Obituaries for Tuesday December 21st

Wanda Grace McPheron, 89, of New London, died Sunday, December 19, 2021 at her home. She was born May 29, 1932 in rural Donnellson to Marvin Arno and Grace Pauline Wedel Wirsig. On October 11, 1953 she married Paul F. McPheron in Donnellson; he died April 16, 2020. Wanda was a homemaker and before marriage she worked in customer service for Sheaffer Pen and as a switchboard operator with the telephone company. She was a 1949 graduate of Donnellson High School and was a member of the New London United Methodist Church where she was church organist for 45 years and a member of United Methodist Women. She was a member of PEO, Ricordo Club, served on the HJ Nugen library board, and was a Cub Scout den mother. For many years, she taught piano lessons in her home and was an accompanist for school music contests. Wanda and Paul enjoyed all types of dancing and loved traveling; especially going on cruises.
Survivors include her sons Jeffrey (Sherri) McPheron of Mt. Pleasant, Dennis (Margarita) McPheron and Robert (Julie) McPheron both of New London, daughter Diane (Rick) Schnicker of New London; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister Evelyn and brothers Ralph and Vernon.
Her husband and parents preceded her in death.
According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. A private family service will be held at Elliott Chapel, New London with Pastor David Mixon officiating. Inurnment will follow at Burge Cemetery, rural New London next to her beloved husband. Memorials have been established for the New London United Methodist Church and the Salvation Army. Online condolences may be expressed at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Robert J. Dodd, 95, of Dallas City, Illinois, passed away at 9:50 a.m. Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Hickory Grove Assisted Living in Carthage, Illinois.
Bob was born November 23, 1926 in Dallas City the son of Leland and Pearl (Sawyer) Dodd. On October 23, 1949 he married Marilyn F. Foresman in Dallas City. She preceded him in death May 2, 2019.
Bob was a 1945 graduate of Dallas City High School. Immediately following graduation entered the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Naples, Italy as part of the occupational forces. When he returned, he began working for the Standard Oil Pipeline, and then finished his career working for Apple River Chemical Company in Niota, Illinois and retired in 1988.
He was a member of the First Christian Church of Dallas City, where he served as a deacon and elder over the years. Bob enjoyed playing golf, watching the St. Louis Cardinals games and playing with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed playing and refereeing basketball, coaching and umpiring baseball. He was a member of the LaHarpe Masonic Lodge #195
Survivors include two children: Bryan (Patti) Dodd of O’Fallon, Illinois and Susan (Dale) DeSotel of Niota, Illinois; five grandchildren: Ben (Sara) Dodd, Adam Dodd, Josh (Kendra) DeSotel, Jason (Libby) DeSotel and Justin (Rachel) DeSotel and 14 great-grandchildren.
Bob was preceded in death by his wife, one son: R. Bruce Dodd; one brother: Lloyd Dodd and three sisters: Virginia Collins, Lois Paige and Betty White.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21st at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 22, 2021 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Mark Pettit officiating. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Harris Cemetery, near Dallas City. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until time of services.Memorials may be made to the Robert Dodd Memorial Fund. Contributions will be used for the Hickory Grove Sunshine Garden or Sheaffer Golf Course. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Bob’s obituary at banksandbeals.com

Karen Lee Clay, 77 of Burlington died Thursday, December 16, 2021 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Born June 25, 1944 at Burlington Hospital, she was the daughter of Grover J. and Elnora Verlee (Vandermark) Willson JR.
Karen attended Yarmouth schools through eleventh grade and graduated from Mediapolis High School in 1962.
She married Robert Douglas Clay in Burlington on July 30, 1977.
Karen owned and operated Karen Clay Insurance Agency from 1989 until 2006.
Karen was of the Baptist Faith. She was a member of the Kiwanis Club and was a past president. She was a member of the Southeastern Community College Booster Club, the Bel Canto Corale and she was on the board of Aspen Grove Cemetery.
Survivors include her husband, Robert Douglas Clay of Burlington; daughter Kelli (Patrick) Swing of Seagoville, TX; sons Jeff (Sue) Strause and Derrick (Kim) Clay of Burlington; grandchildren Garrett Strause and Halliday Swing; great grandchildren Delia, Gunnar, Emma, and Frankie; sister Patti (Rick) Van Winkle of Mediapolis.
Karen was preceded in death by her parents Grover and Elnora and brother Terry Gene Willson.
The funeral service for Karen will be Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 11:00am at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Dean Graber officiating. Friends may call after noon Monday, December 20, 2021, and the family will receive friends from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at Lunning Chapel. Burial will follow the services at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com

Sandra Kay Melton, 65, of rural Dallas City, Illinois, passed away at 11:45 p.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2021 surrounded by family at her home.

