Jared Paul Smith, 30, of Mount Pleasant, died peacefully Saturday, November 2, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.

Jared was born February 15, 1994, in Mount Pleasant, the son of David and Janet (McMillan) Smith. He graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2013. Jared was confirmed and baptized at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where he continued to be a faithful member, as well as a member of Knights of Columbus. Jared worked as a greeter at Orscheln’s, welcoming everyone with a big smile. He was an Eagle Scout, member of the Tribe of the Silver Tomahawk and a nine year 4-H member.

Jared could often be found fishing and spending time at his Make A Wish cabin. He was particularly fond of the outdoors watching squirrels, birds and meticulously maintaining his Purple Martin houses. Picking out pecans was one of his favorite pastimes as well as completing puzzles, Legos, and the time spent making wooden crosses. Jared loved music, singing and belting out Johnny Cash during karaoke. Jared was proud to exhibit his Case lawn tractor and Farmall H tractor at Old Threshers. A unique hobby of Jared’s was polishing grommets from worn out American Flags and giving them to Veterans. He was passionate about Mount Pleasant Panther football. Jared loved root beer, peach rings, and ‘skinless’ pumpkin pie, meaning no crust. He loved listening to KILJ.

Jared did not let Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy define him. He would send Christmas cards all over the United States to others with his same condition. Jared’s family would like to thank the University of Iowa Neuromuscular Clinic for the care he received.

Jared is survived by his parents David and Janet Smith; sister Hannah (Drew) Perry and son Cooper of Solon; brother Cole (Shay Slifka) Smith of Lone Tree; grandparents Velna Smith of Salem, Robert and Elizabeth McMillan of Stanley; best friend Grant Davidson of Mount Pleasant; and his faithful companion dog Mollie.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather Edward Smith, uncle James McMillan, and beloved golden retriever Penny.

Memorial Mass will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024, at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Rev. Ross Epping will celebrate the Mass. Burial will follow in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be held 1:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 6, at the Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. The family will greet friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. A Vigil Wake Service will be held at 4:30 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Midwest Old Thresher’s for accessibility improvement. The Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory is caring for Jared and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Glenn Wilburn Ferrell died October 14, 2024, at the Parkview Care Center in Fairfield, Iowa, due to complications of a long illness.

A visitation for family and friends will be held 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. A Memorial Mass celebrating his life will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 8^th at St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield. Expect there to be bagpipes. Burial will be at Prairie Center Cemetery in Packwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Fairfield High School FFA, or Jefferson County 4-H and mailed to the family at 2096-155th St. Fairfield, IA 52556.
Glenn was born September 4, 1939, at the Jefferson County Hospital to James “J.W.” and Mary Lee (Harmond) Ferrell. Glenn was the youngest of three boys. He was baptized and attended the First Baptist Church in Fairfield until joining St. Mary Catholic Church in Fairfield after his marriage.

Glenn attended Blackhawk #7, a country school, where he started classes a year early as the teacher needed one more student to keep the school open. He then attended Fairfield High School, graduating in 1957. While attending Fairfield, he played football and was active in FFA, holding many offices. He was also awarded the Iowa Farmer Degree. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University and completed the Department of Agriculture Studies Winter Program. He then returned to Fairfield to farm with his father. Glenn believed in soil conservation and was one of the first farmers in the county to practice no-till and low-till farming.

When not on the tractor, Glenn worked at the Malleable Iron Foundry and Falco Aluminum. Glenn also worked with Bob Kiefer, doing whatever jobs needed to be done.

His family life began when he married Constance “Connie” Fedler, April 30, 1966, at St. Mary of Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. The new couple moved to a farm south of Veo and farmed fields north of Fairfield. They welcomed their son, Joseph, in March 1967 and their daughter, Jill, in 1974.

In 1973, Glenn was selected to attend the Young Farmers Educational Institute in Indianapolis, Indiana. He, Norman Baird, and three other farmers learned to facilitate and exchange information with others in agriculture to build understanding and strengthen agricultural practices. This conference resulted in the formation of the Iowa Young Farmers Educational Association in Iowa. Glenn was also honored to serve as a representative to many other national institutes and worked with Fairfield Agriculture instructor Roger Harrington.

