James Howard Small, MD passed away on Saturday January 19 at the age of 81 after battling cancer.
Born May 19, 1937 in Stratford, Ontario, he was the first child of Norman and Jessie (Hendershott) Small. Jim married Diana Louise McLennan in August, 1959. He graduated from Queens University Medical School in Kingston, Ontario in 1962. Jim did his general residency at the Royal Victoria hospital in Montreal, Quebec followed by his radiology residency in Orillia, Ontario.
Jim practiced radiology in Orillia, Ontario and Burlington, Iowa and the surrounding area for more than 45 years. He was very active in the medical community being a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons, a member of the American College of Radiology, the American Board of Radiology, and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. In 2004, Jim was awarded the gold medal by the Iowa Radiological Society. He was known for his dedication to his profession and his family.
He loved the outdoors, had a great sense of adventure, and an infectious laugh. An avid reader and inquisitive mind, he enjoyed the thrust and parry of vigorous debate and was never shy to assert his opinion. He was known for his piercing blue eyes, his love of cattle and horses, road trips, pie making and family gatherings. He and Diana travelled extensively and enjoyed seeing the wonders of the world. Jim continued to travel, particularly favoring Italy for historic and gastronomic tours and Blues cruises for his love of music and to have a bit of warm winter sun. His love of music led him to volunteer with the Southeast Iowa Symphony. His wonder and joy for life will be sorely missed, as will his guidance and love.
Jim is survived by his son, Stephen Small (Louise) of Kansas City, daughter Suzanne Small (Baker Vail) of Connecticut, daughter Diana Small (Doug Dickson) of Chicago and Patricia Small of Detroit; five grandchildren: Jackson Small, Vojislav Ogarevic, Lazar Ogarevic, Abigail Ogarevic and Nathan Dickson; one sister Mary MacKinnon of Ottawa and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Diana, son Andrew McLennan Small, and sister Corinne Matte.
There will be a visitation from 5-7 at Prugh Funeral Home at 317 N. 4th Street on Friday, February 8th, 2019. A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church at 1 pm on Saturday, February 9th, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Small family home, 1017 North 4th Street.
Memorials may be directed to the Great River Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting James’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Connie Allen Housman, 64, New London, died, January 22, 2019 at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington.
A memorial service for Connie Housman will be 1:00 PM Saturday at Elliott Chapel with Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Visitation will begin at noon Friday with the family receiving friends from 5 – 7 PM. Her body has been cremated with private inurnment at Burge Cemetery at a later date. Memorials have been established for Great River Hospice House and West Burlington Athletic Boosters, where her grandchildren attend school. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Mallery RaeAnn Doak, 23, of Burlington, died at 3:00 PM Tuesday, January 22, 2019, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born August 15, 1995, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Raymond Jay Doak and Karla Jean (David) Tarwater.
Mallery loved animals and going out on the river. She was a wonderful daughter, who was funny and loved to tease. Mallery’s family was very important to her and she loved to spend time with her siblings and cousins. Her daughters were her most prized and loved possession.
Survivors include her parents; two daughters, Brooklinn and Addisin; sisters, Molly (Kiano) Cooper, and Kendalyn DaVolt; brothers, Julian DaVolt, and Tavian DaVolt; grandmothers, Pat Doak and Patty (Dan) Broeg; several nieces and nephews; and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Jonathon Cooper; her grandfathers, Gary Doak and Glenn Polson, and one grandmother, Karen Peterson.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM, Monday, January 28, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for Miss Doak will be 2:00 PM Monday, January 28, 2019, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Kathleen Wohlers officiating.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial have been established for her daughters.
Laura Emily Pranger, 94, of Burlington, died at 10:10 AM Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at the Burlington Care Center in Burlington.
Born December 5, 1924, at her home in Augusta, she was the daughter of John William and Rosina Louise Bitsche Thele. Laura was the youngest of ten children to grow up on the farm in Augusta and Denmark. On October 18, 1947, she married Roy Edward Pranger in Augusta. He died July 25, 1990.
Laura worked at Sylvania Co., General Electric, and was an in-home daycare provider.
She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, D.A.V. Auxiliary, Navy Mothers, and a assistant at Shining Trail Girl Scouts. She was a volunteer for Human Services and volunteer driver taking patients to Iowa City. She enjoyed crocheting, ceramics, and bowling. She loved gardening, mushroom hunting, the Mississippi River, hunting and fishing at her cabin on the Skunk River. She traveled to Rome and Panama on a Canal Cruise.
Survivors include one son, Thomas W. Pranger of Harlingen, TX; one daughter, Annette L. Miller of New London; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter Joan, two sons, Richard and Michael, four brothers and five sisters.
