Sarah Swift (final arrangements)

Sarah E. Swift, 68, of Salem passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at her home in Salem.

A Celebration of Sarah’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at the Salem Friends Church in Salem with Pastor Deb Savage officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 until time of the service at the church.  Following the service there will be a time of food and fellowship at the church.

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

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

Water Main Break

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities is currently experiencing a water main break on Mapleleaf Dr. and Lincoln Street. The water will be temporarily shut off in that area for our water department to make repairs.

The Utilities regrets any inconvenience. For questions, please call 319-385-2121 (24 hrs.).

Richard Stephen Lindell (final arrangements)

Richard Stephen Lindell, age 80, of Mount Pleasant, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, from complications of dementia and a fall.

Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. Visitation will begin at 1:00 until service time. Rev. Zach Fischer will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home, Samaritan’s Purse and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Richard and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Sports, December 21st

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer as Burlington came out on top 56-54. It was a back-and-forth affair the entire evening with the Panthers at one point holding a 10-point lead. However, the Grayhounds were up two points heading into the last quarter of play and they were ready to put it away until Payton Hagans was fouled and sent to the line down 53-52 with four seconds to go. Hagans made both of the one-and-one free throws, but the Grayhounds would spoil the day for the Panthers making a three with no time on the clock to win. Hagans led Mt. Pleasant with 19 points. The Panthers are now 5-3 on the season and fell to 3-1 in conference play.

The girls’ team clobbered the Grayhounds at home 49-13 as the Panther defense allowed only 6 points in the first half. Andrea Lopreato led the scoring with 16 points and Tristian Shull aided the effort with 11 points. Both teams will host New London January 2nd with the girls starting at 6 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union Wolves girls’ basketball team continued their trail of dominance defeating Highland 57-23 as the Wolves did not allow a point in the first quarter. They moved to 10-0 on the season after the win. The girls’ team will travel to Lone Tree January 6th and the boys’ team will face off against Hillcrest Academy on January 3rd at 7:30 pm.

Danville swept the night against Cardinal with the girls’ team winning 60-45 and the boys’ team crushing the Comets 69-30. The Bears will host West Burlington January 6th with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys to follow.

The WACO girls basketball team took over in the fourth quarter outscoring Lone Tree 21 to 5 leading to the 61-35 victory. The Warriors next game will be January 3rd at home against Louisa-Muscatine with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm.

The New London Tigers girls’ team’s next game is January 1st against Van Buren County.

The Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders will have to wait until January 6th to host Central Lee with the girls going at 6:30 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will be back in action January 12th when they travel to face off with Washington. The girls team will compete at the Highland Tournament January 6th.

High School Bowling

The Mt. Pleasant Panthers girls and boys teams next competition will be January 5th against Washington at the Iris Bowling Center.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The men’s basketball team, now 14-1 and rocking a 13-game winning streak, will have to wait until January 6th to compete against Crowley’s Ridge College for a CAC Classic.

The women’s basketball team will look to have Coach Williamson break the record for most career victories in Iowa Wesleyan history December 29th on the road against Bellevue University for the Bellevue Classic at 12:30 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will compete December 29th and 30th at the Soldier Salute Tournament.

The men’s wrestling team will have to wait until next year to wrestle at Central Methodist University on January 10th.

The Tiger’s next indoor meet will be the Dutch Athletics Classic on January 14th.

This Day in Sports History

1891 – First game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts.

1937 – Chicago Blackhawks left wing Paul Thompson becomes first player in NHL history to score a goal against his brother; scores on goaltender Cecil Thompson of the Boston Bruins with just 9 seconds left in regulation; Bruins win though, 2-1.

1969 – Vince Lombardi (Washington Commanders) coached his last football game, a 20-10 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas, for a 7-5-2 season and 105-35-6 career record.

Stanley E. Hill

Stanley E. Hill, age 92, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Park Place Elder Living.

Stan was born July 11, 1930, in rural Trenton, the son of John and Bertha (Christner) Hill. He attended the one room school house at White Oak through the eighth grade. He received his GED at Ft. Leonard Wood Armed Forces Institute. In 1950, Stan enlisted in the United States Army 11th Airborne Division for three years. On December 27, 1950, Stan married Norma Weigert, the couple had six children, and later divorced. He later married Tina Smith on July 18, 1987.

Stan enlisted in the US Army Reserves Co B, 495th Engineer Battalion in 1955, and retired as a Major in 1990. He worked full time for the US Army Reserves as a civil service technician from 1982, until he retired in 1990.

Stan was very active in the Mount Pleasant community, holding several city positions, as well as serving on the volunteer fire department and city council. In 1954, Stan became an officer with Mount Pleasant Police Department. After four years, he was called to work at the Post Office until 1970. Stan was co-chair to create the Avenue of Flags in 1972. He was the first director of the Public Works Department in 1974, holding the position until 1982. Stan was appointed the mayor of Mount Pleasant from 1993 – 1999. He helped to establish the Henry County Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 1994. The Henry County Pioneer Cemetery was very important to Stan, he was a chairperson on their committee for 15 years.

