2022 Mount Pleasant Homecoming Royalty

The 2022 Mount Pleasant High School Homecoming Court was announced during Boom Night festivities at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex Thursday night.  This year’s Queen is Meena Deesawasmongkol and the King is Wyatt Woodsmall.  Here is the rest of this year’s Court….

Tristian Shull and Zerek Venghaus

Jacara Ivey and Jacob Richtman

Makalyla Dietzenbach and Will Davidson

Jersey Beachy and Carter Amos

The Court was announced following the annual Powder Puff football game between the Junior and Senior girls.  Seniors won it 21 to 7.

Michael LaVahn Henderson (final arrangements)

Michael LaVahn Henderson, 74, of New London, died Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at the Veterans Hospital, Iowa City.  He was born in Hawthorne, Nevada on March 5, 1948 to Thomas and Wanda “Dutch” McCrady Seeley and was raised by his mother and his father Miles Henderson who adopted him.

He was a 1966 graduate of New London High School.  He was an Airborne Infantry Pathfinder for two tours in Vietnam.  He received several medals including the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He was a pipe fitter and belonged to the local 212 and retired from the local 225.

Michael married Elizabeth Ann Garvey and they raised their six children together before divorcing.  He then married Hazel Johnson who preceded him in death.  He spent his final years with his companion, Phyllis Cox in New London.

He was raised in the Methodist church but later joined the Catholic church; was a member of New London VFW Post #7641 and American Legion; enjoyed riding his Harley, working on old gas engines, hotrods, drag racing in high school, and time spent with his grandchildren.

Survivors include his children Casey (Michele) Henderson of New London, Andrea (Sean) Perkins of Marion, North Carolina, Gabriel Henderson of Gulfport, Illinois, Nathaniel Henderson of North Liberty, Patrick (Ali) Henderson of New London, and Gretchen Henderson of Lexington, Kentucky; six grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; his special friend Phyllis Cox; brother Robert (Susan) Henderson of Mt. Pleasant; and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his mother; both fathers; wife Hazel; and two half-brothers.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a private inurnment with military rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be held at Burge Cemetery, rural New London.  A Celebration of Life for Mr. Henderson will begin at noon on October 29, 2022 at New London VFW Post #7641.  In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for New London Fire and Rescue and New London VFW Post #7641.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

WALK TO END ALZHEIMER’S® – BURLINGTON ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8

The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting the Burlington and southeast Iowa communities to join the fight to end Alzheimer’s by participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, October 8.

What: The Walk to End Alzheimer’s helps support the Alzheimer’s Association’s critical research, care and support across Iowa. It is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

When: Saturday, October 8, 2022

Registration: 9 a.m.

Walk: 9:30 a.m.

Where: Westland Mall, 550 S. Gear Avenue, Burlington, IA 52655

Register and donate at alz.org/walk to get the most out of Walk day and support the fight to end Alzheimer’s.

Why: Alzheimer’s isn’t stopping and neither are we. Families facing Alzheimer’s and all other dementia need us now more than ever — and with your support, we can continue to be there for them. Every dollar you raise through Walk to End Alzheimer’s allows the Alzheimer’s Association® to provide 24/7 care and support while accelerating critical research.

More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease – the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Additionally, more than 11 million family members and friends provide care to people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. In Iowa alone, there are more than 66,000 people living with the disease and 73,000 caregivers.

Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®

The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Since 1989, the Alzheimer’s Association mobilized millions of Americans in the Alzheimer’s Association Memory Walk®; now the Alzheimer’s Association is continuing to lead the way with Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Together, we can end Alzheimer’s. Visit alz.org/walk to register and learn more.

Dennis Duane Cass

Dennis Duane Cass, 66, of Montrose, Iowa, passed away at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, Iowa.

He was born on July 14, 1956 in Keosauqua, Iowa, the son of Donald L. and Arlene (Jones) Cass.

He is survived by his mother: Arlene; five brothers: Doug (Robin) Cass of Montrose, Iowa, Ron Cass of San Diego, California, Don (Patty) Cass of Farmington, Iowa, Jim (Tammy) Cass of Jacksonville, Florida and Joe Cass of Argyle, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father: Donald and brother: Steve.

Dennis retired from Henniges Automotive in Keokuk, Iowa. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, woodworking and working on lawn mowers.

A visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Sunday, October 9, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, where the family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. that afternoon.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 10, 2022, at Greenglade Cemetery in Farmington with Reverend Andrew Ellis officiating.

A memorial has been established in his memory for Greenglade Cemetery.

