Twila Mae Keller

Twila Mae Keller, 89, of Fairfield, passed away Saturday, October 26, 2024 at Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.

Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Funeral services celebrating her life will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 30th at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Cary officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Fairfield. Memorials may be made to the McElhinney House in Fairfield in care of the family at 2949 Glasgow Rd. Fairfield, IA 52556.

Twila was born December 28, 1934 in Stockport, Iowa, the daughter of Robert “Bob” and Opal (Hall) Johnson.

 She married Clarence “Mark” Keller, March 14, 1954 at the Stockport Christian Church. He preceded her in death June 21, 2005.

Throughout her life Twila worked on the family farm, Handy Pantry, Shirley’s Café, Community Childcare Center, and Kramer’s Hallmark. She was a member of the Fairfield Women’s Club.

Twila enjoyed sewing, baking, embroidery, gardening and tending to her flowers, hosting holiday dinners, taking day trips and going out for meals, and cherished her time spent with her grandchildren.

Those left to honor her memory include her children, Phyllis (Dave) Freeman of Fairfield and Alan (Kathy) Keller of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; daughters-in-law, Kim Keller and Sandra Keller, both of Fairfield; 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; and her sister, Barbara Giberson of Stockport.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Mike and Steve Keller, and infant son, Billy Keller; and her brother, Bob “Pinky” Johnson.

Online condolences may be made to Twila’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com.

October 28, 2024 – November 3, 2024

10/28/24
Trev & Kelly White *Anniversary
10/29/24
Brian Smith
10/29/24
Marilee Donnolly
10/30/24
Zach Detrick
10/30/24
Christy Renier - belated from Tuesday
10/31/24
Reece McNamee
10/31/24
Nicole Syfert
10/31/24
Steve Bain
10/31/24
Teresa Roberts
10/31/24
Kinley Jade Burden - #11!
11/01/24
Logan Borders
11/01/24
Megan Borders
11/01/24
Lindsey Lees
11/01/24
Brad Wesley
11/01/24
Bryce Creager
11/01/24
Carol Bookout
11/02/24
Christina Hill
11/02/24
Benjamin Bower
11/02/24
Donald Davidson
11/02/24
Sawyer Goettsche
11/02/24
Keelyn Kaufman
11/02/24
Brandon Harrison
11/02/24
Darrell & Susan Williamson - 50 yrs - * Happy Anniversary
11/03/24
Megan Denning
11/03/24
Katie Byczek
11/03/24
Julie Brown
11/03/24
Jacob Kruse

Prep Football: WACO Gets a Rematch and More Postseason Matchups

Postseason Football: The Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) released the playoff matchups for Classes 5A, 4A, and 3A, while the second-round pods have been announced for Classes 2A, 1A, A, and 8-Player. Here’s a look at our local teams.

Class 3A

District champion #5 Mt. Vernon will get to host Carroll for their first-round game in Pod D with Harlan Community facing off against Algona. Assumption, despite starting 0-4, claimed the runner-up spot in District 4. The Knights will travel to Wahlert Catholic for Pod C with Williamsburg hitting the road to compete against Independence.

Class 2A

Pod B will feature a district rematch as Mediapolis pulled off the upset against Northeast in the first round, they have been awarded a road game against Mid-Prairie. In a defensive showdown, the Golden Hawks defeated the Bulldogs 24-8.

After another dominant performance by Quincy Collins in #10 West Burlington/Notre Dame’s first-round victory against Centerville, the Falcons will have to fly to Anamosa for their Pod D placement. West Marshall and Van Meter are the other squads in the pod.

Class A

Pekin eked out a win last night to advance to the second round. #8 Panthers will be tasked with a road matchup against Madrid in Pod D. Bellevue, who defeated Danville, will take on the vaunted #4 Lisbon Lions in a road matchup.

8-Player

Iowa Valley and WACO, district 6 champion and runner-up, could face a possible rematch this time with a trip to the UNI-Dome on the line; however, they will both have to win road matchups to get there.

