Mary Jane Levins, 89, of West Burlington, died Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Klein Center.
Born, December 5, 1932 in Burlington she was the daughter of Zachary Taylor and Jeanette Jean Trump Kuster.
Mary was a graduate of Burlington High School class of 1950. She married A. Patrick “Pat” Levins, Jr. on November 29, 1952 in Burlington. He died June 13, 2004.
Mary was the manager of Younker’s children’s clothing department. She worked there for 30 years, retiring in 1999.
She was a member of Divine Mercy Parish. She adored her family and loved working at Younker’s children’s department. “I’m Mary Jane, the oldest of ten” was a favorite saying.
Survivors include one daughter Rebecca Jane Norris of The Woodlands, TX; two sons Timothy Patrick (Tamara) Levins of Nebraska City, NE, and David Thomas (Carol) Levins of West Burlington; seven grandchildren Nathan, Jacob, and Seth (Roxy) Norris, Benjamin Levins, Bethany (Todd) Perry, Ryan (Luci) Levins, and Emily (Mark) Levins-Rhomberg; Three great grandchildren Maxwell Perry, Norah Perry and Harrison Levins; siblings Dennis Kuster of Burlington, Dwight Kuster of Cedar Rapids, IA, Jeannette Hennenfent of Smithshire, IL, Deborah Eastburn of Bettendorf, IA, Thomas Kuster of West Burlington and Karen Eickmann of Cedar Rapids, IA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two brothers Doren and Dean and one sister Sandra Finnegan.
The Funeral Mass of Resurrection for Mary will be Saturday, November 5th at SS Mary and Patrick Catholic Church in West Burlington with Reverend Father Denis Hatungimana as Celebrant. Family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM followed by a Rosary Service and the funeral service. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in West Burlington. A time of food and fellowship will follow in the St. Mary’s fellowship hall.
Memorials have been established for St. Mary’s Grotto, Klein Center and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Helen Ruth White, 99, of Carlinville, Illinois, passed away at 8:03 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at her home.
Helen was born October 14, 1923 at home in LaHarpe, Illinois, the daughter of Sidney Chester and S. Hazel (McCord) Link. In 1976 she married Lyle Robert White in Rockford, Illinois.
Mrs. White was raised and educated in the LaHarpe area. In 1992 she moved to Carlinville, Illinois. She was an active member of Memorial Christian Church in Carlinville and the Carlinville Senior Citizens, serving as Secretary/Treasurer for many years. She also participated in projects to better the community through the Take It To Town Group in Carlinville.
Survivors include three daughters: Kay Stinnett of Carlinville, Marlene (Randy) Kramer of Byron, Illinois and Robin (Dan) Gage-Olson of Benbrook, Texas and three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband she was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters: Velma Link in infancy, Lola Cooper, Kathrine Glisan and Idel Kreps and five brothers: Vernon Link in infancy, John, Herman, Kenneth and Eldon Link and son-in-law, Jim Stinnett.
Private family graveside services will be held in LaHarpe Cemetery.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home of LaHarpe is assisting the family.
A memorial fund has been established for the Carlinville Senior Citizens Center. Memorials and cards may be sent to Helen Ruth White Memorial Fund, c/o Banks & Beals Funeral Home, P.O. Box 503, LaHarpe, Illinois 61450. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Helen’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Joanne Elizabeth Oetken, 90, of Burlington, died Thursday, November 3, 2022, at the Bickford Cottage in Burlington, surrounded by her family and loving caregivers.
Born April 2, 1932, in Burlington, she was the daughter of Charles B. and Marie Hauber Doebele. On February 13, 1955, she married Alfred Ralph Oetken in Burlington. They remained happily together until his passing on April 19, 2013.
She graduated Burlington High School in 1949.
Joanne held a variety of jobs over the years, including a telephone operator, travel agent and a medical assistant.
She was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ, The Red Hat Ladies and a former president of central council and Girl Scouts Leader. She enjoyed canning the harvest from her husband’s garden and cooking. Joanne was an expert pie maker, especially grape pie. She loved to sew and made hundreds of quilts for babies in the hospital as well as her daughter’s wedding dresses and the neighbor girl’s dresses.
