On May 4th at approximately 7:45AM, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a single vehicle accident in the 3100 grid of Lexington Avenue. An investigation into this report determined that Jennifer Dorothy, 69, of Mt. Pleasant, was driving southbound when she lost control of her vehicle while negotiating a curve. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was considered totaled.
Sports, May 5th
High School Track and Field
The Mt. Pleasant girls team defended their Southeast Conference championship and the boys team for Washington repeated as conference champs. For the girls, Andi Scott won the 400 meter dash with a time of 1 minute and 1 second. The team of Natalie Freeman, Mica Carter, Alexis Wagner, and Elsie Lange took the 4×400 meter relay. The 800 sprint medley team of Bailey Jalas, Tristian Shull, Courtney Raub, and Andi Scott and the distance medley team of Olivia McCormick, Alex Scott, Carter, and Abby Carthey grabbed wins. Elsie Lange won the long jump with a leap of 16 feet 1.5 inches and Ava English won the shot put with a throw of 36 feet 10.5 inches.
The boys team finished with 148 points to take 2nd place. Will Davidson picked up wins in the 100 meter dash, and the 110 meter hurdles. The 4×400 meter relay team of Jacob Richtman, Gabe Feldmann, Tyler Johnson, and Mason Sloat grabbed the win and Avin Truong won the long jump with a leap of 21 feet 10 inches. Lastly, Isaac Jerrel tossed the shot put 52 feet 4 inches to win the event.
The Southeast Iowa Super Conference meet produced one new conference champion as Mediapolis repeated as the boys South title winner and on the girls side, West Burlington Notre Dame and Pekin defended their titles for the South and North, respectively. Columbus is the new champion as they won the North title by 71 points.
For the North girls division, Winfield-Mt. Union took 6th place and WACO finished in 8th place. For the Wolves, Keetyn Townsley won the 100 meter hurdles with a time of 17.14 seconds. Townsley also joined Josie Nelson, Tessa Huston, and Keyreana Sharar in the 4×100 meter shuttle hurdle that finished with a time of 1 minute and 12 seconds winning the event. For WACO, Zoey Dennler won the 400 meter hurdles and the distance medley team of McKenzie Vrandenburg, Dennler, Halle Shelman, and Elyssa Graber took 2nd place.
Danville finished in 2nd place in the girls South division, Central Lee claimed 5th place, and New London finished in 6th. For Danville, Alaina Gourley won the 400 meter dash, 800 meter dash, the 1500 meter run, and the 3000 meter run. With a time of 1 minute and 12 seconds, Alexis Dietsch took the 400 meter hurdles. Kenna Furnald won the long jump with a leap of 16 feet 1 inch. Taylor Jones, Furnald, Jaeda Molle, and Miya Orbiana took the 800 sprint medley.
Shifting to the boys side for the North division, Winfield-Mt. Union was the runner-up and WACO finished in 3rd place. For the Wolves, Kohlby Newsom won the 800 meter run and Gabriel Hemsworth took the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 57.09 seconds. Cam Buffington grabbed the long jump crown with a leap of 21 feet 4.5 inches. The team of Sheaden Adams, Ty Scorpil, Newsom, and Hemsworth won the 4×400 meter relay and the team of Caleb Giese, Abram Edwards, Buffington, and Hemsworth took the 800 sprint medley. Lane Genkinger, Edwards, Scorpil, and Newsom won the distance medley.
WACO won the 4×200 meter relay with the team of Braden Spain, Isaac Oswald, Mason Miller, and Clayton Miller. Oswald and Mason Miller joined Louden Huisenga, and Simeon Reichenbach to take the 4×110 meter shuttle hurdle.
For the boys South division, Central Lee grabbed 3rd place, Danville took 5th, and New London rounded it out in 6th place. Grabbing wins for Central Lee was Thomas Eschman in the long jump, and Brody Fuller in the shot put. AJ Bonnesen won the 3200 meter run for Danville. New London’s lone win came from Cade Benjamin in the high jump with a jump of 6 feet 8 inches.
