Melvin “Mel” F. Bray, 67, of Burlington, died Monday, August 22, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Born October 29, 1954 in La Harpe, Illinois, he was the son of Donald E. and Lillian G. (Brokaw) Bray. He graduated from La Harpe High School in 1973. He went to work for F. S. in Stronghurst, Illinois.
In 1978, he went to work for Schrader Trucking, running all 48 states and Eastern Canada. In 1987, he went to work for Raider Precast (IPC) where he had the proud honor of delivering the first beams for the Great River Bridge. He was currently driving for Ideal Ready Mix.
On June 10, 2000 he married Suzie Deuitch.
He was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, a past member of Skiiowans, Aldo Leopold Chapter of Pheasants Forever and A.B.A.T.E. District 18.
He enjoyed hunting, fishing and riding his Harley, but most importantly loved his time spent with his grandkids.
Survivors include his wife Suzie Bray of Burlington; three children, Emilee Deuitch (Arthur Snipes), Shayla Deuitch and Andrew (Crystal) Deuitch all of Burlington; nine grandchildren, Kole Schwenker, Tanton Welborn, Kaleb Deuitch, Konstance Deuitch, Austyn Deuitch, Khloie Long, Kalin Long, Braylee Deuitch, Elias Deuitch; siblings, Phil Bray of Burlington, Nadine Allen of Donnellson, Iowa, Cheryl (Mike) Hopwood of Peoria, Illinois, Darrell (Sharon) Bray and Wayne (Susan) Bray both of La Harpe, Illinois and Marlene (Brad) Eskridge of Industry, Illinois; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, brother-in-law Keith Allen and nephew Nathan Bray.
The memorial funeral service for Mel will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 30th at Lunning Chapel. Pastor Ryan Cosgrove will officiate. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 29th at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends.
Memorials have been established for the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House or the Aldo Leopold Chapter of Pheasants Forever.
According to his wishes, cremation has been entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Austin Michael Steward, 25, of Burlington, died Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at his home.
Born October 23, 1996, in Burlington, he was the son of Katrina Steward and Aaron Lefler.
Austin worked as a bartender at Catfish Bend Casino for the past 4 years.
He was a loving, kindhearted person who loved his family and was a great friend. Austin was known for his love of animals and always had pets throughout his life. He truly had the biggest heart and was proud of all the obstacles he overcame in his short life.
He is survived by his mother Katrina Steward and his father Aaron Lefler both of Burlington; ten brothers and sisters; his maternal grandmother Tammy Steward and maternal grandfather Larry Knotts both of Burlington; paternal grandfather Jerry Sacora of Mt Pleasant and paternal grandmother Patricia Guzman of Burlington; aunts, Randi Sacora and Michele Beard and numerous other nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
He is preceded in death by his maternal great grandmother Janet Scott, uncle Jeremy Lefler and cousins.
The memorial visitation and Celebration of Life for Austin will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 24th at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends. Cremation will be accorded following the visitation. Inurment will be held in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the Des Moines County Humane Society.
Sandy J. Marlette, 71, of Burlington, died Tuesday, August 16, 2022, at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in Iowa City surrounded by her family.
Born May 4, 1951, in Centerville, IA, she was the daughter of Virgil and Ethel Bartusek Plath. On May 25, 1974, she married Donald S. in Carthage, IL. He preceded her in death on December 6, 2002.
Sandy graduated from Burlington High School in 1969.
She was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church. Sandy enjoyed word searches and puzzles. She liked going on walks and reading, especially her Bible, and spending time with her family.
Survivors include her son, Donald (Sarah) Marlette, Jr. of St. Cloud, MN; two daughters, Rhonda (Jon) Marlette of Nashua, IA, and Sierra (Zach) Shaffer of Burlington; one step-daughter, Teresa (Ernie) Taylor of Burlington; three step-sons, Dennis, David, and Duane Marlette; nine grandchildren; one great-grandchild on the way; brothers, Lester Plath of West Burlington, John Plath of West Burlington, and Randy Plath of Stronghurst, IL; and sister, Carol Forester of Burlington.
Besides her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Lenora.
Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM with a short service of the word at 7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Concordia Lutheran Church.
