Jody Isley

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 10:59 am CDT

Jody J. Isley, 60, of Lockridge, died of cancer under hospice care on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at his residence

According to Jody’s wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Jody’s ashes will be interred at a later date at the Garden of Memories Cemetery, Waterloo, Iowa.

On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Jody Jay Isley was born December 4, 1962 in Waterloo, Iowa. He was the son of James Franklin and Ruth Bertha (Mehmen) Isley. He graduated from Central High School in in Waterloo.

Jody began his working career with the Repair Crew of CECO Building Systems in Charles City, IA. He then took a position with the Erection Crew of CECO in Mt. Pleasant. In 1986, Jody accepted a position with the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in 1986. He remained in that position until his death.

Jody was a very avid hunter and fisherman who loved to hunt and fish with his friends.

Survivors include a sister, Julie Isley of Cedar Falls, IA and Jody’s girlfriend, Melissa Swinderman of Mt. Pleasant.

His parents precede him in death.

Sports, March 8th

By Slaten Swords · Wednesday, March 8th, 2023 at 6:01 am CDT

High School Track and Field

The Mt. Pleansant and Winfield-Mt. Union boys’ track and field teams competed at the Dickinson Relays yesterday and here are some of the results. Will Davidson placed in 42nd for the high jump with a leap of 5 feet 6 inches. Cam Buffinton claimed 7th place in the long jump, and Avin Truong took home 15th. Isaac Jerrel had a nice toss of 47 feet 11.25 inches in the shot put placing him in 11th for the Panthers. The 4×800 meter relay team of Jacob Richtman, Isaac Rynders, Ben Carthey, and Gabe Feldmann finished in 26th place with a time of 9 minutes and 1 second. Kohlby Newsom for the Wolves placed in 30th for the 1600 meter run with a time of 4 minutes 45 seconds and he claimed 23rd place in the 800 meter run. Keeping up with Winfield-Mt. Union, Gabriel Hemsworth raced his way to 15th in the 400 meter dash with a time of 53.83 seconds. Will Davidson finished in 2nd place for the 60 meter hurdles with a time of 8.39 seconds. Avin Truong had another top 25 finish this time in the 200 meter relay as he took home 24th. Lastly, the 4×400 meter relay team of Max Sloat, Will Davidson, Gabe Feldmann, and Jacob Richtman took home 17th place to end the meet.

Youth Basketball

March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team had their season ended by Dordt University last night in the opening round of the NAIA women’s national tournament in 76-63 final. Isabell West led the way in points and reobunds as she collected a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Kyla Moore scored 16 points, while Maci Kuchta added 14 points in the effort as they combined for 7 three-pointers. Head Coach Steve Williamson talked about his team’s effort after the game. The Tigers finish with a 23-7 record and as conference champions.

The men’s basketball team ended their season in the opening round against Evangel University 65-58 yesterday. The Tigers had control in the first half leading 33 to 28, but the Tigers would struggle shooting from beyond the arc and kept sending the Valor to the foul line as Evangel University ended the night 24 for 29 from the free throw line. Gacoby Jones led the way in scoring for Iowa Wesleyan with 12 points. The Tigers end the season with a 27-3 record, the program’s most amount of wins in a single season and their first time being ranked since the 2011-2012 season.

The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place on March 10th.

The Tiger baseball team faced off against the University of South Carolina Beaufort yesterday and fell 9-5. The Tigers had a 4 to 0 lead entering the bottom of the third inning but surrendered the 9 runs over the next four innings. Julian Figueroa had a phenomenal game as he went 4 for 4 with a home run, a double, and four RBIs. David Amaya added an RBI and also had a triple in the contest. The Tigers will have a rematch against the Sand Sharks today.

The Tiger softball team have now won back-to-back games as they defeated Rochester University in decisive fashion, 13-1. Kara Krieger and Aspyn Harrison did most of the damage offensively as they combined for 7 RBIs. Harrison had another terrific outing as she went all 5 innings allowing only 1 run and striking out 3. The Tigers will take on Suffolk University tomorrow morning at 11 am.

This Day in Sports History

1913 – MLB Federal League organizes with 6 teams, including the Chicago Whales, who built and played at Weeghman Park (now Wrigley Field); League folded after 3 seasons.

