Roy D. Ross, 82, of Mt. Pleasant, died Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at his home in Mt. Pleasant. Arrangements are pending at Elliott Chapel, New London.
Rosemary Lillian Lietsch Harris passed away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Monday May 3, 2024.
She was born on October 11, 1926 in Ft. Madison, Iowa. The daughter of Milburn E. and Clara B. Hageman Lietsch, she was the third of their 16 children.
Rosemary was a lifelong resident of West Burlington, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s elementary school and graduated from St. Paul’s High School in 1944. She went to work at Sturm Freight Ways in West Burlington as receptionist/bookkeeper. She married Clarence “Pat” Harris in 1948. They had three children – Jackie Klein of West Burlington, Jill (Dan) Bridleman of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, and Kelli (Bruce) Baker of Des Moines, IA.
Rosemary was a dedicated member of St. Mary’s Divine Mercy Catholic Church in West Burlington. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society and helped at various church sponsored events throughout her life. She was also a faithful volunteer with Birthright of Burlington for many years.
Through most of her life, Rosemary provided care for her children and grandchildren, and whenever needed, for many of her 80+ nieces and nephews. She was a loving, fun, and dedicated Mom, and always felt grateful that she was able to help her siblings with care for their children when it was needed.
Rosemary enjoyed traveling and made many trips including to England, Hawaii, and various parts of the U.S. In 1970 she joined Father Denning and others on a religious pilgrimage to Lourdes, France, Rome, Italy, and other holy sites in Europe.
Rosemary was a devoted wife and mother. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, all types of music, singing, dancing, and the beauty of nature. A sunny day always made her happy.
She is survived by her children; her 9 grandchildren: Judy Smith, Collin Bazel, Aaron (Lisa) Bazel, Brian Kerr, Kristen (Jeff) Arnim, Caitlin (Chris) Waddell-Chow, Harrison (Natalie) Baker, Natalie (Michael) Jamieson, Elliott Baker, her 8 great-grandchildren: Kayla Schier, Brian Brem, Audrey Bazel, Juniper Arnim, Quinn Chow, Lily and Henry Jamieson, Everett Baker; her 5 great-great-grandchildren; her sister Sheila (Wayne) Drew; her brother, Tom (Barbara) Lietsch of Burlington; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband, Pat Harris; her parents; her sisters – Sister Lucia Lietsch RSM (Gloria Ann), Patricia Darnold, Celine Grothe, Sanchia Gahn, Rita Heckenberg, Nancy Ingram, Mary Ellen Rincon, Francine McLaughlin, Judy Heap, Suzanne Carlson, Mickey Daly, Lucia Lietsch; and her brother Milburn (Sonny) Lietsch Jr.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM with the family to receive friends, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at Divine Mercy Parish-SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Harris will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 11, 2024, atDivine Mercy Parish-SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Fr. Jake Greiner as the Celebrant. The burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Burlington at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Birthright of Burlington, the Special Needs Foundation of Des Moines County, and Great River Hospice House.
Special thanks to all the kind and caring people who helped make the last years of Rosemary’s life comfortable, safe, and fun. She loved and appreciated each and every one of you. May God bless you all.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rosemary’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Jack L. Steele, 66, of Burlington, died Monday, June 3, 2024 at his home.
Born July 4, 1957 in Burlington, he was the son of Kenneth Neal and Doris Darlene (Andries) Steele. He was of the Catholic faith.
On September 27, 1974 he married Sandra Kay Howard in Burlington.
Jack was an independent truck driver and a “Jack” of all trades. He liked all animals, gardening, working on cars, building things and motorcycles. He loved music and dancing.
Survivors include his wife Sandra of Burlington; one daughter Jeannie Steele of Burlington; two sons Timothy (Kristen) Steele of Brandon, Mississippi and Shane (Amanda) Steele of McHenry, Mississippi; seven grandchildren Dax, Xaniel, Olivia, Kimberly, Xaiden, Harrison, and Owen; one great granddaughter Araceli; one brother Ron Steele of Burlington and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The memorial visitation for Jack will be 2 to 4 pm Sunday, June 9th at Lunning Chapel.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Richard Lee “Dick” Rosenbury, 77, of Burlington, moved on from this world, to the next, on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Born June 6, 1946, in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of LeRoy “Rosy” and Mary Rosenbury.
He was a 1966 graduate of Burlington High School and to avoid being drafted, he enlisted in the Air Force shortly after his high school graduation. He took that oath in the Burlington High School office, alongside two other classmates, Danny Krogmeier and John Hostetter Jr.
He would be the first to tell you that during his school years you would find him either at church or the library, but certainly NEVER causing trouble.
While in Kindergarten, as the story goes, he happened to steal the nap mat of a pretty little blonde girl, and as he told it, that is when he met the love of his life, his long-time sweetheart, Barbara Wellman.
On November 12, 1966, they were married in St. John Catholic Church in Burlington, and thus the power couple, “Dick and Barb” was born. Shortly after their marriage, they relocated to Little Rock Air Force Base in Little Rock, Arkansas. From there, he was sent to Vietnam, where he served as Sargent for 1 ½ years.
