Bobbi Jean “Coop” Coughlin (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 11:08 am CDT

Bobbi Jean “Coop” Coughlin, 57, of Salem passed away on Friday, July 22, 2022, at the emergency room of the Henry County Health Center in Mt. Pleasant.

Bobbi was born on June 29, 1965, in Henry County, Iowa the daughter of Robert Patrick and Florence Fern (Lamb) Coughlin Sr.   She worked various jobs including Falco in Fairfield.  She was a hard worker, loved her cats and was a wonderful artist.

She is survived by her brothers, Robert P. Coughlin Jr., of Sunrise Beach, Missouri, Kenny Coughlin of Gainesville, Missouri and Joseph Long of Salem along with several nieces and nephews.

Bobbi was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Archie Long.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at the Salem South Cemetery.   Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant.

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

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

 

Public Health Holding Two Back to School Clinics

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 8:36 am CDT

Henry County Public Health wants to help kids get ready to go back to school and encourages students to get their shots and screenings done early to beat the rush. On Tuesday August 2nd they will offer a special all-day immunization clinic from 9am-4pm. Regular immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines will be available on a walk-in basis. Immunizations are needed before going into kindergarten, 7th, and 12th grades. CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccines for everyone 6 months and older. On Thursday August 4th from 1-6pm they will offer free dental, vision, and lead screenings in addition to regular immunizations and COVID-19 vaccines. All services will be on a walk-in basis. All Iowa children enrolling in kindergarten and 9th grade are required to have a dental screening prior to starting school.

Henry County Public Health is located at 106 N. Jackson Street in Mt. Pleasant. Visit HealthyHenryCounty.org/immunizations to view all clinic times or call 319-385-0779. Follow Facebook.com/HealthyHenryCounty for regular updates.

Daily Jail Count

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 8:26 am CDT

Henry County Jail

 

Date:   07-26-2022______

 

   23       Henry County Inmates

 

   50       Out of County Contract Inmates              

 

  73       TOTAL

Henry County Supervisors Meeting Agenda

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 8:09 am CDT

AGENDA

 

July 26, 2022

 

Approve Agenda

 

Approve Minutes

 

9:00 Jake Hotchkiss, Engineer Weekly Update

Open Quotes for Rock Crushing at County Quarry

Resolution to Approve Safe Streets and Roads (SS4A) Grant

 

Other County Business as time allows

 

Supervisors Sub-Committee Updates

Wanda D. Smith

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 5:58 am CDT

Wanda D. Smith, 90, of Danville, previously of Cedar Rapids and West Point, Iowa, made her transition to Heaven on Monday, July 25, 2022.

She was born on October 29, 1931, the daughter of Wayman and Mary Cecil (Cooper) Harris. She graduated from New London High School in 1950, then went on to Bill Hills College and became a licensed beautician. She married Leonard G. Menke on July 15, 1950, together they had three children. They later divorced and she married Stuart “Lacy” Smith on December 27, 1967. He preceded her in death.

Wanda was a hard working woman throughout her life. She ran her own beauty shop out of her country home for fourteen years. She worked at Emerson Electric until they moved, she then worked for Rockwell Collins for twenty-five years at which time she retired. In her retirement, she also worked at Methwick Manor as a housekeeper. She was a former active member of the St. James Methodist in Cedar Rapids and a current active member of the West Point Presbyterian Church. Throughout her life, Wanda enjoyed baking and canning. She has made many memorable gifts and goodies for her friends and family over the years with her creative handy work. Wanda also enjoyed traveling, sewing, gardening, fishing, rock collecting and bowling. Her love for bowling led her and the teams she was on to many state tournaments and a state championship title. Wanda was the best grandmother. She enjoyed sharing her passion of traveling by taking her grandchildren on extensive vacations over the years, always stopping to get a rock on the trips.

She is survived by her granddaughter: Audrey Menke of Danville, Iowa; one step-daughter: Kristine (Jeff) Burkle of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; five step-grandchildren: Jessica Rosburg, Angela (Ron) Bettmeng, Aaron Burkle, Missy (Todd) Gleason, Kelsey Boyle; five great grandchildren and one sister-in-law: Joan Harris of Danville, Iowa. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death her parents; husband: Stuart; children: Amy C. Menke, Joseph Menke, Michael J. Menke and several stillborns; two step-daughters: Marica Smith and Patty Ross; siblings: Lloyd “Bud” (Oneta) Harris, Mary Lou (Glenn) Oliver, Eldon “Leon” Harris and one nephew: Sam Oliver.

Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at the West Point Presbyterian Church in West Point with Pastor Larry Shipley officiating.

Burial will be at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in her memory for the West Point Presbyterian Church.

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

Bonnie Lucille Thomas

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, July 26th, 2022 at 5:55 am CDT

Bonnie Lucille Thomas, 85, of Mt. Pleasant, died Thursday, June 23, 2022 at New London Specialty Care.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, July 30,

2022 at the Ashford Park Clubhouse, 1801 E. Ashford Avenue, Mt.

Pleasant. The family will receive friends immediately following the service until 2:00 pm.  A memorial has been established for Grandview Church, 1019 Cedar Street, Quincy, Illinois 62301.  Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

KILJ Sports Director Leaving

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 25th, 2022 at 3:47 pm CDT

It is with great regret KILJ Radio announces that our sports director, Parker Testa, will be leaving the station at the end of August. Parker has very quickly become an important part of the KILJ team. His professionalism, sports knowledge and talent for play-by-play have already made an impact on our listeners. Parker said he has been fortunate enough to get to know some great families, coaches , student athletes and fans. He also said he appreciates the way Mount Pleasant and Southeast Iowa have welcomed him with open arms, making him one of their own. As far as his future, Parker said he is headed back to Dayton, Ohio to continue what he began there. He also said he would always have an ear to Southeast Iowa and that waking up with you every morning and providing you with local sports coverage has been a pleasure. We are sad to see him go but we wish him all the best in his future endeavors. And we hope to someday say, “We knew him, when.”

SCC Trustee, Staff Honored at Annual Community Colleges for Iowa Conference

By Theresa Rose · Monday, July 25th, 2022 at 1:08 pm CDT
Southeastern Community College (SCC) trustee Janet Fife-LaFrenz, along with employees Amber Ruskell-Lamer and Angela Mickelson, received awards from the Community Colleges for Iowa organization, formerly known as the Iowa Association of Community College Trustees. These awards honor 2-year college trustees and employees who have demonstrated outstanding efforts toward promoting the values of the Community Colleges of Iowa.

Long-time trustee Fife-LaFrenz received the John P. Kibbie Outstanding Trustee Award. She has served on SCC’s board for over 26 years, acting as the chair and the vice chair five times each. Additionally, she serves on the Career and Technical Education Advisory Board for Keokuk K-12 school district, where she shares information about concurrent enrollment and business and industry needs.

“Janet is very passionate about offering our students the resources they need to succeed,” SCC President Michael Ash said. “We’re honored to have her as a trustee. She is certainly very deserving of this award.”

Ruskell-Lamer, recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award, has been a professor of biology at SCC since August 2009. She was honored for her significant impact at SCC. She stands out for her efforts to increase enrollment and retention, her role as chair of the math and science department, and leading efforts to realign and update SCC’s science courses.

Ash adds that he is proud of Ruskell-Lamer’s dedication to students and the college at-large.

“Her hard work demonstrates the college values to focus on excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement. Amber is a fantastic example of what SCC stands for.”

Mickelson, recipient of the Outstanding Staff Award, is SCC’s dedicated accessibilities services coordinator who ensures that the college offers the services necessary for students with physical and learning disabilities to excel. She is a passionate advocate for students in need of accessibility services and leads the college’s ADA and Accessibility Committee. Mickelson works directly with faculty and staff to communicate the support needed for each student in an effort to offer the best assistance possible.

“Angela works very hard to promote our vision to transform lives, embrace diversity, and help students strive to do their absolute best. We are grateful to have her on our team to help our students excel.”

Nominees are selected based in part on their contribution to developing programs and advancing the causes of two-year colleges in Iowa and the nation.

Ash is proud of the trio for their dedication to promote student success.

“Janet, Amber, and Angela are wonderful examples of leaders who promote the values of both SCC and the Community Colleges for Iowa,” he said. “Our internal motto is, ‘It’s all about the students,’ and it is clear that everything they do is with the students’ best interests in mind.”

Based in Des Moines, IA, the Community Colleges for Iowa is comprised of administrators and trustees from Iowa’s 15 community colleges and advocates for higher education and workforce-related issues in the state of Iowa.