1936 – The first stock car race is held in Daytona Beach, Florida..

2019 – US national women’s soccer team sue for equal pay by filing a federal gender discrimination lawsuit against United States Soccer Federation.

School Bus and Horse Drawn Buggy Collide

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 3:50 pm CDT

According to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Tuesday morning a Van Buren County Community School District bus collided with a horse drawn buggy. A woman in the buggy was injured and taken by ambulance to the Van Buren County Hospital. Sources say there were 21 students on the bus but none of them were hurt. Preliminary reports indicate the accident happened just before 8 a.m. near the intersection of Highway J40 and Heather Avenue, west of Keosauqua the horse pulling the buggy got spooked and crossed the centerline into the path of the oncoming Van Buren County School bus.

St. Patrick’s Day Safety

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 2:08 pm CDT

 
DON’T RELY ON THE LUCK O’ THE IRISH

DES MOINES, Iowa – Although Irish in its roots, St. Patrick’s Day is most widely celebrated in the United States. To help keep Iowa’s roads safe, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau is partnering with local law enforcement March 11-19, to spread the message about the dangers of impaired driving.

Last year, during the week of St. Patrick’s Day, 48 people were either seriously injured or killed in car crashes on Iowa Roadways (March 11-March 19, 2022). Nationally, St. Patrick’s is one of the deadliest times on our nation’s roads.

Impaired driving is not only illegal, but also a matter of life and death. As you travel to festivities, help spread the word; Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving!

This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Friday which means more parties throughout the weekend. If you’re going to drink, make the smart choice and plan for a sober ride. If you’re the designated driver, make sure you keep that promise of safety to yourself and your passengers.

GTSB Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes says, “It’s vital people plan ahead. If you wait until you’ve been drinking to make a smart decision, you might not. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a rideshare service. Our law enforcement partners across Iowa will be looking for impaired drivers.”

GTSB Program Administrator, Sheri Krohn says St. Patrick’s Day can also be a dangerous time for pedestrians…video here .

The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau works with city, county, state, and local organizations to develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa’s roadways using federally funded grants.

Access St. Patrick’s Day Assets here .

Source: Iowa Crash Analysis Tool, National Highway Traffic Safety Association

ABOUT THE IOWA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the largest law enforcement agency in the state. It includes six divisions and several bureaus, all working together with local, state and federal government agencies and the private sector, to keep Iowa a safe place by following our core values: leadership, integrity, professionalism, courtesy, service and protection. Divisions within the Iowa DPS: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Iowa Division of Narcotics Enforcement, Iowa State Patrol, Iowa State Fire Marshal Division, Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, and Administrative Services Division. The Department of Public Safety is led by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Governor.

 

Verna Mae (Burgdorf-Dains) Colyer

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 2:01 pm CDT

Verna Mae (Burgdorf-Dains) Colyer, 90, passed away at 9:45 a.m. Monday, March 6, 2023, at Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant.

Verna was born near Vieli, Iowa, on September 21, 1932, to Paul and Sophia (Heiser) Burgdorf. She lived near Donnellson all her life. She graduated from the Donnellson High School in 1950. Murel and Verna were married in 1970. Verna was a thirty nine year retiree of the Central Lee Community School District. She was a member of Embury United Methodist Church and the Embury United Women in Faith.

Surviving are three children, Nina Lange (Bernard) of Donnellson, Iowa, Stephanie Reneau (Edward) of Warsaw, Illinois, and William P. Dains (Linda) of Donnellson, Iowa, grandchildren, Justin Reneau, Carlee Ann Jenkins (Chris), Christy Brisley (Aaron), Miranda Miller, Paulette Hayes, Merridith McMurray, Tonya Harvey (Leonard), Seth Dains, Clayton Dains (Mary Ann), one sister in-law Darlene Burgdorf of O’Fallon, Illinois, thirteen great grandchildren, Samuel (Kaitlyn) and Micheal Lange, Jennifer and Maia Jenkins, Dakota, Tyler and Izaac Miller, Hannah and Erica Brisley, Haley and Ethan Hayes, Emma and Everlee Harvey, one great-great grandchild Sydney Lange, four step children and several step grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Murel, daughter Denise Marie, her parents, two sisters, three brothers and one grandson.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at Embury United Methodist Church near Donnellson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 10, 2023, at Embury United Methodist Church with Rev. Kayla Lange-Carney officiating.

