Obituaries for Wednesday May 6th

May 6, 2026 Obituaries | Steve Hexom

Curtis Flatt, 84, of Burlington, died Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born May 14, 1941, in Aledo, IL, he was the son of Elmer C. and Edith R. Southern Flatt. On September 3, 1961, he married Rita Mae Pinson at the Old Bedford Church in McDonough County, IL.

He was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving on the USS Seminole (AKA-104) during the Vietnam War from July 31, 1959 until July 29, 1961.

Curtis worked for General Electric for 36 years in various positions, retiring in 1997 as a Manufacturing Engineer.

He was a member of the First United Church in Burlington. Curtis was also a member of the General Electric ELFUs and Southeast Iowa Sheet Club. He enjoyed his family, friends, skeet shooting with his buddies, golfing, putting miles on his motorcycle and winters at their former home in Florence, AZ.

Survivors include his beloved wife of 65 years, Rita of Burlington; two sons, Scott E. (Wendi) Flatt of Middletown, and Mark (Nena) Flatt of Fishers, IN; four grandchildren, Danielle (Justin) Martin of Broken Arrow, OK, Sean Flatt of Broken Arrow, OK, Elsie (Sam) Phillips of San Clemente, CA, and Arie (Rachel) Flatt of Fishers, IN; two step grandchildren, Abby Enhorning of Gattlingburg, Sweden and Todd Stewart of Dallas, TX; 10 great-grandchildren, Landon, Kennedy, Skylar, Ryder, Mason, Kaia, Evie, Arie Jr., Indy, and Declan.

He was preceded in death by his parents,  three brothers, Marion “Bunk”,  John “Jack”, and Merideth “Mert” Flatt and a half brother Wayne Flatt.

The memorial service for Mr. Flatt will be 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division Street. A time of food and fellowship will be held in the community room at Prugh Funeral Service following the service. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery at a later date.

A memorial has been established for Southeast Iowa Regional 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 Curtis’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

 

 

Paul R. “Bob” Willits, 96, of Mount Pleasant, passed away Saturday, May 2, 2026, at his home at Addington Place.  Bob was born April 20, 1930, in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the son of C. Robert and Selma Long Willits. He graduated from Pleasant Lawn High School in 1947 and later attended Iowa Wesleyan College. On March 29, 1958, he married Ruth Carolyn Whitham.  She died January 18, 2021.

He was a lifelong farmer, self-employed until his retirement in 1991. Bob also proudly served in the U.S. Army National Guard from 1950 to 1958.

He is survived by his daughter, Deb Sianchuk and her husband Curtis of Missoula, Montana; three grandchildren, Max Sianchuk, Brad Willits and Erica Willits; six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Ruth; son Stephen; sister Janet Gordon; half-brother J.T. Willits; half-sister Elin Bennett; and other extended family members.

In accordance with his wishes, no funeral services will be held. A private family service will take place at Burge Cemetery in New London, Iowa at a later date. Memorials have been established for EveryStep Hospice and the Midwest Old Settlers and Threshers Association.  Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

 

 

Michael Herbert Hoelzen, 83, of Danville, died Monday, May 4, 2026 at Addington Place, Burlington.  He was born October 5, 1942, in Burlington to Robert Hugo and Laverne Bodkin Hoelzen.  Mike was a 1960 graduate of Sperry High School and attended some college classes following high school.  On January 12, 1963, he married Claudia Jean Stucker at Shinar Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Grove.

He worked in the Airline Industry for over thirty-five years and was a member of Harmony Bible Church.  Mike was an avid gardener and woodworker and dearly loved his cats, Missy and Junior.

Besides his wife, he is survived by his children Brian (Marcia) Hoelzen of Bellingham, Washington and Michelle (Rob) Lecuyer of Azle, Texas; three grandchildren, Alex (Rachel) Hoelzen, Chelsea Vowell and Courtney (Ethan) Franklin; five great-grandchildren, Lilah Beth, Dawson, Logan, Archer and Brooks; brothers Randy (Donnalee) Hoelzen of West Salem, Wisconsin and Dave (Berit) Hoelzen of Burlington; and many loving cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Steve Hoelzen.

