Mary Lee Crowe, 73, of Burlington, left her earthly journey to begin her heavenly adventures on Friday, December 31, 2021, at the St. Luke’s Hospital Hospice in Cedar Rapids after a long but courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Mary Lee Nielsen was born June 13, 1948 in St. Joseph, MO.
Mary Lee graduated in 1966 from Maryville High School where she was on the pep squad for her beloved Spoofhounds. After graduating high-school she quickly realized that her passion in life was teaching. She obtained her Bachelor’s in Education from Northwest Missouri State University in 1969 and then received her Master’s of Education from Phillips University in 1986. She worked for the Burlington Community School District in the elementary schools. She felt honored and loved when her students would keep in touch long after leaving her class. Her children and husband recall that her eyes would light up when her students reached out to her and told her how she impacted their lives.
Mary Lee was known for her infectious smile and contagious laugh. Family trips were an adventure. Mary Lee referred to herself as directionally challenged and would frequently get lost. However, they would end up laughing and jamming out to sixties music and have the best time. Mary Lee always looked for the bright side in life and kept a smile on her face.
Mary Lee’s oldest two grandchildren, Shawn and Kayleigh, called her Nana. When her youngest granddaughter started talking she changed her nickname from Nana to Nia. Mary Lee was tickled pink by this and from then on her grandchildren, husband and her children also referred to her as Nia.
She was of Christian faith. She was a wonderful and supportive wife to Mike; a phenomenal, encouraging, and loving mother to her daughters, Erica and Ashlee; a doting and supportive “Nia” to her grandchildren Shawn, Kayleigh and Maren; and a kindred spirit to her sister Janet.
Mary Lee did not want a funeral, so in compromise the family invites everyone to come share memories and celebrate Mary Lee’s life on Thursday, January 6, 2022, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the Lewy Body Dementia Association or St. Luke’s Foundation for UnityPoint Hospice.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements and cremation.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Mary Lee’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Larry Howard Johnson, 84, of Mediapolis, went home January 2, 2022.
Born December 5, 1937 in Burlington, Iowa he was the son of Howard Raymond and Grace Emma (Dewalt) Johnson. He grew up in Mediapolis, but also called Danville, Sperry, and Morning Sun home.
Larry drove a Mediapolis school bus at the age of 16, and joined the Navy at 17. He was stationed on the USS Antietam from 1955 to 1959. After returning from service, he worked for Leonard’s Quarry in Pleasant Grove, US Gypsum plant and then General Electric for 29 years until his retirement in 1994.
He married Rosemary Lee Weicher on January 9, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Burlington. She died January 18, 2014.
Larry loved the outdoors, listening to country music, making tools and working on cars. He loved a cold beer and an occasional glass of wine, fishing and bonfires, but most of all he enjoyed the time spent with his kids and grandkids.
Survivors include his four children; Lorie (Antonio) Styles of Atlanta, Georgia, Brian (Christine) Johnson of Mesa, Arizona, Darren (Susie) Johnson of Morning Sun, Iowa and Scott (Diane) Johnson of Sperry, Iowa; 13 grandchildren, Tiffany, Samuel, Brooke (Damian), Jacob (Samantha), Tyler, Wesley (Maggey), Sarah Kate (Bradley), Sawyer, Wyatt, Nicholas, Antonio Jr. and Zhane; 16 great grandchildren, Skylar, Andrea, Amaya, Damian, Aliya, Cameron, Adrian, Addison, James, Lina, Jillian, Johanna, Jacoby, Joella, Aliya and Sophie; two brothers, Kenny Johnson of Danville, Iowa and Warren Johnson of Mediapolis, Iowa; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosemary and one brother Donnie Johnson.
The funeral service for Mr. Johnson will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 7th at Lunning Chapel. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct military rites. Interment will be held in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the funeral service.
A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Kimberly K. Kephart-Maxam, 58, of Burlington died Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
Born May 22, 1963 in Burlington, she was the daughter of William “Bill” and Joyce Virginia (Sly) Kephart.
Kim graduated from Burlington Community High School class of 1981. She earned a master’s degree in Psychology.
Kim worked in the pro shop at SportsWorx for 10 years. She was a former Clinical Psychologist.
She was affiliated with Harmony Bible Church. Kim loved baking, spending time with her nieces and nephews, her special times with her two great nieces and nephew-Olivia, Natalie and Cameron Huggins. She enjoyed party planning, autumn and her flowers and Kim loved spoiling her dog, Skippy Joe.
Survivors include her mother, Joyce Kephart of Burlington; Brothers William (Sang) Kephart II and Barry (Kellye) Kephart all of Houston, TX; Sister Kathi (Brian) Michelson of West Burlington and several nieces and nephews.
Kim was preceded in death by her dad Bill Kephart and her grandparents.
Visitation for Kim will be Thursday, January 6, 2022 at Lunning Chapel with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friends may call from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. The funeral service for Kim will be Friday, January 7, 2022 at 10:30 a.m. at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Randy Beary officiating.
