William Henry “Bill” Wenke, 94, of Bonaparte, Iowa, passed away at 9:08 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2023, at his home.

Born on November 17, 1928, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of John and Clara (Schroeder) Wenke Sr. On May 25, 1963, he married Jean Peterson at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa. She preceded  him in death on September 1, 2019.

Survivors include his three children: Dana Mabe of Bonaparte, Iowa, Evan Wenke of Fairfield, Iowa, Mark (Laura) Wenke of Ottumwa, Iowa; four grandchildren: Heather Mabe, Natasha Wenke, John (Diana) Wenke and Connor (Kaeli) Davis; sister: Elizabeth O’Connor of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, granddaughter in infancy: Alyson Mabe; brothers: John Jr., Bernard, Henry, Ferd and Herman; sisters: Mary and Anna Louise.

Bill was a welder and electrician for Loudens in Fairfield, Iowa. He farmed and was a carpenter. He and his wife owned Waterfront Place Antiques. He was of Catholic Faith. He was a United States Army veteran and served during the Korean Conflict in 1950 to 1953. Bill was a member of Bonaparte American Legion Sargent-Osweiler Post #563 and a life member of Fairfield V.F.W. Bill enjoyed hunting arrowheads, doing for others, going to auctions, walking dogs and especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Monday, April 24, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 25, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Farmington, Iowa, with Pastor Sally Barrett officiating.

Burial will be held in Bonaparte Cemetery with full military rites by Sargent-Osweiler American Legion Post #563.

A memorial has been established in his memory.

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

Melissa Sue Oaks, 43, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 3:33 p.m. Monday, April 17, 2023, at the Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

She was born on January 28, 1980, in Joliet, Illinois, the daughter of David and Mildred (Chapman) Palmer. On September 16, 2000, she married Larry Haynes in Burlington, Iowa. They later divorced. On September 11, 2020, she married Taylor Oaks in Pensacola, Florida.

Survivors include her husband: Taylor; three children: Serenity Haynes of Donnellson, Iowa, Faith (Phil) Rudd of Cramlington, England and John David Oaks of Fort Madison, Iowa; mother: Mildred “Cindy” Donovan of Joliet, Illinois; brothers Marvin Jones of Crest Hill, Illinois and Jon Jones of Fort Madison, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents and father.

Melissa received her Bachelors degree in Nursing from Southeastern Community College in Keokuk, Iowa. She worked for Birkwood Village in Fort Madison, Iowa. She enjoyed traveling, sunshine and reading. Most of all she loved being a wife, mother and nurse.

Her body has been entrusted to Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Friday, April 28, 2023, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. that evening.

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.

Paul LeRoy Gugeler, 96, of Mt. Pleasant, transitioned to his heavenly home on April 19, 2023.  He was born on September 29, 1926 in Des Moines, Iowa, the youngest of three.  Preceding him in death are parents, Roy & Althea, step father, Donald Bucklew, his wife of 69 years, Gloria (Ginger), and his sister, Doris Ziegler & Mike.  He always remained close to his brother, Donald & Helen, who currently reside in Templeton, California.

Paul served in the Army Air Corps in WW II as a crew chief before attended Iowa State, earning a degree in Agriculture.  He began his career by teaching Agronomy while farming, followed by farm management and sales.  His early farm management experience helped as he managed family farms close to Spencer and Mason City.

A highlight of college was having his brother set him up on a blind date with Gloria Ginger, and marrying her soon after their graduations in 1951.  They were blessed to be married almost 69 years, before her death in 2020.  It brings joy to Paul’s family knowing they are reunited.  Paul and Gloria had three children, ten grandchildren, and 28 great grandchildren.  Surviving are James Gugeler & Rebecca, of Springville, Iowa, Joan Stambaugh & Alan, of Wichita, Kansas, and daughter-in-law, Tressia Cain & Paul, of Wylie, Texas.  Preceding him in death is son, Thomas, of Dallas Texas.  Grandchildren are Christopher Gugeler & Rebecca, of Euless, Texas, Molly & John McKune, of Fremont, California, Alissa & Jefferson Hunt, of Mt. Vernon, Iowa, Jamie & Spencer Jardine, of Pocatello, Idaho, Matthew Stambaugh, of Lawrence, Kansas, Amber & Austin Rounds, of Rexburg, Idaho, Sarah & Kyle Neufeld, of Moundridge, Kansas, Danielle & Cory Sessions, of Orem, Utah, Nathan Stambaugh, of Manhattan, Kansas, and Heather & John Schliemann, of Springville, Iowa.

The brother bond between Paul and Don continued through the years, despite the California to Iowa distance.   There were multiple trips back and forth, whether as a family of five or after retirement.  Paul & Gloria and Don & Helen enjoyed traveling together throughout the U.S. and abroad.  Paul recently shared memories of snow skiing with family in Colorado, introducing his children and grandchildren to his favorite sport.   Paul’s adventurous spirit made for many fun family outings, highlights being sailing, parasailing, rides on his motorcycle, and even flying an ultralight, although this was a solo act.  When at home, he took meticulous care of the beautiful roses, both at home and church.

Friends were numerous through his involvement in Kiwanis, Romeo (Retired Old Men Eating Out), singing, sharing his gift of music in the church choir and barbershop quartet, and always looking for opportunities to dance.  While Paul had a zest for life, he was usually soft-spoken and reserved, with the occasional witty remark bringing chuckles to all.

He commented frequently that his goal was to live longer than his mother who lived to 107, even while fighting cancer.  His acknowledgement that he looked forward to seeing his beloved Gloria brings great peace to his family.

A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at 2:00 on April 26^th at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St.,  Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner will officiate. A visitation will immediately follow the service in the church’s Fellowship Hall. Friends may pay their respects and sign the register book from 12-7 PM on Tuesday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St. The memorial service will be livestreamed on the First United Methodist Church YouTube channel.

Thanks to Everystep Hospice and those who cared for him for all their loving care.  Those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to First United Methodist Church of Mt. Pleasant (www.firstmethodistonline.org) or the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) , in memory of Paul’s wife, Gloria. On-line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com