Delpha Elizabeth Wallingford,

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 at 7:02 am CDT

Delpha Elizabeth Wallingford, 96, of the New London Specialty Care in New London, formerly of Mount Pleasant, passed away at 11:15 a.m. Sunday, May, 29, 2022 in New London.

Born on June 9, 1925, in New Boston, Iowa, the daughter of Harry John and Luella May (Powell) Philp. Delpha married Donald R. Wallingford. He preceded her in death. She later married William C. Swan. He preceded her in death.

Survivors include her children: Dorothy R. (the late William) Brickey of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Donald R. (Norene) Wallingford of Farmington, Iowa, Dale R. (the late Jacque) Wallingford of Stockton, California, and Doris R. (Michael) Dickey of New London, Iowa. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, with one on the way in July and eleven great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, husbands: Donald R. Wallingford, William C. Swan; daughter-in-law Jacque Wallingford; son-in-law William Brickey; four sisters: Marion L. Hubbard, Evelyn M. Roth, Alice L. McGraw, Dorothy A. Philp in infancy and brother John H. Philp.

Delpha was a former member of Asbury Methodist Church, Big Mound, Iowa, First United Methodist Church, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, National Association of Tax Practitioners, American Notary Association and was registered with the IRS. She worked for the Mount Pleasant Public Library as an assistant to the librarian. She founded her accounting and income tax practice, along with working as an accountant for Peterson Incorporation for twenty-nine years. She closed her practice after thirty-three years. Delpha enjoyed her children, grandchildren and visiting at the lake in Minnesota and Canada. She did lots of crocheting and quilting for her family.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 1, 2022, at Hickory Grove Cemetery in Keokuk, with Reverend Larry Wallingford officiating.

Memorials may be made to the charity of the donors choice.

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

 

George A. Austin

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 at 6:59 am CDT

George A. Austin, 84, of Donnellson, Iowa, passed away at 12:13 p.m. Sunday, May 29, 2022, at Aspire of Donnellson.

Born on October 5, 1937, in Nora Springs, Iowa, the son of George and Alyce (Leaf) Austin. On July 15, 1961, he married Gayle Fisher.

Survivors include his wife Gayle; daughter: Lori (Jim Vermazen) Mehl of West Point, Iowa; son: Robert Austin of Salt Lake City, Utah; grandchildren Ashley (Eric) Hocker, Daniel (Katelyn) Mehl, Brian (Mersade) Austin-Weischedel; great grandchildren: Brinley Hocker, Brody Hocker, Brycen Mehl, Kinze Mehl, Emily Austin-Weischedel, Rylan Austin-Weischedel and Emmett Austin-Weischedel.  Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, brothers: Richard, Cortland, Conway and Gerald. His mother and father-in-law Burr and Aola Fisher. Plus sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law and son-in-law David Mehl.

George was a member of the Donnellson United Methodist Church. He was a United States Army Veteran, he worked at Armour-Dial for thirty-three years, retiring in 2000. George enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing and going to the casino to play slots. He especially enjoyed time with his family.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home for cremation.

Family will meet friends from10:00 a.m. to  11:00 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 3, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in Donnellson, with Pastor Nancy St. Clair officiating.

Memorials may be made to the Donnellson United Methodist Church.

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

Sports, 05.31.22

By Allison Jacobs · Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 at 6:51 am CDT

Baseball

The New London Tigers are scheduled to face the Danville Bears at 5:30 tonight in New London.

Mount Pleasant is scheduled to face Fort Madison tonight at 5:30 at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Winfield Mount Union is scheduled to face Wapello at 7 p.m. in Wapello tonight.

 

Softball

The Mount Pleasant Panthers faced Columbus in their first outing of the season this past Saturday.  Madison Helling pitched 6 innings for the win with 7 runs 4 earned on 4 hits. Savana Walls 2 for 3, 2 RBI. Emma Starr 2 for 3 with a double, Bethany Drury 0 for 1, with 3 walks and she scored the winning run.

The Panther’s also faced Louisa Muscatine on Saturday where they saw a loss of 4-5. Ella McNamee pitched 4 innings with 5 runs, 1 earned on 6 hits. Savana Walls had 2 base on balls with 2 runs, Jersey Beachy 2 for 3 with a double, Bethany Drury 1 for 2 with a triple, and Madison Helling 2 for 3 3 RBIs.

We’re excited to see the Softball Season the Mount Pleasant Panthers will bring this year.

The Mount Pleasant Panthers are scheduled to return to the field tonight in Mount Pleasant to face Fort Madison at 5:30.

The New London Tigers are scheduled to face Danville in New London this morning at 7 a.m. in New London.

The Winfield Mount Union Wolves are scheduled to play Wapello tonight in Wapello at 7 p.m.

