Allan “Monte” Montague Geddes, 92, of Mediapolis, passed away on Tuesday, October 3, 2023. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Service in Mediapolis. Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at the funeral home. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at McConnell-Geddes Cemetery northwest of Fountain Green, Illinois. A memorial has been established in Monte’s name. Online condolences can by left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Allan Montague Geddes was born on Jan. 15, 1931 imn LaHarpe, IL, the son of Allen G. and Edna Montague Geddes. He married Erma M. Melvin on June 19, 1955 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. He was a member of the Fountain Green Presbyterian Church. He attended grade school and the first three years of high school in Fountain Green and graduated from La Harpe high school in 1949. He was Ammo Cpl 4th Gun Section with C Battery, 780th Field Artillery Battalion in the Korean War in 1952 & 1953. He remained in the Illinois National Guard where he received his commission in 1957. He was active in the American Legion and served the First District of Iowa as Commander in 1980-81 and fourteen years as Finance Officer. He also was a life member in the American Legion, VFW, KWVA and Masonic Lodge #195 in La Harpe, IL.
He grew up on the family farm and loved that life, but later was employed by Iowa Industries in Burlington, Iowa. He was a production supervisor with Champion Spark Plug manufacturing operation and retired in 1990. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting. He was a master gardener and beekeeper. He also enjoyed people and never met a stranger. He had a wonderful sense of humor and usually had a story or a joke to share.
He is survived by his wife; two sons Thomas K. and Brett A. (Margaret) of Plano, TX; one sister Joy Geddes of Arlington Heights, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister Jean Lynn of Peoria, Illinois.
Miriam Elizabeth Francis, 92, of Fort Madison, formerly of Burlington, died Monday, October 9, 2023 at her residence at the Kensington in Fort Madison.
Born, January 3, 1931 in Salem, Iowa, she was the daughter of Walter and Mary (Hudson) Elmore. She attended Salem elementary and graduated from Salem High School.
On July 12, 1950 she married Bruce Robert “Bob” Francis in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. He passed away July 25, 2021.
She retired from factory work in 1994 after 25 years. She then worked at the Maid-rite diner for 10 years until she retired. She and Bob worked at Yellowstone National Park during the summers.
Miriam was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in West Burlington. She enjoyed quilting with the church ladies, baking, sewing, traveling and hiking in the mountains with Bob. She was a member of AARP. She enjoyed the coffee group at Paneras, especially with her good friend Doris.
Survivors include two sons Dannie (Joyce) Francis of Wever, Iowa and Marc Francis of Burlington; eight grandchildren, Chad(Nicole) Francis of Canon City, Colorado, Daniele (Adam) Lakin of Monument, Colorado, Tom Patterson of Burlington, Ben (Megan) Patterson of LeClaire, Iowa, Kim (Nick) LaFauce of West Burlington, Caleb (Whitney) Titus of Burlington and Ryan Francis of Mason City, Iowa; two step grandsons Joseph (Shea) Eddy of Grimes, Iowa and Jacob Eddy of Ames, Iowa; many great grandchildren and one great-great grandson; one sister Margaret Triska of Salem, Iowa; two brothers Wayne (Mary) Elmore of Omaha, Nebraska and Larry Elmore of Franklin, North Carolina; one sister-in-law Martha Dooley of Freeport, Illinois.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bob, daughter Kathleen Titus and her husband Craig, son Kevin Francis, grandsons Trent Francis and Michael Menke; sisters Patsy Smith, Mary Lou Stewart and Beverly Lyle; sister-in-law Martha Elmore; brothers-in-law Dick Triska, John Smith and Willie Stewart.
The memorial visitation will be held 4 to 6 pm, Saturday, October 14th at Lunning Chapel. Inurnment will be at Salem South Cemetery at a later date.
Per her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established for Peace Lutheran Church.
Donald “Ray” Harris, 77, of Burlington, died Friday, September 22, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.
