John Arthur Kohrs, 90, of Burlington, passed away at 4:35 AM Friday, June 28, 2019, at the Burlington Care Center in Burlington, Iowa.
Born October 26, 1928, he was the son of Arthur Carl Kohrs and Josephine Ellen Finch Kohrs.
John was a Burlington High School graduate. He was active in many sports, chief among them tennis. He was a highly talented musician, focusing on the clarinet and piano. After high school, he graduated from the University of Iowa, and continued on for a higher degree.
He halted his academic career to serve his country in the Korean Conflict. He was in the infantry, later transferred to a M*A*S*H unit to serve the wounded.
After an Honorable Discharge at the end of the Conflict, John taught English and Rhetoric at the University of Iowa before transferring to the Medical Records Department at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from which he retired.
John was an avid scholar of the military. He studied Jane’s military intelligence books and periodicals. He had a special fascination for military aircraft; his favorites were WWII combat planes.
John enjoyed yard work, music, books; watching football and baseball, rooting for his beloved Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals.
Survivors include one sister, Joanne Guest of Burlington, and one niece, Lynn Guest of San Francisco, CA.
John was preceded in death by his parents.
The Graveside Committal Service for John will be 1:00 PM Monday, July 8, 2019, at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the American Red Cross.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting John’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Wyvonne Elaine Byers, 70, of LaHarpe, Illinois passed away at 10:35 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2019 at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa.
She was born on April 29, 1949 in LaHarpe the daughter of Loyd L. and Nancy Moore Breiner. On April 29, 1966 she married Ike Lavern Byers. He survives.
Wyvonne enjoyed gardening, painting and crafting. She loved music particularly Elvis. She also enjoyed shopping and going to yard sales. Her greatest love was for her kids, grandkids, and her best friend and husband, Ike.
Survivors include her husband, Ike, three children, Troy Byers of Keokuk, Iowa, Michelle (Kelly) Smith of Albia, Iowa and Ike Byers Jr. of LaHarpe, three grandchildren, Olivia (Derik) Bronson, Isaac Smith and Elijah Smith, one great-grandchild, Isaiah Bronson all of Albia and nine sisters, Dorothy Plank, Pauline Jones and Joy Byers all of LaHarpe, Charlene Wilson, Lucille (Edward) Luton and Deanna Truelove of Blandinsville, Illinois, Patricia (Lewis) Huston of New Boston, Illinois, Marilyn (Pat) Cahill of Burlington and Jo (Don) Frye of Muscatine, Iowa.
Wyvonne was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Lloyd “Gene” Breiner and three sisters, Louise Thompson, Thelma Figg and Virginia Kerfoot.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Bruce Goettsche officiating. A memorial fund has been established. To leave a condolence please visit Wyvonne’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Lyla Jean Stout, 80, of Burlington, passed away at 4:47 PM Thursday, June 27, 2019, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born December 27, 1938, in Des Moines, she was the daughter of Velma Martindale. She was raised by her grandparents, John and Anna McKeown. On May 19, 1957, she married Wesley E. Stout in Burlington.
Lyla worked 25 years at Woolworth/Woolco, Scotty’s Restaurant for 13 years and Lincolnville 66 with her husband and son, Chuck.
Lyla was a member of Faith Presbyterian Church for several years where she was Deacon and an Elder. She enjoyed reading and watching wildlife from her deck. Lyla loved making her famous peanut brittle and giving it to her friends. She would always help her friends and neighbors.
Survivors include her husband, Wesley Stout of Burlington, one half-brother, Ed (Betty) Martindale of Havelock, NC, one half-sister, Mary (Marvin) Doty of Grinnell; four grandchildren: Todd Stewart, Jerry Stout, Tanner Stout and Samantha (Dustin) Walljasper; and three great-grandchildren: Axton, Meika and Brantley.
Besides her mother, Lyla was preceded in death by her beloved son, Chuck, half-brother, Harvey Martindale, and grandparents, John and Anna McKeown.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
Graveside Committal Services will be held at 10:00 AM Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Aspen Grove Cemetery with Chaplain Randy Gearhart officiating.
A memorial has been established.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Ruth Janet Rowley of Burlington IA
Ruth was born April 17, 1918 in Knoxville, IL to Eben Swan and Hattie Louise (Peterson) Nelson, the second of 4 daughters. She passed away on June 17, 2019 at Oakview Nursing Home at age 101.
As a student nurse, she met the love of her life, Robert D. Rowley, prior to her graduation in May 1939. Ruth and Robert married Jan. 19, 1940 in Knoxville IL and moved to Iowa City for Robert to finish his M.D. Ruth worked at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and hospitals in San Diego CA and Galesburg IL while Bob served in WWII. Ruth and Bob returned to Burlington in 1957, when Bob opened his private practice in General Surgery.
Ruth was an active member of First United Methodist Church, Burlington, P.E.O.,and King’s Daughters. Ruth enjoyed attending Burlington Municipal Band concerts, Civic Music shows, SE Iowa Symphony concerts, and touring Broadway productions.
After Bob’s death from ALS in 1978, Ruth volunteered tirelessly for the ALS Society of America, counseling ALS patients. She established the Robert D. Rowley Healthcare Scholarship in his memory. She was awarded the ALS Society of America Volunteer of the Year Award in 1982 and was honored as one of the 9 Who Care by KCRG TV in 1998.
Ruth is survived by her 4 children: Dr. Stephen (Johanna Caslander) Rowley of Bainbridge Island WA, Dr. David (Janet) Rowley of Houston TX, Susan Beth (Michael) Aller of Ft. Collins CO and William (Cynthia) Rowley of Dubuque IA; 8 Grandchildren: Justin and Scott Aller, Kersten Barajas, Caitlin Cook, and Eddie, Erik, Evan, and Serica Rowley; 5 Great-grandchildren: Samuel and Daniel Barajas, Piper, Bodhi and Arbor Aller, in addition to 4 nieces, 1 nephew, and special Rowley family friend, Joyce Pilger.
She is preceded in death by her love, Dr. Robert Ditto Rowley, her parents, her 3 sisters: Bessie Irene Wright Sward, Kathleen ‘Lorraine’ Stephenson and Irma Louise Peterson, and by her dear sister-in-law Kathryn Maxine Rowley.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The memorial service for Mrs. Rowley will be 11:00 AM Saturday, July 6, 2019, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Melisa Bracht-Wagner officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the church following the service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ruth’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