A Celebration of his Life will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, May 8, 2026 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Matt Mitchell officiating.  Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family greeting the friends from 1:00 until the time of the service.  According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and inurnment will be at a later date at Shinar Cumberland Cemetery, Pleasant Grove Township.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Tunnels To Towers Foundation (T2T Veterans Homes).  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

 

 

 

We lost a farm wife today. This one hurts really deep, all the way to the heart. You see, this farm wife was ours. Norma Lee Bigger passed this morning with her children, Randy and Peggy, by her side. Over the last week, there have been many memories shared of her.  She was born June 22, 1929 near Middlegrove, IL, the daughter of Earl and Ethel Bliss Dikeman, and passed away Monday, May 4, 2026 at Oak Lane Nursing & Rehab in Stronghurst, IL.
As a young woman she married the love of her life, Reldon Bigger. Together, they forged a life built on respect, trust, and love! The two of them bought this farm. She worked in the fields and was truly a farm wife. They did without in those early years, eating a lot of goulash and bananas. They were cheap and filling. She always had a big garden and canned and put up the products of her labor. She raised two children that will tell you she was the best Mom ever. She could do it all in their eyes!! She was so wonderful at mending a shirt, a skinned knees, or a broken heart. She was always there!! Guarding them, defending them, protecting them, loving them. And, they loved her back. Then there are her Grandchildren that all thought Grandma was wonderful. They would ask for their favorites, monkey bread, cinnamon rolls, soup with dough balls, and those famous chocolate chip cookies.
All the family, friends, and neighbors loved those chocolate chip cookies. She won with them at the fair years ago. She gave that recipe of hers to anyone and everyone that asked, even putting it in a village cook book.
She was true and faithful servant to her God. She worried and prayed for all that she felt needed a little help from above. She served on about every church board and was a great supporter of her church until she could no longer attend.
We are deeply saddened by her loss, but are so joyful for her. She is now with Reldon, her love of so many years. Rest well and smile down upon us all, because we will all be smiling up and holding your love in our hearts!!
Norma enjoyed baking, family gatherings, farm work, gardening, and most of all, her grandchildren.  She had worked as a cook at the Media School and later served as Postmaster of the Media Post Office. While working at the Post Office, she enjoyed the visits from the Media children and residents.   She was named Chapter Mother for FHA in 1979.  In 1987, she was proud to be named “Farm Woman Of The Year”.  As mentioned earlier, she was known for her delicious chocolate chip cookies, and her popcorn balls which were given out to trick of treaters at Halloween. She was a member of the Media United Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include two children, Randy (Paula) Bigger and Peggy McNitt, both of Media, five grandchildren, Travis Bigger, Ryan Bigger, Cody Bigger, Nikki (Wes) Bellinger, Kaley (Chad) Eversgerd, several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, and one sister, Rosa Simkins of Knoxville, IL.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Reldon, and siblings, Bernice Bowers, Glen Dikeman, Norma Dikeman, Robert Dikeman, Carol Mae Mendenhall, Roletta Mottaz, and Virginia Pruett.
Friends may call as they desire from 1:00 until 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 8, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Stronghurst.  The family will receive friends from Noon until 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Banks & Beals, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m.  Burial will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery near Media.  A memorial fund has been established for the Media United Presbyterian Church.  Please visit Norma’s obituary at banksandbeals.com to leave a condolence.
Chris Michael Mehaffy, 71, of Burlington, died Friday, May 1, 2026, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born July 17, 1954, in Burlington, he was the son of David W. and Jenny Lee Gabel Mehaffy. On September 16, 1978, he married Cindy Conard  in Crapo Park in Burlington.

He graduated from Burlington High School and went on to further his education through trade school. Later in life, he also attended SCC.

Chris spent many years working for Burlington Northern Railroad as a “gandy dancer,” helping lay and maintain the tracks that kept trains moving.

Chris was an outdoorsman. He loved being outside; whether it be any type of hunting, trapping, fishing, or spending time along the river, where he felt most at home.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Mehaffy of Burlington; three children, Chevonne Mehaffy of Cedar Rapids, Lucas (Sarah) Mehaffy of Mediapolis, and Noah (Alisha) Mehaffy of Mt. Pleasant; six grandchildren, Griffen, Ayla, Evelyn, Delayni, Bristol, and Vivian; brother, Steve Mehaffy of Burlington; and sister, Martha (Chris) Inghram of Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services 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 Chris’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.

John Curtis Lyons, 59, of Burlington, died Friday, May 1, 2026, in Burlington.

Born May 10, 1966, in Burlington, IA, he was the son of Curtis Ray and Joyce Ann Tiedeman Lyons.

John worked as a barber but most recently he worked for Champion.

He was a quick learner, with a natural creativity that shaped everything he did. John was always immersed in music, sewing, or creating portraits, constantly finding new ways to express himself. His artistic spirit carried into his dreams, including his hope of one day owning his own motorcycle.

Survivors include his parents, Curtis and Joyce Lyons of Burlington; sister, Lisa (Eric) Erlewine of New London; nephew, Justin Rettig; aunt, Nancy Steege of Larkspur, CO; and special friend, Virgina Lumpayap Kugler of Burlington.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents and infant daughter, Savannah.

Services 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 John’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.