He was born August 20, 1946, in Tulsa, OK, and was the son of Willie and Ida Mae Pouncil Harris. He married the love of his life, Margo Parrish, on November 25th, 1987 in Tulsa, OK.
He attended Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa, OK.
Ray would then go on to work for Champion Spark Plug for 30 years, where he handled a multitude of responsibilities along with being a proud Union Rep and Grievance Fighter.
Ray attended Heritage Baptists Church and was a member of St. Johns African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was known for numerous acts of charity; such as starting a food pantry and working for United Way. After Margo, some of his other loves were golfing, fishing, hunting, playing dominoes, listening to music, watching western movies, and last but not least he was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.
Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Margo Harris of Burlington; his children, Travares (Jennifer) Harris of Minneapolis, MN, Shayla Harris of Plymouth, MN, Deanna Lewis of Milwaukee, WI, Harry (Trisha) Lewis of Newton, IA, and James Lewis of Semi Valley, CA; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; three sisters, Odessa Burkhaulter of Tulsa, OK, Cathy Harris of Tulsa, OK, and Dianna Kaye Harris of Tulsa, OK.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two children, Donald Ray Harris Jr. and Nina Harris, granddaughter DeAndrya Harris, his five brothers, Bobby, Willie Jr., Earnest, Wilbert and Michael Harris, and sister Maybelline Harris, Alden Harris, Alire Rogene, and Marilyn Harris.
Visitation will be from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM with the family to receive friends Friday, October 13, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service.
The funeral service for Mr. Harris will be 2:00 PM Friday, October 13, 2023, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. A repast will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church following the service. Cremation will be entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory following the service.
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 Donald’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Sherry Lee Wolfe, 75, of Burlington and formerly of Oakville for 27 years, died Monday, October 9, 2023 at her home.
Born June 13, 1948, she was the daughter of Lyle and Mary (Hasten) Brandstetter.
Sherry graduated from Burlington High School in 1966 and from Burlington Hospital School of Nursing in 1969 with her RN. She went on to serve her country in the United States Navy. She was stationed at the Newport Navy Hospital for 2 years and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She served during the Vietnam conflict and was commissioned as LT. J. G.
On September 20, 1969 she married John Wolfe Sr, in Burlington at First Christian Church.
Sherry was a Registered Nurse at Burlington Medical Center and Great River Medical Center as an OB nurse. She retired October 11, 2012.
Sherry was a member of Harmony Bible Church and the Jane Delano Retired Nurses Association. Her hobbies included gardening, canning, reading, ladies’ Bible study and cake decorating for family members. She supported all her grandchildren’s activities and was present for the births of most of her grandkids.
Survivors include John, her husband of 54 years; two daughters Julie (Jonathan) Zimmer of Sperry, Iowa, Amanda (Steve) Reid of Burlington; one son John Wolfe Jr of Davenport, Iowa; six grandchildren Jonah and Jesse Zimmer, Ryan and Rylee Reid and Winnifred and Everett Wolfe; three brothers Joseph (Beth) Brandstetter of Redmond, Oregon, David (Beth) Brandstetter of Vinton, Iowa, Todd (Danette) Brandstetter of Middletown, Iowa; one sister Cynthia (Darrell) Bachtell of Burlington, Iowa and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The Memorial Service for Sherry will be 11:00 AM, Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Lunning Chapel with Pastor Nathan Williams officiating. Inurnment will be at Edwards Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service starting.
Cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
Memorials have been established for the Jane Delano Nurses Association and Harmony Bible Church Benevolence Fund.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
E. Joan Trail, 91, of West Burlington, died Friday, October 6, 2023, at the Oakview Care and Rehabilitation Center in Burlington.
Born February 16, 1932, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, she was the daughter of Basil S. and Elsie Beavers.
She married Jack C. Trail on October 19, 1952, in Burlington. He died April 1, 2013.
Joan worked for Northwestern Bell, and later as a crossing guard at Maple and Central Streets.
