Earl “Soney” Nickel, 86, of Wever, IA, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 8:35 PM at MercyHospital in Iowa City.
He was born on November 25, 1926 in Alexandria, MO to Earl and Pearl Fox Nickel. In July of 1947 he married Irma Ivins Patterson and she preceded him in death. Soney then married Eileen Daugherty on January 4, 1994 in Denmark, IA. He was an assistant superintendent in Wood Industries at Iowa State Penitentiary, worked at 400 Bowl, LeHigh Leopold and he retired as a customer representative from IMCFarmCenter. Soney was a member of the Denmark United Congregational Church of Christ. He was also a dedicated member of the Odd Fellows Lodge 552 in Wever for over sixty five years. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, playing cards and was a nature lover. Soney was an avid Cubs and Hawkeye fan.
Survivors include his wife, Eileen Nickel of Burlington; two daughters, Paula (Robert) Patterson Tripp of Ames and Susan (Jody Katt) Nickel of Los Angeles, CA; one son, Scott Nickel of Wever; two step daughters, Kathy (Leroy) Mabeus and Sherry (Ray) McKee of Wever; two step sons, Bob (Janice) Daugherty of Dallas City, IL and Steve Daugherty of Ft. Madison; two grandchildren, Casey Nickel of Ft. Madison and Michael Walstrom of Slater, IA; six step grandchildren, Jeff Mabeus, Jennifer Mabeus-Geers, Tori Savage, Brent Daugherty, Darcy Griffin and Jamie Schubert; two great grandchildren, several step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and a sister.
Friends may call after 2 PM on Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory where the family will receive friends from 4-6 PM. There will be an Odd Fellows Service at 5:45 at the funeral home and a Memorial Service will be held at 6 PM with Pastor Chad Savage officiating. Per his wishes, his body has been cremated.
Memorials have been established for the Wever Odd Fellows, Denmark Fire & Rescue or Denmark UCC. Online condolences may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
Melvin Eugene Rea, 85 years, of Fort Madison, Iowa died at 4:38 pmFriday, November 1, 2013 at the Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, Iowa. He was born March 17, 1928, in HancockCounty, west of Ferris, Illinois, a son of Dee and Helen (Brandon) Rea. On December 12, 1953, he married LaVonna “Vonnie” Horner at Fort Madison, Iowa, they were married 59 years. She survives.
Mel attended school in Blandinsville, Illinois. He was a veteran of the United States Army, serving during the Korean War. In 1953, he moved to Fort Madison, Iowa. He worked as an operator and later a shift supervisor at Ortho, retiring November 1986. After retirement he worked at the Boat Shop in Niota, Illinois and then at Kempker’s in their lawn mower shop. He was a lifelong mechanic and enjoyed working on cars. He liked golfing and trap shooting, and taught hunter safety for the JayCee’s. He was a member of the VFW, American Legion, Elks, and former member of the JayCee’s. He was a member of the FortMadisonUnitedMethodistChurch.
He is survived by his wife, LaVonna “Vonnie” Rea, of Fort Madison, Iowa; two sons, Jeff (wife Sharon) Rea, of Detroit, Michigan and Todd (wife Jeniffer) Rea, of Cedar Falls, Iowa; two daughters, Marcia (husband Michael) Liggett, of Herrin, Illinois and Jan (husband Steve) Niggemeyer, of Maynard, Iowa; three brothers: Carl Rea, of Niota, Illinois; Glen (wife Delores) Rea, of Niota, Illinois; and Jim (wife Faye) Rea, of Colchester, Illinois; three sisters: Betty (husband Bill) Boyer, of Carthage, Illinois; Leann (husband Jim) Derks, of Anchorage, Alaska; and Carolyn (Carl) McMillen, of Fort Madison, Iowa; ten grandchildren: Matt Fodge, Maggie Fodge, Alan Niggemeyer, Brad Niggemeyer, Caitlin Reinking, Jesse Rea, Aimee Freed, Jace Rea, Grant Rea, and Breck Rea; two great grandchildren, Camdin Freed and Micah Niggemeyer; nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers: Willie Rea, Jack Rea, John Rea, and Donnie Rea; and one sister, Norma Bayne.
Per his wishes, his body has been cremated. His family will greet friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pmMonday, November 4, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, FortMadison. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am Tuesday, November 5, 2013 at the Barr Memorial Chapel, Fort Madison, with Pastor Dean Graber and Reverend Lanette S. Van, officiating. Burial will be at the Soldiers Circle, Oakland Cemetery, Fort Madison, Iowa with full military rites. A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice and Tri-State Gun Club, contributions may be made at the Barr Memorial Chapel, FortMadison. Online condolences to the Rea Family may be made from the Barr Memorial Chapel, www.barrmemorialchapel.com .
Irma Kuntz, 93, of Burlington, died at 11:55 AM Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant.
Born November 22, 1919, in Farifield, IA, she was the daughter of John Arthur and Effie Mae Heston Anderson. After her mother’s death she was adopted by Plommie Alrmira Jackson. On February 16, 1939, she married Marion Junior Kuntz in Burlington. He died August 29, 2009
Irma was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother and homemaker
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1938.
She was member of Grace United Methodist Church. She also was a member of a square dancing club and rainbow auxiliary. She received many awards in proficiency in shorthand. She enjoyed traveling, people, reminiscing and sharing memories.
Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn A. Frahm of Mount Pleasant, IA, and Connie S. (Joseph) Thorsen of Flushing, NY; five grandchildren, John Paul Ibbotson, Dianne Hayes, Lynn (Paul) Humphreys, Meredith (Benny) Lee, and Ann (Danny) Avalos; seven great-grandchildren, Brad, Elizabeth, and Kathleen Hayes, Lucas and Logan Lee, Griffin and Allison Humphreys and Noah Avalos; one great-great granddaughter, Camille Mariona Wonders; one sister, Violet Marie Niehaus of Burlington, two brothers, Leonard (Paula) Anderson of Burlington, and Charles “Mick” (Vera) Anderson of Middletown, IA; sister-in-law, Marilyn Anderson, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Clarence William Anderson.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, November 4, 2013 at Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Kuntz will be 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home with Chaplain Jim Luder officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. .
Memorials have been established for Hospice of Central Iowa and Grace United Methodist Church.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Irma’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
Francis F. Foehring, 81, of Fort Madison, IA, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 9:20 p.m. at the FortMadisonCommunityHospital. He was born on August 16, 1932 in Fort Madison, IA to Fred & Elizabeth Niemeyer Foehring. He graduated from St. Joseph’s High School in 1950 and worked as a young man as a steward on the Sheaffer family yacht, the W.A.S.P. He later worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, the FortMadison Post Office, 12 years at First Miss and retired from the University of Iowa Power Plant with 13 years of service. He was a member of Ss. Mary & Joseph Church and the FortMadison Family YMCA. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserves and later in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict era. He was an avid reader and doted on his children and grandchildren.
Francis is survived by: his wife: Elaine Foehring of Fort Madison, IA; 2-sons: David (Robin) Foehring of Fort Madison, IA & Mark (Tamara) Foehring of Geneva, IL; 2-daughters: Teresa (Vernon) Cooper of San Marcus, TX & Kathleen Davidson of Fort Madison, IA; 7-grandchildren: Rebecca Campbell, Victoria Gulick, Amanda Ang, Jaclyn Lorimer, Kaylyn Foehring, David Foehring & Mark Kreuz; 4-great grandchildren; 2-brothers: Edward (Lydia) Foehring of Princeton, IL & Albert (Mary) Foehring of Portland, OR & 1-sister: Mary Elizabeth Cooper of Knoxville, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents & 1-infant granddaughter, Lisbeth Gulick.
Per his wishes, his body has been cremated by King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7, 2013 with the family to receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday evening with a wake service to be held at 6:30 p.m. all at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory. The memorial mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2013 at Ss. Mary & Joseph Church with Rev. David Wilkening officiating. Burial will be held at Soldiers’ Circle in OaklandCemetery with military rites performed by the FortMadison Veterans Honor Guard. A memorial has been established for Holy Family Parish or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences to the family may be left at the King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory website: www.kinglynk.com.
Arthur N. Hagemeier, 76, of Kingston, died at 2:53 AM Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born April 16, 1937, near Waukon, in Makee Township in Allamakee County, IA, he was the son of Paul and Esther Christensen Hagemeier. On March 15, 1997, he married Hillis Rutter in Kingston, IA.
He was educated in Allamakee County rural schools and graduated from Postville Community High School in 1956.
Arthur farmed with his father in Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties for a number of years. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1959 serving in Panama and the 775th Aerial Supply Unit in Decorah, Iowa.
Arthur and his father quit farming in 1969 and Arthur went to Area One Vocational-Technical College which is now Northeast Iowa Community College and received an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Accounting. Upon graduation from college, he worked for the Iowa Department of Revenue for 31 1/12 years, retiring in 2002.
He attended Bethany Lutheran Church. He was member of American Legion Post 243 of Mediapolis.
Survivors include his wife, Hillis Rutter; two brothers, David (Debbie) Hagemeier of Sioux City, SD, and Edward Hagemeier of Clinton, IA; several nieces and nephews; and his former wife, Suzanne Hagemeier of Texas.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews.
Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday, November 5, 2013 at Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Hagemeier will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Rick Biedermann officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following service.
Cremation will be entrusted to Thielen Crematory following the funeral service.
A memorial has been established.
As we don’t know what is around the bend in every road,
Or where every wrong turn will take us
We need to plan our journey down the road of life
And prepare to meet the end of the road.
Written by: Arthur
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
Gerald B. Hester, 78, of Burlington, died at 2:38 AM Friday, November 1, 2013, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born January 13, 1935, in Burlington, he was the son of Delbert Boyd and Winnie Duke Hester. On June 29, 1958, he married Martha V. Herr in Burlington.
Jerry was a mechanic and had worked at CBQ Railroad from 1955-59, the Burlington School District and Southeastern Community College from 1959-1969, Iowa Southern Utilities as a mechanic at the power plant from 1969-1974, and then at General Electric until his retirement in 1994.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a 32nd Degree Mason at the Malta Lodge, and a member of KAABA, and Shriners. He enjoyed working on his acreage in Burlington and Branson, MO.
Survivors include his wife, Martha; one daughter, Gina (Patrick) Gorrell of Burlington; one son, Roger Boyd (Ann) Hester of Iowa City; and two grandchildren, Kathleen (Kenneth) Kempker, and Lance Edward Hester.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 5:00 PM Masonic Memorial Service until 7:00 PM Tuesday, November 5, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Hester will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, November 6, 2013, at Thielen Funeral Home with Elder Alan B. Ourth and Bishop Jonathan Snow officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints following the burial.
Memorials have been established for the Malta Masonic Lodge and Des Moines County Humane Society.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Jerry’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
