Eugene Arthur Hunold, lovingly known as Possum, died Saturday, March 11, 2023.  He was born January 7, 1940 in West Point, IA to Edward and Anna Menke Hunold.  The youngest of seven children, he had many fond memories of living in rural West Point and growing up on a farm.  He attended St. James School in St. Paul and volunteered for the Army reserves, where he met great friends and gathered more stories to tell his kids and grandkids.  He met Shirley Manshiem and married on April 24, 1965.  After farming in rural West Point, they moved to Houghton in 1973 and raised their three daughters.

Gene’s life was full of work, and he pursued many occupations throughout his lifetime.  He was a farmer,  a mechanic, a grocer, a woodworker, cabinet maker and craftsman extraordinaire.  He loved figuring out impossible designs and building the best pieces to his exacting standards.  He enjoyed learning anything new and taught himself carving and making stained glass. If there was a problem that needed solving, his friends knew to ask Possum. He loved telling great stories and showing how to be a great son, brother, uncle, husband, father and grandfather.  He led his family by example and taught his grandkids all the great tricks and tools of life. Every family member remembers his words of wisdom, and they all lived by “man must be smarter than the machine or the machine wins every time”. Gene loved his Catholic faith and his parish, St John’s, and was a long-time member of the Houghton Knights of Columbus. He sang in the church choir with his wife, fixed what needed fixed and served where he was needed.

Gene was dedicated to the community he raised his family in, and served as Mayor of Houghton. He volunteered many years for the local firefighters and quick response service, and went on many ambulance calls.  He was always willing to help his neighbors and friends, and everyone knew him for his great laugh and willingness to get the job done.

Gene is survived by his wife, Shirley; a brother, Ronald Hunold of Warsaw, IL and a sister, Irma Burch of Windsor Heights; his daughters, Pamela (Doug) Nimtz of Oskaloosa, Shari (Dave) Naughton of Des Moines, Amy (Jim) Hunold-Van Gundy of Carlisle; grandchildren Taylor (Katie) Nimtz, Cassie Nimtz, Riley Naughton, Rebecca Naughton, Allison Naughton, Tucker Van Gundy and Sophie Van Gundy; one great-granddaughter, Lillian James; as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.

Gene was proceeded in death by his parents, infant daughter, Susan Lynn, his brothers, Harold, Adrian and Bernard, his sister, Doris Duncan, brother-in-laws, Howard Burch and Raymond Duncan, and his grandson, Anthony Nimtz.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 17, 2023, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton, where the family will meet with friends from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian Wake service at 6:00 p.m.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton with Father John Spiegel as celebrant.

Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery in Houghton.

The family requests no flowers and memorials can be made to St John’s Parish or Holy Trinity Catholic Schools.

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

Vera Mae McCabe, 80 of La Vergne, Tennessee and former area resident passed away on Wednesday, March 8, 2023 at her daughter’s home in La Vergne, Tennessee.

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

Darrell “Henry” Moeller, 83, of Salem, IA, passed away Saturday, March 11, 2023 at his home, in his favorite chair, with his wife by his side.

Darrell was born a leap year baby on February 29, 1940, the son of Albert and Mary Scharpman Moeller. He was united in marriage to Joyce Lampe on May 30, 1964. Darrell lived and farmed all his life in the rural Salem and Houghton area. His passion was raising livestock and tilling the soil. Throughout the years, he worked many jobs off the farm to support his family. His biggest joy was his family. He enjoyed going to sale barns and connecting with friends and strangers alike. For many years, he sold seed to countless friends and neighbors. Ears of corn and stalks of beans were often found in his truck during the annual search for the best genetic variety.

Darrell was a member of the Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, and he was the recipient of  Cattleman of the Year in 2016. He was a member of St. John the Baptist Church and the Knights of Columbus in Houghton. He served in the National Guard and was a member of several tractor clubs. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, watching the RFD Ag programs and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.  Darrell loved jigsaw puzzles, visiting coffee shops with friends, and playing euchre.  However, his greatest joy was spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Darrell is survived by his loving wife Joyce of 58 years; children Jeanne (Mark) Owens of Homestead, IA, Steven (Kimberly) Moeller of Reisterstown, MD, Jeffrey (Andrea) Moeller of Salem, IA, and Carrie (Christian) Johnsen of Des Moines, IA; grandchildren Rebecca (Kody) Curtis, Elizabeth Owens, Michelle (Anthony) Mashek, Olivia and Grace Moeller, Lindsey and Kyle Moeller, Emma and Cooper Huckabone, Karoline and Leif Johnsen; great-grandchildren Kolter and Truett Curtis; brothers Marvin, Paul (Sharon Walden) and Greg (Lana) Moeller; sisters Vera (Lonnie) Glasscock, Eileen (Robert) Barnett; and sister-in-law Kay Wesley. He is preceded in death by parents Albert and Mary Moeller; brothers Dennis, Victor, Kevin, and Larry Moeller; sister Marilyn Boecker; sister-in-laws Dorothy Moeller, Jeanne Moeller, Patricia Steffensmeier and Glenda Moeller; brother-in-laws John Arnold and Rodger Boecker.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton, where the family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. A Knights of Columbus rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m.A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Joseph Phung as celebrant.

Burial will be in Saint John’s Cemetery in Houghton, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Salem Fire and Rescue and Houghton Fire and Rescue.

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

Eli Nathaniel Wibstad, 47 of New London, IA, died Saturday, March 11, 2023 at his home.

His body has been cremated and no public services are scheduled. Beatty-Peterseim Funeral, Cremation Care, and Monument Services are assisting the family. A general memorial has been established.

Eli was born April 23, 1975 in Phoenix, AZ the son of Craig Willard and Zanythe Emily (Klaus) Wibstad. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1993, received EMT basic certification and was a Union Carpenter.

He was a carpenter for all of his life. He enjoyed archery, gadgets, joking, awarding nicknames, his hot dog machine, trivial pursuit, playing drums in a band and especially his family.

Survivors include his parents of Trenton; brothers, Zachariah (Darcy) Wibstad of Trenton and Chilon Craig (Amanda) Wibstad of Trenton; nieces and nephews, Rylee, Emily, Brianna, Owen, Gunnar, Cheyenne and Chad; great nieces, Brinley and Willow.