She was born September 28, 1940 in Burlington, Iowa, the daughter of Karl Fredrick and Marjorie M. (Davey) Ruschill. Dorothy first married Edward E. Kentch. They later divorced. On May 13, 1975 she married Daniel Henson. He preceded her in death on January 21, 2009.
Dorothy was a graduate of Denmark High School. She worked for a short time at the former St. Francis Hospital in Burlington and spent 30 years employed at Sheaffer Pen in Fort Madison, Iowa. Dorothy served as secretary of Ducks Unlimited. She enjoyed shooting pool, bowling, going to the casino and raising flowers. She also liked to dance, shop with friends and joke around with friends and family. She especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and had fond memories of being on the farm with her dad.
Dorothy is survived by her longtime companion, Stan Markham, two daughters, Carla Kentch of Dallas City and Christi Kentch of Fort Madison along with Stan’s children, Mark (Elizabeth) Markham, Tammy (Brad) Johnson, Troy Markham and Tad (Carrie) Markham.
Also surviving are five grandchildren, Billy Jack Dewein, Blake Rea, Rashei (Will) Stuekerjuergen, Clark Rutledge and Curstin Rutledge, 4 great-grandchildren, Ellee Taylor, Broc Rutledge, Jaylyn Rea and Chase Lovall, one step-great-grandson, Christian Stuekerjuergen, two sisters-in-law, Delores Ruschill and Mary Ruschill both of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by one son, Curtis Eugene Kentch, one daughter, Carroll J. “CJ” Kentch, husband, Daniel Henson, great-grandson, Dante Stuekerjuergen, sister, JoAnn Yaley, two brothers, Donald and Jim Ruschill and her dog, “Buddy”.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Pastor Jordan Knight officiating. Burial will follow in the Harris Cemetery near Dallas City.
The family will meet with friends Saturday at the funeral home from 2:00 p.m. until time of services.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Dallas City Food Pantry or Hospice Compassus. To leave an online condolence, please visit Dorothy’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Ronald Ervin Miller, 78, of New London, died Saturday, May 3, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. He was born January 17, 1947 in Maynard, Iowa to Howard T. and Elsie Henrietta Fisher Miller. On June 19, 1966 he married Nancy Wanda Riepe in New London. She died August 19, 2023.
Ron was a 1965 graduate of New London High School, then graduated from Southeastern Community College and Iowa State University. He taught and coached at New London High School for ten years. Then he began farming and working with Riepe Electric alongside his father-in-law, Wally Riepe, while also doing contracting work with Kirby Moon. Ron loved his cattle; going to Canada on fishing trips; and supporting his children and grandchildren in all their sports and activities. Through the years, he served on the New London School Board, New London Utility Board, the Prairie Ag Coop Board, and was a member of the Ruritans. He was a member of the Trinity Cemetery Board and Black and Gold Backers. He especially enjoyed attending Mardi Gras in New Orleans with his brother, Evan.
Ron is survived by his daughters, Lena (Michael) Jones of New London and Rachel (Jason) Huegel of Ankeny; four grandchildren, Tate and Morgan Jones and Ev and Jayden Huegel; sisters Susan (Jerry) Prottsman and Cynde (Bob) Lemley both of New London; brother Evan (Ellen) Miller of Valdosta, Georgia; sister-in-law Carol (Don) Miller of Washington, Iowa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife.
A funeral service for Mr. Miller will be held at 10:00 am, Friday, May 9, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London with burial following at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Visitation will begin at noon on Thursday, May 8, at Elliott Chapel with the family greeting friends from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Jackie LeRoy Mettler, 75, of New London, died Wednesday, April 30, 2025 in the Emergency Department of Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center, West Burlington. He was born June 20, 1949 to Theodore Frederick, Jr and Estella Ann Chewning Mettler. On January 26, 1971 he married Patricia Ann Hinshaw in Oquawka, Illinois. She died July 21, 2021.
He served in the Marines during Vietnam, then served in the Air Force. Jackie worked for “Gales” in Galesburg, then after moving to New London, he worked as a maintenance mechanic at Metromail until retiring. He and Patricia owned and operated J&P Diecast in New London. He was an avid race car fan and used to race at 34 Raceways. He was a huge fan of NASCAR and the Chicago Bears.
