Theodore Lawrence “Larry” Moravec Jr, 77, of New London, died Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at his home. He was born March 25, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois to Theodore Lawrence Sr. and Blanche Hemmerick Moravec. On September 3, 1966 he married Maribeth Oetken at St. John’s Catholic Church in Burlington.
He graduated from West Chicago High School and attended the University of Dubuque for three years. He was a member of the Iowa National Guard and Burlington Baptist Church.
Larry owned and operated Oetken, Inc for many years. He enjoyed photography, woodworking, Bible Study, coffee gatherings with friends and “non-formal debates”. He was a very devoted husband, father and friend.
Survivors include his wife, Maribeth; two sons, Brett of Danville and Drew of St. Louis, MO.; two grandchildren; three brothers, Harry, Gary and Barry and one sister Geri. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his son Scott and brother Terry.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be at a later date at Burge Cemetery next to his beloved son, Scott. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor Kendall Adams officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family receiving friends one hour prior to the service.
A memorial has been established for Burlington Baptist Church. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Jackie L. “Jack” Kline, 84, of Dallas City, Illinois, passed away at 9:02 a.m. Sunday, August 1, 2021 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospital in West Burlington, Iowa.
Jack was born on March 8, 1937 near Carthage, Illinois, the son of A. Glenn and Inez Mae (Hartman) Kline. On December 10, 1982 he married Sydney Lee Pence in Lomax, Illinois. She preceded him in death on September 11, 2016.
Jack served in the U.S. Army from 1960 until 1962. He worked as a truck driver for over 60 years. He worked for All Freight, Safe Transport, John Hutson, Rankin Transfer, Arnold Boyer and spent 30 years driving for Winegard Company in Burlington. He was a member of the Dallas City Senior Citizens.
Survivors include four daughters: Lari Jo (Jeff) Smith of Media, Illinois, Traci (Shawn) McKoon of Danville, Iowa, Sadena (Michael) Jackson of Carthage and Malinda (Greg) Olson of Dallas City; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Also surviving are two sisters: Dorothy (Delno) Hines of Middletown, Iowa and Mary (Phil) Fedler of Ft. Madison.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents, wife: Sydney, four brothers and three sisters.
The funeral service for Jack will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 6, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City. Burial will follow in the Harris Cemetery, near Dallas City.
The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established for the PAWs in Ft. Madison or Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Jack’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Velma Joy Bachtell, age 93, of Burlington, died on Thursday, July 29, 2021, at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.
She was born July 14, 1928, in Des Moines, Iowa, the daughter of Rollie Andy and Mary Madeline Garnet French. She was married to Thomas David Bachtell in Ottumwa, Iowa on December 30, 1945. He preceded her in death on November 4, 2003.
Velma completed her high school education at Burlington Community High School in 1972, graduating between her daughter and her youngest son and was a long-time homemaker, retiring from her duties as custodian at the Masonic Temple in Burlington in 1998.
She was a long-time member of West Hill United Methodist Church, where she served on numerous boards and committees, was a Sunday school teacher and a member of the Sunshine Circle. She was a member of Burlington Chapter #545 and White Star Chapter #388 of Mediapolis, Order of the Eastern Star and was Past Matron of Burlington Chapter. She was currently a member of E. C. Blackmar Chapter, #306 and New London Chapter #440, Order of the Eastern Star. She became a 50 year member of Eastern Star in 2015. She was a member of Hawkeye Links and the International Grand Representatives Association of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was also a member and Past President of Ottumwa Assembly #9 of the Social Order of the Beauceant in Ottumwa. Velma was awarded the Grand Cross of Color by the Supreme Assembly International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. She also received the Governors Volunteerism Award in 2002.
She is survived by three sons, David (Julia) Bachtell of Donna, Texas, Darrell (Cindy) Bachtell of Burlington, Iowa, Bruce (Della) Bachtell of Cross Roads, Texas, one daughter, Susan (Dennis) Trudo of Mineola, Texas, and one daughter-in-law, Mary Bachtell of West Burlington, Iowa, one sister, Betty McKitrick of Monmouth, Illinois, two brothers, Theodore Channel of Eagle, Idaho, and Leo Channel of Wessington Springs, South Dakota; grandchildren Donna Carlsen, Beth (David) Geltz, Heather (Jerry II) Hayes, Dustin (Jennifer) Bachtell, Anthony Bachtell, Jason (Jackie Murray) Bennett, Jamie South, Colin (Cayce) Trudo, and Scott Trudo; great-grandchildren, Sarah (Austin) Schwartz, Jerry Hayes, Jacob (Anita) Bachtell, Meagan Machholz, Marcus(Jacqui) Lane, Marissa (Robert Fross) Hayes, Amber Bachtell, Michael Bachtell, Braden Bachtell, Bryan Bennett, Kennedy Bachtell, Laela Murray, Verena Murray, Skyler South, Corbin South, Gavin Hayes, Isabelle Trudo, Ashlyn Bennett, Archer Trudo, Ethan Trudo, and Evelynn Trudo; great-great grandchildren, Arabella Schwartz, Asher Schwartz, and Zoey Hayes, also nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, Dale and Evan, one grandson, one great-great-granddaughter, one sister and three brothers.
