Janet Buford

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 3:11 pm CDT

Janet F. Buford, 85, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 10:05 p.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, Missouri.

She was born on November 12, 1937, the daughter of Albert A. and Faye (Halferty) Schreiber. On January 25, 1959, she married Charles Warren Buford in Revere, Missouri. He preceded her in death on June 8, 2016.

Survivors include her two sons Jeff (Wendy) Buford of Donnellson, David (Lori) Buford of Bonaparte, one daughter; Mary (Bill) Allaman of Oquawka, Illinois, eight grandchildren; Travis (Kara) Buford, Jill (Troy) DeRoos, Tyler (Megan) Buford, Justin (Bobby) Allaman, Rachael Allaman, Nick (Amanda) Buford, Danielle (Ian) Homich and Holly Bevier, ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband: Charlie; one daughter: Carol Buford; one grandson: Zachary Bevier; three brothers and their spouses.

Janet was a graduate of Revere High School. She enjoyed gardening, working on the farm, going on four wheeler rides with her husband Charlie, being a caregiver to her family and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson with Pastor Dan Deatrick officiating.

Burial will be at Embury Cemetery, rural Donnellson.

Memorials have been established in her memory for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Embury Cemetery.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Prep Volleyball: Holy Trinity Catholic Ranks 3rd in Final Rankings of the Season

By Slaten Swords · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 3:04 pm CDT

Prep Volleyball- The postseason gets underway tonight, which means the final rankings of the year for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has been released. Only three total teams were dropped from the top 15, but we did see one #1 team fall.

In Class 1A, Ankeny Christian, Boyden-Hull, and Holy Trinity Catholic kept their top three positions, respectively. Ankeny touts three of the best servers in Class 1A, while the Crusaders have two top ten blockers including the number one blocker in Presley Myers. Minimal movement persisted through the rest of the rankings, except for Remsen-St. Mary’s falling from 10th all the way out of the top 15 after finishing the season 6-3 in their final nine games. Sidney jumped up to the #14 spot after previously being unranked.

Dike-New Hartford is still chasing perfection with a 44-0 record leading the way for Class 2A, followed by Hinton and Grundy Center. Treynor fell two spots from 5th to 7th. West Burlington ended the regular season with a 36-5 record, which helped the Falcons glide up one spot in the rankings to #13. No teams were dropped from the rankings.

The #1 spot has been secure amongst all the classifications this season, but no is ever safe as Western Christian fell to 3rd on the rankings. Losses to Hinton and Cherokee Washington did no favors. Mt. Vernon is now the #1 team followed by Cherokee for their big win. Mid-Prairie had been building a nice resume, which included a win over #13 West Burlington, but the Golden Hawks have gone just 5-6 in their last 11 games resulting in a four-spot tumble back to #12. Anamosa was replaced by Monticello in the rankings, who slides in at #14.

Class 4A has their own team searching for perfection as Clear Creek-Amana owns a 43-0 record. Indianola and Xavier ranked 2nd and 3rd, respectively. ADM fell from #3 to #5 in the rankings. Nevada jumped up three spots to the #9 ranking. Charles City was dropped from the rankings and Carlisle was the team to replace them.

No teams were dropped from the top 15 in Class 1A with the top three teams remaining the same in Dowling Catholic, Ankeny Centennial, and Waukee Northwest, respectively. Iowa City Liberty rolled down a couple of spots to #14 and, interestingly, the Lightning is the only team to have a losing record (18-21) and still be ranked. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln rounds out the top 15 as no teams were evicted.

Classes 1A and 2A will begin the first round of playoffs tonight and Classes 3A, 4A, and 5A will start tomorrow, October 17th. All games are scheduled to start at 7 pm.

George Janecek

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 3:04 pm CDT

George L. Janecek, 88, of Washington, passed peacefully on Sunday, October 15, 2023, at his home in rural Washington. A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 21, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. The service will be available via Livestream at the Beatty Peterseim Website, and YouTube and Facebook Pages. Burial with full military honors will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. Visitation will be held Friday, October 20, 2023, from 1 – 7 PM with the family present from 5 – 7 PM at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington. A memorial fund has been established for the Wayland Tractor Club, Wayland, Iowa.

George Lee Janecek was born September 30, 1935, in Richland, Iowa, the son of Frank and Flossie (Farrier) Janecek. He graduated from Washington High School and entered the United States Army in 1954. On July 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Janet Prescott at the Methodist Church in Washington. George was a farmer all his life and was a member of the Wayland Tractor Club. He enjoyed working on tractors, restoring, painting, and fixing them, and participating in many tractor parades and rides. He especially enjoyed the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, and his daily drives to check the crops with Janet.

