Nicholas Lee Huston, 43, of Grand Island, NE and formerly of Mediapolis, IA, died November 24, 2022 at his residence in Grand Island.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 7, 2023 at the American Legion Daniel Matson Post in Mediapolis. Mr. Craig Grothe will preside. Burial will be at a later date in the Beauchamp Cemetery, Wyman, IA.

Memorials may be directed to All God’s Creatures Animal Shelter in Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com

Nicholas was born April 1, 1979 in Ft. Madison, IA. He was the son of Glen Harold and Carla Frances (Kephart) Huston. He graduated from Crusade High School in Morning Sun, IA. Nicholas was married to Nicole Miller. The couple later divorced.

He learned a truck mechanics trade and was previously employed by Mepo Truck and Trailer Repair. He moved to Nebraska and was a truck mechanic for Travel Centers of America in Grand Island, a position he held at the time of his death. He was DOT Certified in brake repair.

Mechanical things were at the top of Nicholas’ list, as he was quite the “MacGyver”, forever coming up with gadgets and ideas. He loved to watch NASCAR where he rooted for his favorite driver, Tony Stewart. He also loved to cheer on the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Dallas Cowboys. Nicholas also held a fondness in his heart for minions.

Those thankful for sharing in Nicholas’ life include his mother and stepfather, Carla & Doug Menees of Mt. Pleasant; 2 children – Dakota McKittrick of Alden, IA and Jeanna Olerich of Washington State; 3 brothers – Benjamin (Nichole) Huston of Mediapolis, Jeffrey Long of Grand Island, NE and Anthony Long of Mt. Pleasant, and 2 grandchildren – Melia and Ophelia McKittrick.

Nicholas’ father precedes him in death.

Robert Batey, 94, of Mount Pleasant, died Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Jefferson County Health Center in Fairfield.

Born New Year’s Day, 1928 to Harry and Mary Batey, Robert grew up a child of the Great Depression. At a young age he learned to hunt and trap in order to supplement the family food source, and soon parlayed that skill into the fur business and a source of income for the family. Always the entrepreneur, he rented a blacksmith shop at 14, and was soon joined by his father.

With WWII calling but too young to serve in uniform, Robert began working at the tank arsenal in Bettendorf, Iowa at age 15. He had to lie on his application to get the job but would soon become night foreman. After his 16^th birthday, realizing he had a legal document that established his age at 17, Robert enlisted in the Marine Corps. There, he would be selected for Sea School and stationed aboard aircraft carrier U.S.S. Cabot. During the Pacific Theater, he became the #1 20mm tub gunner, earning 5 battle stars.

After the war, Robert moved to Storm Lake, Iowa. It was here, working as a lakeshore patrolman he would meet Iola, his wife of 67 years. With family roots in logging and land clearing, he and Iola relocated to Maquoketa, where they established the family farmstead and first logging venture.

Robert was one of the first exporters of Walnut logs in the United States. His business, Allied Timber Exchange, would become the largest, shipping logs globally. His wife and business partner Iola accompanied him on many trips to these places, and they made a wonderful life of it, raising eight children along the way.

The pursuit of Walnut would eventually bring the family farm and forestry business to Mount Pleasant Iowa in 1974, where it became more diversified in timber, logging, sawmilling, and whole tree chipping. His extensive knowledge of trees and land clearing operations led to many high-profile jobs. A later business venture, Chips Inc., would clear the ground for Saylorville Lake. Sometime thereafter, Batey Ltd Sawmill was born.

An inventor at heart, Robert would design many pieces of equipment over the years, which were used in his day-to-day operations. Among these was the Blockbuster Firewood Processor, which are still being built 35 years later.

He had many passions in life, he loved family gatherings, tending to his cattle and flying airplanes. Usually done with one of his many dogs by his side.  Robert was always up for an adventure, the memories of which will live on with wife Iola; eight children, Gary (Donna) Mt. Pleasant, Cindy (Tom) Ft. Madison, Ted (Peggy) DeWitt, Kathy; North Carolina, Scott; Florida, Tim (Kerry) Mt. Pleasant, Todd (Debbie) Panora, and Sally; Mt. Pleasant, 22 grandchildren, and many more great grandchildren.

Special thanks to Leroy Coleman, Mercedes Ellard and granddaughter Sara for making it possible for Mom and Dad to stay at home.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Rev. Mike Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Forest Home Cemetery. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will be held 2:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will greet friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for the MPCSD Music Boosters or Athletic Boosters. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Robert and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Myrna “Tink” Parrott, 73, of Mt. Pleasant passed away on Saturday, December 31, 2022 at the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Friends may call after 2 p.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at the Murphy Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant where the family will be present from 4 to 8 p.m. that evening.  Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home.  A celebration of her life will be held on April 22, 2023 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Airport Road Vineyard.   In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or to the Lockridge Baptist Church in her memory.

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

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

Jack Hudson, 92, of Des Moines and formerly of Hillsboro passed away on Friday, December 30, 2022, at the Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines. Funeral Services will be held at noon on Thursday, January 5, 2023, at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant with Reverend Earl Swigart officiating.  Burial will follow with Military Honors in the Cottonwood Cemetery rural Wayland.  The family will receive friends from 10 until 11:30 at the Murphy Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be directed to the Hillsboro Fire and Rescue Department in his memory.

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

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

Dorothy Moore, 97, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.

Dorothy was born October 30, 1925, on her family farm south of Lockridge, the daughter of Sam and Iva (Erickson) Billingsley. She graduated from Lockridge High School in 1943. She continued her education at Iowa Methodist School of Nursing, in Des Moines, graduating in 1946, and received her bachelor’s degree from Iowa Wesleyan in 1949. Dorothy returned to Iowa Methodist School of Nursing to begin her career as a nurse educator. On January 30, 1949, Dorothy was united in marriage to Lee C. Moore at Fairfield Methodist Church. Dorothy moved to Mount Pleasant in 1971, where she worked as a librarian at the Mount Pleasant Public Library. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter OX and the First Presbyterian Church.

Dorothy is survived by her daughter Denise (Jay) Nelson of Winfield; three grandsons Matt (Amber) Nelson of Winfield, Sean (Dani) Nelson of Marion, Ryan Nelson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and five great grandchildren Jacob, Shaye and Micah Nelson, Corinne, and Finley Nelson.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Lee, brother William who was killed in WWII, her twin brother Don, two nieces and several cousins.

Visitation will be held 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A graveside service will be held at a later date in the Evergreen Cemetery in Lineville, Iowa. A memorial fund has been established for Tunnels to Towers. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Dorothy and her family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com