Wilma H. Groe, 97, of Burlington, died Friday, December 28, 2018 at her residence.
Born January 9, 1921 in Northwood, Iowa, she was the daughter of Henry George and Minnie Florence (Conger) Neilandt. She married Kenneth Groe July 6, 1941 in Northwood, Iowa. He died January 3, 1985.
Wilma graduated from Northwood High School. During World War II, she was a real life “Rosie the Riveter” working on the B-29 assembly line at Boeing in Wichita, Kansas. She also worked as a self-employed bookkeeper for Ken’s Skelgas and part-time as a sales clerk at Schramm’s for 14 years.
Mrs. Groe was a member of First United Methodist Church.
She belonged to Burlington General Federation of Women’s Club, PEO Chapter NI, King’s Daughters, civic music, and various church circles.
Wilma enjoyed playing Bridge and in her retirement years, traveling the world with her husband Ken. She had a passion for music that began early in life. She played the French horn for Northwood High School’s award winning band in 1936, and continued her love of music singing in the church choir for many years. Throughout her life Wilma was involved in all facets of Burlington arts, music and philanthropic organizations.
Survivors include nieces, great-nieces, great nephews, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; siblings, Chrystle White, Margaret Godfrey, Florence, Dale and Donald Neilandt; brother in laws; sister in laws; and special friend Judy Steward.
The funeral service for Mrs. Groe will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at First United Methodist Church. Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wagner and Mr. Gary Snider will officiate. Visitation will follow the service with a celebration of life at The Loft, 416 Jefferson Street, Burlington, IA. Graveside services and burial will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 3, 2019 at Sunset Rest Cemetery in Northwood, Iowa.
Memorials have been established for First United Methodist Church, Hope Haven and Burlington Art Guild.
Gary Lee Hobby, age 66, of Terre Haute, Illinois, passed away Friday December 28, 2018 at Solara Specialty Hospital in Brownsville, Texas. He was born October 23, 1952 in LaHarpe, Illinois, the son of William Lee and Pauline Louise Gittings Hobby. Gary was married to Nancy Tudor. They later divorced. On December 15, 1995, he married Marie Golliday in Lomax, Illinois. She survives.
Gary was a welder for J.I. Case Company in Burlington for many years, retiring in 2001. He also farmed near Terre Haute for many years. He had been a volunteer fireman for Lomax Fire Department, and later, the Terre Haute Fire Department for many years. He was a member of the Lomax Christian Church.
Survivors include his wife, Marie, two daughters, Amanda Jack of Stronghurst, IL, Laura (Nathan) Mehaffy of Danville, IA, four grandchildren, Peyton and Spencer Jack, and Dane and Marin Mehaffy, four step grandchildren, one sister, Peggy Nixon of Lomax, IL, and two nieces, Heidi Ruebush and Angela McConnell. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe, with Larry Hobby officiating. Burial will be in the Terre Haute Cemetery, at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the Terre Haute Fire Department. Please visit banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
Loretta Arlene Schmitz, 91, lifelong resident of Burlington, died at 8:00 p.m., December 29, 2018 at West Point Care Center.
She was the only child of Roy and Alma (Weigel) Huppenberger, born December 1, 1927. On November 21, 1946 she married Paul Howard Schmitz at Spring Grove Church.
Loretta began work as a bookkeeper for First National Bank. She later worked at JC Penney and at Paul Schmitz Body Shop as her husband’s bookkeeper.
Loretta loved to sew, read, watch old movies, travel and also can and freeze the produce from the family garden. Quilting was her favorite activity. Loretta made many quilts for family and friends.
She was a member of the Moose Lodge, Eagles, and First United Methodist Church.
Loretta is survived by her husband Paul; three daughters, Judith (David) Olmsted of Burlington, Cynthia (David) Mc Cannon of Gladstone, IL, and Pamella (Tod) Ferguson of Lomax, IL; one son, Thomas Schmitz of Taylorsville, IN; twelve grandchildren and twenty eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, one grandson, and several aunts and uncles.
The funeral service for Mrs. Schmitz will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 4, 2019 at Lunning Chapel. Rev. Melisa Bracht-Wagner will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to service.
In lieu of flowers a memorial to West Point Care Center has been established.
Lowell Mohr, 82, of Terre Haute, IL passed on to his heavenly home at 7:05 p.m. December 29, 2018 at Genesis East, Davenport, IA.
He was born May 21, 1936 in Fort Madison, IA the son of Cecil and Faith Dugger Mohr. He married his sweetheart, Jane Butler, April 10, 1955. He missed her every day since she passed away May 30, 2017.
Lowell attended Tiawappity Grade School and graduated from Dallas City High School in 1954. He earned his American Farmer degree in 1956.
He was a lifelong farmer who believed pick-ups should be red and tractors green.
Lowell served on the Stockland FS board, in Henderson County Pork Producers and as Terre Haute Township Republican Precinct Committeeman for many years.
He was also a faithful member of the Terre Haute United Methodist Church.
Left to carry on his legacy of faith, family and farming are his daughter Annetta (Rowen) Ziegler of LaHarpe and son James (Joan) Mohr of LaHarpe; six grandchildren Benjamin Ziegler, Anna Ziegler, Sarah LeJeune, Justin Mohr, Morgan Parker, Tiffany Kissinger; four great-grandchildren Sawyer and Sage Mohr, Brinley and Cohen Kissinger; and three sisters Evelyn Corzatt, Erva Corzatt, and Roselyn Gonzalez.
Lowell was preceded in death by his wife Jane, his parents and one sister Gracia Waddill.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 3 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe. Burial will be in the Terre Haute Cemetery. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to Terre Haute United Methodist Church.