Helen Marie Perkins, 84, of West Burlington, Iowa, died at Great River Klein Center, West Burlington, Iowa, on February 9, 2015.
Born on October 15, 1930 in Burlington, Iowa, she was the daughter of Edwin R. and Emma Bertha Keuhnle Johnson. She married Robert E. Grant and they later divorced. He died in 2008. Helen married Dale Perkins on August 12, 1978 in Burlington; he died September 26, 1989.
Helen worked at Burlington Medical Center in Medical Records for many years and retired from there. She enjoyed cross word puzzles, quilting, fishing, refinishing furniture and gardening. Helen also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a volunteer at the hospital for several years and was of the Lutheran Faith.
She is survived by three daughters, Nancy Jacobs and Judy Kaltefleiter both of Burlington, Iowa, and Connie Stephens of Westerville, Ohio; four grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; one sister, Darlene Newton of Burlington, Iowa; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one grandchild, Wesley Guzman; one son-in-law, Warren Jacobs; one brother, Howard Johnson; and one great-grandchild, Christoffer Penrod.
Funeral services will be held in Prugh’s Chapel, Friday, February 13, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Chaplain Randy Gearhart will officiate. The family will meet friends in Prugh’s Chapel one hour prior to the service on Friday from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice or Great River Klein Center. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
Delbert Edward Laue died Saturday, February 7, 2015 at his home in Burlington, Iowa. He was born November 7, 1918 in Tama Township, Des Moines County Iowa. He was the son of Charles A. and Gertrude E. Meller Laue. Delbert attended Dry Branch School 1st, 2nd & 3rd grade, Excelsior School 4th, 5th & 6th grade and part of 7th, Flint River Township 7th and start of 8th grade and Franklin Mills Township where he finished the 8th grade.
Delbert married Lillian Evelyn West May 13, 1943 in St. John Catholic Church, Burlington, Iowa. She died November 22, 2007.
He was a WW II Army T5 Medical Technician at Schick Hospital. Delbert worked at Bennett Home Center from October, 1946 until June of 1950; the Iowa Ordnance Plant in Electrical Maintenance and retired from Iron Workers Local 577. He was a Lifetime Union Member.
Delbert was passionate about nature, gardening and wild life, mostly birds. His memory was fantastic and he loved the trees and could tell you everything about them by their bark and leaves. He could fix anything with a little bit of nothing. He loved his family and grandchildren and life in general.
Delbert is survived by one son, Gregory L. (Janet) Laue of Freeport, Illinois; three daughters, Janice L. Heyveld & Sandra K. (James) Ranck, of Burlington, Iowa and Susan C. Benz both of Mediapolis, Iowa; one sister, Pat White of Springdale, Arkansas; twelve grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and numerous great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; two daughters, Linda Brakeville & Celia Laue; two brothers, Floyd & Francis Laue; two sisters, Marceline Samuels and Lucille Jennings.
A Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, February 12, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church. Fr. Marty Goetz will officiate. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Interment will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family will receive friends in Prugh’s Chapel on Wednesday evening from 4:00 until 6:00 P.M. Military Rites will be conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A memorial has been established for the Great River Hospice House. Condolences may be left at www.prughfuneralservice.com.
Wheeler David Mears, 74, of Burlington, died at 4:00 PM Sunday, February 8, 2015, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born July 16, 1940, in Monmouth, IL, he was the son of Wheeler Mayes and Mable Schlotzhauer Mears. On August 20, 1960, he married Dorothy Donna Burrell in Burlington.
David worked for Murray Iron Works, Burlington Hospital, and as a welder for J.I. Case Corporation for 30 years, where he retired.
He graduated from Burlington High School.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was Employee of the Year at Burlington Hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of Burlington, seven sons, Dan William (Thomas Searls) Mears of Iowa City, Shawn Michael (Judy) Mears of Burlington, Devin Eugene (Anisa) Mears of Lake Saint Louis, MO, Steven Mayes (Sakshi) Mears of Denver, CO, Shannon David (Alicia) Mears of Hawaii, Dustin Matthew Mears of San Diego, CA, and Rusty Ryan (Samantha Howe) Mears of Burlington; one daughter, Lynn Susan (Brian) Whipps of Burlington; 11 grandchildren and one grandchild due in August; one great-grandchild; one brother, Gary (Dianne) Mears of Manchester, MO; one sister, Gloria Underwood of Las Vegas, NV; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother-in-law.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Thielen Crematory. There will be no visitation.
The memorial service for Mr. Mears will be 1:00 PM Thursday, February 12, 2015, at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with Bishop Dell Hammond officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints following the service.
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 David’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com
