Des Moines County Conservation is hosting a free Shooting Safety and Basics event for anyone 10 and older on Tuesday, August 6th from 5:30-7:30pm. The event will take place at the Big Hollow Shooting Range where participants will get a safety briefing and hands-on experience with BB guns, rifles, and shotguns. There will be a second event on August 14th from 5:30-7:30pm as well. They recommend bringing a water bottle and wearing weather-appropriate clothing. The event will be rescheduled in the case of bad weather. Registration is required and can be completed by calling 319-753-5808. DMCC will provide transportation from Starr’s Cave to Big Hollow if individuals request it during registration.
Traveling Office Hours for Senator Grassley’s Staff in Henry, Lee Counties
Senator Grassley’s office is holding traveling office hours in Henry and Lee Counties on Wednesday, July 31. His Regional Director, Penny Vacek, will be there. Senator Grassley himself will not be in attendance, as the Senate will be in session and voting.
They will be set up at the Mount Pleasant City Hall, 307 E Monroe Street, between 9:30 and 10:30am on Wednesday. They will then head to Lee County to the Keokuk Public Library small meeting room from 12p-1.
His office helps Iowans contact federal agencies to resolve problems with Social Security payments, military service matters, immigration cases and other issues. You are also able to seek assistance through his website at www.grassley.senate.gov .
Longterm Physicians Announce Retirement
William Daft, DO, Family Medicine, and Gregg Calderwood, MD, Women’s Health will retire on July 31, 2024.
Dr. William Daft is a Board-Certified Family Medicine physician. He received his Doctor of Osteopathy degree from Des Moines University and completed his Residency at Cedar Rapids Area Family Medicine. Dr. Daft has been with the health system for thirty-three years providing primary care to patients of all ages.
Dr. Gregg Calderwood is a Board-Certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist. He completed his training at the University of Iowa before establishing his practice in Southeast Iowa. Dr. Calderwood has spent the past forty years providing Women’s Health to patients in the region
“These two physicians have positively impacted the health of many during their time at Great River Health. We appreciate the dedication to their patients, and the quality care they have provided over the years. We wish them the very best as they enter this next chapter in their lives,” expressed Dr. Joel Ryon, Chief Medical Officer, of Great River Health.
Man From Tennessee Arrested in Burlington for Credit Card Fraud
On July 24, 2024, the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office took a report of fraudulent activity on a victim’s credit card. Deputies learned that the victim’s credit card was used to book a hotel stay. While deputies were investigating the initial complaint they took similar reports from two additional victims. Deputies learned that all three victims had recently used their credit cards to book a reservation at Spirit Hollow Golf Course in Burlington, IA.
The investigation showed that Hans Olson, age 25, of Hendersonville Tennessee was the individual who made numerous hotel reservations using the stolen credit card information. Deputies also learned that Olson was employed at Spirit Hollow Golf Course as a summer intern.
On July 26, 2024, deputies conducted a search warrant at Olson’s residence and found paperwork matching one of the hotels he booked with the stolen credit card information. Olson was placed under arrest for unauthorized use of a credit card $1,500 to $10,000 (D felony), 2 counts of unauthorized use of a credit card under $1,500, theft 2nd degree (D felony), theft 3rd degree, and theft 5th degree. Olson was transported to the Des Moines County Correctional Center.
One Dead After Shooting in Keokuk
On Sunday morning, the Keokuk Police Department responded to a call for service in which a man received a gunshot wound. According to the department, the man did die as a result of the injury suffered. This incident is under investigation.
This was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Linda Van Fleet
Linda Diane Van Fleet, 79, of rural Stockport, passed away Friday, July 26, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. 
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Monday, July 29, 2024 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, with the family present from 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. An additional visitation will be 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 30th with a memorial service celebrating her life at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be at Wright Cemetery, rural Fairfield. Memorials may be made to The Bridge Church.
Linda was born March 14, 1945 in Sigourney, Iowa, the daughter of Paul and W. Viola (Rice) Eldridge. She married Dyle Van Fleet, May 26, 1962 in West Chester, Iowa.
Throughout her life, Linda worked as a seamstress, florist, day care provider, and helped Dyle on the farm. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and her flowers. Linda’s passion was decorating for Christmas. She filled her home with decorations for the season, and loved making Christmas cookie platters for her friends.