As time went on, their family grew. Welcoming first two daughters and finally “the boy”. Living and loving life was the goal and Dick and Barb did just that. Together they travelled extensively, and Dick usually reluctantly, as Barb would find a good bingo game all over the Midwest. They were definitely a pair and were well known throughout town and local tavern establishments and were always in the mood for a Haller’s taco. You could find him at any great fishing hole, and even those that weren’t so great. It didn’t matter much to him, as fishing was his therapy. All three of his children will tell you, they were holding fishing poles as soon as they were able.
He loved chasing a little white ball all over any golf course and enjoyed sitting in the blind, sipping coffee and duck hunting with friends. The sound of the duck call still echoes, coming from the basement in his home.
You could never say “worked”, so, Dick was employed at Mississippi Bakery for almost 30 years. He retired in 2007. After retirement he began assisting his daughter at Lunning Chapel and eventually began working part time as a driver for Shottenkirk. This became his great joy, as he could B.S. with people all day long.
On June 28, 2006, Barbara died, and left an unfillable hole in his heart. After her death, he was determined to be with her some day and took the steps with RCIA and became a member of Divine Mercy Parish. He remained active with the RCIA program within the church for several years and was a fixture at the 8 a.m. St. Paul’s mass.
You could find Dick all around town at his “hot spots”. Breakfasts at the Hungry Bear, Jerry’s Main Lunch, the Maidrite and others became part of his daily and weekly routines. His children would like to extend the most heart felt THANK YOU, to all those that were indeed part of his life. In recent years, it truly has been humbling to know those TRUE individuals that loved him and watched out for him, It did NOT go unnoticed! He will be greatly missed. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his unmatched wit and his ability to make people smile.
He leaves behind his three children, the one and only GDFKIDS; Cris (Ethan Carter) Brodersen, Rochelle (Chris) Swanner and Brad (Kari) Rosenbury; grandchildren, Kayla Tijernia, Kevin (Anne) Brodersen, Marissa (Trevor) Hostetter, Kourtney Waterhouse, Kameron Waterhouse, Samantha (Aaron) Magee, Lilly Rosenbury, Raven Rosenbury and Vivian Rosenbury; great grandchildren, George, Frank, Kataleya, Pheonyx, Macklynn, Tatum and Conlee; siblings, Linda (Tom) Hull and Kenny (Cheryl) Rosenbury; his in-laws, Gerald Wellman, Pat (Fred) Wilson, Debbie (Jim) Brown, Laura (William) Bryant and Doreen (Chuck) Pope; several nieces and nephews and many, MANY, adopted GDF Kids.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, June 7th at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends. The Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 8th at St. John Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Parish. The Rev. Father Dominic Nguyen will be the celebrant. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Big Hollow Recreational Area for children’s fishing and hunting activities.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
William Leroy Wilson, age 88, of Stronghurst, Illinois passed away Saturday, June 1, 2024 at his home. He was born August 2, 1935 in Indianapolis, Indiana, the son of Roy and Minnie Gertrude (Cooper) Wilson.
During high school in Amo, Indiana, Bill participated in basketball and cross country running, and wrote and published the weekly sports column for the school paper, as well as writing weekly columns for both the Coatesville, Indiana “Herald” and the Danville, Indiana “Gazette”.
In May of 1953, Bill graduated from Amo High School and in April of 1957, he was drafted into the United States Army. He served in Fort Riley, Kansas in the protocol section of the Chief Of Staff’s office.
Bill returned to a career in insurance, and in 1976 was transferred to Illinois and worked for Millers National Insurance Company and Celina Insurance Group. During his employment with Celina, he met and married Denise Ercegovich on October 6, 1981.
Bill purchased the C.W. Johnson Insurance Agency in Stronghurst in 1984 and in the spring of 1994, he and his friend, Harvey Ellis, founded the Greater Midstates Insurance Agency, an insurance cluster, of which he served as president until 2019.
Bill is survived by his wife, one son: Christopher Wilson (Katie) , and two granddaughters: Zoey and Anna, as well as several nieces and nephews. Zoey and Anna were such bright spots in his life.
The family complied with Bill’s wishes to forego any sort of visitation or funeral service. Cremation has been accorded and a memorial service will be held at a later date. Anyone wishing to engage in a remembrance should make a donation to the Stronghurst Christian Church. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is assisting the family. Please visit Bill’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
Gregory A. Anderson, 46, of West Burlington, died Thursday, May 30, 2024, at his home.
Born August 9, 1977, in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Danny and Sharon Anderson.
He was a 1996 graduate of New London High School. He worked for FedEx Freight for 17 years and more recently as a truck driver for the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant.
