On Wednesday February 9, 2022 James Burton Spurgeon, 85, of New London went home to be with the Lord. He was surrounded by family. He was born in rural Northern Missouri on April 13, 1936, the fifth of seven children to Raymond and Delpha Horn Spurgeon.
James served in the Airforce from April 3rd 1956 to November 5th 1959 stationed at Hickman Airforce Base in Hawaii. He was an aviation mechanic and ended his career as an Airman 1st class.
On June 17th 1961 he married Patricia Huggins in Centerville, Iowa; she died July 25, 2020.
He was employed as a mechanic at the Davis County School bus barn. After a move to the New London area he started employment at the IAAP, then was offered to join Leaseway Transportation as a mechanic and branch manager. When Leaseway Transportation moved to Minnesota he returned to IAAP and retired from there.
He enjoyed playing cards at the VFW, working on small engines and large farm equipment, and getting caught up on local gossip at the Jet Stop breakfast club. His favorite activity was handing out popsicles to his great grandchildren and he loved spending time with his family.
Survivors include his children, Belinda Conner of New London, Debra (Bob) Thomas of Illinois, and Jeffrey Spurgeon of New London; three grandchildren Whitney (Chris) Amburn and Cody Conner both of New London, and Peyton (Evelynn) Thomas of Colorado; seven great grandchildren Zander, Ryker, Trinity, and Scarlett Amburn, Blake and Finley Conner, and Calvin Thomas; one brother Ronald Spurgeon of Wilton, Iowa; one sister Beverly (John) Gillaspie of Williamsburg, Iowa; nieces, nephews, and brothers-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 59 years; granddaughter Sarah Conner; great- granddaughter Gracelyn Amburn; brothers Verlin and Lowell; and sisters Lois McCormick and Roma Spurgeon.
According to his wishes his body has been cremated. A graveside inurnment with Military Rites by the Henry County Honor Guard will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, April 23, 2022 in Burge Cemetery, New London. A Celebration of Life will be held immediately following the service at the New London VFW. A memorial has been established. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com
Sandra Sandy, 80, Burlington died Sunday, April 10, 2022.
Born July 6, 1941, in Eureka, IL, she was the daughter of William Aurthur and Vera Ibbotson Gibbs. On April 3, 1960, she married Larry Laverne Sandy in Bethany Lutheran Church. He died on February 14, 2017. They were happily married for 57 years.
She attended Saunderson Grade School, Horace Mann and graduated from BHS in 1959.
After working briefly for Dr. Kratz as a dental assistant she spent 28 years at Exide Corp. retiring in 2001. At age 60 she spent 2.5 years at SCC.
Sandra was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church for over 70 years. She belonged to the Rebecca Circle and WEICA. She was a member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Burlington Aerie 150 and UAW 1829. Sandra loved to shop and collected many purses over the years. She enjoyed reading and watching her favorite sports, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Blues.
Survivors include two sons, Jeff Sandy and Jim Sandy both of Burlington; grandson, Grant Sandy of Burlington; sister, Donna Miller of West Burlington; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Stevenson of Gladstone, IL and Becky Brill of Burlington; two nephews and three nieces.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Garrett, daughter-in-law, Renee, and three brothers-in-law.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
The memorial service for Mrs. Sandy will be 11:00 AM, Thursday, April 14, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Hermansen officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home immediately following the service. Sandra will be buried in Aspen Grove Cemetery with her husband at a later date
A memorial has been established for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Sandra’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Linda M. Gerst, 79, of Mediapolis passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022 at Southeast Iowa Regional Center Hospice House in West Burlington. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, April 15, 2022 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremations of Mediapolis. Pastor Shane McCampbell will officiate. Burial will be in Kossuth Cemetery. Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, 2022 at the funeral home. A memorial has been established for the Cure Cadasil Foundation in Linda’s name. Online condolences can by left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Linda M. Rowell was born on January 30, 1943, in Deer Creek, Illinois, the daughter of Floyd and Louise (Wegman) Rowell. Linda graduated from Mediapolis High School and worked for 31 years as secretary to the superintendent of the Mediapolis Community School District. Linda was a member of Harmony Bible Church and enjoyed gardening, flowers, riding her bike and when her children were younger attending their activities. Her greatest love was spending time with her grandchildren.
Linda will be deeply missed by her children, James (JoAnn) Gerst, Jr. of Brownstown, Michigan, Gregory L. (Kathy) Gerst of Mediapolis, Robert F. (Lamae) Gerst of Mt. Pleasant and Jason D. (Jessica) Gerst of Cedar Rapids; daughter-in-law, Debbie Gerst of Mediapolis; 15 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; siblings, Barbara Moser of Morton,Illinois, John (Nelda) Rowell of Tremont, Illinois and Phyllis (David) Walk of Dallas, Texas and nieces and nephews.