The funeral service for Mrs. Marlette will be 10:00 AM Thursday, August 25, 2022, at Concordia Lutheran Church with Pastor Christopher Roepke officiating. Burial will be in Prairie Grove Cemetery.
Memorials have been established for Concordia Lutheran Church and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Sandy’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Shirley L. Stevenson, 89 of Burlington died Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center.
Born February 25, 1933 in Hopkins, MO she was the daughter of Dale and Doris Wilson Owens. She married Robert M. Stevenson on December 13, 1953 in Hopkins, MO. He died June 24, 1978.
Over the years Shirley worked for Gray’s Insurance in Missouri, the Auditors office at the Des Moines County Courthouse and for Martha Brown Clothing, Ltd.
Shirley attended Asbury United Methodist Church in Burlington and was a past president of the Ruth Circle. She was involved with the VFW in the 1970s and she enjoyed spending time with her family in Northwest Missouri every 4th of July.
Survivors include two daughters Karen Stevenson and Linda Hanger of Burlington; one son Kirby Stevenson of Moline, IL; three grandchildren Ashley Johnson of Sioux City, SD, Carlee Swanson of Blandinsville, IL and Bryce Hanger of Raritan, IL; six great grandchildren Carson, Kinsley, Kendall Julissa, Daniel and Jenna; sister Betty (Weldon) Dowden of Bartlesville, OK and brother Terry (Melodee) Owens of Hopkins, MO.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and three brothers Donald Owens, Wayne Owens, and Larry Dale Owens.
Per her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to Lunning Chapel.
There will be a graveside service at 1pm Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Memorial Gardens in Maryville, MO.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Mrs. Sue Ann Moehle Siefken of Burlington, Iowa died Sunday, August 21st, 2022 at the Danville Care Center.
Born September 9, 1947 in Burlington, IA she was the daughter of Edward and Helen Moehle. She married Robert Siefken January 26, 1968.
Survivors include her husband Robert; son Darrin (Janeen) Siefken of Tripoli, IA; two daughters Kimberly (Larry) Miller and Traci (Rick Dittmann) Siefken both of Burlington; three grandchildren Brett (Hannah) Miller of Stuart, IA, Bailey Elizabeth Miller of Cedar Rapids, IA and Kylee (JT) Beal of Wellsville, MO; two great grandsons Dean Lawrence Miller and Jameson Archer Beal; four brothers Robert (Ellen) Moehle, William Moehle, Raymond Moehle, Ed (Mollie) Moehle all of Mediapolis, IA; cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Per her wishes cremation has been accorded and entrusted to Lunning Chapel.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Robert “Bob” Russell Oetken, 99, of Danville, died Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Savannah Heights, Mt. Pleasant.
He was born March 1, 1923 in Burlington on the family farm on Irish Ridge Road, the son of August H. and Dora Bartusch Oetken. He attended Hunter Country School. On September 23, 1952 he married Evelyn Maxine Stodgell in Burlington. She died September 5, 2014.
Bob worked at JI Case in Burlington during World War II and retired from Heatilator in Mt. Pleasant after 24 years. He was also a lifelong farmer who loved being with his family, gardening and “growing things”. He was a member of the Danville First Baptist Church.
He is survived by his sons, Gary (Pam) Oetken of Danville and Chuck (Sandee) Oetken of New London; his daughters, Mary (Scott) Sylvester of Ankeny and Sharon (Randy) Schinstock of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren Riley Smith, Sarha (Dave) Smith, Julie Warner, Adam (Cheryl) Pulse, Samantha (Jeremy) Carter, Colton Schinstock, Grant Sylvester, Ashley Schinstock; nine great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Joanne Oetken of Burlington; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Maxine; brothers Herbert, Raymond and Alfred; and sisters Frances and Helen.
Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, August 24 at Elliott Chapel, New London with the family receiving friends one hour prior to a private family service at 11:00 AM. Rev. Jack Edmission will officiate. Burial will be held in Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville. Memorials have been established to Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and Tunnels to Towers. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com
A graveside inurnment for John Waters who passed away on April 5, 2020 and Joann Gabeline Waters who passed away April 26, 2022 will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 27, 2022 at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Pastor Mike Johnson will officiate the service. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