Memorial Day 2022 Local News

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, May 29th, 2022 at 9:38 pm CDT

The investigation continues following a report on Friday of an armed man on the grounds of a Fairfield elementary school. A lockdown order was issued for the entire Fairfield School District Friday afternoon. Fairfield police along with assistance from several agencies, including the Henry County Sheriff’s office conducted a search but no one was located that matched the initial description of the man. Authorities are now conducting a criminal investigation into the possible brandishing of a firearm on school grounds.

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Work will resume Tuesday on Madison Street in Mt. Pleasant in the block between Main and Jefferson Streets. Crews are also waiting on a Windstream subcontractor to install a communications vault on the north side of Madison at the alley between Adams Street and Main. The plan is to pave the north side of Madison as soon as that is done. Kinney & Sons will complete the grading on Madison St. between Main St. and Jefferson St. and place the modified subbase. As soon as the paving is completed in that first block then the paver width will need changed before paving can start on the block between Main St. and Jefferson St. The only closures in place on Madison St. are between Adams St. to Main St. and Main St. to Jefferson St. All intersection will remain open for the duration of this project.

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Today is Memorial Day. In addition to the traditional observances, there is also the traditional opening of the summer swimming season at the local pool.  The Mount Pleasant Family Aquatic Center will open as it does each year at 1 pm this afternoon.  The pool is scheduled to be open every day of the week from 1 to 7 pm.  However, the pool is short staffed right now.  Park and Rec Director Gary Grunow says there may be days when the hours have to be shortened or there may days when it’s closed.  However, Grunow is still taking applications for anyone 15 and older who would like to work at the Family Aquatic Center.  Contact the Mount Peasant Park and Rec Department.

Also, please note that the stoplights at the intersection of West Washington and Marion Streets in Mount Pleasant have been switched from flashing to the regular operation of green, yellow, red due to the opening of the swimming pool.

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The Henry County Board of Supervisors meet Tuesday at 9 am.  The Board will get the weekly update from the county engineer, Jake Hotchkiss.  Hotchkiss will also bring a motion to hire a full-time maintenance employee and a resolution to award the contract for the Ash Avenue box culvert project.  At 9:30 there will be the third and final reading of an ordinance to re-adopt the existing county code to include recent amendments to the code.  At 10 am the board will hold a public hearing for an amendment to the 2022 budget. And at 10:30 there will be a discussion regarding office space with Lori Frick from the Department of Human Services. Supervisor meetings are held every Tuesday and Thursday at the courthouse.  The meetings are open to the public.

Mark A. Weisinger

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, May 29th, 2022 at 5:39 pm CDT

Mark A. Weisinger, 64, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 6:25 p.m. Friday, May 27, 2022, at his home.

Born on November 2, 1957, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Harland and Imelda (Strothman) Weisinger. On September 27, 1986, in West Point, Iowa, he married Elizabeth Durham. They later divorced.

He is survived by his children: Andrew Weisinger, of West Point, Iowa, Sally (Travis) Boyer of Fort Madison, Iowa; granddaughter Heidi Weisinger; mother Imelda Weisinger of West Point, Iowa; sisters: Jean (Jim) Demmon of Moravia, Iowa, Brenda (Greg) Ort of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Barb (Kevin) Conrad of Hillsboro, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and brother Gary.

Mark was a member of Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church and a 1976 graduate of Marquette High School. He retired from J. I. Case Company after 30 years of service and owned Mark’s Steammaster Carpet Cleaning. Mark enjoyed going to car shows and NASCAR. He was active in Boy Scouts of America. Most of all he was a proud grandfather, enjoyed visiting with family, friends and time on the farm.

His body has been entrusted to the crematory of Schmitz Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held at 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 2, 2022, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Pastor Andrew Wiese and Father Dennis Hoffman officiating.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in West Point.

A memorial has been established in his memory for his grandchildren’s college education.

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

Jerry Mabeus (final arrangements)

By Theresa Rose · Sunday, May 29th, 2022 at 7:21 am CDT

Jerry Howard Mabeus, 80, of Mt. Pleasant, passed to his heavenly home on May 26, 2022 at Park Place Elder Living in Mt. Pleasant.

Born December 21, 1941 in Montezuma, IA, Jerry was the son of Howard Herman and Irma Edith (Kinney) Mabeus. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1961. On August 15, 1964 at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Jerry was united in marriage to Martha Anderson.

Jerry was a farm boy from the start at age 10, on the tractor, ready to go. He was a dedicated farmer, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Jerry always had time for the kids and grandkids. He loved his red machinery and his friends at JJ Nichting and ChemGro. He was a member of the Henry County Pork Producers and the Henry County Cattlemen’s Association, being named Cattleman of the Year in 2017. Jerry was a member of First United Methodist Church and Farm Bureau. In his youth, he was a 4-H member and served as a leader in 4-H. For a number of years, Jerry was a sponsor of Little League Baseball. He was Past Member of the Iowa Tractor Pullers Association, and enjoyed many activities and tractor pulls with the organization.

