November 28th, 2022 – December 4th, 2022

By Allison Jacobs · Sunday, November 27th, 2022 at 9:28 am CDT
11/28/22
Joan Wolfe
11/28/22
Josie Gilmore
11/28/22
Pam Vantiger
11/29/22
Kurt Helphrey
11/29/22
Kyndall Syfert
11/29/22
Jean Halferty - 91
11/29/22
Bob & Lori Paisley Anniversary
11/30/22
Betty Huston
11/30/22
Bill Griest
11/30/22
Ryan Hanna
11/30/22
Lorna Hood
11/30/22
Cleo McKim
11/30/22
Bret West
12/01/22
Whitney Barton
12/01/22
Olivia Dale
12/02/22
Gregg Crew
12/02/22
Abbie Liechty
12/02/22
Ed Hudson
12/03/22
Chris Stewart
12/03/22
Lori Paisley
12/04/22
Tom Lowe
12/04/22
Austin Van Amerongen
12/04/22
Angela Kloberdanz
12/04/22
Emily Rozario
12/04/22
Gabriel Sanchez
12/04/22
Shirley & Edward Hudson (71 years)

Kristal Lee Ryun

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, November 27th, 2022 at 9:11 am CDT

Kristal Lee Ryun, 51 of Keokuk passed away at 4:45AM Saturday November 20, 2022 at Prestige Health Care Center in Fairfield.  In accordance with her wishes her body has been cremated, Cranston Family Funeral home of Fairfield assisted the family.  A visitation with family present from 1 to 4 pm will be on Saturday December 3, 2022 at Greaves-Printy Funeral Home in Keokuk.

Kristal was born on January 7, 1971 in Keokuk Iowa to Jeremy Carl and Andrea Lee Collier Saar.  Kristal Spent her entire life in Keokuk, graduated high school and earned an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science in 2009.

Left to cherish her memory are a son, Kody Saar, a daughter, Violet Faith Ryun, a sister, Cassandra Ann Baum, nieces, Heather Baum, Amber Baum-Thomure, Kayla Ann Saar Baum, and her son Joshua Baum, Jessica Baum and her two children Dylan Whitaker and Cambria Mueller and many other family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry and Andrea Saar.

John Stephen Franklin

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, November 27th, 2022 at 9:09 am CDT

John Stephen Franklin, 69, of Montrose, Iowa, passed away at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital In Cedar Rapids.

Born on July 25, 1953, in Keosauqua, Iowa the son of Robert Earl and Guida Mae (Brewer) Franklin. In 1976 he married Ila M. Rockhold in Kahoka, Missouri, she preceded him in death on September 29, 2014.

Survivors include two brothers: General Grant Franklin of Montrose and Gary Franklin of Keosauqua; Special friend Barb Jacobs and her children and grandchildren; four sisters-in law: Martha (Lafe), Ruthie, Lillie, and Carol; Granddaughter Mandie McKay, whom he considered his daughter; three step-sons: Gary Biggs, Bryan Biggs, and Bruce Biggs. Also surviving are several grandchildren,  great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by parents; wife: Ila; one grandson; three brothers: Dick, Leo, and Bobby Franklin; one nephew Pearson Franklin; and three sisters-in law.

John was a 1971 graduate of Van Buren Community High School, he retired from Silgan Container after over thirty years. John was a very gifted woodworker and locksmith. He enjoyed racing, WWF wrestling, traveling, and reminiscing about the past, he always put his loved ones first and told them “ I love you”.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, with Reverend John Franklin Heath officiating.

Burial will be at Granger Cemetery in Arbela, Missouri.

A memorial has been established in his memory for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

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

Single vehicle crash near New London Update

By Theresa Rose · Saturday, November 26th, 2022 at 5:15 pm CDT

At about 4 pm Saturday the Iowa State Patrol investigated a fatal crash on Highway 34 South and East of New London.  Sherry L. Reid, of Stockport,and 73-year-old Judith M. Ellis, of Ollie, died. Sean Reid also of Stockport, Carol Johnson of Fairfield and Tammi Ellis of Ollie were injured.

They all were traveling in a mini van westbound on 34 driven by Sean Reid of Stockport. It’s not known why the van went off the rode near Racine Avenue. The van went across the east lanes of traffic, entered the ditch and struck a parked truck before rolling onto its’ side.

Sean Reid and Carol Johnson were transported by helicopter to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Tammi Ellis went by Henry County Ambulance to the SE Iowa Regional Medical Center, in West Burlington.

Sports, November 26th

By Slaten Swords · Saturday, November 26th, 2022 at 12:46 pm CDT

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant girls basketball team will be back in action November 28th at home against Ottumwa at 7:30 pm. The Panthers have won the last four games of the series with the last one being a dominating 32 point victory, 44-12, last year.

