Church, playing for the 8 AM worship service. Cleo then became the Organist for the church. She also accompanied the Chancel Choir, and played for many weddings and funerals. For a time, Cleo also played in the church’s Bell Choir. At age 85, Cleo retired as organist of the church.

Cleo was a member of First United Methodist Church and P.E.O. Chapter Original A. Cleo loved to play Bridge. She had belonged to several bridge clubs and was often called to fill in for other bridge players.  Cleo was also a published poet & author for Our Iowa magazine & Lyrical Iowa.  She was also a champion speller, winning every spelling bee at Old Threshers that she entered.

Those thankful for sharing in Cleo’s life include her 3 children – Ted W. McKim and his wife Ginger of Clermont, Fl, Dennis R. McKim of Blue Ridge, VA and Sue Lowe and her husband Joe of Mt. Ida, AR; 3 sisters in law – Karen Humphrey of Clear Lake, Gladys Humphrey of Lake Mills, Sally McKim of Ames and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her father (Nov 1977), her mother (May 1972), her beloved husband of 57 years, Bob (Dec. 4, 2004), and 4 brothers – Robert, Leighton, Earl and Wayne Humphrey.

Cleo donated her body to the Deeded Body Program of the University of Iowa Medical School. A memorial funeral service for Cleo will be held at 2PM on Wednesday, April 9, at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Court M. Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.

Friends and family are invited to join in a luncheon beginning at 12 Noon on Wednesday in the Fellowship Hall of the church. The family will then receive friends from 1-2 PM at the church.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Cleo and her family.