Those thankful for sharing in Jerry’s life include his wife of almost 58 years, Martha, of Mt. Pleasant; 3 children and their spouses, Todd (Amy) Mabeus and Traci (Doug) Spenner, all of Mt. Pleasant and Tonya (John) Stutzman of Lockridge; 7 grandchildren – Hannah Mabeus, Mikayla (Michael) Yaley, Courtney (Bo) Vitale, Trevor Mabeus, Tyler (Jenal) Spenner, Alex (close friend Nora) Spenner and Tanner (Elsa) Stutzman; 3 great grandchildren – Nora and Oliver Stutzman and Brooks Vitale;4 siblings – Marilyn (John) Coghlan of Panora, IA, Judy (Bill) Cash, Terry (Deb) Mabeus and Karen Mabeus, all of Mt. Pleasant and several nieces and nephews.

Jerry’s parents precede him in death.

A memorial funeral service will be 10:30 AM on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. The Reverend David Bracht-Wagner, Senior Pastor, will officiate. Inurnment will be at a later date. Friends may call from 12 Noon to 8 PM on Friday, June 3 at the church. The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7 PM.

In lieu of flowers, those considering an expression of sympathy may direct memorials to the Southeast Iowa (Great River) Hospice or the Salem Fire and Rescue Department. Beyond memorials, Jerry’s family will be establishing a scholarship to the Mt. Pleasant FFA Chapter.

Online condolences may be left at www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com

May 30, 2022 – June 5, 2022

By Allison Jacobs · Saturday, May 28th, 2022 at 9:25 pm CDT
05/30/22
Bryce Eaves
05/30/22
Rachel May
05/30/22
Herb Shafer
05/30/22
Benjamin Sourwine
05/30/22
Brady Roth
05/30/22
Addi Berry
05/30/22
Pru Calloway (13)
05/30/22
Jason & Christina Cook Anniversary
05/31/22
Everly Johannson (3)
05/31/22
Jackson Newman
05/31/22
Kelsey Sourwine
05/31/22
Karen Osborne
06/01/22
John Liechty
06/01/22
Jodi Wilson
06/02/22
Jackson Duffie (5)
06/02/22
Nancy Hackett
06/02/22
Gary Kyle
06/02/22
Kaysee Phelps
06/03/22
Bailey Broecker - belated from Thursday
06/03/22
Lauri Buckert
06/03/22
Jolynn Wettach
06/04/22
Easton Stewart
06/04/22
Marilyn Crill
06/04/22
Patrick Zielinski
06/05/22
Ann Abolt

Two Arrested in Grandparent Scam

By Theresa Rose · Friday, May 27th, 2022 at 4:07 pm CDT

On 5/19/22 the Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a theft by deception.  The victim, an 88-year-old Des Moines County resident, reported being contacted by an individual posing as his granddaughter.  The victim reported that the subject informed him that she was in jail and needed bond money.  The victim sent $8000.00 in a package to an address in Port St. Lucie, Florida the same day.  Des Moines County Deputies contacted the Port St Lucie Police Department and informed them of the suspected theft.

On 5/20/22 Port St Lucie Police Officers were able to intercept the package sent by the victim and retrieve all $8000.00 that was sent.  Port St Lucie Officers then repacked and delivered the package as scheduled in an attempt to identify the suspects.

Detectives with the Port St Lucie Police Department surveilled the residence where the package was sent and observed a vehicle drive up and subjects took the now empty package from the residence.  Port St Lucie Detectives performed a traffic stop and identified Jenny Richard (driver, 26 YOA) and Jordan Dor (passenger, 25 YOA) as the occupants of the vehicle.  Dor was identified as the subject who approached the residence and took the package.  The package was located at Dor’s feet during the traffic stop.

Through this investigation Port St Lucie Detectives developed charges for Dor and Richard, who were both arrested and charged with Larceny – Grand Theft (More than 5K but less than 10K) per Florida code.  Richard and Dor were taken to the St Lucie County Jail on a $5000.00 bond each.

The Des Moines County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind citizens that scammers can be extremely assertive and persuasive, and to follow these tips to prevent from becoming the victim of a phone scam:

 

  • Don’t send or wire money to anyone you have not met before
  • Don’t give out personal or financial information over the phone
  • Contact a trusted family member who can confirm or deny if the caller’s story is legitimate
  • Ask the caller questions that would be difficult for them to answer
  • Contact law enforcement immediately with any concerns and we will investigate further