Stephanie Myers

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 4:34 pm CDT

MOUNT PLEASANT – Stephanie Gertrude Myers, 75, died Sunday, June 4, 2023 at her home in Mount Pleasant.

Stephanie was born January 14, 1948, in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of Earl and Elizabeth (McGurr) Daggett, Sr. She graduated from high school and then served her country in the United States Marine Corp. Stephanie moved to Fort Madison in 1978, and work as a correctional officer for the Iowa State Penitentiary for 16 years. She moved to Mount Pleasant in 2010.

Stephanie is survived by three children: Linda (Greg) Fangman of Waterloo, John (Laura) Myers of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Mark (Kim) Myers of Lockridge; two granddaughters: Megan and Emily Fangman; and two grandsons: Jonathan and Brock Myers. She was preceded in death by her parents and six brothers and sisters.

According to Stephanie’s wishes her body has been cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel and Crematory is caring for Stephanie and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Cecil Menke

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 4:32 pm CDT

Cecil Menke, 94, of Sartell, Minnesota, formerly of West Point and Carroll, Iowa, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023, at the VA Healthcare System in St. Cloud. Minnesota.

He was born on July 9, 1928, in rural Salem, Iowa, the son of Bernard G and Elizabeth M. (Bentler) Menke. On May 3, 1952, he married Luella Mary Steffensmeier at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point, Iowa. She preceded him in death on December 3, 2021.

Survivors include his four children: Bernard Menke of Sartell, Minnesota, Kris Menke of Sartell, Minnesota, Greg (Mardelle) Menke of Urbandale, Iowa and Marlene (Eric) Grindland of Sartell, Minnesota; three grandchildren: Joel Menke, Trevor (Taylor) Grindland and Kia (Tanner) Bechtold; one great grandchild: Oliver Lane Grindland; three siblings: Marvin (Rita) Menke of St. Paul, Iowa, Edna Spiekermeier of Fort Madison, Iowa and Marilyn Watznauer of West Point, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Luella; sisters and brothers: Cecilia Bucking ham, Lawrence Menke, Arnold Menke and Benita Coons.

Luella and Cecil, along with their four children moved to Carroll, Iowa in May of 1966 and started a hardware store. They sold the hardware business in 1985. He was a realtor and high school development director. Cecil was a member of the American Legion and Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed collecting and refurbishing old tractors and trucks.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point.

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Joseph Phung as celebrant.

Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, West Point, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in his memory for St. Francis Xavier Schools in Sartell, Minnesota or Holy Trinity Schools in West Point, Iowa.

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

Beware of Utility Phone Scam

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 1:42 pm CDT

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities has been notified that customers have received automated phone calls requesting payment on their Utility bill, threatening disconnection of service. This is a scam. Do not give any information to the caller.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call 319-385-2121 (24 hrs.).

Mobile Home Fire in Burlington

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 1:26 pm CDT

At 2:14 AM Wednesday June 7, 2023 the Burlington and West Burlington Fire Departments responded to a reported mobile home on fire at 601 S. Roosevelt Avenue, Lot 19, in Burlington. Firefighters arrived at 2:22 AM to find flames showing from underneath the mobile home. Firefighters worked to contain the fire to underneath the center section of the mobile home, however the fire did burn through the floor and into south wall. The fire was fully extinguished by 5:00 AM
The mobile home, owned by Robert Tabb, was not occupied. Damages are still being assessed, but are likely to exceed the value of the mobile home. There is no insurance.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Burlington Police and Fire Departments and is considered suspicious.
Firefighters were assisted at the scene by Burlington Police and Alliant Energy. Firefighters cleared the scene at 5:40 AM. There were no injuries.

Timothy James Heusel

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 12:10 pm CDT

Timothy James Heusel, 62, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice, West Burlington.  He was born in Cook County, Chicago, Illinois on February 9, 1961. Logan Henry and Miriam Carleen Hackman Heusel adopted him in December of 1962 from the Lake Bluff Children’s Home, Chicago, Illinois, after having him as a foster child for over a year.

He was a 1979 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and a member of The United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant. On April 14, 1984 he married Julie Lynn Ganka in Arlington, Texas.  She died December 6, 2010.

He worked as a truck driver for Aldi Foods, West Burlington, and at Ideal Concrete, Mt. Pleasant.  Tim very much enjoyed riding his Harley, watching Nascar, attending races especially at Knoxville, and time visiting with all of his friends.

Tim is survived by his son Joshua (Charity) Heusel of Burlington; his beloved terrier Tug; and a host of friends.  Preceding him in death were his wife, parents, grandparents, and brother Eric Bryan.

The family will greet friends from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Saturday, June 10, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London.   According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a private family inurnment will be held at Burge Cemetery next to his beloved wife, Julie.  Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and Burge Cemetery Association.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Public Health needs your input to improve the health of Henry County

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 6:39 am CDT

Henry County Public Health, Henry County Health Center, and ISU Extension and Outreach are
partnering to complete a new community health assessment of Henry County. This assessment will
include gathering input on what is important for a healthy community, any problems you have accessing
health care, and what you think should be our top priorities to improve the overall health of Henry
County.

Your voice is important, and we want to hear from you! Everyone who lives or works in Henry County is
invited to fill out the survey one time during the month of June. This information will be used to
determine priorities for future community health programs and activities and also helps us to get
funding!

