Charles Ellison, Jr.

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at 3:42 pm CDT

Charles Ellison, Jr. of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at the age of 85 at 8:35 a.m. Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

Charles was born to Charles, Sr. and Mary Ellison on October 3, 1936, the oldest of ten siblings; Barbara, Richard, Mary Lou, Michael (deceased), Pat, Kathy, Cheryl, Janice, and Steve. After attending Donnellson and Keokuk area schools, Charles entered the workforce doing a variety of jobs. He was a welder, farmer, factory worker, and finally, farm implement dealership owner. Over the years, Charles enjoyed woodworking, creating many original pieces for his kids and grandkids, mushroom hunting, elk-hunting (never finding….just hunting) as well as hunting deer, squirrel, and other furred creatures. More recently, health issues kept him at home reading a book a day, with his faithful companion Canon on his lap.

Charles was united in marriage with Joan Habben on October 2, 1958. Together they had three children: Randy Ellison, who with his wife, Kelli, live in Donnellson, Iowa, Donnie Ellison, who with his wife Teri, live in West Chester, Iowa, and Dona Tuel, who with her husband, Jim, live in Bayard, Iowa. He became Grandpa Charlie to Amanda (deceased), Michelle, Emily, Joshua, Justin and Nicholas and Great-Grandpa Charlie to Sawyer, Millie, William, Zoey, Walker, Brooks, Ava, and Breanna.

He was a man of few words with a soft spot for dogs. He was kind of grumpy, but we loved him and he loved all of us. He’ll be missed.

A visitation for Charles will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, August 13, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, with a private family graveside committal following.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to PAW Animal Shelter: 2031 48th Street, Fort Madison, Iowa 52627.

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

Childcare Center Working on Phase II of Fundraising

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at 10:19 am CDT

Back in 2020, the Mount Pleasant community identified the need for a community daycare center. Thanks to the dedication of many volunteers, businesses, and community leaders, a childcare center opened its doors in July of 2021. Over $200,000 has been raised from private donations. Those donation along with assistance from the Henry County Board of Supervisors and numerous state grants, funded the remodel of the facility on West Washington Street and allowed the center to get up and running. But as we all know the cost of supplies and food keeps increasing. The Mount Pleasant Childcare Center Board of Directors is now moving on to Phase II of fundraising. If you have not contributed to the Center, they hope that you will consider a cash donation at this time. All donations will be recognized on a donor wall at the center. The board will also recognize contributions on the Center’s Facebook page. And all donors will be recognized at a celebration party later this fall. Any amount is greatly appreciated! To make a donation with a credit card, please call 319-385-3101 or mail your donation to the Mount Pleasant Childcare Center, 304 W. Washington, Mount Pleasant, IA 52641.

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at 10:11 am CDT

In the interest of keeping Henry County residents informed, the Henry County Sheriff’s office has requested KILJ post the daily jail count. During the jail referendum campaign it was publicized that the jail would be able to house additional inmates from surrounding counties and this would generate revenue for Henry County.

 

Date:   ____08-10-2022_____

 

  _20_      Henry County Inmates

 

 _53_      Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

 _73_     TOTAL

Crash Victims Identified

By Theresa Rose · Wednesday, August 10th, 2022 at 6:07 am CDT

Authorities have released the names of the teenagers involved in a fatal accident that occurred Saturday, August 6th, south of Burlington. According to the Iowa State Patrol, a vehicle driven by 16-year-old Carson Bennet Anderson, of Burlington, was traveling southbound on Sullivan Slough road.  The vehicle then left the roadway for an unknown reason before striking a tree. The passenger in the vehicle, 14-year-old Jack Thomas Burrows, also of Burlington, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Anderson was transported to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.

Mount Pleasant High School Needs Para Educators

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 at 2:13 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant High School is seeking applicants for open para positions for the 2022-2023 school year.

HIGH SCHOOL 1 ON 1 PARAEDUCATORS: Full time positions – 6 openings

Interested applicants should apply through Teach Iowa.

Go to www.mtpcsd.org

Click on the Resources Tab

Then click on Employment Opportunities

Then click on the correct job opening

If you have questions, please contact High School Principal, Michael Wilson. 319-385-7700 michael.wilson@mtpcsd.org

Still searching for applicants!!! Call today!

Delores Honts

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 at 11:27 am CDT

Delores Honts, age 91, of Winfield, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2022, at the Sunrise Terrace Care Center in Winfield.

Delores Jean Slusher was born on November 18, 1930, in Carrington, North Dakota, the daughter of A.H. (Buck) and Ruth Marie (Baker) Slusher. She graduated high school in 1948 from Montrose, Iowa. On September 18, 1955, Delores was united in marriage to James H. Honts of Winfield. In 1958 they bought a farm east of Winfield, where they raised turkeys. In 1963 they purchased Nelson Grocery and later Rathmell’s, retiring from Honts Grocery in 1984. Delores was a member of the Winfield United Methodist Church and was active with the Winfield Historical Society.

After her husband’s death in 1987, she enjoyed traveling and especially treasured her individual trips with each grandson. She very much enjoyed attending and following her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s many activities.

Delores will be deeply missed by her children, Michael (Sherry) Honts of Osage Beach, Missouri and Michelle (Gary) Rees of Crawfordsville; grandsons, Tyler (Mindi) Rees of Washington, Iowa, Sean (Laura) Honts of West Des Moines, Iowa, Ryan (Lisa) Rees of Winfield, Iowa and Evan (Lindsay) Honts of Winfield, Iowa and great grandchildren, Allison, Bailey and Blaine Rees, Kory Devereaux, Kelly and Keith Rees and Jameson and Lexie Honts

Delores was preceded in death by her parents and husband.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2022, from 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services of Winfield. Immediately following the visitation, funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Winfield-Scott Township Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Sunrise Terrace activity fund or the Winfield Historical Society. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

The family is very grateful for the caregivers and staff at Sunrise Terrace for their loving care for Delores over the past five years.

Mt. Pleasant Project Update:

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 at 11:24 am CDT
 Kinney & Sons have completed the underground and grading on the Middle School and Lincoln St. Project. Jones Contracting moved in today, Tuesday August 9th, to start preparing for placing concrete. Lincoln Street is closed from the railroad tracks to the north side of Saunders Street. Vernon Street is closed just east of Lincoln Street and they will remain closed until all concrete work and backfill are completed. Jones is working to complete the street portions of this project before school starts. When the work is completed new colored crosswalks will be installed at the street crossings and sidewalk approaches reconstructed to be ADA Compliant. The Vernon Street intersection is being upgraded and bad areas of concrete between Vernon and Saunders are being replaced.