Arlene A. Bonar, 89, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of Burlington and Fort Madison passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, August 23, 2025, at Park Place Elder Living Center.

Arlene was born on August 28, 1935, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Clarence and Sophie (Beine) Henschen.  The family later moved to Fort Madison where she was a student at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Central Catholic High School.  She was involved in many clubs and organizations.  Arlene was a cheerleader and was the homecoming queen of 1953.

Arlene was united in marriage to Robert Dean “Bob” Bonar on August 19, 1953, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ft. Madison. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2014. She worked at Sheaffer Pen in the office.  In 1959, they moved to Burlington, there she was a stay at home mom.  She always said her greatest accomplishments and joy were her children.  She never missed a football or basketball game or school function.  

In 1976 they moved to Mount Pleasant, and she decided to go back to work.  Starting at Martha Browns, then moving to Spurgeons Department Store where she was one of the “Candy Ladies.”  Arlene loved watching the Iowa Hawkeye Basketball games with her sons and son-in-law, her sense of humor always kept us guessing.  Arlene was a member of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church along with the Altar and Rosary Society.  

Arlene will be missed by her children, Pam (Tom) Tipton, Steve (Jackie) Bonar, and Scott (Leigh Weisshaupt) Bonar, her loving grandchildren, Jennifer, David, Morgan, Chase and Brande and her great-grandsons, Jackson, Nathan, Carter, Miles, Benton and Carter. She was the best mother ever and we all have a hole in our hearts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bob Bonar, her son, Mike Bonar, her sister, Annette Lockwood, along with many aunts and uncles.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant with Father Ross Epping officiating.   Burial will be in the St. Alphonsus Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 2 until 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mount Pleasant. The family will not be present.  The family will receive friends on Friday at the church from 10 until service time.  Memorials may be directed in her memory to EveryStep Hospice of Mount Pleasant or to the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant is caring for her arrangements.

Irene Boyer Stagers passed away at Savannah Heights, Mt. Pleasant, at the age of 95.

Memorial Services celebrating her life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, August 30, 2025 at First United Methodist Church in Fairfield with luncheon to follow. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Private burial will be at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Douds. Memorials made be made to First United Methodist Church, Mt. Moriah Cemetery, or Fairfield Community Center and mailed to Bev Nelson P.O. Box 87, Libertyville, Iowa 52567. Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield is assisting the family.

Irene was born November 30, 1929 near Pittsburg, Van Buren County, Iowa to Lawrence and Selma (Clemens) Boyer. She attended Van Buren Schools, playing basketball on several winning teams. On August 3, 1946 in Memphis, Missouri she married Warren Edward Stagers from Douds, Iowa.

Irene and Warren lived in Douds for many years then bought a farm northwest of Fairfield in 1959. Irene was a farm wife and worked various part-time jobs in Fairfield such as at the Tastee Freeze (where she memorized many of the regular’s orders), many years at Gimbel’s Jewelry, then retiring from Washington School.

Irene was actively involved in volunteer work over the years especially for the VFW Auxiliary, where she was past president, First United Methodist Church, and JCHC Auxiliary, working at the Bargain Box as needed. She was a lifetime member of the neighborhood Victory Club.

She enjoyed reading, puzzles, naps, bingo, playing cards, socializing, tractor rides with Warren, dancing and going to the casino. While living on the farm she raised vegetables in two gardens, canning and freezing most of the produce. She enjoyed her flower gardens with cut flowers on her table to enjoy.

Together they raised five children: Linda Stagers Simpson, Charlotte, North Carolina; Shirley Stagers (Ron Shy), Cape Fair, Missouri; Bev Stagers Nelson (Rod Nelson), Libertyville; Lori Stagers Boyer (Jay Martinez), Thorton, Colorado; and daughter-in-law, Becky (Fry) Stagers, Bettendorf, Iowa.

Her cherished grandchildren: Alissa Simpson (Forrest) King of Charlotte, North Carolina, Amanda Stagers (Adam) Creighton of Bettendorf, Iowa, and Trenton Nelson of Libertyville.

Her dear great grandchildren: Ahriyana Creighton (Tyler) Timmerman of Galesburg, Illinois, Alex Creighton of Bettendorf, Iowa, Ronin King and Irie King of Charlotte, North Carolina.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Stagers; son, Jim Stagers; granddaughter, Lindsay Stagers; son-in-law, Jim Simpson, and her parents.

Irene was the last of her eight brothers and sisters: Dorothy Wood, John Boyer, Wilma McVey, Wayne Boyer, Harold Boyer, Marilyn Nelson, and Esther Lancaster preceded her in death.

James Edward Carpenter, 68, of West Point, Iowa, passed away 7:36 p.m. Thursday, August 21, 2025, unexpectedly due to cancer complications at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

He was born on December 8, 1956, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Edward D. and Louise (Kaufman) Carpenter.

Survivors include his mother: Louise Pieper of Fort Madison; daughter: Doris Kempker of Donnellson; son: Wade Carpenter of Olds and sister: Kelly (Carl) Bergman of West Point. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father: Edward; step-father: Harry Pieper and nephew: Eric Bergman.

Jim attended Fort Madison High School until the age of seventeen when he enlisted in the United States Army. He enjoyed being outdoors, hunting, fishing, mushroom hunting, music and riding his motorcycle. Jim especially enjoyed spending time with his mother.

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

A private family graveside service with full military rites will be held at Oakland Cemetery in Fort Madison.

A memorial has been established in his memory and can be mailed to the family at: Schmitz Funeral Home, P.O. Box 22, West Point, Iowa 52656.

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