Margaret Canella Matsch, 99, of Burlington, Iowa peacefully died at her home on March 14, 2018. Marg was born December 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Mary Sansone Canella. On September 2, 1989, she married Robert Matsch.
Marg graduated from St. Paul High School in Burlington. She loyally worked for over 40 years in the District Court system and served as Trial Court Clerk.
Marg was a faithful member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church and was involved in many civic functions with her husband Bob.
Marg was a beautiful, petite woman of Italian heritage who was strong and mighty. She enjoyed traveling. For years she was devoted to caring for her mother and later her Aunt Mary. Marg adored her husband Bob and they found great enjoyment in the company of their family and friends. Marg lovingly cared for Bob until his death in 2013. Her warm and welcoming hospitality continued into her last days.
Marg is survived by one brother-in-law Richard Matsch; nieces and nephews: Cathy (Brent) Packard, Rick Canella, Ronna (Bob) Cline, Sandy Miller, Bill (Kristina) Matsch, Katherine (John) Daley, Molly (Mark) Briggs, Dan (Carol) Matsch, and Marti (Andy Dieringer) Matsch; 14 great nieces and nephews and 13 great, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers, Fr. Joseph Canella and Richard Canella; brothers-in-law Charles Matsch and William Matsch; sisters-in-law Kathy Canella, Marie Matsch, Susan Matsch, Peggy Matsch and Lib Matsch; and nieces Betsy Matsch and Anne Matis.
The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Advanced Home Health Care and Terri Dowell of US Bank for their love and great care of Marg. The family is most appreciative of friends and helpers who visited Marg, especially these last years.
In celebration of Marg’s life, a funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 19th, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. Paul Catholic Church with The Very Rev. Fr. Marty Goetz as Celebrant. The family will receive friends from 10 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. A luncheon will be served at The Drake after the service. Interment will take place at Aspen Grove Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.
The family requests that memorials be directed to the Divine Mercy Parish.
Lunning Chapel in Burlington is in charge of the arrangements.
Kevin Allen Wittenmyer, born October 17th, 1951 to Kenneth A. & Ada M. Wittenmyer in Bowling Green, OH, passed from this life after a courageous 13 year battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma on March 15th, 2018.
Kevin married Ruth Anne Culbertson in Toledo, OH on May 18th, 1974. He worked for Champion Spark Plug/Federal Mogul for 47 years. He and his family moved to Burlington, IA in August, 1993. In life, he loved gardening, amassing a large collection of over 100 different hosta species, visiting lighthouses throughout the country, and visiting amusement parks with his family, especially Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Kenneth & Ada Wittenmyer and his sister Karyn Hilding.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth, four sons, Ian M. (Tabetha), Jared T. R. (Michelle), Andrew M., & Nicholas M. Wittenmyer, four granddaughters, Bella S. Riepe, Mavinee B. & Soloway O. Wittenmyer, and Harper A. Wittenmyer, and two brothers, Roger (Diana) & James Wittenmyer, nieces, nephews, and their children.
There will be a private visitation for family prior to cremation.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, please forward all memorials to Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home at 3940 Division Street. Memorials have been established for the Burlington Public Library, PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison, IA, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Kevin’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Juanita B. Specht, 66, of Palos Heights, IL, passed away at 3:52 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL.
She was born on July 28, 1951 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Walter and Hilda Collins Sanders.
Juanita enjoyed dancing, playing bingo, watching Elvis impersonators and especially her family.
Survivors include three children, Richard Specht of Palos Heights, IL, Kristal Holmes of Crown Point, IN and Ronald Specht of Cedard Lake, IN, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Verna Satala of Cape Coral, FL and Joanne Sanders of Oak Forest, IL and two brothers, David Sanders of San Jose, CA and John Sanders. She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Anitra Specht.
Visitation will be noon until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe. A graveside service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Monday at the LaHarpe Cemetery. Condolences may be left by visiting Juanita’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Juanita B. Specht, 66, of Palos Heights, IL, passed away at 3:52 p.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018 at the Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood, IL.
She was born on July 28, 1951 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Walter and Hilda Collins Sanders.
Juanita enjoyed dancing, playing bingo, watching Elvis impersonators and especially her family.
Survivors include three children, Richard Specht of Palos Heights, IL, Kristal Holmes of Crown Point, IN and Ronald Specht of Cedard Lake, IN, seven grandchildren, two sisters, Verna Satala of Cape Coral, FL and Joanne Sanders of Oak Forest, IL and two brothers, David Sanders of San Jose, CA and John Sanders. She was preceded in death by her parents and one daughter, Anitra Specht.
Visitation will be noon until 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018 at the Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe. A graveside service will be held at 2:15 p.m. Monday at the LaHarpe Cemetery. Condolences may be left by visiting Juanita’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Thurman C. Huffman, age 85, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018. Thurman was born in Davis County, Iowa on June 7, 1932 to Thurman Huffman Senior and Woody Gilbert Huffman. He married Dorothy Johnson on September 13, 1952 in Burlington. She passed away in July, 2013.
Mr. Huffman served in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He retired from the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant after 38 years. In addition to his work at the plant, Mr. Huffman was a business agent for the International Guards and Security Workers of America, where he negotiated contracts improving the working conditions and pay for workers across the country.
After his retirement, Mr. Huffman worked as a handyman with his friend Harold McNeece. Mr. and Mrs. Huffman were devoted to helping the poor. They provided low-cost and often free housing to those in need. He loved woodworking and gardening, his friends, and his family. Mr. Huffman was a member of the RAB Board, assisting with clean-up efforts at the IAAP in Middletown. He assisted in filing and verifying claims for many former plant employees.
Thurman was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers and sisters, his beloved wife, Dorothy, and his daughter-in-law, Penny.
Survivors include his children, Becky (Tim) Helmick, Cathy (Bill) Hodgin, Darrel Huffman, and Susan (Jim) Ferrell, seven grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.
Mr. Huffman was of the Christian faith. There is no planned service at this time. Cremation is being handled by the Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home per Mr. Huffman’s wishes. The family will gather with friends for a time of fellowship and internment of Mr. and Mrs. Huffman’s ashes at a later date.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Thurman’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