Linda was preceded in death by her parents; two sons, Thomas P. and Douglas C. Gerst and brother-in-law, Bob Moser.
Marleen Vivian Beck, 87, Danville, died at 4:30 AM Friday, April 8, 2022, at the Klein Center in West Burlington.
Born August 31, 1934, in Burlington, IA, she was the son of Lester Elner and Ruth Mary Rice Beck.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1956 from the William Jennings Bryan University in Tennessee. She also received her Masters in Christian Ministries from Wheaton Bible College in Illinois.
Marleen taught Christian Education in Korea, South Korea, New Jersey and Illinois. She was a missionary for 25 years in South America and was the Woman’s Dormitory Advisor at the Ocana Bible Institute in Columbia.
She was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Danville and taught classes during Vacation Bible School. She was a minister and advocate for our local Hispanic population. Marleen was active in the Danville Library’s Genealogy department. She was a hard worker and tended to a vegetable garden and fruit tree orchard. She also had an appreciation for Antique cars, because of her hours she had spent with her father restoring them.
Survivors include her sister-in-law, Virginia Beck of Danville; brother-in-law, Richard Gibson of Danville; nieces and nephews, Elaine (John Pihlblad) Beck of Waukee, Iowa, Dave (Christa) Beck of Mediapolis, Iowa, Doug (Edith) Beck of Burlington and Julie (Doug) Snavely of Danville; three step nieces and nephew; and 13 great nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Donald Beck and sister, Marjorie Gibson.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM with the family to receive friends on Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Miss. Beck will be 11:00 AM Wednesday, April 13, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with John Tolander officiating. Private burial will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Danville Anne Frank Museum’s Boxcar Exhibit Fund.
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 Marleen’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Omina Rae “Mike” Askew, 93, of West Burlington, died Saturday, April 9, 2022 at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born March 27, 1929 in Franklin, Illinois she was the daughter of Russell Scott and Velma L. (Chapman) Rawlings. She married Paul Loren Askew on November 26, 1947 in West Burlington. He died October 14, 1970.
Omina was a 1947 graduate of Burlington High School. She was a member of West Burlington United Methodist Church.
She enjoyed working in her yard and keeping her house spotless. She loved watching the Green Bay Packers play.
Survivors include her two daughters; Paula (Dave) Elledge of Gladstone, Illinois and Nancy Askew and the late Steve Brown of Burlington; two grandchildren, Paul Leslie Elledge of Gladstone, Illinois and Lauren Camille Brown of San Francisco, California; five half-sisters and several wonderful nieces, nephews, cousins and great neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one brother Russell Chapman Rawlings, one sister Peasche Reid and one son-in-law Steve Brown.
The memorial funeral service for Mike will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, April 14th at Lunning Chapel. Masks will be available for the service.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
According to her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com.
Chad McConnell, 40, of Camp Point, Illinois, passed away Thursday, April 7, 2022 at his home.
Chad was born on February 27, 1982 in Macomb, Illinois, the son of Tim and Pam (Sparrow) Bundy. Chad was adopted and raised by Michael McConnell.
On September 3, 2016 he married Jennifer Tjaden at the Adams County Fairgrounds, near Mendon, Illinois
Chad worked as a mechanic all his life. He was employed at Palmer’s Auto in LaHarpe, NTN Bower in Macomb for 10 years and Quincy Tractor in Quincy for the past 8 years. Chad also enjoyed lending a hand to local farmers and friends in need of a mechanic. When he wasn’t working, he loved being outdoors; fishing, hunting, riding side-by-sides, helping on the farm and working livestock and especially loved time spent with his kids.
Survivors include his wife: Jennifer; five children: Keaton McConnell of Carthage; Victoria, Hunter, and Amber Louderback of Camp Point and Phoenix Avery; his parents: Mike McConnell of Ft. Green, Illinois; Pam (Rod) Swisher of LaCrosse, Illinois; Tim Bundy and Sheree Robbins of Alexander and Mandy Palmer of La Harpe; grandparents Linda McConnell of Ft. Green and Lawrence and Liz Sparrow of Macomb; one brother: Cole McConnell of LaHarpe and one sister: Michelle McConnell Bundy of LaHarpe. Also surviving are his father and mother-in-law: Jim and Jane Tjaden of Clayton, Illinois; brother and sisters-in-law: Jonas Tjaden of Clayton, Janelle (Jason) Payne of Liberty, Illinois and Jami (Kyle) Powell of Camp Point, as well as several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Chad was preceded in death by his grandparents: Ralph and June Waller and grandfather: Robert McConnell.
Friends may call after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the LaHarpe Christian Church where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.
A private graveside service will be held at the McConnell Cemetery, near Fountain Green with Pastor Mark Hanson officiating. A memorial fund has been established for the family.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home of LaHarpe is assisting the family. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Chad’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
