Omar “Butch” Gaskill, 64, of Burlington, died early morning Friday, September 24, 2021, in his sleep at his home.
Born April 9, 1957, in Monmouth, IL, he was the son of Omar Wendell Sr. and Eunice Haase Gaskill. On August 25, 2008, he married Alice Marie Rudy in their backyard in Burlington.
He was a fantastic athlete in high school and still holds records in the Hall of Fame for his school. He loved rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes, the Chicago Bears, and Michael Jordan on the Chicago Bulls. He enjoyed his work as a construction worker, loved spending time with his family, and attending church.
Survivors include his wife, Alice Marie Gaskill of Burlington, two sons; Nathan (Laura) Gaskill, and Adam Gaskill, three daughters; Kori (Jimmy) Thompson, Ashley (Mike) Gwin, and Sarah Gaskill, two step-sons; Larry Rollins, and Tim Rollins, one step daughter; Michelle Williams, two sisters; Gloria (Ron) Koch, and Carolyn Thompson, one brother; Larry Gaskill, nine grandkids, seven great-grandkids and many nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his sister Marilyn.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM Friday, October 1, 2021 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Gaskill will be 3:00 PM Friday, October 1, 2021, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Sam Fratt officiating. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Bonnie Lou Huffman, 85, of Burlington, died at 5:28 AM Monday, September 27, 2021, at her home.
Born November 16, 1935, in Burlington, IA, she was the daughter of Warren and Lucy Warth Kendall. In March of 1975 she married Mylo Huffman. He passed in December of 1979.
She worked as a case packer at US Borax for 35 years until her retirement.
She graduated from the Iowa School for the Deaf in 1958.
She was devout a Christian, and a member of Harmony Bible Church, Danville Campus. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeye Fan, who would cheer so loud, you could hear her in the house next door. She was a cheerleader at the Iowa School for the Deaf, and she was very active in the deaf community, and met many good friends through those connections. She had several dogs over the years, Tippy, Baby, Blackie, and Misty, and she loved them very much. She enjoyed her retirement, and always looked forward to her grandma trips with her family. Most of all, she loved her grandson Joshua very dearly.
Survivors include her daughter, Lucy A (Keith) Wyatt of Burlington; one grandson, Joshua Wyatt; brother, Bill Kendall of Galesburg, IL; sister, Linda Smith of Wyoming, DE; two nieces and two nephews; and two great nieces and two great nephews. She was an honorary mom to a few, and an honorary grandma to many.
Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by her close friend, Yvonne.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 5:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM Sunday, October 3, 2021 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Huffman will be 10:00 AM Monday, October 4, 2021, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Danny Dingus officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.
Cremation will be entrusted to the Prugh Crematory.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the American Red Cross and the Des Moines County Humane Society.
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 Bonnie’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Randall B. Lowthorp, 79, of Burlington, IA, passed away September 26, 2021 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City, IA.
Randall was born May 10, 1942 in Chicago, IL the son of Erskine G. and Marjorie C. Lowthorp. In 1949, they moved to Burlington, IA where he was educated, married and raised his family.
He graduated from Burlington High School in 1960. He married Nancy J. Shunick on November 23, 1963 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, and they shared nearly 58 years together. They raised three daughters and owned and operated Sentry Mobile Homes. He retired in 1998.
In his retirement, Randall enjoyed fishing in the Southeast Iowa lakes, working around the yard, doing his many house “projects”, and telling a good story. But most of all he cherished his role as “Pa” to his grandchildren and followed their interests, and many academic and athletic pursuits throughout the years. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Nancy, his daughters Jill Lytwyn of Plymouth, MN, Jennifer (James) Streicher of Cleves, OH, and Sarah (Derek) Hornsby of Westfield, IN; his grandchildren Genevieve Hutchinson; John, Eve, Jane and Joseph Streicher; Jake, Skylar, Dixon and Harper Hornsby; one sister Patricia (Donald) Schwenker, of Sun City West, AZ and one brother Barry (Carolyn) Lowthorp of Shenandoah, IA; two brothers-in-law David Shunick of Cathedral City, CA, Steven (Connie) Shunick of Galesburg, IL; three sisters-in-law Roberta Lowthorp of Northfield, MN, Judy (Steve) Full of Monterey, TN, Frances (Robert) Unger of McHenry, IL; several nieces and nephews and many lifelong friends that he considered family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife’s parents, brothers Richard (Anita) Lowthorp and Blaine Lowthorp, brother-in-law Douglas Bennett and one niece, Sheri Schwenker.
Memorial donations can be made to Des Moines County Conservation, Big Hollow Improvement Project. Mail to 13700 Washington Rd., West Burlington, IA 52655.
According to Randall’s wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to Lunning Chapel.
Private family services will be held at a later date in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Stephen K. Bice, 70, of Muscatine, died Monday, September 27, 2021 at his home.
Born January 9, 1951 in LaHarpe, IL, he was the son of Robert Krieg and Audrey Grace (Williams) Bice. He married Barbara Meier in 1989. They later divorced. He married Brenda J. Hill June 2, 2002.
Stephen attended Burlington High School, and after serving in the military, attended Southeastern Community College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. He then re-entered the Army as an officer.
He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War in Korea. He was an analyst for the Department of the Army his entire career.
He was of the Presbyterian faith.
Stephen had a vast knowledge of military history. He was a great cook and loved spending time with his family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda J. Bice of Muscatine; siblings, Bill (Jacque) Bice of Burlington, Mike (Lesa) Bice of Tulsa, OK, Betsy Smith of Burlington, Margie (Nick) Reed of Parkersburg, WV, Barb (Alan) Gerst of Burlington; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Kenneth Bice.
The funeral service for Mr. Bice will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2021 at Lunning Chapel. Chaplain Susan Bantz will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made in Stephen’s name to the donor’s choice.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Frank Lee Gilpin, Jr., 87, of Pontoosuc, Illinois, passed away at 9:00 a.m. Sunday, September 26, 2021 at his home.
Frank was born on August 27, 1934 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Frank L. and Dorothy (Mason) Gilpin, Sr. On January 23, 1954 he married Dolores E. Ballinger in Niota, Illinois. She preceded him in death on July 2, 2015.
Frank began working at the IAAP in Burlington, Iowa at the age of 18. He was later drafted into the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict. Following his military service Frank returned to the IAAP, where he was employed for over 40 years. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed commercial fishing and hunting with his family. He enjoyed participating in local drag races. He was always proud to race his Dickie Harrell/Fred Gibb Chevrolet Camaro.
Survivors include his daughter: Brenda (Rich) Dusek of Orchard Lake, Michigan; one son: Mike (Sheryl Clark) Gilpin of Dallas City; one grandson: Omar (Elizabeth) Rashid and one step-great-granddaughter: Alena Clark. Also surviving is one sister: Neoma (Phil) Farr of Niota and three brothers: Charlie (Linda) Gilpin Sr. of Dallas City, John Gilpin of Pontoosuc and Joe (Linda) Gilpin of Ft. Madison.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Dolores; one granddaughter: Layla Rashid and one brother: Norman Gilpin.
A graveside service with Military Rites will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 30, 2021 at the Harris Cemetery, near Dallas City. Rev. Jim Luder will officiate.
While no formal family visitation in planned, friends may pay their respects from 1:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 29th at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for the American Stroke Association. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Frank’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
