David A. Heaton, 49, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, May 22, 2022, at his home.

David was born July 12, 1972, in Mount Pleasant, the son of David and Carmen (Crawford) Heaton. He attended Mount Pleasant High School where he was a Rotary exchange student to South Africa during his junior year, and graduated in 1991. David earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Luther College as well as sang in the prestigious Nordic Choir.  He received his teaching certification from Iowa Wesleyan University. David worked for the Minneapolis National Lutheran Choir. He taught junior high and middle school social studies in West Liberty and Durant. David then began teaching abroad, traveling to Guayaquil, Ecuador and Cartagena, Colombia to teach American history. He was currently teaching social studies at Danville middle school. David was an avid reader and choral music was his passion.

David is survived by his parents David and Carmen Heaton of Mount Pleasant; sister Mary and Ben Carrick of Omaha, Nebraska; a niece and nephew Sophie and Patrick Carrick and aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Ward and Jean Heaton and Philip and Viola Crawford.

A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Saturday, May 28, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the St. Alphonsus Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, May 27, 2022, 1:00-6:00 pm, with family greeting friends from 4:00-6:00 pm. A memorial fund has been established for the Iowa Wesleyan University Choir.  www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Gary J. Sanders, 77, West Point, Iowa died Monday, May 16, 2022.  He was born November 14, 1944, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Paul John and Rosina Elizabeth (Bentler) Sanders.  On November 22, 1969, he married Victoria Elizabeth Fedler at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in West Point.

Gary was a 1964 graduate of St. Mary’s Catholic School in West Point.  He went to bricklaying school in Storm Lake, Iowa.  He was a developer, hobby farmer, and owner of Gary Sanders Masonry.  He was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Pheasants Forever, former board member of Fort Madison Bowling Association, and inductee into the Fort Madison Bowling Association’s Hall of Fame.  He was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, St. Louis Cardinals fan, and a fan of everything that involved his children and/or grandchildren.  He enjoyed bowling, hunting, trap shooting, driving his UTV, spending time outside and spending time with his family.  He rode RAGBRAI for many years with family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Vickie Sanders of West Point; five children: Steve (Dara) Sanders of West Point; Brad (Cara) Sanders of West Point; Pamela (Eric) Merschman of West Point; Rodney (Shana) Sanders of West Point; Kimberly (Dylan) Maki of Juno Beach, Florida; 10 grandchildren: Logan Sanders, Anaka Sanders, Mya Merschman, Kaleb Sanders, Ella Sanders, Dante Merschman, Lauren Sanders, Mason Sanders, Bianca Sanders, and Skyler Sanders; granddog, Monster Maki; six siblings: Kenneth (Judy) Sanders of St. Paul, Iowa; Leroy (Joyce) Sanders of Houghton; Donald (Becky) Sanders of West Point; Gregory Sanders of West Point; Vera Morgart of Davenport, Iowa; Patricia (Thomas) Brodar of Delphi, Indiana; brother-in-law, Howard Fedler of West Point; sisters-in-law, Jane Fedler of Fort Madison and Diane Sanders of Donnellson; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, son Douglas, brother Carl Sanders, brothers-in-law, Conrad Fedler and William “Bill” Morgart, and niece Julie Morgart Sarra.

His family will greet friends from 9:30 – 10:45 am Thursday, May 26, 2022 at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, West Point.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow and begin at 11:00 am Thursday, May 26, 2022 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, West Point, with Reverend Dennis Hoffman as Celebrant.  Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, West Point.  A memorial has been established for Lee County Conservation and Lee County Pheasants Forever, contributions may be sent to the Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home, 412 Ave C, P.O. Box 247, West Point, Iowa 52656.  Barr-Holtkamp Funeral Home is honored to serve the Sanders Family. An online guest book may be found at  www.barrholtkampfuneralhome.com

Michael R. Martin, 74, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Monday, May 23 2022, at University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.

Carolyn Lois Brinkman, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Danville, went to be with her Lord on May 20, 2022.  She was born on September 19, 1933 in Bonaparte, Iowa to Ivan Hugh and Esther Gonterman Murphy. She is survived by her husband and best friend of 69 years, Charles and was preceded in death by her sister, Aline Mae Bacon.  Lois graduated from Bonaparte High School in 1951 and Gem City Business College in Quincy, IL where she met her future husband, Charles Albert Brinkman of Kinderhook, IL.  They were married November 27, 1952, exactly one year from their first date.

Four sons were born to this union: Douglas Lee of Ames; Matthew Duane (Patti) of Hoffman Estates; Darcy Lynn of Mt. Pleasant; and Ivan Charles (Debra) of Cedar Rapids.  More blessings came in the form of nine grandchildren: Karissa (Don) Foster; January (Luke) Benjamin; Brandon (Brynn) Brinkman; Brittney (Travis) Mensen; Rachel (Andrew) Quam; Jacqueline Brinkman, Alaina Brinkman and Chaley and Tumebo Brinkman and eight great grandchildren; Drew and Klay Foster; Kade and Carter Benjamin; Kasin, Harper and Ian Mensen; Brexton Brinkman and several special nephews and nieces.

Lois worked as a secretary at the IAAP for several years then stayed home to raise her sons doing part-time office jobs from home as well as babysitting.  In the 70’s, as site manager, she began “Meals for 60 plus in Danville”, worked as office manager for a plumbing and heating shop and later at the DMC Extension Office.  She also served as secretary for Grace UMC before retiring so she could travel with her husband.  She and her husband hosted a German foreign exchange college student for a year and have also sponsored a Bolivian child named Eva since she was 5 years old.

She taught Sunday School, Good News Club, sang in the choir, was secretary for the Home Bible group, wrote for the church newsletter, as well as wrote news and a humor column “The Way I See It” for the DMC News and the New London Journal.  She also did the Home Town news on KILJ Radio station of Mt. Pleasant for 14 years. She had two books published; Turn of the Century and Indiana Prairie Skirts – co-written with Bev Faaborg.

A 28-year cancer survivor, she was an ACS Reach to Recovery Volunteer; had a Relay for Life team for 16 years; helped with their educational programs and did public speaking.  She was on the “FACES OF HOPE” poster which traveled throughout the state offering hope to others.  In 1999 she was the Courage Award winner; in 2001 she was given the Teresa Lasser Award; and in 2002 was the recipient of the Harold W. Morgan Award from ACS.  She also worked with the Lion’s Club “Kid’s Sight” program helping save young children’s eye sight.

She enjoyed reading, baking, flowers, camping, swimming, traveling, playing cards, doing crafts and tea parties with her grandchildren and greatly loved all of her family.  She loved the Lord and especially loved reading her Bible.

A Celebration of Lois’s life will be held at Elliott Chapel in New London, IA, Thursday, May 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM with Mr. John Tolander and Dr. Dan McClure officiating. The family will greet friends beginning at 9:30 until the time of the service.  According to her wishes her body has been cremated and inurnment will be in Bonaparte Cemetery, Bonaparte, IA at a later date.  Memorials have been established for Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Southeast Iowa; American Cancer Society; and the Danville Library.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.