Survivors include his children Jacqueline (Casey) Mettler Drew and Shane (Mindy) Mettler both of New London; and Angie (Gary) Bell of San Tan Valley, Arizona; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his sister Linda Groves. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; brothers Jeff and Ted; and granddaughter Valerie.
The family will greet friends from 10:00 am – noon Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London with military rites at 10:00 by The Henry County Honor Guard. A reception will immediately follow at the New London VFW Post #7641. Inurnment of his cremains will be at a later date at Pleasant Grove Cemetery, rural Danville. A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Renal Dialysis. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Fern was born September 25, 1925 in Lomax, the daughter of Clifford E. “Tommy” and Dollie (Eckhardt) Welch. On January 18, 1952 she married Lloyd Beryl Sparrow at the Church of the Nazarene in Lomax. He preceded her in death April 19, 2025.
Fern lived all of her life in the Lomax area. She was a 1943 graduate of Dallas City High School. After high school, she worked for IAAP during WWII. She then worked for Shaeffer Pen in Fort Madison, where she was active on their softball team. Following her marriage, she worked for her father-in-law at the Lomax Canning Factory. She also sold Avon Products for over 45 years. She was a member of the Avon President’s Club, Lomax Church of the Nazarene and sat on the Lomax Election Board. She enjoyed bowling and especially time spent with her family.
Survivors include five children: Carla (Don) Williams of West Burlington, Lloyd E. (Janie) Sparrow of Ocala, Florida, Ann (Michael) Brooks of Crestview, Florida, Martin Sparrow of Dallas City and Byron (Jennifer) Sparrow of Stronghurst; 11 grandchildren: Adonica (Michael) Gould, Lucas (Kaylyn) Sparrow, John (Stephanie) Sparrow, Chastity (Steve) Heagerty, Marc (Skye Moore) Sparrow, Bobby Sparrow, Danielle Sparrow, Monte Cole, Kaitlin (Matt) McVey, Jacob Sparrow and Mitchell Sparrow, 13 great-grandchildren and one sister-in-law, Jean Anne Sparrow of Salem, Iowa.
Besides her husband of 73 years, Beryl, she was preceded in death by a half brother: Roger Gittings, half sister: Phyllis Pindell and one daughter-in-law: Traci Sparrow.
The funeral service for Fern will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10, 2025 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City with Pastor Jordan Knight officiating.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 10th at Banks & Beals in Dallas City.
Cremation will be accorded following services. Burial will be held at a later date in Crane Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established for Hospice Compassus or the Lomax Fire Department. To leave an online condolence for the family, please visit Fern’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.
Myrna Lougee Vaughan Zabloudil, 87, passed away on Thursday, May 1, 2025 at her home.
She was born on September 12, 1937, to Roy Lougee Vaughan and Geneva Ethel Murphy Vaughan. She lived in Burlington her entire life.
She taught music at Horace Mann Junior High for 32 years.
Myrna attended school in Burlington when it was located on the top story of the old High School on Valley Street. She then went to the University of Iowa to major in music; graduating in 1959. While in college, she played violin in the orchestra for two years under director, James Dixon. She taught one year in Chariton, Iowa and then became a teacher in the same school she attended as a child.
Along with teaching, she began writing music. She wrote and produced a ninth grade operetta entitled “Rapunzel, Rapunzel, Let Down Your Hair”. She was the choir director for First United Methodist Church for over 20 years. When the church purchased seven octaves of English Hand-bells, she became the director, and wrote and arranged many hymns. Myrna composed “Jubilation” which was chosen to be played at the Hand-bell National Convention in Oklahoma. Myrna also wrote a selection for the Delta Queen and the Mississippi Queen, and got to play the calliope when it entered Burlington. She composed an additional hand-bell piece entitled “Ring of Peace”, a selection which is played by two, three-octave hand-bell choirs who play antiphonally (answering each other) on different sides of the First United Methodist Church balcony.
Myrna loved the outdoors and all of nature. She was a 10 year member of the Master Gardeners and also belonged to the Great River Garden Club.
On April 16, 1990, she married Dr. Warren Charles Zabloudil. He preceded her in death on November 30, 2012.
She is survived by her second cousin, David Vaughan.
Besides her husband, Myrna was preceded in death by her parents, and sister, Beverly Jane.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
The memorial service for Mrs. Zabloudil will be 10:00 AM Friday, May 9, 2025, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street with Pastor DaMisha McFarland-Pollock officiating. Burial will follow at Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for Bethany Lutheran Church.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Myrna’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
