Obituaries for Friday August 13th

Nancy Jo Dowell, age 58, formerly of Stronghurst, Illinois, passed away at 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at Windsor Place Senior Living in Sigourney, Iowa. She was born January 6, 1963 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Larry and Rebecca Adair Dowell. On May 30, 1998, she married Joel Popp. They later divorced.

Nancy was a 1981 graduate of Southern High School in Stronghurst. She attended Northeast Missouri State University and Western Illinois University, where she studied hotel and motel management. She graduated from Bill Hill School Of Cosmetology in 1987 and enjoyed cutting and styling hair her whole life. She was a manager at Big Muddy’s in Burlington as well as serving as office manager for Budget Lighting Company. Before her illness, she was secretary for the Lutheran Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Nancy was a caretaker by nature, and enjoyed the time spent helping her grandfather before his passing in 2017. She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed sharing her treats with others. She was a member of Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth.

Survivors include her mother, of Stronghurst, and siblings; Natalie (Mark) Schmitt of Rice, MN, Barry (Terri) Dowell of Stronghurst, and Amy (Joe) Thompson of Berwick, IL. She was the proud aunt of Jon, Michael, Katie, Austin, Caleb, Abby, Carly, and Alec. She is also survived by special aunts; Mary Walters and Linda Adair, and a dear friend; Phil Butler. She was preceded in death by her father, grandparents, uncles, and cousins.

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday August 17, 2021 in the Stronghurst Cemetery. Friends may call as they desire from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Monday at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. A memorial fund has been established for Faith United Presbyterian Church in Monmouth, Illinois. Please visit Nancy’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to sign the guest book and leave a condolence.

Mr. Kenneth L. Wilson, 95, of Burlington died Tuesday, August 3, 2021 at Oakview Nursing and Rehab.
Born October 26, 1925 in rural Danville, IA, he was the son of Frank Stoner and Mary Elizabeth (Gill) Wilson. He married Doris Louise Sullivan December 1, 1949 in Burlington. She died January 29, 2004.
He was a 1944 graduate of Danville High School. In June of 1944 he enlisted in the United States Army. He was a Private First Class, 311th Infantry Regiment. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge, receiving the EAME ribbon, bronze star, and the purple heart and was honorably discharged in February 1945. He was a rural mail carrier for 26 years in the Danville area for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1987. He worked for Beckman TV and Appliance in Danville and read city water meters for Danville.
He was a past member of the VFW Post 7641 of New London, Rural Letter Carriers Association, volunteered for the Danville Fire Department, served on the City Council and was past Mayor Pro Tem. He volunteered at the Klein Center for many years, when it was located on Madison Avenue, and drove cars for Deery Brothers. He enjoyed all kinds of music. He could play the guitar, piano, and harmonica. In 1934 he was invited to sing for the Iowa State Festival Choir. Kenneth enjoyed duck, pheasant, and goose hunting.
Survivors include his three children, Cheryl A. (Jim) Smith and Rhonda K. Wilson, both of Burlington, and Jeffrey A. Wilson of Middletown, IA; seven grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Doris, son Gary L. Wilson, daughter Lynne M. Wilson, brother Dwight, and two sisters, Virginia Bice and Doris Cresap.
A memorial funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 21st at Lunning Chapel. Pastor JudyAnne Morse will officiate. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites. Inurnment will be in Blakeway Cemetery, rural Danville, at a later date. The family will receive friends 9:30 a.m., until the time of service.
According to Mr. Wilson’s wishes, his body has been donated to The University of Iowa College of Medicine Deeded Body Program.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Blakeway Cemetery Association.

Robert Allen von Harz, 46, of Iowa City, died at 10:37 PM Monday, August 9, 2021, at his home.

Born November 18, 1974, in Burlington, IA, he was the son of John and Susan Marie Allen von Harz.

He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1993. He graduated with a Bachelors from the University of Denver with Cum Laude Honors.

Rob worked for TCS Consulting Services in Cedar Rapids.

He was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity. He enjoyed golf and coaching baseball, football and basketball, which he also played in high school. When he wasn’t cheering on his children, he was rooting for the Hawkeyes, Cubs & Bears. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed making everyone laugh. Most of all, Rob’s life was revolved around his kids.

