Jack Albert Knotts Jr., 81, of Burlington, died at 5:14 PM Saturday, January 17, 2015, at his home.
Born July 14, 1933, in Burlington, he was the son of Jack Albert and Nina Marie Swanson Knotts. On July 1, 1955, he married Audrey Joann Dirth in Burlington. She died October 29, 2014.
Jack served for the United States Navy during the Korean War from 1950 until 1954.
He worked as a Burlington firefighter for seven years and drove a semi truck for J.I. Case Co. for 25 years. After retiring from J.I Case Co., he drove a dump truck part-time for Wenderlich. Most recently, he hauled rock and dirt in his faithful red dump truck “Papa Jack’s Tonka Toy”.
He loved being with his family, driving his dump truck, sitting in his chair at the kitchen window, spending time at his cabin, and telling jokes and stories with his family and friends. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather.
Survivors include two daughters, Debra Lynn Baldwin and Jackie Sue (Jim) Capps, both of Burlington; one son, John Albert Knotts of Burlington; six grandchildren, Christina (Eric) Lybarger, Kimberly Capps, Jamie Capps, Ashley Capps, Ricky Baldwin, and Josh Knotts; nine great-grandchildren, Shayla Capps, Alyssa Pugliese, Taylor Pugliese, Chelsey Pugliese, Jack Capps, Ashton Mehaffy, Travis Capps, Cason Mehaffy, and Brynnley Mehaffy; two great-great-grandchildren, Audrianna McCann and Easton Meyer; and one brother, Larry Knotts of Burlington.
Besides his wife he was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Steven.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Thielen Crematory.
Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM Thursday, January 22, 2015 at Thielen Funeral Home where the family will receive friends.
The memorial service for Mr. Knotts will be 10:30 AM Thursday, January 22, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Larry Dodds officiating and full military honors rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetey at a later date.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Jack’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
Bessie Inez “Bess” Hand, 63, of Burlington, Iowa, died at the University of Iowa Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa, on Sunday, January 18, 2015.
Born on July 16, 1951 in Ft. Madison, Iowa, she was the daughter of Emerson Woods and Nina Inez Bailey Woods. She married Richard D. Hand on October 9, 1970 in Oquawka, Illinois. He died on November 16, 1997.
Bess was a homemaker. Bess enjoyed crocheting, cross stitch and was very talented with craftwork. She also enjoyed bingo, fishing trips that ended at the casino, playing cards, PBS Christian TV and southern gospel music. Bess was also a good seamstress and was of the Protestant faith.
Bess is survived by two sons, Richard Hand Jr. of Burlington, Iowa and John (Laura) Hand of Morning Sun, Iowa; five daughters, Carrie (Bradford) Hinds of Burlington, Iowa, Carla (Derrick) Willis of Burlington, Iowa, April (Michael) High of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, Marla (Tim) Myatt of Burlington, Iowa and Cynthia (Jake) Hand of Macomb, Illinois; her mother, Nina Woods of Ft. Madison, Iowa; one sister, Mary (Bob) Andrews of Hamilton, Illinois; two brothers, Bill Woods of Niota, Illinois and Andy Woods of Wever, Iowa; 16 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, father and two sisters, Vicky Davich and Connie Reynolds.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Prugh’s Chapel. Pastor Mike McHugh will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.
The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. in Prugh’s Chapel. Friends may pay their respects after 8:00 a.m. Thursday morning. A memorial has been established for the Diabetes Association. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
Joseph Leonard Ripple, 63, formerly of Burlington, died at 1:36 PM January 15th, surrounded by his family, at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY after a brief illness. Joseph was born in Brookville, PA on April 30, 1951.
Joseph attended Immaculate Conception Grade School in Brookville, PA, graduated from Notre Dame High School, Burlington, IA in 1969 and from Marycrest College in Davenport, IA in 1972 with a BBS in Psychology.