WACO will get a rematch against #3 Don Bosco as the Dons knocked the Warriors out of the postseason a season ago in the second round. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm, kickoff at 7 pm.

The Warriors were unstoppable on the ground last night with 283 rushing yards and keeping Central City to under 100 rushing yards.

Don Bosco ran up the score against Springville, winning 66-19.

Iowa Valley was on the brink of a first-round collapse, trailing Southeast Warren at different junctions of the contest. Ultimately, the Tigers outscored Southeast Warren 20-8 to win 64-48.

Iowa Valley will now take on #5 Gladbrook-Reinbeck as they defeated Kee 62-30 in their first-round matchup.

More Information

For all matchups and first-round scores, follow this link: IHSAA Playoffs

Trick-or-Treat Locations & Times!

According to the drought monitor, almost 74 percent of Henry County is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.  The month of September is the 4th driest September on record over the past 130 years.

Looking ahead to weather in our area for Thursday, October 31st and Halloween:  the daytime high temperature is expected to be 56 degrees, dropping to 35 degrees overnight.  The sun will set at 6:02pm and we will have breezes at about 13 MPH.

TRICK OR TREAT 10/30/24, WEDNESDAY

Moose Lodge/Mt. Pleasant/108 N. Saunders Ave 10/30/24:  5:00pm – 7:00pm

Trenton: 10/30/24 5:00pm – 7:00pm

TRICK OR TREAT 10/31/24, THURSDAY

City of Mt. Pleasant: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

City of Salem: Weenie Roast 5:30-6:30, Trick or Treat 5:30pm-7:30pm

Danville: 5:30pm-7:00pm

New London: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Wayland: 5:30pm – 7:00pm

Winfield: 6:00pm – 8:00pm

Please check out KILJ.COM and Community Calendar for these events.

 

“Meet the Candidates” – MPCSD School Board Meeting

The MPCSD School Board is holding a special session board meeting on Monday, October 28th.  Included in that meeting is a “Meet the Candidates” Forum, at 6pm in the High School Media Center, 2104 S. Grand Avenue.

The following candidates will be attending:
Jeff Shipley – House District #87
Thomas O’Donnell – House District #87
Jeff Poulter – House District #95
Lisa Ossian – Senate District #44
John Dabeet – Senate District #48

Red Ribbon Week

Red Ribbon Week is celebrated annually at the end of October and is the nation’s oldest and largest drug prevention awareness program. The 2024 theme is “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free”.

The origin of the Red Ribbon Campaign traces back to 1985, following the tragic murder of Drug Enforcement Agent Enrique “Kiki” Camarena. This initiative, initiated by NFP, symbolizes a commitment to raising awareness about the devastating impact of drugs in America.

Red Ribbon Week kicks off on Monday, October 28 through the 31st!  The MPCSD is urging students to wear red on Monday!

Sports, October 26th

Postseason Football

On a cold night, WACO’s variety of smashmouth football shocked Central City last night as the Warriors smacked the Wildcats 39-16. A big reason for that success was WACO’s defense as the Warriors held one of the top rushing attacks in the state to less than 100 yards. Warrior head coach Chad Edeker talked about the win after the game,

“Oh, I thought our defense played great to hold those guys to 16 points. That’s awesome. I think, you know, I don’t know. Officially they have. I don’t think they much more than 100 yards rushing, probably total. Klostermann, heck of a back. He’s got 1800 yards in the season. Our kids did a great job of getting to the ball, getting multiple guys to the ball. You know, he’d spin and break one tackle and there be two guys standing ready to hit him. I thought we did a good job.”

The Warrior offense started humming in the second half as Trey Edeker rambled off a 68-yard rushing touchdown as he tallied three rushing touchdowns on the game, while Louden Huisenga claimed 146 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win. Coach Edeker gave credit to the offensive linemen for the win last night,

“You know, our frontline: Rafe, Joel, Adam, Owen, Tyler. Those five guys, when we go to that, that, that double tight heavy set and just pound the ball they did a great job of down blocking and Trey kicked out and allowed and did a good job of reading it we don’t we don’t run it that much you know we just started running the last couple weeks and it’s worked and we try not to do in practice too much it’s physical it’s tough on our kids that to be that physical and they did a great job tonight running it.”