Stan was a member of American Legion Post 58 for 66 years and a member of the Faith Lutheran Church since 1964. In his spare time, he played guitar and sang with the Troubadours. Baseball was a passion of Stan’s, he served on the Mount Pleasant Little League Association for 23 years, helping to create the complex we see today.

Stan is survived by his wife Tina; six children, Beverly (Dave) Lundgren of New London, Pamela Parcel of Mount Pleasant, Tom (Sue) Hill of Iowa City, Gerald Hill of Iowa City, Jim (Beth) Hill of Iowa City, David (Susan) Hill of Omaha, NE; three stepchildren Kevin (Kim) Smith of Earlville, John (Ann) Smith of Dubuque, Kristina (Dan) Roth of Galena, IL; 11 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 9 step great grandchildren, 2 great great granddaughters; and sister Melva Sammons of Mount Pleasant.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Clint Taylor; step grandson Chad Roth; son-in-law Reggie Parcel; 8 siblings, Lester Hill, Mina Crile, Leola Whitney, Carl Hill, Max Hill, Jay Hill, Kenneth Hill, and Florence Wesley.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the Faith Lutheran Church. Rev. Michael Scudder will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Church, EveryStep Hospice, Avenue of Flags or American Legion Post 58. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Stan and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes

 

Linda J. Stropes

Linda J. Stropes, 76, of Mount Pleasant, died Monday, December 19, 2022, at Wapello Specialty Care.

Linda was born on April 17, 1946, in Illinois, the daughter of Morley and June Hinderliter. She graduated from high school and began working in the nursing field. Linda also had an in-home daycare for many years. On December 9, 1995, Linda was united in marriage to William Stropes in New Boston, Illinois. She was a member of Faith Christian Outreach Church.

Linda is survived by three daughters Agape-Rose Stropes of Winfield, Charity Lynn Stropes, Carlene Rhoades; son Michael Nelson; three step-sons Tim Stropes, David Stropes, and Mark Stropes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jeff Nelson and daughter Sara Nelson.

According to Linda’s wishes her body has been cremated and no services will be held at this time. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Linda and her family.  www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Single Vehicle Crash

On Friday, December 16, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report that a motor vehicle had rolled over and was on its top in the 1400 Grid of Salem Road. Deputies, Salem First Responders, and Henry County Ambulance responded to the scene. The driver, Alfredo Perez of Crawfordsville, reported no injuries, denied medical transport, and was released after examination from medical personnel. The vehicle appeared to have driven off the road onto the shoulder and then re-entered the roadway crossing the center line and colliding with a mailbox, rolled over and collided with a tree where it came to rest on its top. The vehicle was totaled and towed away from the scene. The estimated property damage was at or above $300. Alfredo was given two citations, No Valid Driver’s License and Failure to Maintain Control of a Motor Vehicle.

Iowa Pork Congress will Celebrate 50 Years at 2023 Event

The 2023 Iowa Pork Congress will be held Jan. 25 and 26 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. It will be the 50th pork congress that involves a trade show, educational sessions, and the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) annual meeting, which will be held Jan. 24. IPPA organizes the event, which is North America’s largest winter swine trade show and conference.

 IPPA President Kevin Rasmussen of Goldfield said pork producers from around the country have attended many of the Iowa Pork Congress events through the years. “I first attended as an FFA student when I was in high school,” he noted. At that time, his supervised ag experience project was a purebred swine operation, and he took the opportunity to try his sales pitch on other producers.Through the years, Rasmussen noted, “My wife Lisa and I have made great friends and strengthened business relationships at the Iowa Pork Congress. Many of these professionals have been mentors to us as we established and grew our operation.” In addition to the great networking opportunities and the large trade show, the Iowa Pork Congress includes several educational sessions, including keynote presentations for each day. On Wednesday, Jan. 25, Elizabeth McCormick, a former Black Hawk Helicopter Pilot, will talk about building a team approach on your farm, and teach you how to fly a helicopter! Other educations sessions on Wednesday will cover economic outlook on crops and hogs for 2023; pork marketing success in retail and foodservice channels; and legal challenges pig farmers and the pork industry have been through recently, including an update on the Proposition 12 case heard by the U.S. Supreme Court. Wednesday will conclude with the Master Pork Producer Awards banquet.On Thursday, Jan. 26, David Horsager, a well-known business author, will be the keynote speaker. He will talk about how top leaders and businesses drive successful results by building trust.Other educational sessions on Jan. 26 are a swine health panel that will give an overview of six swine health topics that producers should be aware of, and an update on measuring sustainability efforts on farms and why the marketplace cares about those. On both days, there will also be certification sessions for Pork Quality Assurance Plus with the Thursday session being conducted in Spanish. On Wednesday, Transportation Quality Assurance certification training will also take place.

 Registration

Pre-registration to attend the Iowa Pork Congress is available online. IPPA members can attend the trade show and conference at no cost by using their registration code which has been emailed to them. Non-IPPA members pay just $5 for online registration up until the day of the show. Early online registration is highly encouraged to provide a quick and easy check-in to the event.

 For more information about events and registration, contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org.