Obituaries Wednesday November 4th

Mary B. Schmeiser, age 97 of Farmington, Illinois, formerly of Carman, Illinois passed away at 4:00 p.m. Sunday November 1, 2015 at Farmington Country Manor Nursing Home. She was born December 7, 1917 in Solomon, Kansas, the daughter of James and Bertha May Whitley Dobbs. On August 21, 1940, she married Milton Paul Schmeiser in Burlington, Iowa. He preceded her in death on November 28,1997.

Mrs. Schmeiser was a lifelong resident of the Carman and Stronghurst area. She was a graduate of Media-Wever High School in Media, IL and worked as a beautician prior to her marriage. She was an active leader of Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts and 4-H. She was a member and former president of the PTA. She also was a member of the 1st United Methodist Church in Burlington, IA, where she served as church treasurer, secretary, pianist, board member, and superintendent of Sunday School.

Survivors include one daughter, Maryann (James) Morrison of Mapleton, IL, one son, James Paul Schmeiser of Key Largo, FL, two grandchildren, P. J. and Nicholas Morrison, and four great grandchildren, Kennedy, Jackson, Pierce and Milo Morrison. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents and one sister, Martha Barbara Stevenson.

Visitation will be from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A Celebration Of Life Service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Banks and Beals. Burial will be in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be left at banksandbeals.com.

Russell Williams Ralphs, 74, Burlington died Monday 11/2 at his home.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara, his mother, Mildred, 3 sons Seth, Jesse & Jeremy all of Burlington, 3 daughters, Lynnette Thomason, Laurie Klein and Linda Neff all of California, a sister, Joanne Gephart of Clayton, CA and brother Ron of Placerville, CA, 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held from 4-7 PM Friday 11/6 at the Port of Burlington.