High School Soccer
The Mt. Pleasant girls team crushed Fairfield last night 9-0. Charice Auwerda and Elly Manning each scored four goals and two assists. Tori Wilson netted one. The Panthers will host Fort Madison on May 8th.
The Mt. Pleasant boys team fell to Fairfield last night 2-1 in overtime. Noah Lange scored the goal for the Panthers. Mt. Pleasant will travel to face off against Fort Madison on May 8th.
The WACO boys team will host Hillcrest Academy tonight.
The Danville boys team handled Wapello last night 11-3 after putting up seven goals in the second half. Colin Pealer and Talan Whaley each scored four goals in the contest as Whaley added four assists to his total. The Bears will host Central Lee today.
The Central Lee boys fell to Columbus last night 2-0.
The Central Lee girls team scraped by with a 2-1 win over Columbus in overtime. The Hawks will take on Burlington Notre Dame on May 8th.
High School Golf
The Mt. Pleasant boys team’s next competition will be on May 10th for the 3A sectional meet.
The Mt. Pleasant girls team will compete in the SEC conference tournament on May 10th.
The boys teams of New London, Winfield-Mt. Union, Danville, and Holy Trinity Catholic will compete in the 1A sectional meet on May 10th.
The girls SEISC competition will be taking place on May 8th.
High School Tennis
The Mt. Pleasant boys team finished as the top team in the conference with an undefeated record. Owen Vansickel entered the singles tournament as the #1 seed and walked away with the gold and All-Conference honors after taking down Hunter Ford of Burlington in two sets, 6-4 and 6-3. Elliot Cook took 4th place. Garrett Flanagan and Jace Hannes of Fairfield won the doubles tournament as they took down Jake Ensminger and Phoenix Watson, both earning All-Conference honors. Gavin Ross and Lou Schimmelpfennig finished in 4th place. The Panthers will compete at the District Meet on May 8th.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The Tiger baseball team earned the 4th seed in the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) tournament and they will be facing off against Georgia Gwinnett College tomorrow, May 6th.
The Tigers outdoor track and field teams will be competing at the Fighting Scot Outdoor Invitational tomorrow.
This Day in Sports History
1904 – Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in “modern” baseball as the Boston Americans beat Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0.
1973 – 99th Kentucky Derby: Ron Turcotte aboard Secretariat wins in 1:59.4 – fastest Kentucky Derby ever.
1995 – Last basketball game at Boston Garden; Celtics eliminated from playoffs by Orlando Magic, 95-92.
Fred Lee Finke
Fred Lee Finke, 98, of New London, died Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at New London Specialty Care. He was born in rural New London on September 6, 1924 to William Laird and Ethel Eugenia Kelly Finke. He attended school in Lee Town and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School.
On August 10, 1963, he married Lois Melissa Wiederrecht in Wapello. He was a lifelong farmer and a member of the New London United Methodist Church. He was active in the New London Elevator; was a New London Township Trustee; and enjoyed fishing, woodworking, and watching old westerns.
Survivors include his wife, Lois M. Finke; daughter Ellen (Mike) Haase of Bondurant; niece Judy (Chuck) Stubbs of Tijeras, New Mexico; and nephew Dan (Mary) Hatala of Waverly. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters; Lois A. Finke, Avon Finke, and Ruth Hatala.
The funeral service for Mr. Finke will be at 2:00 pm, Thursday, May 11, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Kathleen Moore officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family greeting friends from 1:00 until the 2:00 service. Burial will follow at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. Memorials have been established for New London United Methodist Church and New London Fire and Rescue. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Charles “Charlie” Robert Wesely
Charles “Charlie” Robert Wesely’s last race ended Saturday, April 29, 2023, while he was surrounded by family at Savannah Heights nursing home in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa as the NASCAR Xinfinity race at Dover Motor Speedway was going on the TV, that he had planned on attending with family but didn’t make it due to his health.
