George Fredrick Septer, 83, of Salem passed away on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Park Place in Mount Pleasant.
Funeral arrangements are pending at the Murphy Funeral Home of Mount Pleasant.
Michael Chrissinger
Michael Arthur “Mike” Chrissinger, 62, of Mt. Pleasant, died Friday, May 23, 2025 at his residence.
Mike was born December 4, 1962 in Burlington, Iowa. He was the son of Everett Dean and Cecile (Lauber) Chrissinger. He grew up in New London, and graduated from New London High School in 1981. Following graduation, Mike enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on November 12, 1981. He served as a semi-tractor/trailer operator. He was honorably discharged as a Corporal on April 10, 1990 at Camp LeJune, North Carolina.
Mike married Rhonda Kay Martin. The couple later divorced. Mike was then united in marriage to Wendy Quay Westerbeck. The couple later divorced.
For many years following his military service, Mike was a machine mechanic for McKay-Mitchell Envelope and later Innovaire.
Mike enjoyed hunting. He also enjoyed his collection of pocket and bowie knives.
Survivors include his daughters, Ryen Moehle and her husband Zach of Westwood, Nicole Humble and her husband Tyler of Des Moines and Shawna Hefele and her husband Anthony of Indianola; 2 half-sisters – Kristie Wilson of Cedar Rapids and Sheryl Chrissinger; a step brother – Ryan Homan of Marion, IA; a step-sister – Melissa Chrissinger of Cedar Rapids. Mike is also survived by a soon-to-be born grandchild, as well as 3 children that called him “Papa” – Lydia, Levyn and Lyza.
He is preceded in death by his parents.
There will be no formal funeral service for Mike. Cremation rites have been entrusted to the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 North Main Street, Mount Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfh.com.
George Fredrick Septer – PENDING
Teen Killed in Head-On Collision Near Packwood; Investigation Ongoing
Packwood, Iowa (May 29, 2025) – A 17-year-old girl from Packwood, Ia was killed and a Missouri man seriously injured following a head-on collision Thursday morning on Packwood Road, just north of the Jefferson–Van Buren county line.
According to the Iowa State Patrol, Ava Ford, 17, of Packwood, was driving a 2003 Toyota Camry southbound on Packwood Road at approximately 7:35 a.m. when, for unknown reasons, her vehicle crossed the center line and collided head-on with a northbound 1999 Dodge Ram driven by Clinton Weaver, 40, of Lancaster, Missouri.
Ford, who was wearing a seatbelt, died at the scene. Her body was transported by Cranston Funeral Home.
Weaver, also properly restrained, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted by AirCare to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Authorities noted that his seatbelt use likely saved his life.
Both vehicles were heavily damaged and removed from the scene by RPM of Fairfield. No additional vehicles were involved.
The crash remains under investigation by Iowa State Patrol Post 13, with assistance from multiple local and regional agencies.
No further details have been released as authorities continue to examine the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.
West Point Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charges Following Keokuk Traffic Stop
Keokuk, Iowa – A West Point man is facing multiple drug-related charges following a traffic stop and subsequent investigation by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force.
William Shane Dempsey, 51, was arrested and charged with several offenses, including:
-
Possession with intent to deliver more than 5 grams of methamphetamine, a Class B felony
-
Failure to affix a drug tax stamp, a Class D felony
-
Possession of marijuana, a serious misdemeanor
-
Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor
The arrest came after the Keokuk Police Department conducted a traffic stop involving Dempsey. As a result of an ongoing investigation by the Lee County Narcotics Task Force, Dempsey was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities impounded his vehicle, which was later searched under a warrant.
Investigators report that the search uncovered evidence suggesting involvement in methamphetamine trafficking.
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force emphasized that Dempsey is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
West Point Man Arrested on Multiple Drug and Firearm Charges Following Narcotics Investigation
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a West Point man following a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking in the Fort Madison area.
Thomas Joe Sebastian, 47, faces a series of felony and misdemeanor charges stemming from the investigation. He has been charged with two counts of Delivery of more than five grams of methamphetamine and one count of Possession with intent to deliver more than five grams of methamphetamine, all Class B felonies.
In addition, Sebastian faces five counts of Iowa drug tax stamp violation and six counts of Possession of a firearm by a felon, each a Class D felony. He is also charged with six counts of Possession of a controlled substance, which are serious misdemeanors, and one count of Possession of drug paraphernalia, a simple misdemeanor.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a residence during the investigation, which led to the discovery of the evidence supporting the charges.
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force was assisted in the operation by the Lee County area Special Response Team (SRT), the Keokuk Police Department, the Keokuk Police Department K-9 Zsolt, the Fort Madison Police Department, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
The Task Force emphasized that Sebastian is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force receives funding in part from the U.S. Department of Justice, with funds administered by the Iowa Governor’s Office of Drug Control Policy.
Keokuk Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charges Following Ongoing Investigation
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force has announced the arrest of a Keokuk man on felony drug charges following an ongoing investigation.
David Alan Londrie, 62, of Keokuk, has been charged with possession of more than five grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, a Class B felony, and a drug tax stamp violation, a Class D felony.
The charges stem from investigative efforts by the Narcotics Task Force and are not directly related to the traffic stop during which Londrie was initially taken into custody. The Keokuk Police Department conducted the traffic stop, during which Londrie was arrested on an outstanding warrant. Subsequent investigation by the Narcotics Task Force led to the additional drug-related charges.
The Lee County Narcotics Task Force was assisted in the case by the Keokuk Police Department.
Authorities remind the public that a criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
William H. Peterson
William H. Peterson, 65, a resident of Richland, passed away Friday, May 23, 2025 at his home.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Burial will be at Bonaparte Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the family in care of Nolan Peterson, 806 N. 12th St. Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
Bill was born December 15, 1959 in South Dakota, the son of Harvey and Mary Lou (Noske) Peterson. He married Diane Gard, May 23, 1981 in Van Buren County. They later divorced.
Bill farmed and worked for the Farmers Cooperative in Bonaparte. He later operated Environmental Recycling Company in Messena, Iowa.
Bill enjoyed hunting, cutting firewood, farming, and fishing. He collected die-cast cars and farm implements.
Those left to honor his memory include his children, Nolan (Jolene) Peterson of Fairfield, Trel Peterson of Des Moines, and Hilary Peterson of Ft. Madison; grandchild, Teagan Curtis Peterson; sisters, Theresa Peterson of Creston, Iowa, Erica Coleman of Packwood, Mary Berry of Ft. Madison; and a brother, Kurt Peterson of Unionville, Missouri.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Online condolences may be made to Bill’s family by viewing his obituary at www.behnerfh.com.