Obituaries Tuesday January 21st

Mercedes L. Degen, age 74 of Lomax, Illinois died at 7:00 a.m.Sunday January 19, 2014 at her home. She was born January 26, 1939 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Everett and Donna Logan Jones. On June 16, 1956, she married Robert McBride in Dallas City, Illinois. They later divorced. On March 18, 1977, she married John R. Degen in Lomax. He preceded her in death on August 7, 2010.

 

Mrs. Degen was an independent truck driver for many years, and also drove for Richers Trucking Company of Wever, Iowa. Earlier in life, she had worked for the former IRC Company in Burlington, Iowa. She was a member of the Independent Truckers Association.

 

Survivors include two daughters- Robin Reu of Dallas City, IL, Dawn (David) Davolt of Fort Madison, IA, two sons- Robert McBride of Oklahoma City, OK, Glen (Myrna) McBride of Choctaw, OK, one step son- Vernon Degen of Burlington, IA, seven grandchildren, one great grandchild, two sisters- Linda Eland of Lomax, and Janice (Duane) Sourwine of Burlington, IA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one son – Danny McBride, and one grandson- Jacob Olsen.

 

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.Monday January 27, 2014 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, IL. Graveside services will be held at CraneCemetery, near Lomax, at a later date. A memorial fund has been established for the Lomax Ambulance Service. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.

James L. McGriff, age 78 of rural Oquawka, Illinois died at 5:30 p.m.Saturday January 18, 2014 at his home. He was born October 12, 1935 in Litchfield, Nebraska, the son of Kenneth and Marion Watson McGriff.

Mr. McGriff was a veteran of the United States Army and worked as a welder for many years.

Survivors include one daughter – Nancy Mann of Cambridge, IL, four nephews- Bob McGriff of Raritan, IL, Mark McGriff of Burlington,IA, Warren McGriff of Oquawka, IL, Leo McGriff of Springdale, AR, and one niece- Doris Helms of Springdale, AR.

 

No services or visitation are planned at this time. Cremation rites have been accorded. Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Stronghurst is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.

Evelyn Mae Whalen, 79, of Burlington, died at 5:56 AM Monday, January 20, 2014, with her family by her side at her home in Burlington.

 

Born August 22, 1934, in Iowa City, Iowa, she was the daughter of Irving and Elta Miller Nichols. On September 23, 1950, she married Daniel Gene Whalen in Jefferson Missouri. He died June 12, 2013.

 

Evelyn was a homemaker while her husband Dan was an over the road truck driver.

 

She was Southeast Iowa’s top bowler for several years.  She bowled on the same five person team for 25 years.  Her bowling team included her mother Elta, and her three friends.  She loved being with her family, having picnics, her grandkids ball games, her Schnauzers, Suzy, Suki, and Mandy, and shopping.  She was a perfectionist at many things and took great pride in her yard work.  She was an excellent cook and spent a lot of time crocheting many afghans for family. She enjoyed the music of Elvis, Michael Jackson, and Garth Brooks.

 

Survivors include one daughter, Vickie Hightower of Burlington; six grandchildren, Charlie (Janice) Hightower Jr., Jennifer (Steve) Jarvis, Ellie (Boots) Strawhacker, Sam (Stephanie) Hightower, Joe (Alicia) Whalen, and Melody Bass; 15 great-grandchildren, Natalie, Charlie III, Daniel, Jebidiah, Katherine, Jacob, Brandon, Sydney, Johnathon, Christopher, and William and two sisters, Pat Brockway of Mediapolis and Kay Hallowell of Burlington, and several nieces and nephews.

 

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, one son, James Whalen, one infant daughter, Helen Marie, and one great grandson, Matthew Hightower.  

 

Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Thielen Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends.

 

The funeral service for Mrs. Whalen will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home with Chaplain Randy Gearhart officiating.  Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.

A memorial has been established.

 

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 Evelyn’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.

Rosemary L Johnson age 73    of Sperry died Saturday January 18th at the
Great River Medical Center    West Burlington
Survivors: Husband: Larry Johnson    Sperry    IA
Son    Brian Johnson    Mesa, AZ
Son    Darren Johnson    Sperry, IA
Son    Scott (Diana) Johnson    Sperry, IA
Daughter    Lorie (Antonio) Styles    Atlanta    GA
13 Grandchildren    3 Great Grandchildren
Sister    Patricia Gerhardt    Burlington, IA
Brother    John (Karen) Welcher    Wever, IA
Graveside funeral service and interment    11 a.m. Thursday, January 23rd, in Aspen Grove Cemetery

Deloris A Hecox    Age 92    of    Mediapolis died Saturday January 18th
at the Great River Hospice House    West Burlington
Survivors:
Son Roger (Beth) Hecox    Burlington, IA
Daughter Cheri Hecox    Minneapolis    MN
1    Grandchild    2    Great-Grandchildren
Brother    Robert (Hazel) Peck    Indianola, IA
Friends may call    8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23rd, at Lunning Chapel
Family will receive friends    5 – 7 p.m. Thursday, January 23rd, at Lunning Chapel
Funeral Service    10 a.m. Friday, January 24th, at Lunning Chapel
Burial Will Be    Aspen Grove Cemetery