Survivors include her daughters, Diana “Dee Dee” (Dennis) Glancy and Nancy (Ted) Gutman both of Burlington; four grandchildren, Ashlee (Luke) Barnes, Holly (Ryan) Luttenegger, Teddy (Justina) Gutman, and Ben (Kelsey) Glancy; seven great-grandchildren, Lydia, Shea and Cole Barnes, Jackson and Brock Luttenegger, Theo Gutman, and Charli Glancy; many loved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, infant brother, James, and brother Charles Dobele.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM Monday, November 7, 2022 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mrs. Oetken will be 11:00 AM Monday, November 7, 2022, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home following the burial.
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 Joanne’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Debra (Debbie) Little, 63, of Carthage, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Carthage, Illinois.
Debbie was born February 22, 1959 in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Fred and Dixie (Taylor) Moyes. On July 2, 1993 she married Cole Little in Fort Madison, Iowa. He survives.
Debbie was raised and educated in the Keokuk, Iowa and Hamilton, Illinois area. Debbie had many titles and jobs throughout her life and most recently worked for MJ’s Bar & Grill in Carthage. However, her favorite title was being a mother to her two children, and recently she earned the title of grandmother. She never met a stranger and everyone she knew was family. Debbie enjoyed camping with her family, driving Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and
of course, socializing. She attended the Fountain Green Presbyterian Church and The Crossing in Macomb.
Survivors include her husband: Cole; one daughter: Aurora (Derek) Churchwell of Ventura, California; one son: Sonny (Gwendolyn) Little of Quincy, Illinois; one granddaughter: Ada Churchwell; four brothers: John (Rhonda) Moyes, Mark (Regina) Moyes, Fred (Cindy) Moyes, and Phil Moyes; one sister: Theresa Bryant, her step-mother: Mary Moyes of Elvaston, Illinois, and several nieces, nephews and pets.
She was preceded in death by her parents and brother: Ted Moyes.
A Celebration of Debbie’s Life will be held from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2022 at the University of Illinois Extension Building, 550 N. Madison St., Carthage, Illinois 62321.
A time for sharing memories will be held at 4:00 p.m. For those attending Harley-Davidson attire is encouraged and, weather permitting, feel free to ride your motorcycle to the celebration.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home of LaHarpe is assisting the family.
A memorial fund has been established for the American Red Cross. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Debbie’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Mary E. Mercer Huddleston, 102, of Burlington, died at Oakview Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on Monday, October 31, 2022.
Mary was born April 4, 1920 near Packwood, Iowa, the daughter of Edward and Iva Ramsey Mercer. On September 12, 1943 she married Walter E. Huddleston in Newport, R.I. where both were serving in the US Army. She enlisted as a WAAC during WWII. She was a teacher for a short time, a homemaker, and a bookkeeper for Benner Tea Company in Burlington. They raised their family in New London. They moved to Amarillo, Texas and retired to Hendersonville, North Carolina before returning to Burlington. She loved to travel with her husband all over the United States and was an avid reader. She was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, Burlington.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Mary L. Schwartz, Indianapolis, IN; her son, Robert A. (Dorie) Huddleston, Mt. Union; grandchildren, Daniel Crook, Indianapolis, IN, Kristen (Bob) Alfred, Denmark, IA, Jacob (Annie) Huddleston, Oak Grove, MO; seven great-grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, seven step-great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Walter; one son Bill; five brothers and three sisters.
Friends may call after 9:00 AM on November 12, 2022 at Elliott Chapel, New London, where the family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 AM with a graveside service with Military Rites immediately following at Maple Hills Cemetery, Birmingham. A memorial has been established for Faith Lutheran Church, Burlington. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com
Donald Ernest Hanson, 80, of New London, died Saturday October 29, 2022 at Arbor Springs in West Des Moines. He was born March 12, 1942 in Mt. Pleasant to John Nicholas and Katherine Martha Bell Hanson. He was a 1960 graduate of New London High School. On December 30, 1959 he married Elizabeth Ann Parker. She died March 2, 2021.
