Roxanne (Burkett) Argyros, 69, passed away at her home in Eldora, Iowa on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 from complications of ALS. Roxanne was born on August 6, 1954 in Chicago Heights, IL to Louis and Wanda Burkett. The family relocated to Burlington, Iowa in 1964. Roxanne attended Sunnyside Elementary and Oak Street Middle School, before graduating from Burlington High School in 1972. While attending high school, she worked at the Steak-O-Rama restaurant and met a co-worker, Jerry Argyros, who became her husband the following year. They were married in Cedar Falls, Iowa on May 28, 1973. In May of this year, they observed their 50th wedding anniversary.
Roxanne and Jerry worked in the restaurant business for 36 years. They were owners of Jerry’s Pizza & Steakhouse in Belle Plaine, Iowa (1977-1986) and Eldora, Iowa (1986-2006). Jerry’s Pizza & Steakhouse restaurants were always a local favorite! They took great pride in providing good food and good service in a family friendly environment. During these busy years, they proudly welcomed two sons. Nick in 1978 and Jim in 1980. While Jerry managed the family restaurant business, Roxanne devoted most of her time to raising their two sons and supporting their many activities. In 2006, Roxanne began a second career working at the State Training School for Boys in Eldora as a Receptionist. She remained there for 14 years before retiring in September 2020. What brought her the most joy was spending time with her grandchildren, Maxx and Mia, and watching them grow and learn!
Roxanne leaves behind a family who loved her dearly and will miss her always. Husband Jerry and their two sons, Nick Argyros (Angie Hullinger) of Olathe, KS; and Jim Argyros (Maagen) and their two children (Maxx and Mia) of West Des Moines, IA. She is also survived by her brother, Mike Burkett of Sunrise Beach, MO and sisters Brenda Rodgers (Keith) of Lee’s Summit, MO and Cindy Boothe (Steve Klein) of West Burlington, IA, and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents (Louis and Wanda Burkett) and nephew (Tanner Boothe). Although living 3 hours away from her parents, Roxanne was very involved in their care during their aging years. She also adored her nephew Tanner Boothe who passed as a toddler. It’s our hope and prayer that these three faces were the first to greet her in Heaven with open arms!
There will be a visitation to greet family and friends from 4:00-6:00 pm on Friday, October 20, 2023 at Creps Chapel, Abels Funeral and Cremation Service, 905 Edgington Ave., Eldora, Iowa 50627.
There will be a visitation to greet family and friends from 1:00–2:00 pm on Monday, October 23, 2023 at Lunning Funeral Chapel – 2620 Mount Pleasant St., Burlington, Iowa 52601. A service will be held following the visitation at 2:00 pm. Private burial will follow for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that remembrances be made in the form of contributions to the Iowa ALS Association, in Memory of Roxanne Argyros http://webia.alsa.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_homepage
Dena R. Willard, 87, of Burlington, Iowa, died Monday, October 16, 2023, at the Wapello Specialty Care Center in Wapello, Iowa.
Born July 22, 1936, in Toledo, Ohio, she was the daughter of Otis and Myrtle L (Bratt) Bridges. She married Alvin Willard on June 20, 1964. He died August 2, 1991.
Dena worked for Champion Spark Plug for almost 30 years, until her retirement in 1999.
She was very accomplished and gifted in crocheting, knitting, sewing and enjoyed sharing her talents with all those she loved. She enjoyed going dancing with her husband, bowling, playing volleyball, playing cards, going to the casino, going out to eat with family, movies and seeing shows at Players Workshop. She took much pride in attending her granddaughters’ musical concerts.
Dena is survived by her four children; Rick (Anne) Waite of Hanover, Pennsylvania, Susan (John) Van Ness of Genoa, Ohio, Kent Stage of Hagerstown, Indiana and Geraldine (David) Taylor of Burlington, Iowa; ten grandchildren, Kristina. Eddie, Shannon, Shelby, Remi, Zachary, Katherine. Penelope, Cassandra and Thorin; 9 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; one sister JoAnn Winterfeld of Swanton, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, two sons, Edward Waite and Randy Waite and one brother and one sister.
According to her wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel.
A memorial has been established in her memory for the Burlington High School Band or Orchestra.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Robert “Bob” Hand, 68, of Oquawka, Illinois, died Monday, October 16, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born October 11, 1955, in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of Edward and Maxine (Zippe) Hand. He married Fay Adams on September 17, 1977. They later divorced.
Bob was a pipefitter for Local #25 of Rock Island, Illinois for 40 years.
He enjoyed his birds and dogs and loved taking motorcycle rides and nature walks. He was a true outdoorsman. He was an amateur Ham Radio enthusiast who was fluent in morse code.