Cremation will be accorded and entrusted to Lunning Chapel following the services. Inurnment will be at a later date in Aspen Grove Cemetery
A memorial has been established.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Robert McElhinney, 70, of Morning Sun, passed away on Saturday, January 1, 2022, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, January 5, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Snyder and Hollenbaugh Funeral and Cremation Services in Morning Sun. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Cemetery with military honors. Memorials may be directed to the Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church or the Morning Sun American Legion in memory of Robert. Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Robert William McElhinney was born on December 13, 1951, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of William Earnest and Harriet Elizabeth (Kreiner) McElhinney. He was a 1970 graduate of Mediapolis High School. Robert proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Robert was self-employed as a contractor. Robert was a member of the Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church, serving as a Deacon, Morning Sun American Legion #112 and a past member of the Louisa County Saddle Club. He enjoyed horses, taking teams to many parades and driving competitions, reading, teasing his nieces and nephews and was known for telling stories and his political satire.
Robert will be deeply missed by his siblings, Joe (Rose Mary) McElhinney of Tipton, Dick McElhinney of Morning Sun, Keith (Debbie) McElhinney of Morning Sun, Kenneth (Chris) McElhinney of Morning Sun and Mary (Dean) King of Mt. Pleasant and ten nieces and nephews.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents, sister-in-law, Fran McElhinney and nephew, Matt McElhinney.
John Carl Duttweiler, 85, of West Burlington, died at 5:57 PM Thursday, December 30, 2021, at his home in West Burlington surrounded by his family.
Born April 18, 1936, in Iowa City, he was the son of J. Hubert and S. Kathryn Kracaw Duttweiler. On October 6, 1956, he married Marjorie Lilliann McKay in Ottumwa.
He graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community School in 1954. John later attended an online Tech School for Diesel Mechanics. He was a certified coach through SCC and an SCCA Nationally Licensed Corner Worker. He worked at various race tracks, including Daytona, Sebring, and Blackhawk.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 until 1957 in the Cactus Patch Battery C, 438AAA Battalion, 103rd CasCon.
John was a farmer and also a diesel mechanic with Churchill Truck Lines from 1964 to 1994.
John attended Calvary Baptist Church in Burlington. When his grandchildren were younger, John enjoyed his time being an assistant coach for Junior High Football and Basketball at James Madison Middle School for about six years. He also enjoyed being outdoors and especially liked hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking, painting, traveling and spending winters in Texas and Florida with his wife. One of John’s biggest loves was music and he was an excellent lead guitar player. He was proud to be inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame located in Anita, IA.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Marjorie Lilliann Duttweiler; four children, Deborah Stewart of Burlington, John Neil Duttweiler of Burlington, Laura (Kim) DeBower of Apopka, FL, Kenneth (Tammy McElroy) Duttweiler of Burlington; seven grandchildren; twenty five great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; one niece and two nephews; and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Duttweiler; and son-in-law, Ira Stewart.
John graciously donated his body to the University of Iowa for scientific research.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for John C. Duttweiler will be 3:00 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Simeon Counterman officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, 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 John’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
On Fri, Dec 31, 2021 at 2:02 PM Sam Newkirk
Louisa County Publishing-please put in the Des Moines County News.
John Carl Duttweiler, 85, of West Burlington, died at 5:57 PM Thursday, December 30, 2021, at his home in West Burlington surrounded by his family.
Born April 18, 1936, in Iowa City, he was the son of J. Hubert and S. Kathryn Kracaw Duttweiler. On October 6, 1956, he married Marjorie Lilliann McKay in Ottumwa.
He graduated from Mt. Pleasant Community School in 1954. John later attended an online Tech School for Diesel Mechanics. He was a certified coach through SCC and an SCCA Nationally Licensed Corner Worker. He worked at various race tracks, including Daytona, Sebring, and Blackhawk.
He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1954 until 1957 in the Cactus Patch Battery C, 438AAA Battalion, 103rd CasCon.
John was a farmer and also a diesel mechanic with Churchill Truck Lines from 1964 to 1994.
John attended Calvary Baptist Church in Burlington. When his grandchildren were younger, John enjoyed his time being an assistant coach for Junior High Football and Basketball at James Madison Middle School for about six years. He also enjoyed being outdoors and especially liked hunting, fishing, golfing, woodworking, painting, traveling and spending winters in Texas and Florida with his wife. One of John’s biggest loves was music and he was an excellent lead guitar player. He was proud to be inducted into America’s Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame located in Anita, IA.
Survivors include wife of 65 years, Marjorie Lilliann Duttweiler, Deborah Stewart of Burlington, John Neil Duttweiler of Burlington, Laura (Kim) DeBower of Apopka, FL, Kenneth (Tammy McElroy) Duttweiler of Burlington, seven grandchildren, twenty five great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren; one niece and two nephews; and many close friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Charles Duttweiler and son-in-law, Ira Stewart
John graciously donated his body to the University of Iowa for scientific research.
Family will receive friends from 2:00 PM until 3:00 PM, Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for John C. Duttweiler will be 3:00 PM Saturday, January 8, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Simeon Counterman officiating. Burial will be in Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, 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 John’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
