Marilyn M. Torrance, 84, of Terre Haute, Illinois passed away at 12:37 p.m. Monday, March 8, 2021 at the Great River Medical Center in West Burlington, Iowa
She was born July 14, 1936 in LaHarpe, the daughter of Ward and Ruth Pettit Scott. On March 17, 1956 she married Ralph Torrance in Dallas City.
Marilyn was a graduate of the Dallas City High School. Earlier in life she was active in 4-H. She and her husband were recently inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. Marilyn, along with her husband owned and operated Farmers Wife Antiques in Terre Haute. She was a member of the Terre Haute United Methodist Church where she had taught Sunday School and was active in many church functions.. She enjoyed sewing, gardening and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
She is survived by her husband, Ralph, three sons, Mark Casey Torrance of LaHarpe, Jay (Dina) Torrance of Story City, Iowa and Daniel Torrence of Fullerton, California, two daughters, Sally Hamlin of Chicago, Illinois and Martha (Mark) Larson of Macomb, Illinois, eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one brother, Lynn (Mona) Scott of Stow, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents.
A private family funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe with Rev. Lee Unger officiating. A graveside service, open to all family and friends,will be held at 10:45 a.m. Saturday at the Terre Haute Cemetery. Friends may call between 2:00 and 6:00 p.m. Friday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home. The family will not be present. A memorial fund has been established for the Terre Haute United Methodist Church or the Henderson County 4-H. To leave a condolences please visit Marilyn’s obituary at banksandbeals.com
Jean N. Holden of West Burlington, Iowa passed away on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Great River Medical Center. Born Jean Nadine Thompson on March 29, 1938 in Grandview, Iowa, she was the youngest child of Earl Brian (Jack) Thompson and Thelma Marie (Grasham) Thompson. Jean graduated from Bolivar High School in Bolivar, MO in 1955 and earned her Associates Degree from Southwest Baptist University in 1958. Jean married Howard Holden in 1958 in Kansas City, MO. Together they had four daughters – Denise, Penny, Kathy and Becci. Jean and Howard relocated to Indiana in the early 1960’s where they lived until their divorce in 1980.
Jean worked as a secretary in both the basketball and football departments at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN from 1979 until about 1984 when she went to work for LifeLine of Terre Haute. Drawn to helping others, Jean relocated to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1991 to work for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). She later worked for CASA in Newport News, Virginia before retiring in 2001. Jean was known to many for her lengthy career as an Astrologer. She began studying Astronomy and Astrology in the early 1970’s and attended many Astrology conferences both as a participant and presenter. Jean also taught Astrology classes at Indiana State and at the Federal Penitentiary in Terre Haute.
Jean returned to her home state of Iowa after retiring in 2001. She is survived by her daughters and their spouses, Denise & Sam Nichols and Kathy Holden & Charles Parnell; eight grandchildren Kristen Gross, Kevin Hollingsworth, Joshuin McKay, Michelle Nichols, Matthew Nichols, Kaia Parnell, Lucas Parnell, and Joseph Parnell; and nine great-grandchildren as well as nieces Marion Bachtell, Teri Cockrell, and nephew Ted Cockrell, Jr. and many wonderful grand nieces and nephews.
Jean was predeceased by her parents, Jack and Thelma Thompson; four siblings (Loretta Arlene Thompson, Marjorie Francis Conklin, Paul Donovan (Don) Thompson, and Annabelle (Anne) B. Cockrell); two daughters, Penny Holden and Becci Holden; grandson David Shawn Godfrey; nephews Robert (Bob) Temple and Steve (Tony) Temple; many beloved cousins and ex-husband Howard Holden.
Jean was an intelligent, fiercely independent, light filled soul. Her smile and laugh were contagious. She made friends easily, and was a good friend to many. Her strong faith in the light and love of the Universe was inspiring to all and her light lives on in those who loved her.
While there were many causes close to her heart, suggested memorial donations for Jean Holden include: The American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org; The National Multiple Sclerosis Society at www.nationalmssociety.org; or the National Suicide Prevention LIfeline at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
Due to the pandemic, memorial services will be planned for June of 2021. More details to follow.
Lila C. Gittings, 78, of Dallas City, Illinois passed away at 1:54 p.m. Sunday, March 7, 2021 at her home.