She was a wonderful mother to four children along with all of the neighborhood children. She was an avid collector of turtles, loved gardening a bird watching. She was a former member of the American Legion Auxiliary and a member of the “Turtle Club”.
She is survived by her three children; Terry (Teresa) Trail of Des Moines, Iowa, Jan (Milam Thomas) Trail of Grimes, Iowa and Marisa Trail of West Burlington; three grandchildren, Korey Trail, Ashley McAllister and Dusty Trail and her Turtle, “Lightning” of 56 years, who is estimated to be 78 years old!
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son William “Bill” Trail and two brothers, Robert Beavers and Virgil Beavers.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date. According to her wishes, cremation has been entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established for the family.
Buddy A. Casey, 87, of Oquawka, died Friday, October 6, 2023, at his home.
Born October 13, 1935, in Bingham, IL, he was the son of Levi Thomas and June Eileen Meyer Casey. On March 14, 1959, he married Carol Davis in Illinois.
He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Nantahala.
Buddy worked as an ironworker for the Local 393 out of Chicago for many years. He later work as a carpenter.
Buddy was an avid reader. He also enjoyed playing chess and cards, especially with his friends on thirsty Thursday. He loved his family and enjoyed the Casey Family Reunion.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Casey of Oquawka, IL; son, Denis (Eveliane) Casey of Oquawka, IL; four grandchildren, Denis Casey, Jr., Kenny (Gabby) Casey, Shelby (Charley), and Heaven (Malachi); five great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Wanda Casey of Oquawka and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Joseph, Ronald, Larry, and Terry; two sisters Ramona (Richard) Wilson, and Gwen (Bill) Forrester.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Buddy’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Kenneth Eugene Simmons, 75, of New London, died Wednesday, October 4, 2023. He was born May 23, 1948 to Virgil Berthel and Henrietta Lee Simmons Hennessee. He married Virginia Ronk Simmons and they later divorced.
He was a graduate of New London High School and a member of New London Christian Church. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Panama. For thirty-five years he worked as a draftsman at CECO and retired from IAAP in Middletown.
Kenny loved tinkering in his garage, woodworking, house remodeling, keeping his yard pristine, going to Hardee’s for coffee with the gang, and visiting pawn shops; but mostly enjoyed raising his twin granddaughters and spending time with them and his great-granddaughters.
Survivors include his granddaughters that he raised; Annie (Josh) Pence of Red Oak and Kaity Bench of Danville; great-granddaughters Kaidyn and Makenzie; his loving partner of nearly fifteen years, Linda Peterson of New London and her children and grandchildren; sister Connie Tarrence of New London; nieces and nephews, Mike Raines, Jodi Jackson, Jana Fallon, Ken Bunkley, and Mike Bunkley; and his beloved dog, Otis. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Joann and Carol.
Visitation at Elliott Chapel, New London, will begin at noon on October 16, 2023 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established for the New London High School Industrial Technology class. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Robert Eugene Teesdale, 58, of Fort Madison, Iowa, passed away at 7:00 a.m. Monday, October 2, 2023 at his home.
Robert was born March 17, 1965 in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Robert Terry and Ruth (Kinney) Teesdale.
Mr. Teesdale was a graduate in Nauvoo-Colusa High School, where he enjoyed participating in basketball and baseball. Following high school he attended Wichita Automotive & Electronics Institute in Wichita, Kansas. He worked as a welder and in construction all of his life.
He was an avid outdoorsmen and enjoyed hunting, camping and especially fishing.
Survivors include one daughter: Michelle (Sheldon) Martin of Donnellson, Iowa; his mother: Ruth Teesdale of Colusa, Illinois; four grandchildren: Mariah, Macy, Landon and Layna Martin; one nephew: Terry (Brittany) Teesdale of LaHarpe and one niece: Nichole Beach of Fort Madison.
He was preceded in death by his father and sister: Angela Ruth Kershner.
Cremation has been entrusted to Banks & Beals Funeral Home.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, Illinois.
A memorial fund has been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospotal. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Robert’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
