Obituaries for Wednesday October 16th

Richard Robert “Dick” Fischer, 89, of Burlington, died Monday, October 14, 2019, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.

Born February 14, 1930, in Fairfield, IA, he was the son of Robert Farrell and Mildred Louise Hiatt Fischer. On January 30, 1993, he married Elaine Mary McKenzie Gates in Burlington, Iowa.

He was a 1948 graduate of Fairfield High School. Upon graduation he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War in Company I, 35th Infantry Regiment where he was awarded the Purple Heart.

Upon his return to Iowa, Dick explored various careers including that of a delivery driver for Curtis Candies which resulted in the development of an insatiable sweet tooth. While he loved the Curtis Candies product, encouragement from a law enforcement acquaintance led him to apply to the newly opened Burlington Airport. To Dick’s great surprise, he was immediately hired and began a long and distinguished airline career with Ozark Airlines, later to become TWA. Many of his friendships began with people who passed through his airport.

Dick was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he had served on various committees and as a trustee. He was also a member of the West Burlington Lions Club. In his younger years, he coached baseball. Dick enjoyed reading, watching Iowa sports, coin collecting and traveling. He also like to attend the Old Thresher’s Reunion every year.

Survivors include wife, Elaine Mary Fischer of Burlington; son, Michael (Evelyn) Fischer of Huntsville, AL; two step-sons, Stephen Jon Gates and Michael Francis (Mary) Gates both of Burlington; two step-daughters, Theresa Rae (Eric) McCrory of Wildwood, MO, and Sandra Sue (Damon) Wick of Omaha, NE; eight grandchildren, Jacob, Jon, Joe, and Judy Gates, Alec McCrory, Lauren and Logan Wick, and Joshua Fischer; two great-grandchildren: Aiden Fischer and Samuel Gates; one brother, Ronald (Sue) Fischer of Fairfield, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

Besides his first wife, Ally Faye Fischer, he was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Virginia Schupick.

Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

The funeral service for Mr. Fischer will be 10:00 AM Friday, October 18, 2019, at First Presbyterian Church with Reverend Debra L. Kinney 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 a First Presbyterian Church following the burial.

A memorial has been established for the Lions Club Kidsight USA program.

Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.

Judith “Judi” Weinreich, 72, of Burlington, passed away at 8:50 AM Saturday, October 12, 2019, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City.

Born November 3, 1946, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Edwin Carl and Mildred Lucille Eversman Schwenker. On June 7, 1970, she married Kenneth Alan Weinreich in Burlington. He passed away on January 7, 2019.

Survivors include two daughters, Michele (Ron) Willson and Shawna Weinreich both of Burlington; one granddaughter, Merideth Isabelle Willson; three brothers, Terry Schwenker of Cape Coral, FL and Joel (Debbie) Schwenker and Mike (Melissa) Schwenker both of Burlington; two sister-in-laws, Joyce Schwenker of Burlington and Connie Weinreich of Kansas City; 11 nieces and nephews and 10 great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Tom and Randy Schwenker, one sister-in-law, Dori Schwenker, one brother-in-law, Merv Weinreich, and one nephew, Pat Rehm.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.

Visitation will be from noon until 2:00 PM, where the family will receive friends Thursday, October 17, 2019 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

The memorial service for Judi will be 2:00 PM Thursday, October 17, 2019, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Father Jeff Belger officiating.

A weenie roast will be held at Mike and Melissa Schwenker’s home at 11739 Tama Rd in Burlington following the service.

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 Judi’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.