He married Michelle Roberts on May 1, 2011. He was a member of Divine Mercy Parish and Long Creek United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife Michelle Anderson; children, Camden Anderson, Brennan (Emmaly) Creelman and Emma (Lane) Creelman; two grandchildren, Wesley Mercer and Brooks Mercer; his parents, Danny and Sharon Anderson; brother Jeff (Sara) Anderson; nieces, Sadie Anderson and Taylor Anderson; aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and aunt Sheila Baumert.
The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 6th at SS Mary & Patrick Catholic Church of Divine Mercy Parish in West Burlington. The Rev. Father Jake Greiner will be the celebrant.
According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Janice (Jan) Elaine Oberman Crabill, 87, of Scottsdale, AZ and formerly of Mt. Union, New London, and Mt. Pleasant died on May 22, 2024 at Hospice of the Valley – Eckstein Center.
Jan was born on November 5, 1936 in Burlington, IA, the daughter of Howard and Edith (Spencer) Oberman. She graduated from Mount Union High School and attended the University of Iowa for three years majoring in Business.
On June 1, 1957, she married James (Jim) Edward Crabill in Mt. Union; he died November 4, 2008. While Jim was in the Navy, she worked as a secretary in various Civil Service jobs. After moving back to Iowa, she was an assistant to James D. Marshall who taught Dale Carnegie Courses; a bookkeeper for Hodson-McKim Motors; a teller at Iowa State Bank; and finally worked for Van Syoc Auction and Realty.
Jan was a member of the Mt. Union Booster Club, Henry County A.R.C., and Chapter U of T.T.T. of Mt. Union. She looked forward to volunteering every year at Midwest Old Threshers. She enjoyed reading and attending Bible classes. While Jim was stationed in Naples, Italy, their love for travel began when they took trips throughout Europe. Later in life, they traveled much of the U.S. in their motorhome and spent many winters in Arizona where they enjoyed spending time with family and friends.
Jan is survived by her daughters, Joyce Niemiec of Scottsdale, AZ and Joni (Brad) Fulton of Fort Madison, IA; three grandchildren, Michael (Ashley) Niemiec, Katelyn (Adam) Hofmann and Sara (Marshall) Niemiec; four great-grandchildren, Cruz and Holland Niemiec and Owen and Calvin Hofmann. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, infant son Jeffrey, and brothers Royce and Eldon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may go to Hope Haven Area Development Center in Burlington, IA.
A celebration of life for Jan will be held at a later date. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Georgia Ann Mathews, 83, of Danville, died Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. She was born September 14, 1940 in Mt. Pleasant to Daniel Joseph, Sr and Mary “Mary Jo” Schroeder Cash. On December 27, 1958 she married Dwayne C. Mathews at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Mt. Pleasant; he died November 11, 2023.
She was a 1958 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School. She grew up attending St. Alphonsus Catholic Church and later served on the Parish Council for Saints Mary and Patrick Catholic Church in West Burlington.
Georgia was a rural mail carrier for New London and Danville for many years. She was a member of the Danville Athletic Boosters and filled several roles for Danville Schools including working in the kitchen, eighteen years driving a school bus along with the pep bus and team bus, announcing softball games, and keeping score books for baseball and softball games. She enjoyed attending her children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events.
She assisted alongside her husband as owners of Mathews Angus Farm and was a member of the Des Moines County Cattle Women’s Association and American Angus Auxiliary. Her favorite pastimes included ceramics, macrame, jewelry making, and shopping every Saturday. She and Dwayne enjoyed taking country dance lessons and riding motorcycles with friends.
Survivors include her children, Debbie Mathews of Danville, Steve (Sandra) Mathews of Charles Town, West Virginia, and Monica Myers of Burlington; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; two brothers, Daniel J. (Marge) Cash, Jr of Bernalillo, New Mexico and Bill (Judy) Cash of Mt. Pleasant; brother-in-law Dave Carrick of Mt. Pleasant; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister Margaret Carrick, brother John Cash and son-in-law Jim Myers.
A funeral mass for Mrs. Mathews will be held at 11:00 am, June 24, 2024 at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, with Father Jacob Greiner officiating. Inurnment of her cremains will follow at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville. The family will greet friends at the church beginning at 10:00 until the time of the service. A memorial has been established for Danville Athletic Booster Club. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
David Wayne Morse, 59, of Marion, Iowa died Thursday, May 23, 2024 at St Luke’s in Cedar Rapids.
Born on November 9, 1967, he was the son of Delbert and Joan Morse. David graduated from West Burlington High School and the University of Iowa in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics. At the time of his passing, David was employed by Windstream. One of his greatest joys was working as a volunteer with the rescued cats at the S.A.I.N.T Rescue Center.
He is survived by his father and stepmother, Delbert and JudyAnn Morse, brother Dell (Carilyn) Morse of Tipton, sisters Karen Morse of Cedar Rapids, and Christine (Todd) Goodman of Hiawatha, Iowa, several nieces and nephews and his beloved cat, Hobbes.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, his mother Joan Morse, and brother Robert G. Morse.
A Potluck Service of Celebration will be held at a later date.
Memorials may be sent to Saint Animal Rescue in Cedar Rapids.