Les D. Waddell, 74, of West Burlington, died on his birthday at 3:11 PM Friday, May 15, 2020, at the Great River Hospice House.
Les was actually born on March 19, 1946, in Burlington, but, for all who knew him, every day was his birthday. He was the son of Eule Waddell and Phyllis Drain Petersen. On February 14, 1997, he married Josette Walker in Burlington.
Les enlisted in the Navy on his 17th birthday in 1963. He served during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged from active duty in April of 1966. After returning home, he joined the Naval Reserve, and later the Army National Guard.
Following his service to our country, Les worked as a truck driver for Gleason’s in Fort Madison for many years. He later worked for the Iowa Department of Corrections until he retired after 22 years.
He was a member of the V.F.W., a Mason and a member of the York Rite. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and playing chess with his sons, shooting pool, playing darts, and organizing the Walker-Waddell Annual Golf Challenge.
Survivors include wife, Josette; two sons, Lance (Chanda) Waddell of Fort Wayne, IN, and Lane Waddell of Hopkinsville, KY; five step-children, Jackie (Andrew) Guidi of Chico, CA, Jason Fellows of Eau Claire, WI, Eric Brown of Burlington, Stephanie (Dylan) Boecker of Hartford, IA, and Christina (Aaron) Podasksi of Cedar Falls, IA; eight grandchildren, one brother, Larry Waddell of Monmouth, IL; one sister, Lucia Peterson of Burlington; two brother-in-laws, Bob (Cindy) Walker and Daryl Walker; 10 nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Darren LaVeine.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Per his request, there will be no visitation or services.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Les’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Meagan Michelle Walker, 31, of West Burlington died Sunday, May 10, 2020 at her home.
Born July 13, 1988 in Iowa City, Iowa she was the daughter of Kendall Putnam and Cynthia Fields. She married Marc Walker on May 16, 2015.
Meagan was a stay at home mommy who loved her son more than anything in the world. Her time spent with him and her husband was the most important. She was a Star Wars fanatic! She loved listening to music, reading, fishing and anything that involved her son. She was an amazing gifted artist and was known to be a “little” outspoken.
She is survived by her husband Marc Walker and her treasured son Liam Walker both of West Burlington; her father Kendall Putnam of Burlington; her mother Cynthia Fields of Texas; one brother Keith Putnam of Burlington; one sister Kristen Rayes of Burlington; very special people in her life Rose Schwerin, Jason Schmitz and Noah Schmitz; grandparents and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21st at Lunning Chapel. A private family memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Social distancing guidelines will be followed.
A memorial has been established for her son Liam’s education.
According to her wishes, cremation will be accorded following the visitation and has been entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Bonnie Jean Gray, 75, of West Burlington, died at 6:42 a.m. Monday, May 11, 2020 at the Great River Hospice House.
Born August 6, 1944 in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of Chester and Alice (Lox) Heuer. She married Donald Gray October 19, 1963 in Burlington, IA.
Bonnie Graduated from Burlington High School and Burlington Beauty Academy.
She worked as a beautician in Fort Madison, IA, and helped her husband on the farm. She was very involved in their hog farm, researching genetics and raising boars.
She was of the Methodist faith.
Bonnie enjoyed watching the Hallmark Channel, gardening, and cooking. She was an Iowa Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed attending basketball games. She loved her grandkids. Her husband was #1 in her life. She cherished her time spent working with him on the hog farm.
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Donald of West Burlington; one son, Sean (Val) Gray of West Burlington; three grandchildren, Tyler (Amanda) Gray, Leslie (David) Rea, and Wynston Gray; two great-grandchildren, Triston Gray and Henleigh Rea; and one sister, Barbara Collier of Danville, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Bruce Heuer.
The memorial funeral service for Mrs. Gray will be 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 24th at Lunning Chapel. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Social distancing guidelines will be followed for the visitation.
According to her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Roy J. Milligan, 76, of Burlington, died Thursday, May 14, 2020 at Pearl
Valley Rehab in Muscatine. He was born September 14, 1943 in Keokuk to Wilfred and Clara Elizabeth Powers Milligan. He was a graduate of the Iowa School for the Deaf in Council Bluffs and was a member of Harmony Bible Church. He held various custodial jobs and peeled potatoes at Sterzings Potato Chip Company in Burlington.
Roy greatly loved Jesus. He signed songs at church beautifully and from the heart. His favorite song was “Jesus, Name Above All Names”. He was an inspiration to many. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes, especially wrestling and got tickets to attend as often as he could. A very talented artist, Roy especially liked to draw. He enjoyed spending time with his friends at his special spot at the HyVee deli. He went on mission trips to Honduras and Jamaica and loved sharing his art work with the deaf children in Jamaica.
Survivors include his sister Martha Milligan of Florida, sister-in-law Bonnie Milligan of Charleston, Illinois, one niece and four nephews, and many wonderful friends at Harmony Church. Beside his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, one sister, one niece and several nephews.
His friends and family would like to thank Pearl Valley Rehab for caring for him this past year.
A Celebration of Roy’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday at Harmony Bible Church Burlington Campus with Pastor Matt Mitchell officiating. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be held at a later date. A memorial has been established for Harmony Bible Church Missions. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting with the arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Norbert Joseph Bentler, 90, of Burlington, died at 8:15 AM Friday, May 15, 2020, at the Great River Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born April 21, 1930, in Pilot Grove, IA, he was the son of Frank and Anna Umptum Bentler. On June 8, 1957, he married RoseAnn Smith at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Burlington.
He was a graduate of St. James High School in St. Paul, IA.
Norbert was a self employed carpenter for many years before becoming the Building Trades Instructor at Burlington High School for 17 years.
He was a U.S. Marine Veteran, serving during the Korean Conflict.
Norbert was a member of Divine Mercy Parish, where he served as an usher. He was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a member of St. Vincent de Paul Society. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, spending time outdoors, traveling, owning and piloting his own plane and helping people. Most of all, Norbert loved spending time with family and helping them with home projects.
Survivors include his wife, RoseAnn Bentler of Burlington; one daughter, Ann Marie (Fred) McElwee of Lockridge; five grandchildren, Danielle (Collin) Dyer, Grant McElwee, Michelle (Tim) House, Matthew (Jamie) Krogmeier, and Meagan Krogmeier; one sister, Betty Wilkens of Mt. Pleasant, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Luellen Krogmeier; one brother, Henry Bentler; five sisters, Marietta Benjamin, Rose Switenki, Hilda Lampe, Emma Schwartz, and Ethelreda Nichting.
Visitation will be Monday, May 25, 2020 with the family to receive friends following an 11:00 AM Rosary Service at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Bentler will be 1:00 PM Monday, May 25, 2020, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with the Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Hamilton-Walters Marine Corps Honor Guard. Burial will be in Saint Alphonsus Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant at a later date.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Memorials have been established for Burlington Notre Dame, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Great River Hospice.
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 Norbert’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
