Nettie Sorensen, 91, of Wapello, passed away Thursday, December 28, 2023 at Arbor Court Nursing Home in Mt. Pleasant.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Service of Wapello is caring for the family.  A general memorial has been established.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Nettie Jean Blanchard was born on February 12, 1932 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Ralph and Edna (Lange) Blanchard. On October 18, 1951, she was united in marriage to Donald Sorensen in Burlington, Iowa.  She worked as a bookkeeper at the Danville Elevator and Wapello Republican for many years.  Nettie was a 50-year member of the Good Hope Rebecca Lodge #267 of Wever, also serving as the Assembly President of Iowa in 1987-1988.  She was member of the Denmark Congregation Church and attended the First Presbyterian Church of Wapello.  Nettie enjoyed gardening, fishing, playing cards, telling jokes, baking for family and friends and loved flowers.

Nettie will be deeply missed by her husband, Donald Sorensen of Wapello; children, Sharon (Darwin) Fritz of Fremont, Nebraska, Michelle (Ben) Heckart of Danville, Dawn (Jon) Oliver of Martinsburg, Douglas Sorensen of North Little Rock, Arkansas; 8 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings, Donald ‘Squirt” (Nancy) Blanchard of West Point and Roberta (Jack) Stout of Alabama.

Nettie  was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Herbert ‘Doc” Blanchard.

Stewart Linder Kinney, 81, retired long time Fire Chief for the city of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Thursday, December 28, 2023 at his residence.

Stewart was born March 9, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Raymond Wilson and Elsie Attelabelle (Smith) Kinney. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1960. He was united in marriage to Susie Parker. The couple later divorced. In 1993, Stewart married Shirely Mae Parker Crawford. Mrs. Kinney died December 28, 2012, 11 years to the day prior to Stewart’s death.

Stewart owned and operated Kinney Masonry. He did brick work and general masonry for an untold number of structures in the area. For 52 years, Stewart was a firefighter, and served 32 years as the Fire Chief of the Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Department.

Stewart was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a “hot-rod” building and was an overall car enthusiast. He spent many hours at Payne’s Street Rod Fabrication, where he loved participating in various projects of the shop. He was a fan of the music group “Boston.”

Those thankful for sharing in Stewart’s life include his children – Chuck (Kelly) Kinney of Ashville, NC, Brian Kinney of Mt. Pleasant and Jeremy Crawford of Mt. Pleasant; a brother – Stephen Kinney Of Milaca, MN; grandchildren – Karlie Grace (Landon Taylor) Kinney, Parker Paul Kinney, Samantha Jo (Braden Holtkamp) Crawford, Danielle Marie Crawford, Van Stephen Crawford and Allie Mae Crawford; a niece – Edith Celine (Matt) Cannon and a grandnephew – William Galen Cannon;

His parents, wife Shirley, sister-in-law Lorna Kinney and nephew Kane Karl Kinney precede Stewart in death.

The funeral service for Stewart will be 1:30 PM Thursday, January 4, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Rev. Court Fischer will officiate. Burial will be at a later date in Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Wednesday, January 3 at First United Methodist Church. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 PM.

The funeral will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church’s YouTube Channel. Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Mt. Pleasant Fire and Rescue Department.

The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Stewart and his family. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Darrel R. Rogers, 72, of Westwood (Mt. Pleasant), died Sunday, December 24, 2023 at his residence.

Darrel was born March 12, 1951 in Olney, Illinois. He was the son of Roy Waymack and Bernice Ruth (Brooks) Rogers. He graduated from Newton (Illinois) High School and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Illinois. On October 20, 1979 in Harrisville, West Virginia, Darrel was united in marriage to Rosena Marie “Rosie” Dennison.

Darrel began his career with the Ferro Corporation in Parma (near Cleveland), OH. He transferred to the plant in Nashville but returned to the Cleveland area and settled in Brunswick. In August of 1996, Darrel accepted a position with the former Heatilator Corporation and moved his family to Mt. Pleasant. Following his career with Heatilator, Darrel worked for various other companies and retired from the Innovaire Metrogroup.

While growing up, Darrel was active in the Boy Scouts, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. He was also active in sports. That love of sports carried with him many years into adulthood, where he participated in softball, basketball, golf and bowling. When not participating in sports himself, Darrel coached Rec League soccer, baseball and basketball. He coached his own children in the sports and was a coach for teams his children were not on. He loved to attend the sporting events of Mt. Pleasant Community High School and Iowa Wesleyan University. For many years, Darrel was the timekeeper for the Iowa Wesleyan Tiger Football Team and helped at the Wesleyan Track Meets.

Faith and civic duty were central to Darrel’s life. A cradle Methodist, Darrel was an active member in the United Methodist Church in every town in which he lived. At First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Darrel taught the Becomers Sunday School Class. He served as the church’s Lay Leader and Delegate to IAUMC Annual Conference. He served on the church’s Administrative Council, Staff/Parish Relations Committee and Change-a-Child’s Story group. He volunteered to serve food for the church’s food tent and Midwest Old Threshers. Darrel helped organize Walks to Emmaus (a spiritual renewal retreat).  Darrel was a mentor for several confirmands of the church. When pastors took a Sunday off, Darrel was active in Pulpit Supply, not only for First UMC, but also several other churches in the area. Darrel was committed to helping youth in any way he could. He took time to be a story reader at the local elementary schools. Darrel served a term on the Westwood City Council and was recently re-elected to the position. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Fellowship Cup in Mt. Pleasant, where he also volunteered numerous hours.

Those thankful for sharing in Darrel’s life include his wife of 44 years, Rosie of Westwood; 2 children – Dennis Rogers of Lenexa, KS and Bethany Rogers of Overland Park, KS, and a brother, David (Joyce) Rogers of Davie, Florida.

His parents precede him in death.

A memorial service for Darrel will be held on Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 3 PM at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend Court Fischer, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Friends may call from 1-3 PM on Saturday at the church. The service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church’s YouTube Channel.

Those considering an expression of sympathy in lieu of flowers may direct memorials to the First United Methodist Church or the Fellowship Cup of Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant, is caring for Darrel and his family.