The Winfield-Mt. Union girls and boys basketball team will face off against Louisa-Muscatine November 29th at home. The girls will play at 6 pm as they are 3-0 to start the season. Bradie Buffington will look to improve on her stellar performance against Lone Tree as she finished with 26 points and 18 rebounds. The boys will start at 7:30 pm. 

The WACO girls and boys basketball teams will be on the road to face off against Holy Trinity Catholic at 6 pm on November 28th.

The New London girls basketball team will look for their first win against Columbus November 28th on the road at 6 pm. Natalie Burden leads the Tigers as she is averaging 9.7 points per game.

The Central Lee girls basketball team will host Mediapolis next Tuesday, November 29th.

The Mt. Pleasant boys basketball team’s next game will be a road contest against Cedar Rapids Washington at 7:30 pm on Monday, November 28th. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 7:15. Coach Rawson knows the game will be a tough one to start the season but expressed confidence in his team.

The New London boys basketball team will start their season next Tuesday, November 29th against Van Buren County at 7:30 pm. They will be led by seniors Blaise Porter and Kade Benjamin, both of which were their top three scorers last year as they look to improve on their 20-3 record.

The Central Lee boys basketball team will face off against Davis County to open their season at home November 28th at 7:30 pm. 

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant girls and boys wrestling team will host Columbus November 29th at 6 pm.

WACO girls wrestling team will travel to BGM to compete on Friday, December 2nd.

.Elementary Basketball Tournament

The Mount Pleasant Christmas Holidays 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament for 3rd – 8th grade boys and girls will be held on Dec 17th, 2022. For more registration details contact Coach Ronnie Ashton at 319-931-2896.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team will  look to get back in the win column November 30th against Simpson College at 7 pm on the road. The Tigers are currently 6-3 on the season.

The men’s basketball team is now on an 8-game win streak they’ll look to extend it against Waldorf at home November 30th at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call. They defeated Waldorf 77-47 earlier in the season with Allante Pickens leading the Tigers in points with 18.

The women’s wrestling team will be back in action December 7th for a top ten matchup as they will host the #3 Grand View University Vikings. The men’s wrestling team’s next match will be Saturday, December 3rd, at the Buena Vista Open starting at 9 am. 

This Day in Sports History

1917 – NHL forms with Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Maroons, Toronto Arenas, Ottawa Senators & Quebec Bulldogs; National Hockey Association disbands.

1961 – Pro Baseball Rules Committee votes 8-1 against legalizing the spitball,

1975 – Boston Red Sox center fielder Fred Lynn becomes the first rookie ever to be named American League MVP.

Winter Fun in the Oakland Mills Park

By Theresa Rose · Friday, November 25th, 2022 at 2:43 pm CDT

The Henry County Conservation Department is planning two fun winter events coming up in December.There will be a WINTER OPEN HOUSE At the Oakland Mills Nature Center Thursday, December 15 5:30 to 7:30 pm. Bring your family out to the nature center in the Oakland Mills Park for some free winter fun. Tour the nature center, play games, do a scavenger hunt, make ornaments, drink hot chocolate, and so much more. All ages are welcome. Preregistration appreciated but not necessary. The NEW YEAR’S DAY SELF-GUIDED HIKE will be held December 29 thru January 3 from noon to 1 pm. Begin at Turtle Town outside the Oakland Mills Nature Center where you will receive instructions on what to do and where to go next. As you hike, you will stop at signs with fun facts, trivia, games, and more! Dress for the weather. All ages are welcome.

Campground Hosts Needed for State and County Parks

By Theresa Rose · Friday, November 25th, 2022 at 9:26 am CDT

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking people who enjoy the outdoors, camping and meeting new people, to consider becoming volunteer campground hosts for the upcoming recreation season. Volunteer campground hosts live in state parks from one to five months assisting DNR staff with light maintenance duties, checking in campers, and being a resource for visitors enjoying state parks and forests. Campground hosts are provided a free campsite while they are actively hosting during the camping season. Hosts volunteer 20 – 40 hours per week, including weekends and holidays, while living on site in their own camper. Host positions are available at these parks in the KILJ listening area:

  • Lacey-Keosauqua
  • Lake Darling
  • Lake Keomah
  • Lake Wapello

Information about campgrounds and state parks is available online at www.iowadnr.gov/stateparks. To discuss the host position, contact the state park directly, or call 515-443-2533.

Henry County Conservation Director Caleb Waters is also looking for campground hosts for the Oakland Mills Park camping areas.  Call him at 319-986-5067.

Extension Survey

By Theresa Rose · Friday, November 25th, 2022 at 9:20 am CDT

As technology continues to evolve, ISU Extension wants to learn how Iowans prefer to access, receive and engage with extension education – both in person and virtually.

ISU Extension & Outreach has created a survey that will help us learn more about how YOU access information, along with what topics you need and want to learn more about right now.

Extension wants to do its’ best to provide you with:

  • Programs that address your needs and interests.
  • Effective and easy delivery of the content you want.

Share your thoughts here: www.extension.iastate.edu/survey