Survivors include his father, John von Harz of Burlington; three children, Madilyn, Ethan, and Liam von Harz, all of Iowa City; one sister, Elizabeth von Harz of Johnston, IA; one brother, John (Keli) von Harz III of Waukee, IA; two nieces, Brooke Sandstoe, Bella von Harz; and one nephew, Tucker von Harz.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, mother, and one nephew, T.J. Sandstoe.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Friday, August 13, 2021 at Divine Mercy Parish-St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection for Mr. von Harz will be 11:00 AM Friday, August 13, 2021, at Divine Mercy Parish-St. Paul’s Catholic Church with Very Rev. Father Marty Goetz and Rev. Father David G. Steinle as the Celebrants. Inurnment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in The Drake following the burial.

A memorial has been established for Regina High School in Iowa City.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Rob’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

Christina Mae Head, age 53, passed away on August 8th, 2021 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington Iowa.

She was born the daughter of John Walter and Cheryl Audrey Head on December 16th, 1967 in Burlington, Iowa.
She is survived by her older brother Jeff L Head and older sister Audrey K Lawson.

She was a 1986 graduate from West Burlington Arnold High School and earned an associate of arts degree from Southeastern Community College.

She was an active member of the First Church of Nazarene. She enjoyed fishing and boating and loved all her many dogs. Chris deeply loved her family, especially her daughter Katey, whom she always felt was a gift from God. She enjoyed spending time with her brother, sister, nieces and nephew as well as her many, many loyal friends. She will always be remembered for her independent way of thinking and unique individual style.

She is survived by her only daughter Katelin Johna May Head.

The memorial service will be held at Lunning Funeral Chapel, 2620 Mt Pleasant St, Burlington, IA on Sunday August 15th, 2021.
Visitation will be from 1:30PM to 2:30PM with service immediately following.

Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to First Church of Nazarene 1015 S Roosevelt Ave, Burlington, IA 52601 referencing the Chris Head memorial.

Ronald Lester Gibbs, 80, of Burlington, died at 8:03 PM Sunday, August 8, 2021, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born February 7, 1941, in Burlington, IA. Raised in Mt. Union, he was the son of Ronald Edward and Mary Margaret Lauer Gibbs. On December 6, 1963, he married Joyce Lee Wirt in Burlington.

He attended Mt. Union High School. He attended trade school in Nebraska and studied auto body.

Ron severed in the U.S. Army Reserves.

He worked briefly for the Fort Madison Penitentiary and was an auto body repair man for many garages in Southeast Iowa. He also taught auto body at SCC at night.

Ron had a life long passion for all things cars. He also enjoyed camping, listening to gospel and country music and a good cup of coffee and chat. He liked to spend his time with his family, especially his great-grandson.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; son, Kurt Edward Gibbs of Tipton, IA; daughter, Deborah L. Gibbs of Burlington, IA; granddaughters, Sarah (Colin) Stuefen of Tipton, IA, and Kimber Gibbs of Burlington, IA; great-grandson, Phoenix Mitchell; sister, Silvia (Lynn) Haines of North Carolina; brother, Fred Gibbs of North Carolina; and sister-in-law, Sherril Gibbs of Mt. Pleasant, IA.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gary.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Friday, August 13, 2021 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.

The funeral service for Mr. Gibbs will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 13, 2021, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor T.J. Rehak officiating. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.

A memorial has been established.

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 Ronald’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

John William March Sr. was a fun loving father, brother, grandfather, and friend. He passed away peacefully at the Great River Hospice on August 10, 2021.

He was born on June 30, 1943 to Lesco Arbie March and Emily Lucille Roberts March in Granger Missouri. John graduated from Edina High School and later attended the University of Missouri. John was a journeyman tool and die worker. He worked at Champion/Federal Mogul, Shaffer Pen, Gardner Denver and Ortho/Chevron. In the late 1980’s, when the Ortho plant closed in Fort Madison, John took the opportunity to move with Chevron to southern California working on the oil rigs. But soon he found out that he was a man made for the sweetness and richness of the Midwest and he moved his family back to Iowa.

