Obituaries for Friday April 28th

Truxton King “T.K.” Ford, 99, died Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born May 1, 1923, in California, he was the son of Elizabeth Frances (Hinman) and Erle Leighton Ford. T.K. was one of three children. On May 13, 1945, he married Ruth Mitchell in Coronado, California. Together they had four children. She later passed on July 8, 1986. After many years, he met Virginia Tutor and they married in Burlington on July 14, 2001. She later passed on January 5, 2018.

He graduated from North Platte, Nebraska High School in May of 1941, but missed the graduation ceremony because he enlisted in the Navy before turning 18 and had signed up for the “kiddie cruise”. The school left a spot open for him on the stage and his mother accepted his diploma for him. He was a United States Navy Veteran.

T.K. enlisted in the United States Navy on April 14, 1941, as an Apprentice Seaman. On August 4, 1941, he began AMM (Aviation Machinists Mate) School in Jacksonville, FL. He was promoted to Seaman Second Class on August 25, 1941. He graduated from AMM on November 22, 1941 and on November 25, 1941 he was sent to the Naval Receiving Station in Norfolk, VA where he was ultimately assigned to the U.S.S. Yorktown, CV-5, an aircraft carrier. On December 7, 1941, T.K. was in Norfolk, VA, when the attack on Pearl Harbor demanded that the U.S.S. Yorktown head to the Pacific, first to the Battle of the Coral Sea and then to the Battle of Midway. T.K. was an AMM3C (Aviation Machinists Mate 3rd Class) and a Plane Handler in the Battle of the Coral Sea as part of the VF-42. After the Battle of the Coral Sea, all enlisted men from the VF-42 became part of Jimmy Thach’s VF-3 squadron. T.K. then became an AMM2C and Plane Captain for a fighter plane in the Battle of Midway. During battle, the Yorktown was severely damaged by bombs and torpedoes and eventually had to be abandoned by its crew. T.K. was eventually picked up by the destroyer U.S.S. Russell, DD414. Following the Battle of the Coral Sea, T.K. was offered an appointment to Annapolis by Lt. Richard Crommelin, but opted instead for flight school. Between the Battle of Midway and flight school, T.K. briefly served in Ed “Butch” O’Hare’s squadron, meeting and shaking hands with Butch on one occasion.

T.K. came out of flight school as an AP1C (Aviation Pilot 1st Class). He flew as an AP1C (enlisted pilot with wings) until sometime in 1943 when an ALNAV offered a commission to pilots if they met certain standards. T.K., as a result, was commissioned as an Ensign. He flew the rest of the war as a utility pilot. After flying for some time as an Ensign, and after the war, there was another ALNAV which resulted in T.K. being temporarily assigned as a Lt. J.G. Although a career in the Navy was the original plan, with his first child on the way and no furlough or married housing available, T.K. resigned his commission as a temporary Lt. J.G., going back to Chief Aviation Pilot to go out on points. He then accepted assignment in the Naval Reserve as Lt. J.G. T.K. was proud of his achievement of having served in all enlisted pay grades.

Following the war, he attended college and law school at the University of North Dakota, thereafter moving to Burlington, IA, first to manage National Research Bureau and then to practice law. T.K. served several terms as the Des Moines County Attorney. During his 42 year general practice of law, he was the defense attorney in a number of high profile murder cases. T.K.’s daughter, Merry, practiced law with him for the last twenty-two years of his practice. He retired in 1999.

For recreation, he climbed a number of mountains, including but not limited to, Mount Rainer, the Grand Teton, and Long’s Peak. He also hiked solo 115 miles along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho, and in a different trip, hiked solo 210 miles along the Muir Trail in California, which ended with the climbing of Mount Whitney. He also liked to go white water rafting and traveled extensively.

Survivors include his children, Jan (Les) Edwards of Lincoln, NE, Merry (Jim) Wiseman of Burlington, IA, and Daniel (LuAnn Godlove) Ford of Wellman, IA; 10 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren and one on the way.

