Rick Lynn “Rickie” Schiller

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 pm CDT

Rick Lynn “Rickie” Schiller, 67, of Donnellson, Iowa passed away at 8:35 p.m. Saturday, November 30, 2024, near Jordan, Montana.

He was born on February 21, 1957, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Leo and Alice (Jesberg) Schiller.

Rickie is survived by his wife: Anita; daughter: Amanda Clifford of Wayland, Missouri; three grandchildren: Ashton, Shaylee, and Freya; three siblings: Joann Knisley of Donnellson, Garry Schiller of Donnellson, and Ernie (Cheryl) Schiller of Donnellson; six nieces: Dawn (Kyle) VanAusdall, LeAnn (Kevin) Rink, Tara (Jason) Farley, Alicia (Larry) Haynes, Amanda (Jason) Myhre, and Arie Schiller; two nephews: Billy Knisley and Chris (Michelle) Schiller; four great nieces: Sara (Dylan) Bruns, Kara Knisley, Payton Schiller, Lainie Zachmeyer; six great-nephews: Eric (Jenny) VanAusdall, Ryan (Miranda) VanAusdall, Christopher (Darynne) Wenger, Ethan Knisley, Levi Schiller, and Ian Schiller and a sister-in-law: Nadine Shannon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers in infancy: Arlet and Terry.

Rickie was a 1975 graduate of Central Lee High School. He was known as the “Mayor of Charleston”. In 2024, he received an award for the Central Lee Athletic Hall of Fame. He was on the board of trustees for the Charleston Township, and he played college basketball at Indian Hills Community College on a full ride scholarship.

He enjoyed farming, mushroom hunting, elk hunting, deer hunting, fishing and socializing. He loved his family Fourth of July BBQs, fish frys, gambling, and following sports teams especially the St. Louis Cardinals. Everyone enjoyed talking to Rick and hearing his stories.

A visitation will be held from 12:00 noon to 7 p.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 7, 2024 at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Donnellson with Pastor Tony Keefe officiating.

Following the funeral service, his body will be entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Burial will be at a later date in the Charleston Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in his memory to Donnellson Fire and Rescue, Central Lee Sports Boosters or the PAW Animal Shelter.

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

Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee and Local First Responders to Give Away 200 Hams

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 12:43 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (Dec. 2, 2024) — As part of its annual Hams for the Holidays campaign, Hy-Vee employees will join with local first responders to distribute 200 Hormel® Cure 81® hams on Wednesday, Dec. 4 beginning at 5 p.m. while supplies last.  The event benefits families in need and will be held at the Mount Pleasant Hy-Vee, 1700 E. Washington Street.

Now in its seventh year, Hams for the Holidays is a collaborative effort with Hormel Foods to help fight food insecurity in communities served by Hy-Vee stores. This location is one of 18 stops that Hy-Vee is making across its eight-state region delivering 5,000 total hams.

The event continues until 7 p.m. or until all hams are distributed, whichever occurs first. Media is encouraged to attend the event.

“Festival of Lights” Open Now Until December 31st

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 12:05 pm CDT

Weeks of preparation, planning and setup are now done, and the joy of Christmas is shining bright for another season of the Mount Pleasant “Festival of Lights”.

You can expect to spend anywhere from a half hour to an hour to drive through the near 2 mile route. Many Families make it tradition to see Santa while he is in town for the Festival of Lights.

In the 12 years of the festival they started with 60 displays and will have over 180 lighted displays this year.

The Festival of Lights is open until December 31st, from 5:30pm-9pm. $10 a car load.

Board of Supervisors Meeting December 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 11:02 am CDT

AGENDA

Board of Supervisors Office – December 5, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

1.Approve Agenda

2.Approve Minutes

3.Approve Claims

4.Department Head Meeting

5.Katie Reuter, Public Health Budget Vaccines

6.SEIRPC Resolution # 31-2024

  •  Henry County Support the Great River Housing Trust Fund

7.28E Agreement for Contribution for Emergency Medical Services

8.Public Comments

Other County Business as time allows

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Guidelines for Speakers

When you are called upon to speak, stand if possible, and address the Board as a whole, not an individual member.

