Robert L. Latta

Robert L. “Bob” Latta, 77, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Thursday, March 13, 2025 at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant, while under hospice care, after he unexpectedly suffered a heart attack.

Bob was born on August 14, 1947, in Osceola, Iowa, where his father served as a minister at the Osceola Methodist Church. He was the son of the Rev. Lloyd Alexander and Beulah Ardella (Dickey) Latta. In 1950, the family relocated to Red Oak, Iowa. Bob was active in Scouts and sports throughout his early years. In 1958, they moved again, this time to Washington, Iowa, where Bob continued to pursue sports and school activities. In 1964, he moved to Grinnell, where he completed his high school education. That year, Bob played as an end on the football team and participated in track, even running in the prestigious Drake Relays with his high school team.
Bob had a deep love for animals, and no stray cat or bird went unfed if it crossed his path. One notable example was Sheeba, a cat who had been physically and emotionally hurt. Bob patiently worked to earn her trust, took her to the vet for care, and welcomed her into his home. Sheena lived with Bob for 23 years, though her age at the time he took her in remains unknown.

With a gentle and loving spirit, Bob remained kind-hearted throughout his life.
Bob enjoyed spending time working in his shop, creating birdhouses, bird feeders, and many other crafts. He also found joy in yard work and caring for his Birds his garden and home. Bob had a deep passion for birds. On his country home, he had built more than 100 birdhouses, each carefully designed to provide shelter and comfort for his small, winged visitors. He knew every species that nested on his land and spent hours observing them, learning their songs and habits.
His dog, named Cookie, was his faithful companion. Every spring, after winter subsided and the fields returned to life, Bob and Cookie would walk together through the fields in the two meadows surrounding the house. While Bob tended the plants, Cookie hovered nearby, watching for intruders to disturb the peace of the land. Bob’s life revolved around nature, finding joy and purpose in tending his land and in the company of his feathered friends and his loyal dog.

Those thankful for sharing in Bob’s life include 2 siblings – Rick Latta and his wife Nelly of Miami, Fl and Rosalyn Laliwala of Albany,NY; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and sister, Marilynn Knight, precede Bob in death.

A memorial funeral service for Bob will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Pastor Jeffery A. McPheron of the Trenton/Wesley Chapel United Methodist Churches will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Oakland Mills Cemetery, rural Mount Pleasant. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to the service at the church. The family will also greet friends at a reception following the memorial service.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, is caring for Bob and his family.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Brock Mica Welcher, 52, of New London, died Monday, March 17, 2025 in the company of loved ones at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Brock was born on August 5, 1972 in Mt. Pleasant. Surviving parents are Kathy Nicholson Fox and Randy Fox of Waxhaw, NC and Kenny and Peggy Welcher of Mt. Pleasant; four sisters – Tina Welcher Starnes (Shane) of Marshville, NC , Kylie Parrott (Daniel) of Weddington, NC and Morgan Lance (Rob) of New London and Lindsey Torgler (Cody) of Tiffin, IA, and a brother, Joe Welcher (Catherine of Berryton, KS. Also surviving are many nieces and a nephew.

Brock was a proud and loving father of five children: Captain Brennan Welcher, US Marine Corps (Emilee) of Jacksonville, NC, Serie Welcher of Fairbank, IA, Kaela Bass (Logan) of Mt. Pleasant; Tate and Linken Welcher of New London.

Brock was an accomplished athlete, distinguishing himself in baseball, soccer, cross country and basketball as he grew up in Decatur, IL and Lincoln University, PA.

He also made his mark returning to Mt. Pleasant where he lettered in baseball and punted for the football team. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community High School and attended the University of Northern Kentucky.

His love for sports and children led him to coach soccer, baseball and softball for many years. He instructed players to use the right techniques and was a firm believer in giving everyone an opportunity and encouragement.

Brock most recently worked as an Air Cargo Supervisor for the Industrial Service Corporation of Burlington. It was a position he enjoyed and for a company that worked with him during his 15-month battle with cancer that entailed chemotherapy, multiple radiation treatments and a myriad of prescriptions.

