David Leroy Amenell
David Leroy Amenell, 76, of West Burlington, died at 6:47 PM Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at the Great River Hospice House.
Born July 29, 1939, in Burlington, he was the son of Leroy and Lucile Freytag Amenell. On November 25, 1990, he married Judy Brandt in Las Vegas, NV.
Mr. Amenell was a 1958 graduate of Burlington High School and he attended Burlington Community College.
He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving for four and a half years, where he was stationed in Morocco.
David worked for J.I. Case, Champion Spark Plug, and retired after 28 years from Prudential Financial Services. After retiring he drove a truck for Long Trucking. What David enjoyed the most, of all his jobs, was driving a school bus for Danville Schools, Danville, Iowa.
He was a member of Burlington Optimist Club and past president and optimist of the year for two years. He was a member of Aerie 150 Fraternal Order of Eagles. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and deer hunting.
Survivors include his wife, one daughter, Barbara Heim of Plattsmouth, NE; two grandchildren, Austin Heim, Alela Heim both of Plattsmouth, NE; one brother, Thomas (Terry) Amenell of Montrose; one step-brother, Paul (Marilynn) Peters of Fort Pierce, FL; two step-sisters, Margaret (Bill) Hanke of Carmel, IN, Gina (Ron) Westfall of Argyle, TX and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, step-father Francis Peters, one step-sister Anne Sivertson.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The celebration of life for Mr. Amenell will be held at Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie #150 at a later date. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
Charles A. McConnell
Mr. Charles Alexander McConnell, 93, of Blandinsville, IL passed away at 7:09 PM Tuesday, July 26, 2016 at the Bickford Cottage in Macomb, IL.
Charles was born on May 24, 1923 in LaHarpe, IL, the son of Alexander Walker and Cly Blandin Mustain McConnell. On October 2, 1949 he married Natalie Ann Hardisty in Blandinsville. She preceded him in death on January 26, 2013.
Charles attended grade and high school in Fountain Green, and graduated from LaHarpe High School with the class of 1941. He then worked for the IAAP in Middletown, IA before joining the U.S. Navy where he served during WWII. Upon discharge from the Navy, Charles Went back to work at the IAAP as a Federal Inspector for the Dept. Of Defense.
Charles also attended the Gem City Business College where he graduated after two years of studying. His true passion was farming, which he did his whole life. He was a member of the Macomb Masonic Lodge #17 and the former Blandinsville American Legion. In his youth Charles attended the Fountain Green Presbyterian Church but later became a member of the Faith Fellowship Church in Tennessee, IL.
Survivors include four children: Stephen (Linda) McConnell of Cedar Rapids, IA, Suzanne Blankenship of Marion, IL, Julia (Richard) McSperritt of Blandinsville, Sarah (Fiancé Jim Zeigler) McConnell of Columbus Junction, IA; eight grandchildren: Matthew McConnell, Eric (Allison) Blankenship, Joshua (Jennifer) Blankenship, Natalie (Kelly) Anderson, Alexis (Brian) Watkins, Candice Conley, Jenna McSperritt, Jonathon McSperritt; seven great-grandchildren: Caitlyn Conley, Audrey Blankenship, Alex Blankenship, Avery Blankenship, Robert Andersen, David Blankenship, and Khloe Watkins.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Natalie; one grandson: Nicholas Charles Blankenship; two sisters and their husbands: Mary Lou (Colis) McKinney and Mildred (Keith) Blythe.
A graveside service, with military rites, will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 2, 2016 in the McConnell Cemetery near Fountain Green, with Pastor Dave Scott officiating. Friends and family will meet at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe Tuesday morning before processing to the cemetery at 9:30 AM. Masonic Rites will be held at 5:30 PM Mondayat the funeral home, followed by Visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. A memorial fund has been established for the Blandin House Museum, The Faith Fellowship Church, or Donor’s Choice.