Those left to honor her memory include her husband, Dyle; daughters, Tammy (Dennis) Kruse of Cedar Rapids, Tracy Brockman of Altoona, Tena Chiles of Mt. Pleasant, and Tricia (Bob) Dyer of Indianola; 13 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and siblings, Virginia, Barbara, Larry, Donna, Dorothy, Charles, Bob, Jim, and Jerry.
Online condolences may be made to Linda’s family by viewing her obituary at www.behnerfh.com
Mary Chapuis
Mary Jean Chapuis went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 26, 2024 at the age of 85. Mary was born Mary Jean Davis in Ottumwa, Iowa, August 12, 1938, to Lewis and Bessie Davis. 
Mary was a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She is survived by her daughter, Peggy (Dan) Morrow of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; son, Scott (Lou Ann) Chapuis of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; granddaughters, Beth Chapuis and Rachel (Ben) Blagg; grandsons, Matthew Morrow, Jonathan Morrow, Josh (Nadine) Chapuis; and four great-grandchildren, Colton, McKenzie and Callie Blagg, and Ellianna Chapuis. Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Dick; her parents, and many siblings.
After spending her very early years in Packwood, the Davis family moved to a small farm near Libertyville, Iowa where Mary grew up and graduated from Fairfield High School in 1955. She and Dick were married October 23, 1955 and she continued her farm life as Dick’s wife. Dick was Mary’s high school sweetheart and their love strengthen as they moved to the Chapuis family farm in Stockport where they raised their two children. Known to all as a sweet and loving lady, Mary worked alongside Dick on the farm and in their church where Dick taught Sunday School and Mary could be seen doing whatever was needed behind-the-scenes. Together they hosted Bible studies in their home, missionaries on furlough, high school youth groups and were original founders of the annual Oakland Mills Bible conference.
Mary was famous for her homemade chocolate-chip cookies, homemade ice cream and hand-pulled cinnamon and wintergreen taffy. Until her last day, nothing could make her eyes light up like the words: ‘chocolate’ or ‘ice cream’! Quiet and mild tempered, Mary also had a silly side, which most often was observed during the Davis Family Reunions. Cards, Dominoes and board games were also a favorite, but especially Mary loved her children and grandchildren. Whenever one was coming for a visit, her kitchen counter would be found loaded with snacks, treats and desserts of all kinds.
Mary loved all things floral. She favored pink or purple blooms, and these could often be seen adorning her home both inside and out. Countless hours she would spend in her garden and yard where she tended her flowers and could tell you the name of each and every one.
A dear friend to many, Mary demonstrated how to lead through serving, and how to have a vital relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She and Dick never shied away from hard work and always jumped in when help was needed, whether at church, in the community or for friends. “She was a true treasure.” “She was a real mom to me.” “She taught me how to (make cookies; freeze corn; cook homemade meals, etc.).” “She spent countless hours helping our marriage.” “She poured her life into our children’s lives” are just a few of the many comments that have been said of Mary in these recent days.
Mary’s deep faith carried her through all of life’s struggles and hardships. Losing Dick in 1998 was indeed difficult for her and it was her faith that helped her through. She often asked, “How do people handle such things when they don’t know the Lord personally?”
Mostly, what Mary would want everyone to know today is that a personal faith in Jesus and His finished work on the cross is the thing that matters most in life – and in death.
Services celebrating her life will be held Wednesday, July 31, 2024 with a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. followed by her funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield. Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. at Spencer Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating to the work of Ethnos 360 (Formerly New Tribes Mission).
Online condolences may be made at www.behnerfh.com.
July 29, 2024 – August 4, 2024
07/29/24
Kaden Thomas (10)
07/29/24
Brianna Webstad
07/30/24
Jason Sammons
07/30/24
Sandy Ernest
07/30/24
Danielle Davidson
07/30/24
Jim Burden
07/31/24
Nancy Wolfe
07/31/24
Kurt & Karen Palar *Anniversary
08/01/24
Bruce Gholson
08/01/24
Jim & Debbie Smith *Anniversary
08/02/24
Deb Denly
08/02/24
John Parrott
08/02/24
Mason Howard - 6
08/03/24
Heather Roberson
08/03/24
Lynn & Carol Butterbrodt *Anniversary
08/04/24
Zoe Long
08/04/24
Chloe Towne