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

Third-Parties Charging for Military Records

The Henry County Recorder’s Office and The Iowa County Recorders Association wants to make all veterans aware that recording or requesting military records is always free of charge for a veteran. In recent weeks it has been reported that a third-party company has been charging veterans to record these documents. Please review the Iowa Code chapter and information regarding submitting copies of DD214 documents below. Please remember to always contact your local County Recorder for assistance recording or requesting military records.

The County Recorder’s office has on permanent record, military discharges that have been presented for recording by the veterans themselves. Pursuant to Iowa Code Chapter 331.608(6), notwithstanding section 22.2, subsection 1, such record shall be confidential and shall not be made available for examination or copying except as follows:

  • To the person who is the subject of the record, to a member of that person’s immediate family, or to that person’s agent or representative duly authorized in writing.
  • To a person requesting to examine or copy a record when the event that resulted in the record being made occurred more than sixty-two (62) years prior to the request. However, the recorder shall redact any social security number included in a record made available pursuant to this paragraph.
  • To a person who is a funeral director licensed pursuant to chapter 156 and who has custody of the body of a deceased veteran.
  • When otherwise ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
  • When otherwise required by a department or agency of the federal or state government or a political subdivision. The recorder shall make these records available to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The Department of Veteran’s Affairs and its employees shall be subject to the same state and federal confidentiality restrictions and requirements that are imposed on the recorder.

Veterans are also eligible to submit legal copies of their DD214 to the County Recorder’s office in the county in which they reside. There is no fee to record the DD214. Copies of military discharge records are also free of charge. Veterans and entitled immediate family members may request in-person or complete a military discharge application. All records not recorded in your local county can be requested from the National Personnel Records Center.

For more information, please contact the Henry Recorder’s Office at 319-385-0765 or the Henry County Veteran’s Affairs Office at 319-385-0792.

Micaiah S. Mullen

Micaiah S. Mullen, 34, of Mt. Pleasant, died unexpectedly at his residence on Wednesday, October 5, 2022

Funeral arrangements are pending at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. On-Line condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

From the City Council Personnel & Finance Committee Meeting

The Mount Pleasant City Council Personnel and Finance C0mmittee met Thursday morning.  The committee reviewed a draft of a 28E agreement with the Mount Pleasant School District for a school resource officer.  The officer would be a member of the Mount Pleasant PD but work in the schools when school is in session. So far the School District and the Union approve the draft. There are some internal logistics that are still being finalized.

The Committee gave Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Drew Schumacher and City Administrator Brent Schleisman permission to move forward with the purchase of a ladder truck for the fire department. The committee also approved making the payments on the truck in thirds.

Public Works Director Rick Mullen asked for and received permission from the Committee to allow two Mount Pleasant High School FFA students to plant wheat on seven or eight acres at the City’s Northeast Lagoon.  This is land that the City mows two times a year.  The students will disc, plant and harvest the wheat. The City will get some of the straw and the students will get the rest of the harvest.

Park and Recreation Director Gary Grunow was given permission to purchase shade structures and agility equipment for the East Lake Park Dog Park. He was also authorized to accept a $17,000 bid for replacement of the Saunders Park Log Cabin roof. It appears some repairs will need to be made and then a metal roof will be put on the cabin.

Lee County Cattlemen Host BQA & BQA-T Certification Opportunity

The Lee County Cattlemen are hosting a BQA/BQA-T (Beef Quality Assurance & Beef Quality Assurance-Transportation) certification opportunity. The meeting will be held Monday, October 24, 2022 @ 6:00 pm in the Pilot Grove Community Room, Donnellson Iowa. RSVP’s are strongly encouraged & appreciated (call/text 319-470-8558 email sparkycattleco@gmail.com).

The Beef Quality Assurance programs are courses funded by cattlemen themselves via our checkoff dollars to improve our industry in various areas. Cattlemen believe it is important to continue to reflect on the industry and find ways to improve it.

The BQA program itself is funded through the check off dollars and is offered to all producers regardless of membership status in the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and there are no county or state restrictions, everyone is welcome.

In accordance with the Lee County Cattlemen’s mission to inform and educate cattlemen on the cattle industry the group feels it is important to host this event annually. The Lee County Cattlemen provide the BQA certification free of charge with a bonus light meal provided compliments of Pilot Grove Savings Bank & the Lee County Cattlemen!

The BQA-T certification also comes with the complimentary meal but there is a $25 fee required for BQA=T certification. Truckers are required to have BQA-T certification by certain portions of our industry.  Recertification is required every 3 years.