She was born, a twin, in Lomax, Illinois on December 31, 1942, the daughter of Clyde and Verda (Scott) Gittings.
After high school she worked as an aide at the Stronghurst School District. Following that she went to work at Sheaffer Pen, Ft. Madison. She also worked over the years at Casey’s, IAAP, mowed cemeteries and yards and delivered the Burlington Hawk Eye. Her real calling was as a bus driver. She drove for 42 years and also served as a school aide and coach.
Lila loved all sports and enjoyed playing on a bowling league and softball league. She was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She never missed a game of her nieces and nephews and later her great-nieces and nephews. While Lila never had any children of her own, she was always willing to lend a helping hand to any child, whether or not they were family.
She is survived by her twin brother, Lyle Gittings of Dallas City, brothers, Ronnie (Shelly) Gittings of Stronghurst, Illinois and Rodney (Drena) Gittings of Rock Island, Illinois; five sisters, Rosie (Gerald) Postle of Carman, Illinois, Sandra Hewitt of rural Dallas City, Ellen (Randy) May of Lomax, Illinois, Nancy (Carey) McDonald of Denver, Colorado and Peg (Randy) Nelson of Mt. Union, Iowa. Also surviving are special friends, Melinda Olson and Brett Pence and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Randy; two nephews, Gary Gittingas and J.R. Hewitt and one great-nephew, Cale Hartrick.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Rev. Maxine Dennison officiating. Burial will follow in Crane Cemetery, near Lomax. Friends may call after 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 9th at Banks & Beals, where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Mask and social distancing are recommended.
A memorial fund has been established for the Dallas City Sports Boosters. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Lila’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Dewayne “Blackie” Allison, 81, of Burlington and formerly of Platte City, MO, died at 7:29 p.m. Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Great River Medical Center.
Born April 6, 1939 in Carthage, Illinois he was the son of Vincent and Geraldine (Porter) Allison. He married Jo Anne Dickinson August 6, 1961, in Carthage, Illinois and she preceded him in death on June 17, 1997.
Dewayne graduated from Carthage High School Class of 1958. He was a Station Agent for Ozark Airlines in Burlington from 1962 to 1982 and then transferred to Kansas City, MO with Trans World Airlines retiring in 1995.
He was a member of West Hill United Methodist Church in Burlington and Platte City United Methodist Church in Missouri. He was an active member of the Lions Club in Platte City, MO where he also served as president for a term.
Dewayne was a person that could never sit still on the weekends and was always doing carpentry work or tinkering. He was an avid Cardinals Fan and played basketball and baseball in high school.
Survivors include his children; Dan (Gina) Allison of Cleveland, TN, Peggy (Jon) Hart of West Burlington, and Angie (Neil) Bormann of Urbandale, IA; eight grandchildren, Courtney Gustafson, Blake Allison, Cole Hart, Reed Allison, Monica Whitmire, Landon Allison, Layne Bormann and Drew Bormann, two great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerald Allison of Carthage, IL and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his Beloved wife Jo Anne.
The funeral service for Dewayne “Blackie” Allison will be 2 p.m. Friday, March 12th in Lunning Chapel with the family receiving friends from 1p.m. until the time of service. The graveside service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, March 13th in Moss Ridge Cemetery Carthage, IL.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Julie Wilson 09/22/1961-03/07/2021
If you’re reading this, then you know I gained my angel wings on Sunday, March 7th at my home in Burlington surrounded by my family.
My journey began in Burlington on September 22, 1961. From there, my parents, Garry and Donna (Wheeler) Krieger, siblings, and I moved from town to town, landing in Winterset at the age of 9. I have some very fond memories in Winterset, like meeting my lifelong friend, Ann, along with getting into mischief with my siblings. In 9th grade we moved back to Burlington to be with our families. I graduated from BHS in 1980.
On September 11, 1982 I married my love, Mark in Mediapolis. Together we waded through some lows, losing 2 children being the worst (along with menopause) and celebrated many highs, having Megan, watching her grow, seeing her marry Brian and especially expanding our family with four grandbabies! In my adult life I worked as a support tech for School Master in Burlington but most recently I was able to pursue my love for cooking, while working for Reif Oil Co. for many years. Some of my other hobbies included reading, watching car racing, and crafting. Above all else, I enjoyed watching TV with Mark, playing cards with the grandbabies and just hanging out with my family and friends.