Charlie was born on August 24, 1932, in Iowa City to Frank and Mary (Cooper) Wesely of Keosauqua, Iowa. After his family moved to Henry County, he had the unique opportunity of attending two rural country schools, where he was an average student and when asked what his favorite part of school was, he without a doubt responded, “the girls.” After the country schools, Charlie went on to become a student in the Mount Pleasant School system and graduated in 1951.
Following graduation, Charlie moved to California to join his brother Paul, and was soon hired to work at an Air Force supply depot. However, his employment at the depot was short lived as he was called upon in 1953 to serve his country in the United Stated Army for the next two years. After receiving an honorable discharge, Charlie was hired to work at a Marine supply depot in Barstow California briefly, but knew Iowa was home and he returned to the Midwest.
After returning home to Iowa, Charlie took on farming and soon found employment at General Electric in Burlington, Iowa where he worked as an electrical tester for 26 and a half years.
Charlie was married three times, once to Rosemary Scarff of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa and twice to Helen Woodyward of Burlington, Iowa, both ending in divorce.
Charlie was a member and supporter of the Salem VFW – Post 94, was an avid coin collector, loved his vintage Chevrolets, local car shows, and would never turn down a trip to Red Lobster.
He was an avid NASCAR supporter, rarely missing a race on TV, we all knew not to call when the races were on. He made many trips to Michigan and Dover with family to watch the races firsthand and one Christmas received a signed letter from Richard Childress, a NASCAR team owner, thanking him for his continued support which Charlie proudly displayed in his home next to all his Dale Earnhardt memorabilia.
In retirement, Charlie continued to help the local farmers, he loved running the equipment and was up for any task. Anywhere we would be driving in the car, he would always share his opinion of the owners’ care of the passing fields, leaving little doubt of his approval or dislike.
Farming, NASCAR racing, and old cars were all second to family. Charlie came from a large family himself having eleven brothers and sisters. Each year in June, it was time to spruce up his property by mowing, plating flowers, and painting in anticipation and preparation for the annual Wesely reunion that was held for many years at his house in Salem, Iowa. He genuinely looked forward to seeing family come literally from all over the country for reuniting, visiting, and whatever else may occur.
When the weather was good, Charlie enjoyed sitting out by his barn in the sun, or in the doorway watching the world go by and many times friends would stop by to visit and discuss the news of the day. Most of the locals knew to look for him and would honk as they passed by. Charlie would always wave and wait for the next car, truck, or tractor to go by all while relaxing, soaking up the sun and enjoying his “occasional” Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer.
Charlie is survived by his children; Roger Wesely of Mt. Pleasant, Cindy (Lynn) Conrad of Mt. Pleasant, Tina Wesely of Burlington, four grandsons, five granddaughters, several great-grandchildren, one sister; Genevieve (Wesely) Fetterman of Salem, and several nieces and nephews. He is proceeded in death by his parents; Frank Wesely and Mary (Cooper) Wesely and ten brother and sisters; Dorothy, Jane, Bertha, Jean, Pricilla, Joe, George, Merlin “Mike” Paul, and Johnny.
Kimzey Funeral Home has been entrusted to handle the care and services of Charles “Charlie” Robert Wesely. He will be cremated with inurnment in the Salem East Cemetery. A celebration of life will take place in conjunction with his late sister Jane on Friday, June 30, 2023, at the Moose Lodge in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Salem Fire Department. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com
Shirley LaRue Bailey
Donald W. Mathews
High School Girls’ Soccer: Burlington Enters the Top 15 for Class 2A
Prep Girls Soccer- The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union has released their sixth edition of the girls’ soccer rankings. It was a quiet week for Class 3A but Class 1A saw a top three team tumble and Class 2A has a new top team and a local team joining the top 15.