Burial will be in Embury Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for Embury Cemetery or Embury United Women in Faith.

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

 

Tickets On Sale for WMU Annual Cafe Concert

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 12:00 pm CDT

The Winfield Mt. Union music department’s annual café concert is planned for Friday, March 17th, at 7:00 in the big gym. There will be a variety of musical acts throughout the evening, featuring some favorites and classics that everyone will recognize from some of their Favorite Disney movies. There may even be a few Disney characters on hand as well–you just never know! All 6-12 grade WMU Music students will be participating, so plan to come and enjoy the entertainment!  Feel free to wear your own Disney gear, too!  Tickets are available now, and are selling quickly.  Tickets for table seating with desserts are $10 each, and bleacher seats are $5 each. There will be a bake sale as well, with proceeds going toward the music department’s trip to go see “The Lion King” at the end of the month in Des Moines.  We would love to have you join us!  If anyone has any questions, please contact Mrs Pogmore at 319-257-7700 ext. 128.

Joyce Darlene Cline Masaoay

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 11:40 am CDT

Joyce Darlene Cline Masaoay, age 95, of Seymour, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Corydon Specialty Care Center  at Corydon, Iowa.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, 2023, at the Glasgow Cemetery south of Lockridge, with Pastor Kevin Dice, officiating of the Round Prairie Baptist Church.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Seymour United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 18, at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Shawn LaRue, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Seymour Fire Department; 109 N. 5th St., Seymour, Iowa 52590

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Sports, March 7th

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, March 7th, 2023 at 8:19 am CDT

High School Basketball
The 8th seed New London Tigers were looking for the upset over the #1 seed Grand View Christian Thunder, but could not overcome the 2nd and 3rd quarter offensive storm of the Thunder as the Tigers fell 61-51. New London had a 20 to 15 lead midway through the 2nd quarter when Grand View Christian would go on an 18 to 2 run between the middle quarters and hang on for the rest of the game. Blaise Porter and Kade Benjamin led the way in scoring for the Tigers as Porter put up 15 points and Benjamin scored 14 points. Brendan Richey finished with 9 points all off of three-pointers. Despite the loss, Porter was happy that his team was able to reach the tournament. The Tigers finish the year with a 19-7 record.
High School Track and Field
The Mt. Pleansant girls track and field team competed in the Dickinson Relays yesterday and here are some of the top finishers for the Panthers. The 4×200 meter relay team of Rellana Van Deuren, Courteny Raub, Tristian Shull, and Andi Scott finished in 31st with a time of 1 minute 57 seconds. Ella Ensminger claimed 34th place in the shot put with a heave of 31 feet 6 inches. In the high jump, Josie Gilmore jumped 4 feet 10 inches to take 22nd place. The boys’ track and field season will begin today at the Dickinson Relays.
Youth Basketball
March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.
Iowa Wesleyan Athletics
The women’s basketball team will be participating in the NAIA National Tournament beginning tonight. The Tigers claimed the 15th seed and will be taking on the 2nd seed Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.
The 23rd-ranked men’s team qualified for the National Tournament beginning today. The Tigers captured the 7th seed and will be taking on Evangel University, the 10th seed, in Fort Wayne, Indiana at 12 pm.
The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place on March 10th.
The Tiger baseball team will face off against the University of South Carolina Beaufort today at 3 pm.
The Tiger softball team came up with their 2nd win of the season after taking down Fairmount State University 6-1. Kara Krieger, Jordan Lantz, and Julia Hill each tallied an RBI. Aspyn Harrison had a teffiefic day in the circle as she went the full 7 innings giving up only one run while striking out 9. The Tigers will take on Madonna University and Rochester Community Techincal College today.
This Day in Sports History
1982 – NCAA Tournament Selection televised live for 1st time.
1988 – Jim Abbott, one-handed pitcher, wins 58th James E Sullivan Award.
2009 – Despite only being 17 years old, Brazilian soccer star Neymar makes his professional debut for Santos.