Craig A. Lofthus, 57, of Burlington, died 11:27 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at his home.
Born May 27, 1960 in Drayton, North Dakota, he was the son of Arlin and Beverly (Nord) Lofthus.
Craig worked as a concrete finisher and carpenter from the age of 16 for M.J. Daly and later for Frank Millard Co.
He was a hard worker; he enjoyed hanging out and riding motorcycles.
Survivors include his parents, Arlin and Beverly Lofthus of Burlington; four children, Joshua (Edna) Lofthus of Mediapolis, Amanda Lofthus of Sanford, Maine, Jacob (Emily) Lofthus of Mediapolis and Cal Chandler of Mediapolis; eight grandchildren; one brother Aaron (Jenny) Lofthus of New London and one sister Denise Lofthus of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents and one niece, Emily Lofthus.
The memorial visitation for Mr. Lofthus will be from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 11th in Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded.
Mr. Walter “Lee” Tyner, 87, of Sperry, died 6:43 a.m. Monday, January 8, 2018 at the Burlington Care Center.
Born June 20, 1930 in Mount Pleasant, IA, he was the son of Robert and Florence (Denny) Tyner. He married Doris L. Wagner on April 18, 1954 at Salem Lutheran Church. She preceded him in death on November 8, 2014.
Lee was a farmer and earlier in his life worked for Klein Manufacturing. He was a graduate of Burlington High School and a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Mr. Tyner served in the U.S. Airforce in Japan during the Korean conflict. He belonged to many clubs including NRA, Yarmouth Gun Club, Des Moines County Saddle Club and the Des Moines County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed guns, loading shotgun shells, horses, pocket knives, equipment and tools. He also liked to travel with his wife of sixty years, Doris.
Survivors include one son, Rusty (Carmen) Tyner of R.R. Sperry; two grandchildren, Eric Lee Tyner and Candice (Matt) Allen, both of Burlington; one niece, Margaret Wagner of Dodgeville, IA; one nephew, Thomas (Tammy) Wagner of Mediapolis, IA; and three great nephews, Drew, Dillon and Darth Wagner.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris; his parents; brother, Wayne Tyner; brother in law, Don Wagner; nephew, Dean “Butch” Wagner and great nephew Jeremy “Honus” Wagner.
The funeral service for Mr. Tyner will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Kathleen Wohlers will officiate. Interment will be in Old Stone Cemetery, R.R. Sperry. There will be a luncheon following services at Peace Lutheran Church. Friends may call after noon on Wednesday, January 10, at Lunning Chapel. Family will receive friends 6-8:00 p.m.
A memorial has been established for Peace Lutheran Church.
Sybil Ann Hanna, 95, of Burlington, died at 3:00 PM Friday, January 5, 2018, at the Danville Care Center in Danville.
Born January 12, 1922, in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of Carman B and Helen S Hunt Hanna.
Sybil was a children’s librarian and story teller at Eudora Welty Library in Jackson, MS until retirement in July 1st ,1992 then returning to Burlington, IA to enjoy retirement.
She earned her B.S. from Ripon College and M.S. from the University of Illinois before moving to Jackson, MS. September 1st, 1953.
Sybil loved cats and enjoyed traveling to annual children’s book conventions. She had a passion for collecting autographed children’s books and was a contributor to the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi McCain Library and Archives in Hattiesburg, MS. She has generously given of her time and resources to many throughout her life.
Survivors include her three children (adopted) Angelica “Angel” Gutierrez Sellers (Billy Mack) of Florence, MS, Anselveno “Chino” Gutierrez (April) of Ridgeland, MS, Antonio “Tony” Gutierrez of Iowa City, IA. and Hessie Jones Ingram of Ridgeland, Ms. and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with the family to receive friends Friday, January 12, 2018 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home at 3940 Division St.
The funeral service for Ms. Hanna will be 2:00 PM Friday, January 12, 2018, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home at 3940 Division St. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Sybil’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Andrea Lynn Ray, 52, of Scottsdale, Arizona, met her demise Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at 12:38 PM at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She passed into the sunshine of God’s tomorrow, surrounded by nurses, doctors, and her best friend of 30 years.
Born February 27, 1965, in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of John F. and Carol DeCamp Ray.
After graduating from High School, she enrolled in Junior College and received an Associate’s degree. Later, in June 2001 she enrolled and obtained a B.S. in Information Technology from Western International University in Phoenix, Arizona.
Andrea was a Lead in the Computer Technology Department for Bank of America in Arizona.
As a young adult, she gave her life to Christ while attending First New Life Missionary Baptist Church in Phoenix, Arizona. She later moved, uniting with Antioch Church of God in Christ under Pastorate Jonathan E. Logan and Christine Logan in Peoria, Arizona, where she attend faithfully until she became ill. Andrea had a magnificent mind and a great love for reading, she was an avid reader. Some of her reading materials included the Bible, world history and political science. Her favorite entertainment was watching various sport games and having lively conversations with her father about their favorite teams. She had a passion for writing poems, and she often wrote poetry in her spare time. Those who knew her were aware of her love for children and family.
Andrea was always an enterprising person, working in well-known companies; such as, Charles Schwab, INTEL, and DHL. She was a strong and outstanding leader in every job she held and every area of IT.
She leaves to cherish her memory: a father, John Ray from Galesburg, IL; an aunt Dorothy Reyes from Burlington, Iowa; her best friend of 30 years, Kathy Mitchell of Scottsdale, AZ; and a host of relatives and friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother; one sister Michelle Ray; and one nephew Kahlan Ray.
The funeral service for Ms. Ray will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, January 10, 2018, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Rev. Shane McCampbell officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Wesley E. Mellinger, 74, of Burlington, died at 9:50 AM Sunday, January 7, 2018, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born February 22, 1943, in Burlington, he was the son of Arthur Charles and Florence Laverne Frank Mellinger. On September 15, 1961, he married Jacqueline Faye Kerr at the First Presbyterian Church in Burlington.
He worked at IAAP for several years, and then as a Beverage Industry Sales Manager for 35 years. He later retired.
He was a member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling, music, and spending time with his family. He also enjoyed watching his granddaughters play softball. He was a member of the Teamsters Union.
Survivors include his wife; one son, Scott Wesley (Ann) Mellinger of Burlington; one daughter, Tamara Lynn (Dennis) Kramer of West Burlington; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; one brother, Donald (Sharan) Mellinger of Burlington; one sister, Maureen (Wendall) Culp of Burlington; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Cecil and Russell.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Mellinger will be 2:00 PM Saturday, January 20, 2018, to allow family and friends time to travel. The service will be held at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Rev. Dean Graber officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Jeffrey William McKinnon 73, of New London, Iowa, died January 6, 2018 at the Great River Klein Center after an extended illness.
The memorial service for Jeffrey McKinnon will be at 11:00 am Friday at Elliott Chapel with Pastor Dean Graber and Mr. Mike Byrum officiating. Military rites will be by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 9:00 with the family present to receive friends one hour prior to the service. Cremation has been accorded and inurnment will be at Burge Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for New London High School Athletics and Great River Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
