Obituaries Wednesday August 13th

Ernest Allen “Ernie” Johnston, 75, of Burlington, Iowa, died at his home on Tuesday, August 12, 2014. Born on July 15, 1939 in Keota, Iowa, he was the son of Richard and Genevieve Vogel Johnston. He married Janet Leyes on May 25, 1958 at St. Paul Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa.
Ernie attended school in North English, Iowa and graduated from St. Mary Catholic High School, West Point, Iowa. He worked at I.R.C., material control at J.I. Case, Burlington Community School District in food service delivery and as a bus driver. He owned and operated Yellow Cab Co. and Superior Ambulance Service for 11 years.
He was an avid race fan of Sprint cars and NASCAR. He especially enjoyed watching his favorite driver, Jeff Gordon leading when the checkered flag fell. He loved to read, listen to country music and spend time with his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed walking, running errands, car rides and playing with his puppy “Wolfie”. He was a member of SS. John & Paul Catholic Church.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; three sons, Jerry (Kelly) Johnston, of Pleasanton, California, Randy (Linda) Johnston of Ft. Madison, Iowa and Jay (Lisa) Johnston of Iowa City, Iowa; one daughter, Lynne Johnston Lipper of South Elgin, Illinois; seven grandchildren, Emily (Justin) Dorothy, Jade Johnston, Daniel Johnston, Jessica (Jacob) Rohde, Kayla (Corey) Lipper, Nile Johnston and Karley (Ben) Lipper; five great-grandchildren, Tate, Carsen, & Aubree Dorothy and Calvin Mayo, Leah Rohde; two brothers, Raymond (Liz) Johnston of Burlington, Iowa and Carl Johnston of West Point, Iowa; two sisters, Regina Johnston of Ft. Madison, Iowa and Marilyn (Maurice) Neuweg of Springfield, Illinois; many cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Francis “Red”, Robert, Joseph and one sister, Roberta.
The funeral mass for Ernie Johnston will be held on Wednesday, August 20, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa. Celebrant will be Fr. Marty Goetz. Special music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. in Prugh’s Chapel with a Wake Service at 7;00 p.m. Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice and SS. John & Paul Catholic Church. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.

 

Jackson Eric Gipe, 12, of Burlington, died at 6:54 PM Monday, August 11, 2014, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City following a courageous fight with leukemia, with his whole family by his side.

 

Born June 22, 2002, in Burlington, he was the son of Eric and Anna Jane Van Pelt Gipe.

 

He attended Grimes Elementary School and was entering 7th grade at Edward Stone Middle School.

 

He was a member of SS. John and Paul Catholic Church in Burlington and St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Raritan, IL. A member of the school band, Jackson played the violin at Grimes Elementary and was in percussion at Edward Stone Middle School. He was a library assistant and on the Safety Patrol at Grimes Elementary. He enjoyed playing soccer in the YMCA league, Minecraft, watching Dr. Who on television, being outdoors fishing, and trinkets. He also loved the St. Louis Cardinals and Iowa Hawkeyes. Jackson was a very compassionate, smart, loving boy with a great sense of humor.

 

Survivors include mother and step-father, Anna Jane (Eric) Ertz of Burlington; father and step-mother, Eric (Amy) Gipe of Stronghurst, IL; four sisters, Emma Van Pelt of Burlington, Lydia Gipe of Burlington, Marissa Gipe of Stronghurst, IL, and Eliza Ertz of Burlington; one step-sister, Kalee Logan; one step-brother, Shaden Logan; maternal grandparents, John and Susan Van Pelt of Burlington, and Mike and Julie Ertz of West Des Moines; paternal grandparents, Ronnie Gipe of Raritan, IL, Bonnie Gipe of Smithshire, IL, and Mike and Terri Cole of Stronghurst, IL; great-grandparents, Esther Thomas of Roseville, IL, and Loren and Janet Fisher of Wapello; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

 

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents, Clifford Murphy, Lorraine Van Pelt, Jim Thomas, and Duane and Jessi Gipe.

 

Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 8:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM Friday, August 15, 2014, at Thielen Funeral Home.

 

The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Jackson will be 10:00 AM Saturday, August 16, 2014, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Fr. Marty Goetz as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be at Carman Cemetery in Carman, IL. A time of food and fellowship will be held in St. John’s cafeteria following the burial.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established in memory of Jackson.

 

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 Jackson’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.