Judith Kae Scarff, 75, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Arbor Court in Mt. Pleasant.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.
Leo William Meade – Pending
Raymond P. Gerst – Pending
Todd A. Jones – Pending
Eric M. Richenberger
Eric M. Richenberger, 43, of Wellman, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, near Ladora, Iowa. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:30 AM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. Burial will follow at North Hill Cemetery north of Wayland. Visitation will be held Friday, August 2, 2034, from 5 – 7 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. Folks are encouraged to wear their Chicago Cubs gear. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established for the family’s use.
Eric Matthew Richenberger was born July 30, 1980, in Mt. Pleasant, IA, the son of Duran Allen and Tracy (Conner) Richenberger. He graduated from Mid-Prairie High School in 1998. Eric worked as a purveyor of fine meats and cheeses at Freemans Foods in Wellman for the past six years. On January 26, 2008, he was united in marriage to Annie Bates in Cedar Rapids. Eric collected vintage video games, magic cards, coins, trains and comic books. He enjoyed playing Dungeons and Dragons, woodworking and spending time with this family. Eric was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Survivors include his wife Annie and children Xavier and Penelope of Wellman; his mother Tracy Richenberger of Wesley Chapel, FL; sister Laura (Micah) Scott of Wesley Chapel, FL, two nephews: Oliver and Emmet Scott, paternal grandmother Geraldine Rixe, uncle Mike Richenberger, two aunts: Cindy Richenberger and Mary Lou Richenberger, all of Wayland; and four cousins: Scott, Amy, Stephanie and Steven Richenberger.
Preceding Eric in death were his father Duran, his uncle Stan Richenberger, aunt Linda Richenberger, paternal grandfather Glen Richenberger, maternal grandparents William and Nina Evelyn Conner and father-in-law Mike Bates.
No Henry County Board of Supervisors Meeting August 1st
According to the Henry County Auditor, there will be no Henry County Board of Supervisors meeting on Thursday, August 1st, due to a lack of quorum. Quorum is defined as the minimum numbers of members of an assembly or society that must be present at a meeting for the proceedings to be valid.
Donations Welcomed for Fellowship Cup Back to School Supply Drive
The Fellowship Cup is collecting school supplies for its annual Back to School Supply Drive today to August 15. They need backpacks, 1, 2, and 3-inch binders, dry erase markers, and wide-ruled loose-leaf paper. These donations can be dropped off at The Fellowship Cup at 203 N Jefferson St Mondays and Thursdays 8:00am to 4:00pm or any other day by calling ahead to make sure they have staff there. For more information, call 319-385-3242 during normal business hours.
Murder in Ottumwa! Man Stabbed to Death in Foster Park, Suspect Charged
On July 30th, at approximately 1:02 a.m., police were called to Foster Park in Ottumwa on a report that someone had been stabbed with a knife. Police arrived and identified the victim as Jeffrey Wayne Johns, age 40, of Ottumwa. Johns had sustained a stab wound to his torso. Johns was transported to the Ottumwa Regional Health Center where he was pronounced dead. 
The Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation was contacted to assist the Ottumwa Police Department with the investigation.
At approximately 9:12 a.m., members from the Ottumwa Police Department’s Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant at 2209 E. Main Street. The suspect in the homicide was found hiding in the attic area of this residence and taken into custody. The suspect was identified as Joshua Michael, age 32, of 2209 E. Main.
Michael was charged with Murder in the 1st Degree, a Class “A” Felony, for the death of Johns.