Kathleen “Kathy” G. Kessel, 69, of Fairfield, IA passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at the Jefferson County Health Care Center. As were Kathy’s wishes, cremation has taken place. A time to celebrate and remember Kathy will be held jointly with her daughter Jónquil’s FUNeral on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Fairfield Golf and Country Club. Friends may share memories and leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.
Nancy Ann Farquharson Conrad
Nancy Ann Farquharson Conrad, 92, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Friday evening, March 20, 2026 at Soldiers and Sailors Park Place, Mt. Pleasant. She was born August 5, 1933, in Albany, New York to John Edward and Adelaide “Della” (Dost) Farquharson. Her mother died immediately after giving birth to Nancy and her twin, Frank. In 1938, her father married Celeste W. Wilkin, who became a mother to the twins.
She graduated from Columbia High School in East Greenbush, New York, where she was a cheerleader and played field hockey. She continued her education and graduated from the College of St. Rose in Nursing in 1955 and worked at Sloan Kettering in New York City. She fondly remembered visits to her grandpa’s farm and trips to New York City.
On July 8, 1961, Nancy married Ernest Conrad, and they lived in Clinton Corners, New York where she worked in nursing. The family relocated to Iowa in 1976 and in 1984, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Iowa. She worked for 31 years as an associate nursing professor at Iowa Wesleyan College while continuing to work as a practicing nurse in several different medical establishments. Nancy was an active member of St. Alphonsus Church and after retiring from IWC as Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing, she volunteered with many organizations in the community.
Nancy is survived by her children; Susan (David) Martin, Tim (Karen) Conrad, Steve (Julie) Conrad, Joe (Ros) Conrad, and Don (Kari) Conrad, grandchildren; Emma Martin LaPlant, Liv Martin, Josh Conrad, Nick Conrad, Sarah Conrad, Amelia Conrad, Elaina Conrad and several great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, stepmother, brother Frank and her grandson Ethan.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 – 4:00 PM, Sunday, May 3, 2026 at Elliott Chapel, New London with a tribute by the Great River Nurse Honor Guard at 3:30. Memorials may be made to All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter in Mt. Pleasant or the Alzheimer’s Association. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Jon Michael “Fu” Fullerton
Jon Michael “Fu” Fullerton, 54, of Des Moines, died Thursday, April 14, 2026 at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines. He was born December 31, 1971 in Monticello, Iowa to Richard “Dick” and Anna Crockett Fullerton. Jon was of the Christian faith.
He worked at various positions in the food service business including cooking, waiting tables, singing, and locals may remember his smiling face at The Bistro in New London. He enjoyed music, photography and photo work, and skateboarding. Jon was very artistically talented in painting and pencil and ink drawings.
Jon is survived by his parents of Mt. Pleasant; two brothers, Daniel of Des Moines and James (Jenn) of Chicago; two nieces, Miranda and Ashley; many aunts, uncles and cousins; and a host of good friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents.
A Celebration of Jon’s life will be held May 9, 2026, at 11:00 am at Calvary Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant with a time of fellowship immediately following the service. A memorial has been established. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Fairfield Police Pursuit Results in Multiple Arrests After Multi-County Chase
A late-night pursuit involving Fairfield Police ended with two arrests after a multi-county chase Thursday.
According to the Fairfield Police Department, officers attempted a traffic stop around 10:42 p.m. near South 3rd Street and Washington Avenue. The driver failed to stop, leading officers on a pursuit through several city streets before heading out of town.
Authorities say the vehicle traveled southbound on 6th Street, west onto Harrison Avenue, south on 7th Street, and east on Libertyville Road before continuing south on Highway 1 and leaving the Fairfield city limits. The chase extended into Van Buren and Wapello counties.
The pursuit came to an end just north of Agency, where the driver left the roadway and drove into a small embankment. Both occupants then fled on foot, prompting a brief foot pursuit. Officers were able to take the suspects into custody shortly afterward.
Police arrested 25-year-old Edward Steven Feeney of Ottumwa. He is facing charges including eluding, a Class C felony, possession of methamphetamine—second offense, driving while barred, and interference with official acts.
Also arrested was 34-year-old Christina Marie Wagner of Ottumwa, who is charged with possession of methamphetamine, third or subsequent offense.
Both individuals were transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility, where they are being held pending an initial court appearance.
The Fairfield Police Department was assisted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Wapello County Sheriff’s Office, and 8th Judicial District Probation and Parole.
Authorities remind the public that all charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Fairfield Officer Recognized Nationally
A local law enforcement officer is being recognized for his work supporting crime victims.