Besides his wives, he is preceded in death by his parents and son, T.K. “King” Ford, brothers, Erle Ford and Robert Ford.

The memorial service for Mr. Ford will be 1:00 PM Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the Service.

A memorial has been established for Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd., Staten Island, NY 10306.

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 T.K’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

John Wayne Ibbotson, 80, of Burlington, died Thursday, April 27, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.

Born January 15, 1943, in Burlington, he was the son of John Luther and Eunice Louisa Houseman Ibbotson. On May 1, 1965, he married Carolyn Ann Kuntz in Biggsville, IL. They later divorced.

He graduated in 1961 from Yarmouth High School. He was a U.S. Veteran and was in the U.S. Naval Reserves. John worked for the U.S. Gypsum Plant and Champion Company, retiring in 1987.

He was a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #579. He enjoyed the river, going out on the boat, taking cruises, canoeing and was an avid fisherman. He liked to go dancing, sing karaoke and listen to country music.

Survivors include his children John Paul Ibbotson of Colorado Springs, CO, Dianne Hayes of Iowa City, IA, Lynn (Paul) Humphreys of Winfield, Iowa and Meredith (Benny) Lee of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; eight grandchildren; sister, Nola Wilson of Milton, IA; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters Nina Vosecky and Nadine Ibbotson.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The memorial service for Mr. Ibbotson will be 1:00 PM Sunday, April 30, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Lieutenant Nathan Welch officiating. Burial will be in Burlington Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Salvation Army of Burlington.

Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.

Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting John’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

Duane “Red” Thornburg, 88, of Burlington, died Thursday, December 1, 2022, in Burlington.

Born November 17, 1934, in Lowell, IA, he was the son of Lloyd E. and Anna A. Berry Thornburg. On March 26, 1971, he married Linda Jean Russell in Oquawka, IL.

Red was a 1953 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.

He was a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Korean War from July 17, 1956 until April 30, 1958.

Duane worked at J.I. Case Co. for 30 years. He was then a delivery driver for O’Reillys Auto Parts.

He was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, UAW local 807, VFW, the Izaak Walton League where he served as president. He enjoyed woodworking, playing cards, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Bears. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing and cherished time with his family and grandchildren.

Survivors include wife, Linda Jean Thornburg of Burlington; three sons, Bryan (Pam) Thornburg of FL, Lafe A. Martin of Burlington and Joey (Hwa Cha) Thornburg of Severn, MD; four daughters, Ramah (Danniel) Gehle of Fort Madison, Cindy (Kirk) Krogmeier of Keokuk, Lisa (John Ross) Martin of Birmingham, MI and Teresa (Mike) Heitmeier of West Burlington; 12 grandchildren; several great grandchildren; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson Raymond Thornburg, six brothers, Laverne, Myron, Tommy, Edward, Dale, and Harold Thornburg.

Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.

The Celebration of Life for Mr. Thornburg will be from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM, Saturday, May 6, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard at 4:00PM. A private family burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery.

A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Hospice.

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 Duane’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

Frances Joan Powelson, 81, of LaHarpe, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois.
Joan was born September 29, 1941 in Lomax, Illinois, the daughter of Grover and Frances (Crosley) Hoskins. On March 1, 1958 she married Donald Powelson in Biggsville, Illinois. He preceded her in death February 2, 2011.
Joan was raised and educated in the Lomax, Illinois, area. She and her husband later moved to LaHarpe. In her younger years, she worked at the Lomax Canning Factory, Lomax, and Travelers Diner in LaHarpe, where she enjoyed visiting with the many costumers. She spent most of her life as a homemaker raising her four children.
She enjoyed gardening, flowers, doing yard work, sewing and mending clothes for her family.
Survivors include one daughter: Deana Stout of Dallas City; two sons: Timothy Powelson of Oelwein, Iowa and Jamey Powelson of Colchester, Illinois; 40 grandchildren, great-granchildren and great-great-grandchildren and one sister: Geraldine Meeks of LaHarpe, Illinois.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one son: Lynn Powelson; and eight siblings: Goldie, Elizabeth, Joseph, Johnny, Harvey, Albert, Grover and Donna.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in LaHarpe. A graveside service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at LaHarpe Cemetery with Harry Miller officiating.
A memorial fund has been established for the American Cancer Society. To leave a condolence for the family, please visit Mrs. Powelson’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.