Bob is survived by his two children; David (Rhonna) Hand and Jennifer (Evan) Hand both of Oquawka; three grandchildren, Ethan (Anahi) Hand, Alicen Hand and Riley Hand; great granddaughter Maya Hand; his two American Bulldogs, Jax and Brody; his stepmother, Barbara Hand of Burlington; his siblings, Steve Hand, Susan Carper and Becky Heiniger; step siblings, Linda Ellis, Jim Howard, Sandy Steele and Sally Miller; half-siblings. John Hand and Julie Conrad and special friend Kathy Monshower of Thompson, Illinois.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Ed Hand and special friend Eve Cochran.
The funeral service for Mr. Hand will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, October 21st at Lunning Chapel. The Rev. Father Jacob Greiner will officiate. Burial will be held in Edwards Cemetery, rural Oakville, Iowa. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service on Saturday.
A memorial has been established for the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House.
Dale F. Green, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Saturday, October 14th, 2023 at Park Place Manor in Mt. Pleasant IA. Born March 10th 1932 in Burnside, IL, he was the son of Frank and Corinne (Bisteadue) Green. On May 9th 1953 he married Mable Thacker in LaHarpe, IL, she passed away May 5th 1992. On November 1st 1996 he married Idell Foster, in Fargo ND, she passed away November 23rd 1998. Dale served his county in the United States Army during the Korean War. Dale was a truck driver for BN transport for 30 years. He was of Methodist faith. He enjoyed camping, going to the casino, and enjoyed playing checkers and putting puzzles together with family. Survivors include one daughter Joan (David) Goldapp of Milwaukee WI; One son John (Vickie) Green, of Norfolk, NE; five granddaughters; numerus great grandchildren; two sisters Phyillis Stout, Wilma Williams and one brother Harry Green. He was proceeded in death by his parents, spouses, Junior, Bob, Arlene, Carmilla, and Frances. The visitation for Dale will be Friday October 20th at Lunning Chapel from 1 to 2. After visitati
on military rights will be performed by the Burlington Area Honor Guard, followed by a grave side service at Aspen Grove Cemetery with Reverend David Mixon officiating. Online condolence can be made by visiting www.lunningfunneralchapel.com
James Lee Royer, 69, of Burlington died Saturday, October 14, 2023 at his home.
Born August 3, 1954 in Fairfield, Iowa he was the son of James and Julia (Landes) Royer.
James graduated from Burlington High School and completed his degree at Southeastern Community College in Heating/AC.
He married Christine Wills in April of 1972. They later divorced. He married Kim Gerst and they later divorced.
James was a self-employed Heating/AC specialist. He also managed restaurants and bars in Burlington and Gulfport. He loved to watch Nascar.
Survivors include one son Shane (Margaret Baxter) Royer of Burlington; his mother Julia Royer of Burlington; one brother Rick Royer of Richardson, Texas and one sister Connie Knotts of Burlington.
He was preceded in death by his father and brother Ronald Royer.
Per his wishes, cremation has been accorded and entrusted to the care of Lunning Chapel. Inurnment will be at a later date in Long Creek Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.lunningfuneralchapel.com
Gary Lloyd Rolf, 81, passed away October 11, 2023 due to complications from a stroke. Born October 19, 1941 in Burlington, Iowa, he spent his childhood in West Burlington and attended Burlington High School. He graduated from East High School of Aurora, Illinois, where memorably he played the part of Curly in “Oklahoma!”. Gary went on to graduate from the University of Iowa; later, he earned all 7 Microsoft certifications. His true passion was buying and selling on eBay which he enjoyed for many years. Gary’s love for music continued throughout his life! He enjoyed karaoke, listening to and singing along with his favorite songs on YouTube and his personal collection of CDs.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Mabel Rolf; older sister, Donna, and a son, Gary Lee. He is survived by two sisters, Deanna (Howard) Young and Georgia (Philip) Heckenberg, his nieces and nephews, and his best friend Shane, whom he considered as a son.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the compassionate caregivers Gary had at Iowa City’s Mercy Hospital and UIHC, Premiere Estates in Muscatine, and St. Croix Hospice. They went above and beyond the call of duty with their exceptional care.
A private memorial service will be held in the spring at Greenwood Cemetery.
Dale Bartelt. Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Dale Robert Bartelt, 75, of Mediapolis died Thursday, October 12, 2023, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington.
Dale was born December 12, 1947 in Algona, Iowa and was the fifth of six sons born to Harry and Marie (Brandt) Bartelt. They lived on a farm north of Titonka, Iowa. He grew up learning the value of hard work alongside his father and brothers and established his lifelong love of farming.
Dale graduated from Titonka High School with the class of 1966. He attended college at Iowa State University and graduated in 1970 with a major in Ag Business. Dale was united in marriage to Julie Grove on October 9, 1971 at First Baptist Church in Corydon, Iowa. They welcomed two children into their family, Shannon Leigh and Robert Boyd.
Dale’s first job was as a field representative for Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. He came to love the insurance business over the next 47 years of his career. He and Julie moved to Mediapolis, Iowa in 1976 where Dale managed DMC Mutual and owned and operated Eland Agency for 35 years. Dale served on the board of directors for Grinnell Mutual for 33 years, serving as board president his last 6 years. He was honored for his years of leadership by the naming of the Bartelt Conference and Education Center at Grinell Mutual in 2017.