The United States Department of Justice and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa are observing National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, held April 19th through the 25th, highlighting the theme “Listen. Act. Advocate. Protect victims, serve communities.”
As part of that observance, Fairfield Police Officer Braeden Nielson has received the Law Enforcement Victim Service Award. Nielson, who graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in 2023, was nominated by the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office.
Nielson’s dedication to victim advocacy goes beyond traditional patrol duties, with his work making a measurable impact in the Fairfield community. That includes investigations involving kidnapping, sexual exploitation, and sex offender registry violations.
U.S. Attorney David Waterman says the recognition underscores the importance of ensuring victims are heard and respected throughout the justice process.
116th Drake Relays: A Pair of Podium Finishers from Thursday’s Events for Southeast Iowa
Des Moines, IA- A series of strong storms tried to disrupt the 116th Drake Relays Thursday afternoon into the evening causing for an abbreviated schedule; nevertheless, a couple of our local athletes still carved out time to compete yesterday, which included a pair of podium finishers.
The one change that affected our local athletes was Greyson Hartman of Washington will now throw the discus on Saturday morning at 8 am.
Boys’ High Jump
The field events led off the evening for our high school teams with a trio from southeast Iowa competing in Lathan Keller of Mediapolis, Fort Madison’s Nolan Guzman, and former state champion Eli Zillman of Fairfield.
It was already a tough starting height with the competitors starting at 6’2”. It took Keller all three events to clear that height but could not get past 6’4, tying him for 14th place. It took Guzman only two attempts to make 6’2, but was also stumped by 6’4, giving him 12th place.
Zillman had no issues with the starting height and needed second tries for 6’4 and 6’6, but 6’8 was a bit too high for the Trojan, locking him in a tie for 4th place.
The winner of the event was Ajak Malual of Waukee as the sophomore hit 7’0 in just his second try.
Girls’ Shot Put
A pair of state champions made their way into the ring for southeast Iowa as Burlington’s Kylee Hill and Pekin’s Anna Hadley were looking to add more hardware to the mantle. Hadley got off to a strong start with a toss of 40 feet and 6.25 inches, which would secure her spot into the finals, though she would beat that mark in her third throw with a toss of 42 feet and 0.25 inches.
Hill got off to an inconspicuous start, scratching her first throw. She then revealed her hand when she uncorked a throw of 47 feet and 2 inches in her second try. No one else cleared 46 feet in the field. In fact, her three throws that counted would have finished in 1st, 2nd, and 4th place.
In the finals, Hadley would add another foot to her total to finish in 4th place with a heave of 43 feet and 2.5 inches, just five inches away from the bronze. Hill, in her fifth throw, would unleash a heave of 47 feet and 9.75 inches to officially win the day by over two feet.
Both Hill and Hadley are throwing the discus Friday morning.
Girls’ 3000-Meter Run
In one of the last events of the evening, Chloe Glosser of Pekin was competing in the 3000-meter run and there was a clear hierarchy amongst the top three runners. Glosser started closer to the middle of the pack through the first 600-meters but intensified her pace to hold the top spot after the first third of the race.
Evelyn Moeller of Mt. Vernon would take over the top spot before Charlee Gall of Cedar Falls went from 3rd to 1st in the final 1,000 meters and secured the win by three seconds. Glosser, who had fallen back to 4th place, sprinted to a final lap time of 1 minute and 12 seconds to grab the bronze medal with a time of 9 minutes and 39 seconds, which was nine seconds faster than 4th place.
Up Next
Stay tuned to KILJ for updates and recaps throughout the multi-day event!
Diana Lynn Farmer
Diana Lynn Farmer, 69 of Brighton, died Wednesday, April 23, 2026, at her home in Brighton.
Celebration of life will be at a later date. A memorial in the name of Diana Famer has been established for the Hospice of Washington County.
Diana was born August 07, 1956, in Ottumwa, Iowa, the daughter of Ernest Dale Jacobs and LeDoris Jane (Polson) Jacobs. She attended schools in Ottumwa and Pekin and earned her GED. She was married to Bill Farmer on May 28, 1976, in Wayland, Iowa.
She was employed with Perfex, McCleery Cummings, and was recently a janitor for Brighton City Hall. She enjoyed fishing and boating, where Bill and Diana would spend many hours fishing, taking care of house plants and gardening, and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Bill, of Brighton, IA; sisters Doris Rump and Deborah Appleget, both of Ottumwa, IA; brother Ernest Jacob Jr., Phoenix, AZ; 5 grandchildren and 6 great-great-grandchildren.
Diana was preceded by her parents, sister Donna Connelly, son James L Jenkins, daughter Heather D Farmer, and grandson Lucas Aaron William McElderry.
Weekly fuel Report, April 22nd
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