Brock served his country for 6 years as a Marine with initial training in Palm Desert, CA followed by regular training as a Reservist.

Celebration of Life services for Brock will be held at a later date.

In respect for and remembrance of Brock and the compassionate care he received, bequests can be directed to the Hospice House, Great River Health Foundation, 1221 S. Gear Ave., West Burlington, IA, 52655.

Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Barbara Eloise (Turner) Molloy died at Addington Place of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa of natural causes on March 17, 2025. She was born June 5, 1932 in San Francisco, CA to George and Lucille (Burkdoll) Turner. Later the family moved to southern California where she graduated from South Gate High School in 1950.

In August of 1950, she married John Secord, and they welcomed five children into the family. They later divorced. In 1967, she met and married Edward Molloy and welcomed another daughter into the family. She was a homemaker for many years, then worked as a buyer at North American in Downey, CA and then at Litton Industries in Culver City, CA and Pasagoula, MS (Ingalls Shipyard) before retiring.

Barbara and Ed enjoyed sailing in southern California, especially getaways to Catalina Island, and after transferring to Mississippi in 1972, sailed in the Gulf of America. For two years, they lived aboard and cruised around Florida and up the east coast. They also traveled the United States in their RV while working for Trailer Life/Good Sam.

Grandma Honey, as her grandchildren call her, loved being with family so much that she and Ed instituted week-long family reunions for their six adult children and families who were now living spread across the United States. This tradition continued from 1987 to 2001, when the family gatherings transitioned into grandchildren’s weddings.

After Ed’s death in 2003, Barbara applied and was accepted as a live-in volunteer with the Benedictine Sisters of Florida and Holy Name Monastery in St. Leo, FL. Although she worried at age 70, she was too old, and the sisters might not let her stay very long, the friendship with the sisters grew and she stayed until 2020 when she moved to Addington Place of Mt. Pleasant, IA, an assisted living center.

Edward Molloy, her husband, preceded her in death. She is survived by her children – Grogory Secord (Tracy), Margi Mountz (Ted), Maureen Kaupke (Jeff), Philip Secord (Marisa), Lori McCarley (John) and Cindy Borland (Kevin); sisters Shirley Lawrence (Dick) and Jane Turner; 19 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren, fournieces and one nephew.

A visitation and rosary will take place at Moss Feaster Funeral Home, 693 South Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL, 33764. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Saint Catherine of Ssiena Catholic Church, 1955 S. Belcher Rd., Clearwater. A reception will take place immediately after Mass in the parish hall. Interment at Calvary Catholic Cemetery will follow the reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Benedictine Sisters of Florida, Holy Name Monastery, 12138 Wichers Road, St. Leo, FL, 33574 or https://benedictinesistersoffl.org

Local arrangements have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Roland D. Batten, 90, of the Keosauqua Health Center, formerly of Croton, Iowa, and Chicago, Illinois, passed away at 5:30 a.m. Monday, March  7, 2025 at the Keosauqua Health Center.

Born November 12, 1934 in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Harry S. and Irma (Ferguson) Batten.

Survivors include two brothers: Bill (June) Batten of Croton, Iowa and  Bob (Sandy) Batten of Mount Pleasant, Iowa; sister Audrey Willits of Croton, Iowa; nephews: Scott Batten, Eric Batten, William Batten, Robert Willits, David Willits, Nathan Batten, and Aaron Batten; and nieces: Jennifer Wells and Sherri Rider.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Chris Batten; and nephews Zachary Batten, and  Johnathan Batten.

Roland was the manager of  Union Station in Chicago. He attended many theatre performances throughout the years. He was an avid Chicago Cubs baseball fan. Roland loved spending time with his family.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

A private family burial will be held at a later date in the Croton Cemetery.

Memorials have been established in his memory and can be mailed to Schmitz Funeral Home  P.O. Box 56, Donnellson, Iowa 52625.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.

Garth Ganka Obituary

Garth A. Ganka, 88, of Burlington and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2025, at the West Point Care Center.

 A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant.  Burial will follow with full military honors in the Oakland Mills Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 10 until service time on Friday at the Murphy Funeral Home.  Memorials may be directed to All God’s Creatures in his memory.