Robert L. York, 66, of Burlington died April 25, 2023 at his home.
Born June 20, 1956 in Davenport, IA he was the son of John and Rosie (Southerland) York.
Robert graduated from Mediapolis High School. He married Dawn Kriel and they later divorced.
He was a production worker at Vista Bakery until his retirement. He previously did construction work. Robert enjoyed motorcycle riding, fishing and hunting, race car driving and camping.
Survivors include one daughter, Holly (Terrence) Hill of Burlington; three grandsons Keaton Dacy, Kane Hill and Korbyn Hill; two brothers John (Pam) York and Timothy (Sonia) York all of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew Dustin.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel. There will be no services at this time.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com

Betty Jean Larsen, 87, of Burlington, died Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington.
Born May 19, 1935 in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, she was the daughter of Ralph and Juanita (Booton) Lane.
She married Pastor John Larsen on July 1, 1995.
Throughout her life, Betty worked as a legal secretary for many attorneys until her retirement in September of 1994. After her retirement, she joined her husband in full time ministry.
She was a member of New Life Family Church and spent many years devoted to and serving God. She was a woman with strong faith, joy and love. Always the legal secretary, she journaled intensely about anything and everything.
Survivors include her husband and faithful companion John Larsen of Burlington; three daughters; Cheryl Ann Catanzaro of Cape Coral, Florida, Janice Marie (Jeff) Hemminger of Goldbar, Washington and Kimberly Jean Deam of Machias, Washington and her HERO, caregiver and son, Eric Larsen of Burlington; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Sunny) Lane of rural Burlington and Richard (Thelma) Lane of New London.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
A private family graveside service and interment will be held in White Oak Cemetery, rural Mount Pleasant. Pastor Richard Dutzer will officiate. A glorious celebration of Betty’s life will be held at a later date.
A memorial has been established in memory of Betty for New Life Family Church.

Gregory Alan Oriano, 53, of Burlington, died Friday, April 21, 2023, at his home.

The son of Richard Phillips and Martha Elaine Ammer Oriano, he was born July 10, 1969, in Burlington, IA. Greg graduated from Burlington High School in 1990 where he was the manager for the wrestling team.

After a 31-year career at McDonald’s he retired in 2020 having made many, many friends amongst his colleagues and “the regulars”. In addition to work, Scouting was a big part of Greg’s life. He roughed it at Camp Eastman every summer from 1983 to 2021 and earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2006. The Hope Haven community, where he played, worked, learned and lived was a blessing to Greg for 50 years. He made his home at Hope Haven’s Oriano and Brueck Houses since 2019.

Greg’s favorite pastimes were listening to his country music CDs, watching the Cubs and the Burlington Bees, and all things WWE Wrestling. He participated in the Special Olympics for many years enjoying swimming, track and field, soccer, bowling and basketball. He will be remembered for being a friend to everyone he met.

Survivors include his sister, Cindy (Steve) Noack of Iowa City; nephews, Michael (Brooke) Noack, and William Noack; niece, Claire Noack; great-nephew, Samuel Noack; aunts, Ann (Ken) Stutts of Grants Pass, OR, Mary Calder of Greenville, NC, and Wandalea Ammer of Ft. Madison, IA; and numerous cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his uncles and aunts, Hugh and Sarah Oriano, Glen and Shirley Ammer, and Melvin Ammer.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM Saturday, April 29, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service.

The funeral service for Mr. Oriano will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the
service. Cremation will be entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory following the service. Burial will be in Nauvoo City Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial has been established for Hope Haven.

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 Gregory’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.