Most will remember John’s day did not end after the 6 a.m.-3 p.m. shift at the factory. After work until dusk, he was also a farmer in Edina, Missouri, Montrose, Iowa and La Harpe, Illinois. He often burned the midnight hours engaging in his favorite hobby, coon hunting. He was quite the hunter, and was known to be a great trainer raising and selling several champion dogs…Timber, Woody, Gypsy, Greta are a few, but Blue held the highest ranks as a world champion coon dog. A story capturing John sharing his love of the hunt with his son was published in 2013 in Full Cry. John was also active in the Iowa and Missouri Free Mason Lodge. When he wasn’t fishing, deer or coon hunting, John enjoyed playing a good game of cards.

John married Stanlee Caldwell on September 9, 1972 in Quincy, Illinois. From this union they had two children who he loved very much. He is survived by them: Lisa (Steve)Tekell (Mediapolis, Iowa) and John (Rachel) March (Winfield, Iowa). He is also survived by two sisters: Nancy (Dan) Muser (Union, Missouri) and Polly (Stoney) Matteson (La Plata, Missouri) and seven granddaughters: Alexia, Lucy, Chloe, Skylar Tekell and Hannah, Jenna, and Bradie Buffington and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

John was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Leanna Mitchell Jones.

As John requested, cremation will be entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory

Family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 6:30 PM Friday, August 13, 2021 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Masonic Rites to conclude.

A time to celebrate John’s life will be held at a later date.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences left for the family by visiting John’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

Hazel Mae Little, 97, formerly of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away at 6:58 p.m. Monday, August 9, 2021 at the Wesley Village in Macomb, Illinois. Hazel Mae was born at the home of her parents near La Crosse, Illinois on August 24, 1923. She was the only child of Leon “Lin” and Etta (Duncan) Andrew. On June 8, 1946, she married George Hutson Little in LaHarpe.

As a youth, Hazel Mae attended McGuffy, a one room country school, south of La Crosse and the La Crosse Christian Church. After graduation from LaHarpe High School, she did office work for lawyer T. Mac Downing and at Hertienstein’s Loan office in Macomb. Hazel Mae then attended beauty school in Peoria and for many years, operated her own beauty shop in the home of her parents in LaHarpe.

After their marriage, George and Hazel Mae farmed and raised their family in the La Crosse and Ft. Green neighborhoods. Hazel Mae was a member of the LaHarpe Methodist Church where she was in the Ladies Circle group, acted as Sunday School Superintendent, and was always a part of the activities and meals served at that church. Hazel Mae worked as a cook at the LaHarpe Cafeteria, then as office secretary at the Ft. Green Grade School. She also worked at the ASCS office in Carthage. Later, she worked several years at Scott’s Pharmacy in LaHarpe. In all these positions, Hazel Mae enjoyed her co-workers and meeting the public. Her easy smile and sense of humor earned her many friends.

Hazel Mae was an outstanding cook and baker taking pleasure in the constant work of feeding her family. From her own garden, she canned hundreds of jars of produce each summer. Family potluck dinners and feeding field hands showcased all her culinary skills.

In addition to loving her immediate family, Hazel Mae took special pleasure in reunions with her classmates, her “Golden Girl” friends, and the fellowship of the extended Little family.

Hazel Mae was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George, and son-in-law, Neal Null. Survivors include her four children; Linetta Null of Colchester, George Little of Springfield, Cindy (Jim) Jones of LaHarpe, Randy (Sandy) Little of LaHarpe, eight grandchildren; Marcy Null of Colchester, Megan Null of Columbia, Missouri, Michael (Miranda) Jones of Macomb, Jaime (Mike) Goin of Chatham, Illinois, Teressa (Michael) Faegans of Springfield, Savannah (Steven) Durr of Springfield, Greg Little of Edwardsville, and Rayna Little of LaHarpe. Hazel Mae had eight great-grandchildren; Duncan, Duke, and Madison Hazel Jones all of Macomb, Chloe Null of Columbia, Clinton and Monroe Goin of Chatham and Aiden and Ava Durr of Springfield.

A graveside service for family and fiends will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, August 13, 2021 at the LaHarpe Cemetery with Pastor Robert Tillman officiating. No visitation is planned.

A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Carnegie Library or Wesley Village. To leave a condolence for the family please visit Hazel Mae’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.