Donna Belle Colton, 93, of Mount Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Friday, December 23, 2022 at Addington Place, Mount Pleasant.  She was born May 7, 1929 in Seaton, Illinois the daughter of Emmet and Grace Dalrymple Johnson.  She graduated from Burlington High School in 1947.  On September 16, 1951, Donna was united in marriage to Lyal Colton in Burlington; he died April 20, 2004.  She was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company, Burlington; Farmers State Bank and New London State Bank, New London; and retired in 1988 from Iowa Industries, Champion Spark Plug after 31 years.

She was a member and past Elder of New London Presbyterian Church.  She had been active with Dover Museum of New London; was a past volunteer at Henry County Health Center; and was a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles Auxiliary, and Champions on the Go Local 1237.  Donna loved time with her family, grandchildren, and friends, and enjoyed playing cards and dancing.

Survivors include her daughter Jelen (Jon) McCall of Mount Pleasant and son Galen (Alison) Colton of Centennial, Colorado; grandchildren, Corbin (Shelbi) Remick, Crawfordsville, Dana (Marcus) Loyd, Columbus Junction, Gable Colton, Centennial, Colorado and Ryan (Lori) McCall, Austin, Texas; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Layne and Hayden Remick; Oliver and Oaklyn Loyd; and Mikel McCall.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters Pauline Brock and Irene Bradford; and brother George Johnson.

The funeral service for Mrs. Colton will be held at 10:30 AM, Saturday, December 31, 2022, at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Linda Smith and Rev. Maury Campbell officiating.  Burial will follow at Burge Cemetery, rural New London with a luncheon immediately following at the New London Presbyterian Church, 400 N. Elm Street. The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for New London Presbyterian Church; Dover Museum; and EveryStep Hospice.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Kenneth “Kenny” Messer, 81, of Wapello, passed away on Sunday, December 25, 2022 at Wapello Specialty Care.  Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Service of Wapello.  Private family burial will be held at a later date.    Visitation will be from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 29, 2022 at the funeral home.    A memorial fund has been established at the funeral home in memory of Kenny. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

Kenneth Lester Messer was born on December 16, 1941 in Conesville, Iowa the son of Ralph and Gladys (Tisor) Messer.  Kenny was a 1960 graduate of Wapello High School.  While in high school Kenny began working as a meat cutter at the meat locker in Wapello.   Kenny worked many years as a meat cutter both in Wapello and in Florida.  After returning to Wapello in 1989 from Florida Kenny began working at Grimm Plastics where he worked until his retirement in 2010.  Kenny enjoyed fishing, car races, photography, playing cards, poker and pool.

Kenny will be deeply missed by his son, Mark (Julie) Messer of Washington, Iowa; two grandchildren, Jenna and Landon Messer; siblings, Donald (Linda) Messer of Wapello, Barbara Reid of Wapello and Nancy Stephens of Wapello and several nieces and nephews.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Keith “Red” Messer and son, Karl Messer.

Dennis Swarthout, 72 of Salem, died Sunday, December 25, 2022, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City.  Funeral services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

Donna Colton, 93, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Friday, December 23, 2022 at Addington Place, Mt. Pleasant. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.