As agriculture was the center of his life. In 1977, they moved to the farm north of Fairfield, where they raised cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans, and hay. Glenn was a 4-H leader and served on the Jefferson Country Fair Board for many years.

Glenn was an avid participant in his Class of ‘57 reunions, often making souvenirs for his classmates. He also enjoyed playing card games with friends. His passion for woodworking leaves an enduring legacy with family and friends receiving rolling pins, wooden spoons, cutting boards, Christmas sleds, and sleighs (made from the corncrib boards from Connie’s folk’s farm), as well as other quirky items like outhouses. Ask his niece Shelly about the special one-of-a-kind “spanking spatula.” When Connie and Glenn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, guests all received a commemorative stir stick. Glenn appreciated his family and heritage and had pottery crafted at Iron and Lace that featured his grandfather’s barn in Tennessee. Those pieces are treasured by his brothers, nieces, nephews, and children. Glenn even crafted the box that will house his cremains.

Anyone who knows Glenn knows he was a collector. He loved books, Fostoria American glass, art, and magazines. He especially loved pieces from Rick Cain and had the opportunity to visit his studio in Gainesville, Florida. His love of Fostoria started when he and Connie chose it as their wedding crystal. He even built Connie a solid cherry cupboard wide enough to hold her torte plate and 20-inch punch bowl. Glenn was an avid reader and loved Westerns, but he would also devour a cookbook like a novel. He put his hundreds of cookbooks to good use as he was a fantastic cook. His jambalaya was always a family favorite (except when it was a little too spicy, even for Glenn). Glenn also loved dogs, especially Boxer dogs. The first words out of his mouth to Joe were always to ask about the “pups.” Over the years, Glenn also cared for countless farm cats (and the accompanying raccoons and possums).

Even as his health deteriorated over the past few years, he still loved being with family and friends, celebrating holidays and birthdays.

Glenn was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law; brothers, Jim and Bob; brothers-in-law, Ted, Ed, and Mark Fedler; sisters-in-law, Christine (Fedler) Olson and Lori (Fedler) Humphrey; and sisters-in-law, Vivienne and Alice Ferrell. Left to celebrate his life are his wife, Connie; son, Joe (Tammy) of Roland, Iowa; daughter, Jill (Karl) of Fairfield; and grandchildren, Julia (James) Erickson of Richfield, Minnesota, Izadora of Des Moines; and the adorable three-year-old, Niko, whom Grandpa taught to love cowboy shows.

Robert L. Lerdal, 83, of New London, died Friday, November 1, 2024 at Bickford Cottage, Burlington.  He was born June 12, 1941 in Fort Dodge, Iowa to Lloyd M. and Ruby L. Knudson Lerdal.  On December 19, 1964 at Nashau, Iowa he married Diane P. Eden.  She died June 15, 2009.

Bob was a Belmond High School graduate.  He joined the Navy in 1959 serving in VietNam and was discharged in 1963.  He was an insurance adjuster for Auto-Owners Insurance for twenty-seven years, retiring in 2003.  He was a member of the Southeast Iowa Insurance Association; Deerwood Golf Club; was a former Jaycee member; and a former member of the Belmond fire department.  He enjoyed golfing, hunting and mushroom hunting; and loved attending his son’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.

Survivors include two sons Greg (Shelly) Lerdal of New London and Richard (Lyndsay) Lerdal of Burlington; grandchildren, Jackie (Josh) Housman, Jake (Haeli) Lerdal, Jessica (Kyle) Helmerson, Chase Lerdal, Casey Davis and Caydee Lerdal; great-grandchildren, Macklynn and Jack Housman, Callen Lerdal, Rhett and Rush Helmerson, Theo Mallott, and Aspen Fett; and one brother Roland “Bud” (Carol) Lerdal.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; infant son Allen; two sisters, Jan and Bev; and two brothers, Tom and Ken.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date at Burge Cemetery, New London.  In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established.  A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, November 8^th from 4 – 7 pm at Deerwood Golf Club, 2870 Deerwood Golf Drive, New London.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliotfuneralchapel.com.

Phil Speidel, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, November 1, 2024 at his son’s residence in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.