Obituaries Monday April 20th

Dennis Ray ‘Tarz’ Stephens, age 63, of Mediapolis and formerly of Wapello, died Friday evening, April 17, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  The son of Ray and Carol Huddle Stephens, he was born on July 9, 1951 in Burlington.

 

He graduated from Wapello High School in 1969.  Tarz married Nancy Messer and later Chris Herr Dickel both of which were later divorced.  He married Penny Schwerin Habben on July 11, 1992 near Kingston, Iowa.

 

He worked a short time on a drilling rig.  He was a printing press operator with the Hawk Eye, Mediapolis New Era, and Louisa Publishing Company in Wapello.  He had been active with the Jaycees and enjoyed photography, music, his friends and family especially his grandchildren.

 

He is survived by his wife, Penny; two daughters, Ashley Stephens of Wapello and Sarah Stephens of Lakeland, Florida; his mother Carol Parsons of Wapello; eight grandchildren; two brothers, Mark Stephens of Wapello and Jay & Debbie Stephens of Vail, Arizona; step children, Daniell Peterson of Centerville, Josh Habben of Des Moines, and Ralph Dickel of Cedar Rapids; and two step brothers, Kirby Parsons of Dodgeville and Calvin Parsons of Wapello.

 

He was preceded in death by his father, Ray; a brother, David; his step father, Bernard Parsons; and a brother-in-law, Darrel Schwerin.

 

Cremation will be accorded.

 

The family will meet friends Tuesday, April 21, 2015, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home in Wapello.  The Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home with Rev. Harlan Winter officiating.  Burial will follow at the Wapello Cemetery followed by a fellowship lunch at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall in Wapello.

 

A Memorial Fund has been established.

 

Condolences may be given and viewed at www.dudgeonmcculley.com.

 

Bruce D. Parks, 76, of Macomb, IL passed away Friday, April 17, 2015 at his home.

He was born July 22, 1938 in Pekin, IL, the son of William and Clara Strope Parks. On August 13, 1977 he married Lora Shipley at the Oak Street Baptist Church in Burlington, IA.

Mr. Parks was a graduate of the Green Valley High School, Green Valley, IL. He was an avid hunter and loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting with his wife and kids. For several years he played in the band, Jan LaCrosse and the Cross Country. He was a member of the LaHarpe Union Church.

He is survived by his wife, Lora, children, Sonya (Scott) Quednow of Stokesdale, NC, Rocky (Ruth) Parks of Manito, IL, Steve (Charlene) Parks of Tulsa, OK, Rick Parks and Troy Parks, both of Burlington, IA, Jimmy (Erika) Parks of Avon, IL and Jena Whyte of Macomb, IL, sixteen grandchildren, Charity, Abby, Blake, Gabe, Bruce, Roxanne, Hunter, Danyel, Ciara, Drake, Dakota, Kiley, Kayoaina, Jemar, Lily and Reed, five great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and a special friend, Chris Sereda of Burlington, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Bob and Bill Parks and two sisters, Ruth Hammond and Betty Hendrix.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Revs. Bruce Goettsche and Robert Harrison officiating. Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery, Macomb, IL. The family will meet with friends from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the LaHarpe Union Church or the MDH Hospice. Condolences may be left at www.banksandbeals.com.

 

Margie Sue Ewart, age 66, of Wapello, died Thursday afternoon, April 16, 2015, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  Margie was born on August 2, 1948 in Keokuk to her biological parents Henry Beck and Penny Brillon.  She was adopted and raised by Royal and Iola Weller.  Margie married Dan Ewart on May 30, 1964 in Kahoka, Missouri.

 

She attended Kahoka High School and later received her GED.  Margie was a homemaker and had worked as a nurse aide for the Clark County Nursing Home in Kahoka, worked as a clerk at P & P in Wapello and as a teacher’s aide at the Morning Sun School.  During their fifteen years in Washington, Indiana, she worked as a veterinarian assistant.

 

She enjoyed going to the river and loved raising her children and grandchildren.  She also enjoyed caring for any wildlife that was in need.  Margie loved traveling especially to Florida.

 

Her family includes her husband, Dan; a daughter, Michelle & Gary Dickey of Wapello; two sons, Dan & Jennifer Ewart of Wapello and Bill Ewart at home; six grandchildren; her biological stepmom, Alice Beck of Independence, Kansas; and siblings, Alice Seifert, Louis Littlepage, and Ginny Davis all of Independence, Kansas, Kenny Weller and Hank Beck both of Hamilton, Illinois, and Marvin of Independence, Kansas.  She was preceded in death by her biological parents; adoptive parents; a daughter, Cathy Shadle; a son, Curtis Ewart; a brother, Richard Weller; and a sister, Shirley Mason.

 

Following cremation a visitation with the family meeting friends will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 PM on Monday, April 20, 2015 at the Dudgeon-McCulley Funeral Home in Wapello.  The visitation will be followed by a funeral service at 7:00 PM with Rev. Jon Evans officiating.  Her cremated remains will be placed at the Elmwood Cemetery at a later date.

 

A Memorial Fund has been established for the benefit of the Wapello Community Ambulance Service and the Wapello Rescue Unit.

 

Condolences may be given and viewed at www.dudgeonmcculley.com.

 

Lawrence (Larry) Lowell Siegworth, 75, of Yarmouth, died Thursday, April 16, 2015 at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington.

Memorial services for Mr. Siegworth will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, April 21, 2015 at Faith Christian Outreach Church in Mt. Pleasant.  Pastor Monte Knudsen will officiate.  The family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service.  According to Mr. Siegworth’s wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date.  A memorial has been established to the Great River Hospice House.

Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting with arrangements.