I am leaving behind my husband, Mark, of 38 years; our daughter, Megan and her husband, Brian Hunemuller from Waverly; their 4 children, Kamden Scot, Maklyn Rhea (I came up with her first name!), Kipten Mark and Wilsen Alek; my sister, Kelli, her husband, Shane from New Braunfels, TX; and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and in-laws since my mother was 1 of 15. I am happy to be reunited with my parents; our son, Sean Ryan; our daughter, Bethany Marie; two brothers, Michael Lee and Garry Keith Jr. “Butch”; along with many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
My celebration of life will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, March 11th at Lunning Chapel. My family will receive friends 9:00-11:00 a.m. Pastor Dean Graber will officiate. My burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery, Morning Sun at 2:00 p.m., Thursday.
A memorial fund has been established in my name.
Until we meet again-J.
Kevin Floyd Walters, 58, of Burlington, died Thursday, March 4, 2021 at Great River Medical Center, West Burlington. He was born August 10, 1962 in Burlington, to Floyd and Donna Sue Grandstaff Walters. He married Michelle Dingman; they later divorced.
He was a 1980 graduate of Burlington High School and was of the Christian faith. Following high school he worked in geriatrics as a CNA until declining health. Kevin enjoyed cooking, baking, reality shows, shopping, music, pets, especially his cat Wiley and his daschund Penny.
Survivors include his son Kristofer Lee (Megan) Walters of Burlington; grandchildren Norah, Ella, Finnick and Theo; his twin Kent of Burlington, sister Bobbi (Craig) Huebner of New London, brother Brian of Independence; and three nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donna Elmore and Floyd Walters, and his grandparents.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and his cremains will be buried at Burge Cemetery next to his beloved mother, Donna at a later date. A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Edwin Ameal Siens, age 81 of Carman, IL passed away Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Great River Hospice House, West Burlington, IA. Ed was born on September 1, 1939 at home near Carman, IL the son of Daniel A.I. and Mary L. Parkins Siens. On August 3, 1958 he married Sandra Fick in Burlington, IA.
Ed was a 1957 graduate of Stronghurst High School. Ed farmed all his life in Henderson County. He enjoyed growing watermelon and cantaloupe for many years. He served on the Southern Unit #120 School Board for several terms. Ed worked at Champion Spark Plug retiring with 30 years of service. During that time, he served as union steward, vice president and president for the Local #1237. He also was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a lifetime member of the Carman United Methodist Church where he served as youth leader and taught the adult Sunday School class. He was known to take the adult class out for lunch and an afternoon ride. Ed had served as both trustee and road commissioner for Carman Township. He also served on the Board of Western Illinois Area Agency on Aging for many years. He was a driver for the Henderson County Health Department assisting with transportation to appointments.
Ed’s family was a vital part of his life. He attended many games and traveled across the country for his grandchildren’s sporting events. He was always behind the camera capturing memories for everyone whether family or friends. He enjoyed planning and taking vacations whether by car or motorcycle. He planned numerous reunions with his beloved classmates. Ed enjoyed family outings and dinners with all his family around him.
Survivors include his wife, two daughters – Shelley (John) Morrison, Stacie (Troy) Newberry, six grandchildren – Hallie (Mike) Eisnnicher, Dan (Katy) Morrison, Mindy (Luke) Jones, Madison Newberry, Preston Newberry, Lucas Newberry, five great-grandchildren – Hayden, Payton, Brooklyn Eisnnicher and Drake, Sawyer Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers – Byron, Danny, and Arnold Siens and three sisters – Vera, Mary, and Mabel Siens.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30a.m. Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst, Illinois with Pastor Karna Peterson officiating. Burial, with Masonic Rites, will follow at the Carman Cemetery. While the family will not be present, friends are welcome to stop at the funeral home anytime between 2:30 and 6:00p.m. Tuesday, March 9th. Masks will be required and social distancing should be observed while attending the services. A memorial fund has been established for the Ronald McDonald House and Friends of Henderson County Wildlife. To leave a condolence, please visit Ed’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