Dale had a strong Christian faith and was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington, Iowa. He and Julie helped care for the grounds and gardens as part of the landscape crew.
Dale never lost his love of the farm and acquired a farm property on Highway 61 which he turned into a showplace. He restored the two old barns on the property and the oldest, an 1870’s bank barn, was given a barn of distinction award by the Iowa Barn Foundation and was included in their All state barn tours. He and Julie served as the Des Moines County representatives for the IBF. His final wish was to have a covered bridge built over Knotty Creek, which runs through the farm, and it was completed in May 2023.
Dale had many interests including collecting antiques and vintage farm toys and implements. He was active in various community organizations including the Planning and Zoning Board, Mediapolis Athletic Boosters and the Lions Club. Dale’s greatest joy was spending time with his family, especially his six grandchildren.
Dale and Julie traveled extensively in the U.S. and Europe. They made a goal to visit all 424 parks and monuments in the National Park System. They proudly displayed a map marked with the locations of the 220 that they were able to visit together.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Julie; daughter and son in law Shannon Bartelt-Hunt and George Hunt of Omaha; son and daughter in law Robert and Kate Bartelt of Cedar Falls; grandchildren Samuel Hunt, Olivia Bartelt, Alden Hunt, Daniel Bartelt, Audrey Bartelt and Abigail Bartelt; brothers Wayne (Eljean) Bartelt of Cedar Falls, Lloyd (Verla) Bartelt of Woden, Glenn Bartelt of Maquoketa; brother-in- laws Lad (Patty) Grove of Ames and Ted Grove (Shanni Dimmit) of Clatskanie, Oregon as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Merlin and Keith, a sister who died at birth, and sisters-in-law Alice, Darlene, and Peggy Bartelt.
Family will receive friends from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM Sunday, October 22, 2023 at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division St.
The celebration of life for Mr. Bartelt will be 10:30 AM Monday, October 23, 2023, at Messiah Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. A time of food and fellowship will be held in Messiah Lutheran Church following the burial.
Starting in 1981, Dale battled five different types of cancer throughout his lifetime. He defeated them all until a final cancer diagnosis came in late 2022. In an effort to help researchers at the University of Iowa Hospitals, The Bartelts have established the Dale and Julie Bartelt Cancer Research Fund through the Iowa Center for Advancement. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed to support cancer research at the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to UI Center for Advancement, One West Park Road, Iowa City, IA 52242 in memory of Dale Bartelt or make a gift online at givetoiowa.org/cancer.
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 Dale’s obituary at www.prughfuneral.com.
Bart L. Orth, 71, of Burlington, Iowa went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ after an almost two-year battle with cancer and a longtime survivor of heart disease on October 10, 2023. He was always keeping the faith. Bart was born on January 1st, 1952 to Albert and Marion (Hamilton) Orth. Bart married Ellen on October 13, 1973. He was a devoted husband and father, always proud of his three sons, Wesley, Logan, and Skyler. Bart was known to drop everything and come to the aid of his children whether it be day or night. He loved fixing things and had such patience and determination while even fixing the smallest of objects that could have been bought, but instead he found value in all items and rarely threw anything away. Bart loved trees and he had planted many over the years. He retired from J.I. Case Company after 30 years. He was a good friend, and could always be counted on for a helping hand to do anything needed. He was a wonderful carpenter, even building a beautiful new kitchen several years ago with all the special “Bart” designs. He never said, “I can’t do that.”; he just got the right tools and learned. Always, the consummate perfectionist – and if it wasn’t right, he’d tear it up and start over without complaining. Bart loved his cat Ellie Mae, who lived to be 19 years old and our dog, Meisha, who will always be devoted. Bart was a devoted member of Asbury United Methodist Church. He was especially proud of the cross he lovingly made so that while the older children were lighting the candles, the smaller ones had a chance to go ahead of them and carry the cross to the sanctuary and not feel left out. He loved to sing and play his guitar and often took it with him for family events. He sang in the church choir for many years and played his guitar and sang solos and duets for his Savior. He is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers Henry, Pete, Albert Jr in infancy and sister, Sharon Carspecken.
Survivors include his wife, Ellen of 50 years; three sons, Wesley (Julie), Logan (April) of Burlington and Skyler (Kellie) of New London, Iowa. He is also survived by his family, Tom (Judy) Orth, Dan (Susan) Orth, Tim (Bambi) Orth, Rick (Carrie) Orth, Tony (Carol) Orth all of Burlington; Beth (Landis) Hinesley of New Mexico; sister-in-law Kathy Orth of Burlington; and sister-in-law, Sherry Orth of Utah and several loving nieces and nephews; three step-grandchildren, Jenna Swisher (Wynston Gray), Jacob Bench (Kylie), and Jack Banks.
At this time there will be no formal service, but a celebration of life will be planned next summer as per his wishes. Cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Asbury United Methodist Church.
