A. Darlene Pruett, age 85, of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away Monday, September 21, 2020 at her home. She was born February 4, 1935 in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of Leo and Alice Nelson Pruett. On July 24, 1953, she married Duane Fryrear in Oquawka, Illinois. They later divorced.
Darlene was a 1953 graduate of G & O High School in Gladstone, Illinois. She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ in Burlington, Iowa.
Early in her career, Darlene worked for Bell Telephone Company, later as Deputy County Clerk for Henderson County, and then for GTE Corporation. She also worked at the Raritan State Bank from 1974 until her retirement in January of 2000. She enjoyed reading, and considered caring for her children and grandchildren, her most important job.
Survivors include two daughters, Cathy (Chuck) Cargill and Susan (Sam) Fryrear-Bigger, two sons, Gary (Lynn) Fryrear and Steven (Denise) Fryrear, all of the Stronghurst area, eight grandchildren, two step grandchildren, and fifteen great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Howard, Wilbur and Dale Pruett.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, private family graveside services will be held Saturday September 26, 2020 in the Knoxville, Illinois Cemetery with Rev. Brice Hughes officiating. No visitation is planned. A memorial fund has been established for the Zion United Church of Christ and may be sent in care of Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 299, Stronghurst, Illinois, 61480. Please visit Darlene’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.
Helen M. Swore, 96 of Danville Care Center, formerly of Burlington, passed away Sunday, September 20, 2020.
Born June 9, 1924 in Illinois, she was the eldest daughter of George and Zelma Price. She married Lawrence “Larry” Charles Swore, March 7, 1946 in Burlington. He passed March 3, 2018.
Helen was a member of Danville First Baptist Church. She was a wonderful wife, a great cook, and mother and grandmother who never missed any activities. She was the first one up every morning and enjoyed playing cards and games. When she made pies, she made seven or more at a time, along with extra pie strips. Everyone fought over the pie strips! Most of Helen’s hobbies were related to working at home and at her job at Burlington Hospital. She also enjoyed St. Louis Cardinal baseball games and Iowa Hawkeye basketball and football.
She worked as a surgical technician at Burlington Hospital and the new Great River Medical Center for over 50 years. Helen was the first one at the hospital in the morning to make the coffee and prepare the rooms for surgery before her day began as a surgical tech. She was a long-term surgical employee who was employed longer than many of the doctors. When Great River Medical Center was opened, she was coaxed into staying “one more year.”
Survivors include two daughters, Linda (Roger) Lundgren of Milan, IL; Donna (Larry) Beck of Danville; son, Mike (Vicki) Swore of Cedar Rapids, IA; six grandchildren, Dr. Eric (Charla) Lundgren of Knoxville, TN, Christine (Greg) Beierlein of Rock Island, IL, Brett Sutcliffe of Burlington, and Lonetta (Jason) Jackson of Danville, Susan Swore and Sarah (Nathan) Watson, both of Burlington; four step-grandchildren, Lance (Angel) Beck of Burlington, Dr. Rob (Beth) Gantz of Marshalltown, Sarah (Marc) Cross of Ely, IA, and Mindy (Erick) Amstuz of Palo, IA; sixteen great-grandchildren; thirteen step-great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; one daughter in infancy, Judith Irene; one step-granddaughter, Audra Mills; two sisters; and a half-brother.
A private family graveside service for Helen will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26th at Aspen Grove Cemetery. Rev. Jack Edmisson will officiate. Friends may call Friday, September 25th noon to 7:30 p.m. at Lunning Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date based on future Covid-19 recommendations.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Danville First Baptist Church or Alzheimer’s Association.
Ed Gebhardt, 72, of Burlington, died at 6:26 PM Sunday, September 20, 2020, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born April 30, 1948, in La Harpe, IL, he was the son of Edward Lavern and Maycel Bundy Gebhardt. On August 29, 1970, he married Carol Marie Brown in Burlington.
Ed was a construction manager for CNH Industrial for 51 years.
He graudated from La Harpe High School and then Southeastern Community College.
He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Vietnam War from May 1, 1968 until April 22, 1970. He was a member of the Reserves from 1970-1974.
He was a member of the American Legion, and sat on the Casbine Board for many years. Ed enjoyed fishing, four wheeling, and boating. He was very proud to have built all of his children’s homes. Most of all, he loved his family and cherished all of the time that he had with his beloved grandkids.