Be concise in your comments. You have a limit of three (3) minutes.

Be civil and courteous with your comments. Profanity will not be tolerated.

Speakers may not use Public Comment to harass the Board or other elected officials or engage in disturbing behavior. Public Comment is not for asking questions of the Board members or engaging in a dialogue or debate.

Conversations with Board members should be arranged for outside of Board meetings.

Disturbances will not be tolerated and may be cause for removal.

Jake Junior Vicars

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 10:57 am CDT

Jake Junior Vicars, 93, of Hillsboro died Saturday, November 30, 2024, at Park Place Elder Living in Mount Pleasant.

Junior was born November 17, 1933, in Stockport, Iowa, the son of Jake and Alta (Marshall) Vicars. He graduated from Salem High School in 1950. On April 4, 1953, Junior was united in marriage to Bonnie Haushahn at her parent’s home in Salem. The couple made their home on their farm in rural Hillsboro. Junior was a hardworking and dedicated farmer until his retirement in 1996. He was a member of the Salem Congregational Church. Junior loved to spend time with his family. He was especially fond of going to all activities his kids, grandkids and great grandkids were involved in. Junior enjoyed any type of hunting, trapping and fishing from the bridge. He had a passion for playing baseball, he spent many years coaching kids of all ages. Junior, along with others, was instrumental in founding the Salem Recreation Association.

Junior is survived by son, Clint Vicars of Salem; daughter, Colleen (Don) Kramer of rural Hillsboro; four grandchildren, Keith Kramer, Megan Kramer, Jacob (April Forsyth) Kramer and Lucas (Justice) Kramer; six great-grandchildren, Rhion, Finn, Cruz, Katherine, Madeline and Lincoln; brother-in-law Keith Mills of Burlington; sister-in-law Shirley Tiemann of Henderson, TX; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Bonnie; brothers Herman, Roscoe, Bob; sisters Ida Mae, Ruth, Ella Jay, Mary; niece Shirley; and nephew Randy.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 6, 2024, at Salem Congregational Church in Salem. Pastor Aaron Helterbran will officiate. Burial will be in the Salem East Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-7 p.m. Thursday at the Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory where the family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Salem Recreation Association and Salem Old Settlers. The Olson-Powell Chapel and Crematory is caring for Junior and his family.

Henry County Optimist Club Metting December 3rd

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 9:39 am CDT

The Henry County Optimist Club will start their next round of meetings on Tuesday.

The Noon Optimists Club in Henry County is best known for the 400+ US Flags that we line our streets with. That display goes up four times each season beginning on Memorial Day.

The Noon Optimist Club begins their meetings on Tuesday December 3rd.

Those wishing to attend can come to the south entrance of Holtkamp Auto Repair at noon.

Bring your own lunch, water and pop are provided.

Christmas Traditions Will Fill the Streets of Mount Pleasant This Week

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 7:14 am CDT

The Mount Pleasant Holiday Parade is this Thursday, starting at 5:15pm. This year’s theme is Christmas Traditions. Over 50 entries have signed up for this year’s Holiday Parade.

It is important to know, the parade route has changed this year. Rachel, with the Mount Pleasant Chamber, explains the route and fun after the parade.

The fun does not stop with the end of the parade. Downtown Businesses will be open late for shopping and fun in Central Park. Holiday on Main will be complete with Horse and carriage rides, roasted chestnuts, s’mores station, Mrs. Clause reading stories, cookie decorating, & letters to Santa!

Holiday Parade at 5:15 PM. Holiday on Main 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Downtown Parking will be limited for safety during the parade.

Open Casting Call for “The Hallelujah Girls”

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, December 2nd, 2024 at 6:45 am CDT

Players Workshop is looking for women and men “of a certain age” to audition for the winter comedy The Hallelujah Girls by Jessie Jones, Nicholas Hope, and Jamie Wooten.  Open auditions will be held Sunday, Dec. 15, and Monday, Dec. 16, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Players Workshop, 1431 Grove St., Burlington.  Parts are available for 6 women and 2 men.  Although the cast calls for actors in the 50-60 age range, the director says she is “really looking for a cohesive, middle-aged group, rather than a specific age.” For more information, contact the director at playersworkshoptheater.com.