Professionally, Joseph dedicated his life to improving the quality of life and well being of others through crisis intervention and addiction support. Most recently, Joseph worked for the NRI Group, LLC, New York, a drug abuse clinic offering substance abuse treatment services.
Joseph’s intelligence, empathy and kindness made him an accomplished professional, a wonderful friend and trusted counsel to many people.
His friends, co-workers and family fondly recall how Joseph would superbly craft and prepare baked goods for holidays and special occasions. Baking was a personal passion that brought much joy to Joseph and to those that enjoyed his special treats. Neighbors appreciated the care Joseph gave to the courtyard garden where he lived in Brooklyn. He spent countless hours tending to the flowers, plants and the fountain there.
Joseph is preceded in death by his parents, John Leo and Margaret Mary (nee Shannon) Ripple, and brother, Jerry Ripple. Joseph will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his family including sisters Mimi (Bob, deceased) Smutzer of Freeport, IL, and Susan (Gregg) Holtkamp, Burlington, brothers John (Beth) Ripple, Burlington, Richard (Barbara) Ripple, Tampa, FL and Dan (Kathryn) Ripple, San Ramon, CA, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and co-workers.
The family appreciates the kindness of many friends that lent him support during his brief hospitalization including Thomas Glass, Eileen Reilly, Richard Weinstein, Don Bosco Hewlett and Tyshenia Robinson.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM with the family to receive friends following a 3:00 PM Rosary Service until 5:00 PM Sunday, January 25, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. Ripple will be 10:00 AM Monday, January 26, 2015, at SS. Mary and Patrick Catholic Church, West Burlington with Rev. Father David G. Steinle as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Plans are being made for a Celebration of Life in Brooklyn, NY at a future date.
Thielen Funeral Home & Crematory is in care of the arrangements.
Cheryl Ann Love, 61, of Burlington, died at 9:45 PM Saturday, January 17, 2015, at her home in Burlington.
Born August 13, 1953, in Billings, MT, she was the daughter of Cleo Richard and Leona Metzger Brewer. She was married to Donald Campbell and later married Randall Love.
Cheryl worked as a clerk for Delta Dental Insurance Company.
She was a 1972 graduate of Billings Senior High School.
She loved to bake, cross-stitch, crochet, and read. She also took great pride in being a grandmother.
Survivors include her mother, Leona of Billings, MT; one son, Jeffrey Scott Campbell of Galesburg, IL; one daughter, Christy (Matthew) Pfeifer of Burlington; five grandchildren, Julian Pfeifer, Alyssa Pfeifer, Aidan Pfeifer, Evan Campbell, and Gracelynn Routson; one brother, Richard (Karen) Brewer of Billings, MT; and one sister, Linda (Jim) Wilhelm of Helena, MT.
She was preceded in death by her father and one granddaughter, Angel Pfeifer.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Friday, January 23, 2015 at Thielen Funeral Home where the family will receive friends.
The funeral service for Miss Love will be 2:00 PM Friday, January 23, 2015, at Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Dean Graber officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Thielen Funeral Home following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, 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 Cheryl’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
Dorothy L. Gerdes, 91, Burlington died Saturday January 17th at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
She is survived by 3 sons, Wayne, LaVerne and Steven, all of Burlington, a daughter, Elaine Carncross of West Chicago, IL, a brother, Richard Oetken of Burlington, 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.
Funeral Services will be at 2PM Wed 1/21 at Lunning Chapel with burial in the Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call after noon on Tuesday 1/20 with the family receiving friends from 6-8PM at Lunnings.
Betty Jane Atkinson, 93, Burlington died Saturday 1/17 at the Great River Medical Center.
She is survived by her husband, Gary of Burlington, a son Jack Taylor of Carman, IL, 2 daughters, Kathleen Meyer of Milan, IL and Maryann Stimpson of Stronghurst, IL, 10 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and several great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11AM Wed 1/21 at Lunning Chapel with burial in the Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Friends may call after 8AM Wed 1/21 with the family receiving friends from 10-11AM.