The family will receive friends following a 9:30 AM Rosary Service until 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Divine Mercy Parish – St. John the Baptist Church.
The Funeral Mass of the Resurrection for Mrs. Pranger will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 29, 2019, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with Father Dan Dorau as the Celebrant. Music will be provided by the Des Moines County Resurrection Choir. Burial will be in Spring Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Burlington Notre Dame Foundation and Southeastern Community College CHAD program.
Myrtle M. Strawser, 104, of West Burlington, died at 3:30 AM Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born December 15, 1914, in Blakesburg, IA, she was the daughter of Roy E. and Grace Allison Strawser.
She was one of the thirteen students that graduated from Numa High School in 1933.
Myrt worked in the warehouse of Benner Tea Co. and later worked for Burlington Medical Center in the Dietary Department, where she retired after 65 years.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Moose Lodge, and Eagles. Myrt enjoyed dancing the Waltz and Fox Trot, cats, birds, and all animals. Most of all she just enjoyed life.
Survivors include her half brother, George Strawser of Austin, TX; and several cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The memorial service for Miss Strawser will be 2:00 PM Wednesday, January 30, 2019, at Great River Klein Center in the Gathering Hall with Chaplain David Plooster officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery, at a later date.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Myrt’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Michael R. Brockett, 50 of Burlington, died Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Great River Medical Center.
Born February 15, 1968 in Burlington, IA, he was the son of David and Barbara Jean (Muller) Brockett and biological father, Wayne Durffee. He married Debra D. Malloy October 17, 1987. They later divorced. He married Connie Manning June 17, 1991. They divorced in 2000.
Michael currently worked at Harbor Freight. He previously worked as a welder, truck driver, at Ideal Concrete and Shipley Construction.
He was of the Baptist faith.
He enjoyed fishing, camping, singing karaoke, darts, pranking people, and playing with his dog Scooby. He loved his family, including grandchildren, had an extremely ornery personality and lived life to the fullest.
Survivors include three children, Samantha (Justin) Sommerfeld of Danville, IA, Neiko (Savannah) Brokett of Lomax, IL, Cheissia (Austin) Gee of Cedar Rapids, IA; six grandchildren, Axton and Marley Brockett, Mariska, Myah, and Makayha Malloy, and a grandson on the way; his father, Wayne Durffee of Land O’ Lakes, FL; sister, Debra (Harold “Joe”) Mondorf of La Harpe, IL, niece, Amber Curry of Burlington; nephew, Jason Belknap of Burlington; great nieces and nephews, Jaylynn Belknap, Marshall Belknap, and Peyton Mace; companion, Lori Skipton of Burlington; several aunts, uncles, and cousins; and Scooby, his dog.
He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather.
The memorial service for Mr. Brockett will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 25th at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Randy Richardson will officiate. Inurnment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. until the time of service.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established.
Loren Edward Watson, 80, of Burlington, died at 12:40 AM Monday, January 21, 2019, at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born May 15, 1938, he was the son of Edward Scott and Beulah E. Bailey Watson. On June 6, 1959, he married Shirley Hester at the Salem Friends Church.
He worked as a mechanic for the Hawkeye Motor Co., Arledge Motor Co., and retired from Shottenkirk GM Giant, Ft. Madison IA.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran serving overseas in Germany.
Loren was a quiet, reserved person and had incredible raw strength. He was a faithful worker, great handyman and could fix just about anything. He would always let his mom borrow his car. Loren was a master of many trades, loved camping, fishing and vacationing especially in Branson, MO, watching Westerns, MASH, and The Walton’s. He did not enjoy shopping. He was a fan of Dolly Parton and going to the Dixie Stampede, and seeing The Cajuns in the Silver Dollar City.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Burlington; daughter, Jeanette Watson of West Burlington; granddaughter, Katia Masterhan of Burlington; grandson, Scott Masterhan of Burlington; sister, Martha (Robert) Pratt of Salem; aunt, Imogene Dorsey of Mount Pleasant; sister-in-law, Bonnie Stotts of Morning Sun; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Oliver Goldsmith; grandparents; and brothers-in-law, Gene Stotts and David Hester.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Friday, January 25, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Watson will be 10:00 AM Saturday, January 26, 2019, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the Prugh~Thielen Community Room following the burial.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Loren’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Surrounded by his family, Stephen Kent Watts, 68, of Danville, died Monday, January 21, 2019 at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, after a very short illness.
A celebration of life for Stephen Watts will be 1:00 PM, Friday at New London Christian Church with Rev. Brian Swafford officiating. Visitation will begin at noon Thursday at the church with the family present to greet friends from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Great River Hospice House and New London Jr. Baseball Association. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