You can take the short survey online at surveymonkey.com/r/HealthyHenry or fill out a paper survey at
Public Health, Henry County Extension office, HCHC ER, or the New London, Wayland, and Winfield
clinics. Spanish surveys are available at Public Health. All responses are anonymous. Please encourage
your friends and neighbors to fill this out so we can hear from as many people as possible. Additional
materials to post or share at your place of business are available at Public Health.
Thank you in advance for helping us better understand your health needs so that we can work to create
a healthier Henry County! If you have any questions, please contact Public Health at 319-385-0779 or
stop by 106 N. Jackson St., Ste 103 in Mt. Pleasant.

Sports, June 7th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 6:32 am CDT

High School Baseball

Mt. Pleasant will travel to take on Keokuk tomorrow, June 8th, with first pitch at 7:30 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to take on New London tonight. The Tigers have won the last 9 matchups against the Wolves. 

Danville will host Pekin tonight.

Central Lee will take on Mediapolis tomorrow on the road at 5:30 pm.

New London fell to Van Buren County last night 14-4. Jackson Manning had a double and 3 RBIs while Taylor Sprouse had his own double and 2 RBIs for the Warriors. Dominic Meierotto notched 4 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. The Warriors will host Hillcrest Academy today. 

Mediapolis took down West Burlington last night 6-4. Hayden Vandenberg added another home run to his season total as Kody Allen and Vandenberg each finished with 2 RBIs for the Falcons. The Bulldogs face off against Wapello tonight.  

In Southeast Iowa conference (SEC) play, Washington will host Fort Madison tomorrow with first pitch at 7:30 pm. Burlington will travel to take on Fairfield tomorrow at 7:30 pm to conclude their series. 

High School Softball

Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk finish up their series tomorrow, June 8th, at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.

Winfield-Mt. Union lost to Lone Tree last night 22-8. Josie Nelson went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Anna Anderson notched 3 hits, while tallying 2 RBIs. Keely Malone and Katie Miller each picked up an RBI. The Wolves travel to take on New London tonight at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.

Danville will face off against Mediapolis on Friday, June 9th, at 7 pm.

Holy Trinity Catholic will take on Highland tonight.

New London fell to Van Buren County 13-1 yesterday. Ivy Davison, Kylee Roan, and Riley Cavaness each picked up 2 RBIs in the winning effort for the Warriors. The Warriors will take on Hillcrest Academy today. 

Mediapolis lost to West Burlington 12-0 last night. Lauren Summers smacked a home run and tallied 5 RBIs in the contest for the Falcons. The Bulldogs face off against Wapello tonight. 

In other SEC games, Fort Madison swept Davenport Central 8-5 in game one and 6-3 in game two. The Bloodhounds travel to take on Washington tomorrow. Fairfield will host Burlington tomorrow at 7:30 pm. 

Iowa Hawkeye Track and Field

The Hawkeyes are sending 14 entries to the NCAA Outdoor Championships taking place today through the 10th. Austin West is a name to look out for in the men’s decathlon as his 8,038 points is good for 5th in the NCAA. James Carter Jr. will be competing in his 3rd straight NCAA outdoor championship in the triple jump as he spots a 15.75 meter leap. 

The women’s team will have 7 competitors as Paige Magee will participate in the 100 meter hurdles and the 400 meter hurdles. 

Iowa State Track and Field

The Cyclones will have 6 entries in the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Janette Schraft will compete in the 3,000 meter steeplechase as she holds the school record. Emily March makes her return to the discus ring after becoming the first woman in ISU history to earn All-American honors in the discus as she also holds the school record at 191 feet 11 inches. 

This Day in Sports History

1936 – New York Yankees beats Cleveland 5-4 in 16 innings; longest game without a strikeout.

1989 – First baseball game to start outdoors and end indoors, as the Toronto Blue Jays stadium closed their roof during the game at 8:48 pm and beat the Brewers 4-2.

2018 – Stanley Cup Final, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV: Washington Capitals beat Las Vegas Golden Knights, 4-3 for a 4-1 series victory; first title in franchise history.

Clair Bell McBride

By Allison Jacobs · Wednesday, June 7th, 2023 at 6:24 am CDT
Clair Bell McBride, 81, a resident of Farmington, Iowa, passed away, June 6, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Clair was born on June 20, 1941, in Keokuk, the son of Clair A. and Bertha Belle (Cochenour) McBride. On May 12, 1961, he married Marlene Townsend at First Baptist Church in Farmington.
Clair was a graduate of Kahoka High School in Kahoka, Missouri. He worked at DuPont in Fort Madison for twenty years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Farmington where he served as a trustee. Clair served as a volunteer fireman for the Farmington Fire Department for thirty-four years and an EMT for thirty-one years.
Clair thoroughly enjoyed volunteering at Midwest Old Threshers in Mt. Pleasant where he had served as Campground Director. He never knew a stranger and would always talk to anyone he met regarding any topic. Clair enjoyed making wood projects in his shop for family and friends.
Those left to honor his memory include his wife: Marlene; children: Shelia (Christopher) Bell and Joe McBride, both of Farmington; grandchildren: Rachel (Scott) Brown of Bettendorf and Adam (Sarah) Bell of Muscatine; great-grandchildren: Benjamin and Bindi Brown; sister: Nancie Holmes of Kahoka, Missouri; brother-in-law: David Townsend of Farmington. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law: John and Beulah Townsend; sister: Betty Jean “Jeannie” DeWitt; brothers-in-law: Larry Holmes and Ron DeWitt; and a sister-in-law: Glenda Townsend.
Friends may call after 12:00 noon, Thursday, June 8, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 9, 2023, at the First Baptist Church in Farmington with Reverend Chad Welch officiating.
Burial will be at Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church in Farmington.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com

Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements