Brenda M. McDowell

Brenda M. McDowell, 60, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, July 22, 2025 in the Emergency Room of Henry County Health Center.

Brenda Marie Keck was born December 1, 1964 in Mt. Pleasant, IA. She was the daughter of Larry Lester and Sharon Kay (Steward) Keck. She attended school in Morning Sun, IA. On August 21, 1982 in Mt. Pleasant, Brenda was united in marriage to Emmett Milton McDowell.

Brenda was a longtime homemaker. She had previously worked for Wal-Mart and in the Housekeeping Dept. of the Iris Motel and AmericInn in Mt. Pleasant. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy and loved to spend time with them.

Those thankful for sharing in Brenda’s Life include her husband of over 40 years, Emmett of Salem; 3 children – Tina McDowell of Mt. Pleasant, Justin McDowell and his fiancée Tori Moore of Kahoka, MO and Colton Keck and his wife Amanda of Mt. Pleasant; a sister – Shelby Kinney and her husband Paul of Mt. Pleasant, and 14 grandchildren.

Her parents – Larry Keck and Sharon Keck Vaughn, two sisters – Debra Volner and Kim Morris and a brother, Monte Keck, precede Brenda in death.

No services will be held per Brenda’s request. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant.

Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the family. Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfh.com

Darrell Eugene Schenk, 89, of Winfield, died Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant.  He was born June 17, 1936 in Mt. Union to Carl and Francys Helphrey Schenk.  He was a 1954 graduate of Winfield High School and graduated Cum Laude from Iowa Wesleyan College.

Darrell married Carolyn Watkins in Pleasant Grove and they later divorced.  He taught junior high and high school science in area schools and retired from Mediapolis where he taught jr. high science and in his earlier years, he enjoyed coaching basketball.  He farmed his entire life and enjoyed ballroom dancing; watching high school and college sports; the stock market; talking politics; and traveling.  He loved reading about his genealogy and family history, and was a lifelong learner and educator.

Survivors include his children Michelle Bentler of Ft. Madison and Kelvin (Cay) Schenk of Albuquerque, New Mexico; grandchildren Kaitlyn (Matthew) Schmelzer, Isa and Alex Schenk; great-granddaughter Maeve Schmelzer; sister Mary Jane Robertson of Mediapolis; one niece, nephews and many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Ray Robertson.

Visitation for Mr. Schenk will begin at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 3:00 -4:00 pm.  A graveside inurnment service will immediately follow in procession to Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union with Pastor Nancy Sutherland officiating.  A light summer supper will be held at the New London Community Hall immediately following the burial.  Memorials have been established for the teachers at the Winfield Mt-Union School District and the Sunrise Terrace Activity Fund.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Melvin Lee Carr, 75, of Keosauqua, IA passed away on Monday, July 21, 2025, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA surrounded by his loving family.  A service celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua, IA with Rev. ellis andrews and Pastor Mary Kathryn Hart officiating.  Cremation will take place following the service.  Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Keosauqua with the family present to greet friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  Memorial contributions may be directed to the family to be used for a 4-H scholarship in Melvin’s honor.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Melvin Lee Carr was born May 10, 1950, at home to Orville and Marna (Thornburg) Carr. He was a loving husband, father, grandpa and brother.  Melvin was an active dairy farmer milking jersey cows until July 1998. He continued to farm mainly haying and raising sheep and border collies. Melvin retired from raising sheep, selling his herd in January of 2024. He continued raising and training border collies and using them in the herd and on the farm. Even though he retired he continued to help his grandson Scott and wife Abby with the farm. Melvin was living life to the fullest either on the farm, at the sale barn or watching grandchildren or great grandchildren with their activities.

His legacy will be continued by his wife, Sharon Carr; three daughters, Missy Rotenburger of Trenton, IA, Mary Jane (Alton) Mast of Cantril, IA, Jolene (Jim) Nusbaum of Keosauqua, IA, and a son, Mark (Lisa) Roberts of Penrose, CO; his grandchildren, Brett Boyd, Scott (Abilene) Mast, Wayne Mast, Julia (Garrett) Davis, Shayla Rotenburger, Kelli Rotenburger, Jace (Desiray) Roberts, Sarah (AJ) Nolting, Lane Davis, Kadence Nusbaum, Kamden Nusbaum and Lex Farner; great grandchildren, Eli Boyd, Elena Mast, Case Mast, Blakley Roberts, Watson Roberts and Miles Detrick, and brother, Rex (Nancy) Carr, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcia (Schmitt) Carr, father and mother, Orville and Marna Carr and brother, Tom Carr.