The visitation for Mrs. Bachtell will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 4th at Lunning Chapel. A public Eastern Star service will be held at 7:00 p.m.
The funeral service for Mrs. Bachtell will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, August 5th at West Hill United Methodist Church. The Rev. Tamara Wirt will officiate. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Following the burial, there will be a luncheon at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1221 Park Avenue, Burlington.
Memorials can be made for West Hill United Methodist Church and the Burlington Masonic Temple Association.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Margery Helen (McLaughlin) Meller, age 94, died on Saturday, July 31, 2021 at OakView Nursing and Rehabilitation in Burlington. She was born on June 8, 1927, the oldest child of Helen J. (Skeva) and James M. McLaughlin. Margery grew up with many lasting memories of her family, which included a younger sister Mary Frances and a younger brother Robert, and life on the farm in the Sperry area during the Great Depression and World War II eras. At the age of 16 she graduated with the Sperry High School Class of 1944. Following high school, she attended Marycrest College in Davenport for one year and then worked at various clerical and secretarial jobs in Burlington. She lived to be the last surviving member of the James M. McLaughlin family.
Margery McLaughlin married Henry F. Meller on October 8, 1949 at St. Mary’s Church in Dodgeville. She often told the story of how their grocery budget when they married was $5 a week. The young couple moved into a new home built on land that was a wedding gift from his parents. Henry and his father, George, planned and constructed the home. Margery used her $1400 savings to furnish their new home. They even had a new home invention – a black and white television set. Henry died after a week-long illness on April 3, 1960. Margery became a young widow with two small daughters to raise. Her first new challenge was to learn how to drive a car.
Margery’s life was devoted to her family and taking pride in her home. She was always proud of having put two daughters through college who each had longtime careers in education. In time Margery went to work for the Burlington Community School District where she served as a secretary to five school administrators at Corse Elementary School. She retired after an enjoyable 28-year career in the Corse School Office. Over the years many students would remember “Mrs. Meller” when they would see her out in public. She was always very organized and professional in her work for staff and students.
“Marge” was a member of Divine Mercy Parish. She enjoyed playing cards with friends – one group of ladies were together for over 50 years. A childhood friend, Maxine (Frank) Pratt, remained a close lifelong friend until her death.
Margery Meller is survived by two daughters: Marcia Meller of Burlington and Denise Schupick (Tim) of Mason City, Iowa. She has two grandsons – Ryan Schupick of Mason City and David Schupick of Salt Lake City, UT. She is also survived by several remaining McLaughlin family cousins and surviving nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Henry Meller, in-laws, her parents James and Helen McLaughlin, her sister Mary Frances Murray, her brother Robert J. McLaughlin and several nieces.
Betty L. Johnson, 87, of Dallas City, Illinois, passed away at 12:40 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2021 at the Roseville Nursing & Rehabilitation.
Betty was born on December 15, 1933 in Arkansas the daughter of Gerald and Pauline (Cline) Robinson. Betty was raised by her mother and step-father, Edwin Chapman. On December 27, 1952 she married J.W. “Dub” Johnson in Piggett, Arkansas. He preceded her in death on July 17, 2002.
Betty was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan. She enjoyed time spent with her family.
Survivors include one daughter: Vicki Gale (Bill) Clark; four sons: Stanley Jay (Shelley) Johnson, Randy Dale (Melinda) Johnson, Lonnie Wayne Johnson and Darrin Lynn (Shirley) Johnson: eleven grandchildren: Jill (Darin) Cordray, Jeff Holmes, Jennifer (Shane) Hall, Tina (Jeff) Finley, Rashele (Josh) Gordon, Jarrett Johnson, Miranda (Marcus Sutcliff) Johnson, Shelby Johnson, Kyle Johnson, Loriane (Logan) Harl and Jessica (Dawson) Ryner and eleven great-grandchildren: Damon and Dayne Cordray, Megan and Todd Finley, Flyn and Fritz Gordon, Peyton and Tripp Sutcliff and Camron, Chayzley and Chloe Johnson. Also surviving is one sister: Reva Borden and one brother: Lester (Amy) Robinson.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter: Linda Jean Holmes; one son in infancy, Martin Gale Johnson; one grandson: Ryan Johnson and two brothers: Barney and Donald Robinson.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home. No services are planned.
A memorial fund has been established for Hospice Compassus. Memorial may be sent to the Betty Johnson Memorial Fund, c/o Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 70, Dallas City, Illinois 62330.
To leave a condolence for the family please visit Betty’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Marcine Frances Jones, 84, of Burlington, died at 11:59 PM Saturday, July 31, 2021, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born May 1, 1937, in Davenport, IA, she was the daughter of Lloyd Elmer and October Louise Wardlow Reed. In June of 1955 she married Donald Jones, they were later divorced.
She graduated from Central High School in Daveport, IA.
She was of the Methodist faith and enjoyed spending her time reading.
Survivors include 2 daughters, Jolene Halsey of Hamilton, IL and Valerie Campster of Kansas; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Sandra Bak, Linda (William) Selby both of Burlington, Susan Reed of Bettendorf; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Richard Reed.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
There will be no visitation or services.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Marcine’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