Survivors include his wife Janet of Washington, two sons: Ronald (Jane) Janecek of Washington, Richard (Cheryl Haezebroeck) Janecek of Marion; four grandchildren: Kyle (Jessica) Janecek, Daniel (Fawn) Janecek, Emily (Jim) Gratner, Suma Janecek; seven great-grandchildren and one brother Dale Janecek.

Preceding George in death were his parents.

Linda Perrenoud

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 2:59 pm CDT

Linda Perrenoud, 77, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 11:45 p.m. Thursday, October 12, 2023, at her home in Donnellson.

She was born on April 15, 1946, the daughter of Willard and Lelia (Becker) Shoemaker. On June 26, 1964, she married Terry Perrenoud in Donnellson, Iowa.

Survivors include her husband: Terry; two daughters: Michelle (Jennifer Blanchard) Perrenoud and Sheri (Tony) Clemenson; five grandchildren: Isabelle and Margret Clemenson, Jacqui, Katie and Garrett Blanchard; brother Leroy (Dorine) Shoemaker. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Sister: Betty Rider and brothers: Marvin, Ronald, David and Paul Shoemaker.

Linda was a 1964 graduate of Harmony High School. She enjoyed music, reading, sewing (she had made several blankets for her family and puppies), baking, cooking, gardening, playing cards, traveling and camping. Linda loved the holidays, especially Christmas Eve. She was the glue to her family and she enjoyed spending time with them most of all. Linda was truly a joy to be with.

A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the Lee County Fair Learning Center in Donnellson, Iowa. Please dress casual.

Memorials may be made in her memory to the PAW Animal Shelter.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Drew Van Trump

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 12:04 pm CDT

Drew Michael Van Trump beloved husband, father, son, brother, and uncle passed away on Saturday, October 7, 2023, on a ride with his brothers doing what he loved.  As were Drew’s wishes his body has been cremated.  A celebration of his life will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 23, 2023, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield, IA.  The service will be livestreamed and can be accessed on Drew’s obituary page.  Please come dressed comfortably because we all know that is what he would have wanted.  Visitation will be held beginning at noon on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Cranston Family Funeral Home in Fairfield with the family present to greet friends from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.   In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Drew’s honor may be directed to the family for his children and can be mailed c/o Cranston Family Funeral Home, P.O. Box 189, Fairfield, IA 52556.  Friends may leave online condolences at www.cranstonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Drew entered this world on October 14th, 1983, the son of two proud parents of Michael and Nancy Van Trump. He was born in Burlington, IA and raised in Mt. Pleasant. Drew graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 2002. During his younger years he was involved in baseball but found his true passion and that was MPHS Marching Band. Drew was musically gifted and could pick up about any instrument and play it. He was also involved in the CBC Youth Group, where he enjoyed serving and going on mission trips.

After graduation, Drew chose to enlist in the Iowa National Guard. Drew deployed with the 2nd Platoon 224th Engineer Battalion Company C in 2005 in support of the Operation of Iraqi Freedom. During that time Drew did route clearance and Cachet Sweeps.

After he came home from deployment, he worked for the National Guard, until he chose a different career path between working at Geico, Hy-Vee and Feslers. He finally found his home at Agri-Industrial Plastics and built a strong work family. From many stories, he was the life of the party there. Drew was an avid Hawkeye fan despite Shellbi trying to persuade him to cheer for the Cyclones. As a true Van Trump he really enjoyed the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears. He was super excited when he won tickets through work to the Chicago Bears vs Packers game and got to spend the time with his daughter, Shellbi and best friend cheering them on the 50-yard line.

Drew loved going and watching and coaching his girls’ activities whether it be volleyball, softball, track and basketball. Drew had a true passion of riding his motorcycle. He joined the Defiant Souls MC in October of 2018. Through this he gained a family of brothers, that enjoyed going out together riding for thousands of miles and creating more memories that anyone can count. He found his true home with them, and never not mentioned his brothers.

Drew is survived by his parents Michael and Nancy Van Trump of Mt. Pleasant, His wife Shellbi of Fairfield, Brother Josh (Stephanie), Sister Natalie (JR), Cole, Hannah, Abigal Van Trump. Several Nieces and Nephews, Uncles and Aunts and Cousins. His brothers and sisters of the Defiant Souls MC. He leaves behind the most precious gifts of life, his four girls, Lily, Olivia, Kennedi and Ellerie Van Trump. He also leaves behind his beloved Beau the Pup.