For more than forty years, Don worked as a lineman for local telephone companies. He attended the Christian Church; was a Mason; and he enjoyed fishing, hunting and gardening.
He is survived by his children, Mary (Tony) Martin of New London, Julie (Charles) Griffith of Cape Coral, Florida, Barbara Kaine of Ft. Myers, Florida, Michael Hanson of New London, and Tiffany (Wayne) Bergman of Altoona; fifteen grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; three sisters, Virginia Warren of Pennsylvania, Mary Becker of Missouri, and Susie (Bob) Henderson of Mt. Pleasant; and one brother Jim Hanson (Darlene) of New London. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, one son Kenneth and his brother Frank.
According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday at Burge Cemetery, rural New London. Friends may call from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm at Elliott Chapel, New London. Those wishing to follow in procession to the cemetery should meet at the funeral home at 1:30 pm. A memorial has been established for the Lewy Body Dementia Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Belva Dean Birch, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Burlington, died Sunday, October 30, 2022 at Arbor Court Mt. Pleasant. She was born July 15, 1936 in Hubbs, New Mexico to Cecil Bert and Jessie Marion Rusher Hudson. On July 15, 1956 she married Walter R. Birch in Burlington. He died January 13, 2003.
Belva grew up in Hobbs, New Mexico, until 4th grade when her family moved to Sulfer City, Arkansas, following her dad’s work. She attended a one room school there. Two years later they moved to Elkins, Arkansas, then to Kosh Konong, Missouri where she graduated from high school in 1955. She was a 50+ year member of the First Baptist Church in Burlington.
In Belva’s spare time, she likes to crochet, embroider and paint fuzzy posters. Belva likes mysteries on TV and good “love stories” to read. She was a St. Louis Cardinal fan and spends hours with Walter rooting them on. She worked at Champion, then at Automated Vending Service for 22 years. She was a sandwich maker and prepared sandwiches to fill vending machines.
Walter and Belva had four children; John in 1957, Steven Dean in 1959, Kathy in 1961 and David in 1967. They loved having a family and built a life around providing a good home for them.
Survivors include her son David (J. Anna) Birch of New London; daughter Katherine Taylor Birch of Burlington; eleven grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; two sons Steve and John; sister Glenna Ruth James; and brothers Thurman and Emory.
According to her wishes, Belva has been cremated and a graveside service will be at 1:00 pm, Friday, November 4, 2022 at Memorial Park in Burlington. A memorial has been established for the Arbor Court activity fund where they took excellent care of Belva. Elliott Chapel, New London is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Joe K. Noe, 78, of Blandinsville, Illinois, passed away at 7:38 a.m. Friday, October 28, 2022 at Roseville Rehabilitation & Health Care in Roseville, Illinois.
Joe was born July 16, 1944 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, the son of Fred and Bonnie (Kiley) Noe. On June 6, 1987 he married Loretta “Lorri” Russ at the Aurora Christian Church in Aurora, Illinois.
Mr. Noe was a graduate of Naperville High in Naperville, Illinois. He attended Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa and received his bachelors degree from Milligan University in Elizabeth, Tennessee. Joe was an ordained minister and preached at various churches earlier in life. He and Lorri resided in Blandinsville for the past 25 years.
Joe had a passion for raising and training Llewellin Setters. He enjoyed running and participating in field trials with his dogs and often judged the competitions. His passion lead him to write a weekly outdoor sports column for the Bureau County Republic Newspaper and numerous other magazine articles.
Joe was instrumental in obtaining two large state parks in Illinois, the first being Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park and the second being Pyramid State Park, both allow horseback field trails to this day. Joe presented the proposal to obtain the land at Pyramid State Park to the Illinois General Assembly at the capital in Springfield. This resulted in a unanimous vote for the acquisition of the land. Pyramid State Park has field trials and many other outdoor sports available to the public.
Survivors include his wife: Lorri of Blandinsville, four children, three step-children, numerous grandchildren and one sister: Bonnie Noe of Kenosha, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Joe’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
