Anna Peresetta Williamson, 84, of Clinton, IA and formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, February 22, 2024 at The Alverno Health Care Center in Clinton.

Anna was born January 23, 1940 in Mt. Pleasant. She was the daughter of John Galer and Arion Lela (Pfeiffer) Jeffery. She graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. In 1968, Anna married Radrick Neil Williamson. The couple later divorced.

Anna was employed at Sylvania in Burlington and Staats Ribbon Company in Mt. Pleasant. For many years, Anna was the housekeeper at the Temple Movie Theater and the Iris Motel, both in Mt. Pleasant. She also worked as a private home health aide for several people in the community.

Anna loved to crochet afghans. She was also very adept in other crafts, including quilting, embroidery and jewelry making. In her outdoor adventures, Anna liked to use her metal detector.

Those thankful for sharing in Anna’s life include two children – Mark (Rachel) Williamson of Pleasant Valley, MO and Ginger Hulke of Sterling, IL; five grandchildren – Brooke (Jacob Crawford) Williamson, Curtis Hulke, Kyra (Jorge Sandoval) Hulke, Jayden Williamson and Josie (Wayne Sheek) Williamson, and one great granddaughter – Mariana Sandoval. Anna is also survived by several “honorary” children, who, with her children, Anna considered her own – Angie & John Haley, Sherrie & Chris Harvey, Leea & Joe Brown and Cherly & Kevin Elmore, all of Mt. Pleasant.; several honorary grand and great grandchildren; multiple nieces and nephews including a special nephew, Darrell Jeffery and a sister-in-law, Myrtle Jeffery of Mt. Pleasant.

Her parents, a son who died at birth – Gerald Dean Jeffery, a brother – John Jeffery and a sister – Madia Jeffery, precede Anna in death.

A memorial funeral service for Anna will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 24 at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Burial will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. The family will greet friends 1 hour prior to the service.

Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.

Merrill Peterson, 73, formerly of Mount Pleasant, died Thursday, February 22, 2024, at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Funeral services are pending at Olson-Powell Chapel & Crematory. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Robert “Bob” Richers, 91, of Wapello passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at Genesis East Medical Center in Davenport.  Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello.  Memorial Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at the funeral home.  Military Honors will be conducted.  Burial will be held at a later date.  A memorial has been established in Bob’s name that will go towards meals provided to Veterans and their families as they attend appointments for care at VA Iowa City Healthcare System (Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City).    Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Robert Frederick Richers was born on October 5, 1932 on a farm near Mount Pleasant in Henry County, Iowa.  The son of Jon and Violet (Brannon) Richers.  Bob grew up attending many one room country schools, graduating from Denmark High School and later would receive his bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan College.  Bob proudly served his country in the United States Army, stationed 18 months in Okinawa, Japan with the rank of Corporal.  Upon returning home from the service Bob went to work for Schefer Pen Company in Fort Madison, Iowa.  On March 27, 1954, Bob was united in marriage to Lois Jack in Des Moines and to this union three children were born.  Bob spent many years as a high school science teacher, teaching in the Morning Sun and Wapello school districts.  He also had a farm on G62 where he raised pigs and was a chemist for Sylvania in Burlington.  In 1991 Bob and Lois made their home in Las Vegas, Nevada where they both continued to teach, Bob being the lead science teacher at Lied Children Museum.  Bob loved to play cards and bake – he was especially known for his homemade bread.  He enjoyed fishing, trapping, deep sea-fishing and was a 4-H leader and Boy Scout leader.

Bob will be deeply missed by his (wife), Lois; (children), Roger (Jan) Richers, Patty (Kevin) Hardin and Sandy (Darrell) Bozarth; (8 grandchildren), Shayla (Jeff) Malone, Carman (Ryan) Davis, Jacob Richers, Shane (Nickki) Hardin, Regina (Ryan) Kerr, Josh (Beth) Hardin, Megan (Brian) Corry and Ryan (Shelby) Bozarth; (21 great-grandchildren), Katlyn (Cody), Kolton (Alizabeth), Chance, Kai, Keely, Peyton, Paxton, Alex, Kody, Kaityln, Drew, Max, Luke, Henry, Lincoln, Oliver, Abel, Fynn, Brendon, Bryson and Jack; (4 great- great-grandchildren), Luka, Celia, Ottilie and Ada and  (siblings), John (Sharolyn) Richers, Marlene (Larry) Keester, Mary Lou (Dwight) Anderson, Jim (Pat) Richers, Darrell (Jan) Richers and Mark (Phyl) Richers.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Donna (Bob) Deeds, Marjorie (Bob) McCarty and Herb (Nancy) Richers.

Carl Dean Graber, 92, of Lockridge passed away on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 after a short stay at the Parkview Home in Wayland, Iowa.

Carl was born on November 7, 1931, in Lockridge, the son of Bernard and Nellie (Hollander) Graber.  He graduated from Lockridge High School in 1949 as valedictorian of his class of twelve.  On Valentine’s Day in 1952 he asked his neighbor and sweetheart, Florence Stewart, to be his wife.  They were united in marriage at the Lockridge Baptist Church on May 31, 1952 and celebrated almost 72 years together on the family farm southwest of Lockridge.  To this union came four children, Kathryn, Daniel, David and Mary.

Carl began his life-long journey of farming and agri-business as a young boy when he helped on the family farm and worked for his Uncle Carroll at Vorhies Implement Co., selling his first tractor at age fifteen.  In 1971 Carl and Florence created and owned Graber Services, an agri-business still serving a large area of the Midwest, as well as a custom forage harvesting business that is being operated by family today.   He truly enjoyed the many friendships that were developed with his customers, as he encouraged them with innovative farming methods and fair service.  He did not believe in being idle and always professed and searched for truth.

Carl was a member of the National Guard from 1951 until 1961.  He was also a member of the Lockridge Baptist Church faithfully teaching his family to walk with Christ, his Lord and personal Savior.  Carl treasured time with his family whom he loved so much.  It was a joy to him to watch his children and grandchildren thrive in their endeavors, especially to keep the legacy of the family farm ongoing.

Carl is survived by his wife, Florence, his children, Kathryn (Richard) Roos of Centerville, Daniel (Sonja) Graber of Lockridge, David (Marian) Graber of Lockridge and Mary (Dan) Sieren of Harper, 12 grandchildren, Jason, Kristin, Matthew, Michaela, Mitchell, Aaron, Sara, Hannah, Amos, Anna, Adam and Abby, and 6 great-grandchildren.

Carl was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Harold Graber, sister-in-law, Grace Graber, a nephew, Paul Graber and his wife, Nohema.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lockridge Baptist Church, in Lockridge, Iowa with Rev. Earl Swigart officiating.  Burial will follow in the Lockridge Cemetery.  Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Monday at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 5 to 7 p.m. that evening.  Memorials may be directed to the Lockridge Baptist Church or to the Lockridge Cemetery in his memory.

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

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant is caring for his arrangements.