He joins those he held near and dear to his hearts in Heaven: Grandma Glady & Grandpa Russ, Grandpa Deaner and Grandma Ruthie, and his Brother Bill Houlihan.

Young Male in Stable Condition Following Collision With Trailer

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 11:07 am CDT

There was an accident in West Point on Saturday morning involving a bicycle and trailer. At approximately 11:40am, Chief Brad Roberts was alerted of a collision that occurred at 5th St in West Point.

Arriving a few minutes later, it was determined that two male juveniles were riding their bicycles north on 5th St when a heavy-duty pickup truck towing a trailer with approximately 150-200 gallons of gasoline approached them. The driver of the pickup passed the bicycles when one of the juveniles swerved into the same lane as the truck.

The child made accidental contact with the passenger side mirror, which knocked him from his bicycle. He sustained moderate injuries to his left side, including face, shoulder, wrist/arm, and leg, after being run over by the trailer tires.

He was then stabilized by Lee County EMS and transported to the University of Iowa Hospitals by MedForce Air transport. The driver of the truck was not injured, and no charges were filed.

Geraldine Watkins

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 9:59 am CDT

Geraldine Louise “Jerry” Haffner Watkins, 92, of River Valley Place in Fort Madison, Iowa, formerly of Farmington, passed away at 12:18 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2023, at River Valley Place in Fort Madison.

She was born on April 24, 1930, the daughter of Carl and Irene Haffner in rural Farmington, Iowa.  She was the first of seven children.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 59 years: Wendell; her sisters: Winona Mills, Larita Gibbs and Wanda Jane Wilken and one brother: Daniel Haffner.

Geraldine is survived by one brother: Joe (Linda) Haffner of Farmington, Iowa, and one sister: Romona Mills of Fort Collins, Colorado: two daughters: Judith Beger of West Point, Iowa and Sharon (Dave) Andrusyk of Palm Gardens, Nevada.  She had five grandchildren including: Wendy (Loren) Caviness of Montrose, Iowa; Wyatt Coleman of Farmington, Iowa; Louisa Beger-McConnell of Fort Madison, Iowa; Amber Vincent of Albuquerque, New Mexico and Katherine (Wade) Warner of Selah, Washington and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several special nieces and nephews.

Geraldine lived in rural Lee County Iowa her entire life. She was a one – room school teacher, a Sunday School teacher, a farm wife, and an accomplished seamstress. She was a member of and active in the Sharon Presbyterian Church. She and her husband were instrumental in the designation of the Sharon Cemetery as a historical sight.

Her interests included traveling with Wendell, genealogy research, gardening and visiting neighbors and friends.

Her body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Homes in West Point.

Burial will be at at Sharon Cemetery, rural Farmington, Iowa at a later date.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of Donnellson is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

Talk With Your Teenagers Before They Get Behind the Wheel This Week

By Yorke Prough · Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 8:33 am CDT

October 15th-21st is National Teen Driver Safety Week, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Bureau wants to remind young drivers to be safe behind the wheel. While it is important that young drivers practice safe driving, parents need to ensure that their children know the rules of the road.

These rules address the greatest dangers for teen driving and should be reiterated consistently. Your child should never be on their cellphone while driving, as this is a form of distraction that weans their focus away from the road. Speeding is the cause of nearly 1/3rd of fatalities in motor vehicle accidents, according to the NHTSA. Remind your teenagers that it is better to arrive a few minutes late, than to not arrive at all.

Many teenagers are involved in early morning band practices and late-night football games. Drowsy driving is a danger that teenagers need to be aware of and take proper precautions to ensure they come home safely. It shouldn’t have to be said, but driving while under the influence is a resounding no for drivers of any age. Everybody makes mistakes, so if your teenager decides to have a drink, make sure they know who they can call for a ride home.

Officers with any agency will administer a ticket for driving without a seatbelt, and that is safety tip number five. While speaking with your teens this week, remind them of the importance of buckling up. Perhaps the least known bit of advice, but just as important, the number of passengers in a vehicle can severely impact and increase the potential risk of an accident. Other teenagers can be a distraction for young people behind the wheel, so consider setting a passenger limit for when your teen drives.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States. In 2021, 2,608 people were killed in crashes involving a teen behind the when, of which 861 deaths were the driver.

Parents and guardians can be the biggest influence on our teens’ choices when they are behind the wheel. Make sure that you are practicing what you preach by following proper driving rules. Most teenagers will not do what you say, but what you do.