WACO will play on Friday, November 1st, for the second round of the playoffs. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union hung in with Montezuma but the Braves exited with the home win 61-54. The Wolves ended the season with a 5-4 record.

Danville lost to Bellevue last night 43-7. The Bears finished the season a 5-4 record. 

Columbus was eliminated from the postseason last night by Maquoketa Valley 61-13. The Wildcats finished with a 4-5 record for the season.

#10 West Burlington/Notre Dame picked up their first postseason victory in program history after defeating Centerville last night 38-22. Quincy Collins rushed for over 250 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons await their next opponent for the second round of the postseason.

Mediapolis pulled off the upset last night, defeating Northeast 21-6 to advance to the second round of the postseason. 

High School Football

Mt. Pleasant fell to Assumption last night 35-0. The Knights will advance to the postseason after finishing as the runner-up in the district. The Panthers finish the season with a 4-5 record. 

Fairfield lost to Grinnell last night 45-27. The Trojans ended the year with a 2-7 record.

In other District four games, #7 Mt. Vernon destroyed Keokuk 62-7 and Washington handled Fort Madison 41-21. The Mustangs advanced to the postseason. 

Postseason Volleyball

In Class 1A Region 2, Holy Trinity Catholic will host Wapello on Monday, October 28th, at 7 pm for the Regional Semifinal. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 6:45 pm. 

In Class 2A Region 2, Van Buren County will travel to face off against #2 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont at 7 pm on Monday. 

In Region 3, #14 West Burlington will compete against Lisbon at home on Monday at 7 pm. 

High School Cross Country

The Class 3A state meet is scheduled for Friday, November 1st, in Fort Dodge with both Washington teams and Mt. Pleasant’s Quintrie Lee making the trip. 

The Class 1A and Class 2A state meet will run on Saturday, November 2nd. 

Southeastern Community College

The volleyball team defeated Spoon River College last night in straight sets. The Blackhawks will continue their Triangular today with their first match at noon against Black Hawk College.

College Football

Iowa will be searching for a win today at home against Northwestern at 2:30 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM will be on the call.

#10 Iowa State is on a bye week.

This Day in Sports History

1982 – Steve Carlton becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young awards.

1986 – Trailing 5-3 with 2 outs and no one on in the bottom of the 10th, the New York Mets rally to win Game 6 of the World Series, 6-5, when Boston Red Sox infielder Bill Buckner misplays a ball at Shea Stadium in New York.

2005 – MLB World Series: Chicago beats Houston 1-0 in Game 4 at Minute Maid Park to sweep the Astros and win the White Sox their first title in 88 years; MVP: Chicago outfielder Jermaine Dye.

Local Postseason and Regular Season Football Scores (Week 9)

8-Player

(8-1) Iowa Valley 64, (6-3) Southeast Warren 48

(9-1) Montezuma 61, (5-4) Winfield-Mt. Union 54

(8-1) WACO 39, (6-4) Central City 16

Class A

(8-1) Maquoketa Valley 61, (4-5) Columbus 13

(8-1) Pekin 28, (6-3) North Linn 20

(7-2) Bellevue 43, (5-4) Danville 7

Class 2A

(5-4) Mediapolis 21, (7-2) Northeast 6

(6-3) Mid-Prairie 35, (3-6) Union Community 7

(8-1) #10 West Burlington/Notre Dame 38, (4-5) Centerville 22

Class 3A

(6-3) Grinnell 45, (2-7) Fairfield 27

(8-1) #7 Mt. Vernon 62, (3-6) Keokuk 7

(4-5) Assumption 35, (4-5) Mt. Pleasant 0

(6-3) Washington 41, (0-9) Fort Madison 21

Class 4A

(6-3) #9 Xavier 49, (2-7) Burlington 6