Lila Ruth Brown, 82, of Yarmouth, died Monday, June 23, 2025 at her home. She was born July 15, 1942 in Burlington to Ralph George and Mary Ellen Smith Rice. On August 11, 1963 she married Donald Gene Brown in Mediapolis. He died August 6, 2013.
She was a 1960 graduate of Mediapolis High School and was a homemaker. Lila enjoyed sewing, mowing the yard, gardening and canning, working jigsaw and crossword puzzles, baking, attending yard sales, feeding the birds, volunteering, and going to her grandchildren’s ballgames. She loved watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, and the Indiana Fever.
Survivors include one son James (Pam) Brown of Yarmouth; twin grandchildren Debra and Micheal; and two brothers Ralph D. Rice of Milton, Iowa and Bill Rice of Morning Sun. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sons Paul and Dewayne; brothers Floyd and Donald; and sisters Mary and Minnie.
According to her wishes, her body has been cremated. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 3:00 pm, Friday, June 27, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London, then proceed in procession to Shinar Cumberland Cemetery, Pleasant Grove for a 3:30 graveside inurnment next to her beloved husband. A memorial has been established for “It Takes A Village, Just The F.A.K.s” (Foster Adoptive Kinship Support)”. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Clarence “Clar” Samuel Powell, 78, of Mediapolis, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 20, 2025, at Addington Place in Burlington.
Born December 12, 1946, in Burlington, he was the son of William John and Anna Frances Lasdauskis Powell. In the spring of 1970, married Sandra Claudette Dumse Spiker. Together they had one child, Marcus William Powell. They later divorced.
Clar took on many adventures, including managing the bowling alley at Camp Henson in Hawaii after he was wounded in Vietnam ,drove sprint cars at 34 Raceway, played semi pro football for the Burlington River Chiefs, and was a dedicated bodybuilder earning the title of Mr. Iowa in 1987. He spent the majority of his adult life as a welder at J.I. Case Company and was the President of the Local 807. After leaving JI Case he worked for the Des Moines County Conservation. His last role was courthouse security at the Des Moines County courthouse.
The biggest life event that shaped the trajectory of all the rest of his life, both good and bad, was when he joined the 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines 3rd Marine Division Company F weapons Platoon. He was part of the defensive battle known as the Hill Battles of Keh Sahn. He was wounded in action on May 9, 1967 and received a Purple Heart for his service that day.
Because of the Hill Fights, Clar had a drive to protect the safety and rights of others. This shaped him to be a protective father, the president of the Local where he was able to protect the rights of fellow co-workers, and to pursue careers in law enforcement and conservation. He was a comrade to many and always up to share a compliment to someone who was having a bad day.
Survivors include his son, Marcus (Annie) Powell; three grandsons, Tayler (Shelby) Powell, Nick Powell, and Brett Powell; one great-granddaughter, Crue all of New London; one brother, William “Bill” Powell of Sawyer, IA.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by 24 Marines from his company; including Lenard Picanso, his very best friend that he missed until the very day he died.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh Crematory.
Visitation will be from noon until 6:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM Thursday, June 26, 2025 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. He will be laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
Prugh Funeral Service is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Clar’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Chalmer was born and raised on the Mississippi River, near Carman, and was an avid fisherman and hunter. For 16 years, he worked as a medical laboratory technologist. Later he was an insurance agent, first for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, then later, owned his own agency in Roseville, Illinois for many years. He retired in 2008. He lived in Monmouth and Roseville for many years, then returned to the his home on the river in 2013. He had been an active member of the First Lutheran Church in Monmouth while living there, and was currently a faithful member of the Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington.
Chalmer was a member of the Carman Township Board, a former President of Ducks Unlimited, active in Pheasants Forever, and enjoyed following and encouraging his children and grandchildren in their sporting events.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra, one daughter, Wendy Henry (Dave) of Carmel, IN, two sons, Curtis Good (Rebecca) of Dahinda, IL, and Kevin Good (Kim) of LeClaire, IA. Also surviving are seven grandchildren, Dr. Aaron Henry (Brianne), Dr. Collin Henry (Dr. Nicole Williams), Brendon Good (Elizabeth), Chrystina Good-Lorentzen (Brandon), Sydney Good, Mikela Seroka, Bobbie Johnson, and fourteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Caleb Good, and one brother, Donald Good.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 26th at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst. The funeral service for Chalmer will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, with Rev. Da’Misha McFarland-Pollock officiating. Burial will follow in the Carman Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established for Messiah Lutheran Church. Please visit Chalmer’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
Brian A. Walters, 61, of Independence, formerly of Danville and Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, June 21, 2025 at his home. He was born in Burlington on October 26, 1963 to Donna Sue Grandstaff Elmore. He was a graduate of Danville High School and was of the Christian faith. On June 4, 2016, he married Keith Allan Nuehring in Independence.
After graduating he worked as a bartender at the Farmer’s Tavern in New London and the Moose Lodge in Mt. Pleasant. He worked for the Mt. Pleasant MHI until it’s closing, then at the Independence Mental Health Institute since 2016.
Brian was a member of the Moose Lodge and enjoyed his Wine of the Month Club. His two favorite times of the year were the fall and the Christmas season. He loved dressing nicely including the cologne, shoes and jewelry. Brian said “it takes a lot of money to look this good!” He was very witty and everyone enjoyed his sarcasm, even the wise cracks during stays at the hospital. Brian loved shopping, even to the grocery store; spending time with his small but close circle of friends; and loved visiting with people.
Survivors include his husband Keith of Independence; sister Bobbi (Craig) Huebner of New London; brother Kent Walters of Wayland; nephews, Kristofer Walters, Ben (Morgan) Fry, Nick (Rachael) Fry and Tylor (Bailey) Huebner; his old English bulldogs Ethel and Olive; his special friends Erin Sherrets, Corey Stoner, Chris Hemmer and Melissa Assink; and a host of other good friends. He was preceded in death by his mother and brother Kevin.
The family will greet friends from 10:00 – 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at Elliott Chapel. Inurnment at Burge Cemetery, New London, next to his beloved Mother and brother will immediately follow. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.
Geraldine “Gerrie” Wolfe, 99, of Morning Sun passed away on March 5, 2025 at Sunrise Terrace in Winfield. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 3, 2025 at Elmwood Cemetery. Following graveside services, a time of food and fellowship will be held at the Memorials may be directed to the Morning Sun Ambulance and American Legion Post 112 of Morning Sun in Gerrie’s name. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com. Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Morning Sun is caring for Geraldine’s family and her arrangements.
Geraldine Diehl was born on April 11, 1925 in Burlington, the daughter of Frank Walter and Mildred (Lieberknecht) Diehl. Gerrie was a graduate of Wapello High School and went on to receive her nursing training in Burlington. In 1945, Gerrie was united in marriage to Archie Wolfe in Washington, Iowa. Gerrie was a homemaker and worked as a school nurse at Morning Sun Community Schools. She was a member of Centenary Morning Sun United Methodist Church. She enjoyed playing cards and watching sports; especially men’s and women’s Iowa basketball and wrestling.
Gerrie will be deeply missed by her children, Tim (Marsha) Wolfe of Long Lane, Missouri Christie (Ken) McElhinney of Morning Sun and Sheldon Wolfe of Miller, Missouri; five grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren.
Gerrie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Kim Wolfe and siblings, Dean Diehl, Evelyn Jackson and Marjorie Hawkins.