Sandy was born July 11, 1956 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Thomas and Dolores (Richers) LaVelle. On April 22, 1978 she married the love of her life, Tod Melton, in Fort Madison. He preceded her in death February 9, 2019.

Sandy was a homemaker. She enjoyed spending time visiting with friends and family. She especially enjoyed spending time with her husband, which often meant helping on the farm and traveling in the semi. She and Tod visited all 48 contiguous states. She was an avid reader and fan of country music, especially Waylon Jennings.

Survivors include three daughters: Layla (Mike Paar) Johnson of Warsaw, Illinois, Lindsey Fischer of Dallas City and Leslie “Sid” Griffin of Donnellson, Iowa; five grandchildren: Avery and Autumn Johnson, Kaleb Fischer, Emily (Kasey) Rhoades and Taylor Griffin and three siblings: Connie (Gary) Harrison of Leesburg, Florida, Linda (Gene) McEntee of Nauvoo, Illinois and Jim LaVelle of Minot, North Dakota.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Tod, and one brother: Ken LaVelle.

A Celebration of Sandy’s Life will be held in the spring of 2022. A memorial fund has been established for the Wounded Warrior Project. Memorial contributions and sympathy cards may be sent to the Sandy Melton Family, 1990 E. State Hwy 9 & 94, Dallas City, Illinois 62330.

Banks & Beals Funeral Home of Dallas City is assisting the family. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Sandy’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.

Katie V. Hope, 87, of Burlington, died Tuesday, December 2, 2021 at Danville Care Center, Danville, Iowa.
Born July 16, 1934 in Rutledge, Missouri she was the daughter of Lee and Mary (Hawks) Hope.
Katie was a cook, and loved to do so. She owned and operated the Tasty Rail for 13 years and cooked at the 34 Truck Stop for 17 years along with various other restaurants.
She was a long-time volunteer for the Friends of the Burlington Public Library and loved the time she spent at the Footnotes Store. She enjoyed reading and watching her favorite programs on television.
She is survived by nieces, nephews and her longtime friend Phil Cone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, longtime companion John Stubbs and one sister Janelle Owens.
The graveside funeral service and interment for Ms. Hope will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 21st at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Friends of the Burlington Public Library.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com

Eileen Josephine Winegard, 99 years of age, passed away peacefully at her home at Miravilla in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday, December 6th, 2021.

Eileen was born on October 6th, 1922 in Lomax, Illinois to Dorothea Johanna Pence and Leroy Frederick Pence. She attended Lomax Grade School and one year at Lomax High School. For her sophomore and junior years, she attended St Paul’s Catholic High School in Burlington, Iowa. Eileen graduated from Burlington High School in 1940. Following graduation, she attended one year at Burlington Junior College. After school, she worked at the JC Penney’s Co, and then the Iowa Ordinance Plant in the personnel office.

Eileen married John Robert Winegard on May 1st, 1943, in San Antonio, Texas, while John was serving in the Air Force. After John retired from the service, the couple returned to Burlington. Soon after, John started his career in electronics, and with the investment of $600 from Eileen, the Winegard Company was started. In Burlington they had two children. John Randall Winegard was born August 7th, 1947 and Nancy Eileen Winegard was born July 2nd, 1953.

While being a devoted mother and wife, Eileen also dedicated time to fundraising for her parish church, St. Patrick’s, and many times traveled to Chicago to purchase items from the Merchandise Market for the Burlington Hospital gift store, where she also volunteered her time. She later started her own business, The Gift Station, which she ran for several years.

In keeping with her independent nature, Eileen moved to Arizona in October of 1979. In Arizona, she seriously pursued her love of golf, often playing 18 holes, twice a week, and competing in tournaments until she was 94 years old. Eileen became an active member of her parish church, Maria Goretti.

Eileen spent her summers in the mountains of Dillon, Colorado where she loved to horseback ride with friends and family. She is remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking, which she loved to share, over the years, with many family members, friends, and guests. Eileen was also known for her beautiful appearance and quiet, polite demeanor. Yet, those close to her, also knew her as a very strong, independent, and tenacious woman with a lot of grit.

Eileen is preceded in death by her father; mother; her sisters, Lucille, Laura, Stella Mae, and Dorothy; as well as brothers, Fred and Jerry.

She is survived by her sister Roberta; son, Randy, his wife, Heather; daughter, Nancy; granddaughters, Anna, Rachel, Rainie, and Rielle; grandson, Sam; and great-granddaughter, Menowaube.

The Memorial Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, December 21st, 2021, at Divine Mercy Parish, SS. Mary and Patrick’s Catholic Church, in West Burlington, Iowa. A luncheon will follow at Catfish Bend Casino Events Center, in Burlington, Iowa. Private family inurnment will be held on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2021 in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Eileen’s name for the Evans Scholarship Program.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of arrangements.

Condolences can be left for the family by visiting Eileen’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.