Des Moines Christian remain atop the rankings in Class 1A followed by 10-3 Nevada. Van Meter is the first team that experienced a fall as they are now ranked 6th after being in 3rd last week. Underwood’s 2 to 1 win over the Bulldogs resulted in the shift as Underwood shifted from 6th to 5th in the rankings. Davenport Assumption took over the #3 spot. Solon was the last big movement as the Spartans fell to Vinton-Shellsburg 2 to 1 last week and fell out of the top 15 from their 13th rankings. After losing their second game of the season, Anamosa has rattled off seven straight wins and take over that 13th ranking with an 8-1 overall record.
Waverly-Shell Rock leapfrogged two teams to take over the #1 spot in the Class 2A rankings touting a 10-0 record. The big win for the Go-Hawks came against the former #1 team in Dallas Center-Grimes 1 to 0 in penalty kicks. North Scott’s loss to Assumption kept them from gaining the top spot and instead sliding down to 3rd in the rankings. Spencer jumped to 6th and Marion went from 12th to 9th. Burlington enters the rankings at the #15 spot after winning eight games in a row and allowing only one goal in the process. Hunter Pender leads the way for the Grayhounds with 14 goals while Jenna Hentzel touts an 83.6 save percentage.
Class 3A defied its usual pattern demonstrated throughout the weeks as the top 11 teams made no movement in the rankings. Waukee Northwest held on to the top spot followed by Valley and Johnston, respectively. Dubuque Hempstead clung on to the top 15 after falling three spots after losing 3 to 0 to Iowa City High last week. Due to the win, the Little Hawks went from being unranked to now being ranked 14th. Urbandale and Mason City slot in at #12 and #13, respectively.
Edith Louise (Martin) Roth
Edith Louise (Martin) Roth, 98, of Farmington, IA, passed away Wednesday May 3, 2023 at her home after a long struggle with dementia.
Edith was born August 2, 1924 in rural Lee County Iowa, to Oka and Mattie (Grelk) Martin. She was the youngest of five siblings: Myrtle, Hillis, Warren, and Glenn, all who preceded her in death.
She attended many different county schools as her family moved a lot. She started working as a young girl: baby siting, doing chores for neighbors, waitressing, and learning many different skills. She even volunteered in helping build many buildings around the area.
Edith married Irvin Henry Roth in Kahoka, MO July 4, 1943. They were blessed to be married 77 years and had two daughters, Cheryl Roth DeMoss and Linda Roth Fraise. Linda passed away with cancer in 2003 and Irvin passed in 2021 at age 100.
Edith and Irvin worked their own farmland that had been in the family over 100 years, which they were very proud of. In their younger days, they milked their own cows, raised calves, hogs, chickens, rabbits, and sheep. They planted corn, soybeans, oats, and hay. They raised big gardens, did a lot of canning, and Edith always cooked meals for family, friends, and neighbors.
Edith also had several jobs off the farm. She worked for Sheller Globe in Keokuk, was a cook for the Harmony High School, and retired from Sheaffer Pen Co. in Ft. Madison.
The family made many memories going on road trips. Seeing many states and sights in their pickup trucks with toppers and also a tent or two. She enjoyed cooking, baking, camping, and being outdoors. She had a great talent at doing about anything she tried and fixing things.
Edith is survived by her daughter, Cheryl DeMoss of Farmington, son-in-law Alfred Fraise of Farmington, four grandchildren Aaron DeMoss, Tammy DeMoss, Heath (Jacki) Fraise, Brett Fraise, two great grandchildren Sydney DeMoss, Tanner DeMoss, and three step great grandchildren Sam Weber, Josie Johnson, and Lucas Johnson. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, siblings, one daughter, and one grandson at birth.
Friends may call from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 8, 2023, in Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington, with Reverend Gordon Hawkins officiating.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Greenglade Cemetery or Every Step Hospice.
On-line condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com. Schmitz Funeral Home of Farmington is assisting the family with arrangements.