Survivors include his wife, Carol of Burlington; two sons, Michael (Hollie) Gebhardt of Burlington, and Stephen (Michele) Gebhardt of Burlington; one daughter, Karen Mathew of Burlington; seven grandchildren: Tanner, Trenton, Tyler, Shelby (Preston), Ambriel, Gracie and Landen; and two brothers, Marvin (Kelly) Gebhardt of La Harpe, IL, and Kerry (Beth) Gebhardt of Blandinsville, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Byron Gebhardt.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, September 24, 2020 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The Graveside Committal Service for Ed will be 11:00 AM Friday, September 25, 2020, at Sacred Heart Cemetery with officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for his grandchildren’s education.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ed’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
William “Bill” Marion Marmion, 72, of West Burlington, died Friday,
September 18, 2020 at his home.
Born August 13, 1948 in Van Buren County. He was the son of
Marion and Verna (McCarty) Marmion.
He married Kathryn “Kathy” Smith on May 27, 1972.
Bill graduated from Burlington High School in 1966 and spent 2 years at SCC.
Bill worked in sales at Merchants Wholesale and Amcon before retiring.
He was a Christian.
He loved golfing, sailing, water & snow skiing, playing cards, home gardener, bowling leagues
and being with family & friends. He was a member of Skiowans.
Survivors include his wife Kathryn “Kathy” Marmion of West Burlington;
son Sean (Julia) Marmion of Davenport, Iowa; daughter Teri Ann (Billy) Schneider of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; five grandchildren Jadyn, Sophia, Lucia, William and Lauren;
two brothers Robert “Bob” (Melodie) Marmion of Wever and Chris (Denise) Marmion of Tennessee; two sisters, Kathy Mennen of West Burlington and Judy (Dan) Weatherwax of Burlington; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother David and his brother-in-law Buddy Mennen.
The funeral service for Mr. Marmion will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 26th at Lunning Chapel. Evangelist Jerry Wiemann and Elder Susan Strandberg will officiate. Friends may call Noon – 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 25 with family receiving friends from 5-7:30 p.m. Masks and social distancing will be required due to Covid-19. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Avon Williams, 31, of Burlington, died at 7:15 AM Sunday, September 20, 2020, in Burlington.
Born April 29, 1989, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Tony and Latonya Smith Williams.
Avon was a joyful person. She loved to dance and listen to music, and would often put on her headphones and create her own song mixes. She loved being outdoors at the park and swinging on the playground. In the summer, she liked to go on rides at the Steamboat Days carnival. She was a junk food addict with a fondness for Dairy Queen ice cream. She also liked to take car trips and go trick-or-treating on Halloween. Avon loved her family and spending time with her brothers.
Survivors include her parents, Latonya and Tony; three brothers, Anthony Powell, Antrell Williams, and Antonio (Gabrielle) Williams; three nieces, Avonna, Antonia, and Aonna; and a host of loving aunts, uncles and cousins and caring friends.
She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandfathers and two cousins, Marquis “Bubba” Jones and Dominique Jones.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Burial will be held at Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Avon’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Gary G. Webster, 76, of LaHarpe, Illinois passed away in the early morning of Saturday, September 19, 2020, at home surrounded by his family.
Gary was born on March 18,1944 at the St. Francis Hospital in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Marion E. and Bette M. (Steiner) Webster. On November 19, 1966, he married Margaret J. ‘Peg’ (Coredell). She survives.
Gary was a 1962 graduate of Colchester High School, Colchester, Illinois. Following high school, Gary worked at Haeger Pottery in Macomb before being drafted into the U.S. Army. After serving time in Korea, he returned home and started working at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant in Burlington, Iowa. He was employed there for 41 years.
Especially in his later years, Gary enjoyed being outside walking, riding his bike or going fishing. He also loved animals and watched for the rabbits and squirrels to show up in their yard. He was an avid reader and studying history and the economy were lifelong pleasures. But what he enjoyed most of all was watching his grandchildren grow up and spending time with them.
Survivors include his wife, Peg; one daughter, Sara (Layton) Jones of LaHarpe; two grandchildren, Dominic and Holly Jones and his granddog, Jack. Gary was preceded in death by his parents and a very special grandmother, Sara.
A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at the LaHarpe Cemetery with Marvin Miller officiating. There will be no formal visitation but friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Banks and Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe.
A memorial fund has been established for the PAW Animal Shelter in Fort Madison, Iowa.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home is assisting the family. To leave a condolence please visit Gary’s obituary at banksandbeals.com
