George Edgar Christe, 85, of New London, died Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at Park Place, Mt. Pleasant. He was born in the Mudcreek area south of New London on June 7, 1940 to Willis and Mabel Shepherd Christe. On April 29, 1962, he married Mary Augusta Seeger at Lunning Chapel in Burlington.
George attended New London Schools and was a 1961 graduate of Mt. Union High School. He was of the Presbyterian faith.
He worked for Murray Iron Works for thirty years. George was a machinist by trade, but a farmer by heart. He loved horses and farming, and never met an animal or kid that he didn’t get along with. He loved ballroom dancing with Mary and very much missed the dances and the people as his health declined.
Besides his wife, George is survived by his son Todd Christe of New London; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brother Paul (Pat) Christe of Missouri; sister Mary Larson of New London; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters Julie (in infancy) and Holly Mills; brothers Ronnie and Larry Christe; and sisters Phyllis Turnquist and Betty Jean Christe.
Visitation will begin at noon Sunday, October 26, 2025 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 4:00 – 6:00 pm. A graveside service, with Pastor David Mixon officiating, will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, October 27, 2025 at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. A memorial has been established for New London Future Farmers of America. Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Perry Fletcher, 87, of Wapello passed away on Sunday, October 19, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. Funeral Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Harrison Cemetery. Memorials have been established for Wapello Keck Memorial Library and Wapello Ambulance in Perry’s name. Online condolences may be left at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.
Perry Fletcher was born on April 28, 1938, in Muscatine, Iowa, the son of Knowlton and Ruth (Morrison) Fletcher. Perry attended Washington # 4 Rural Schools – often rode his pony to school. Later attended Wapello School and graduated in 1957. In 1958, Perry was united in marriage to Shirley Kerr in Wapello. Perry and Shirley resided south of Wapello where they raised three children – Brian, Kevin and Renee. Perry worked at Monsanto and retired in 2000. After retirement he became a Master Gardener and always had a bountiful garden and beautiful flowers. Perry enjoyed hunting, gardening, traveling, football and family. He was a member of the Iowa Buffalo Association; he always enjoyed an opportunity to share a picture or story of the buffalo he raised. He was an avid Chicago Bears fan and Iowa Hawkeye fan. Brian
Perry will be deeply missed by his son, Brian (Gabriella) Fletcher of Wapello and daughter, Renee (Elmer) Arnold of Mediapolis; five grandchildren, Heather (Mark) Kemper, Heidi (Ryan) Stoll, Josh Fletcher, Justin (Miranda) Fletcher and Erykah (Ryan) Phillips; 8 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandchild on the way; sisters, Shirley Samuels and Llewann Bryant, both of Wapello; daughter-in-law, Eva Fletcher; step-grandchild, Amber Murphy; brothers-in-law, Art Sanders; Dr. Melvin (Judy) Kerr, Keith “Butch” (Deanne) Kerr and Ronnie (Shirley ) Kerr and several nieces and nephews. Knowlt
Perry was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Shirley on May 23, 1998; his in-laws, Lawrence and Ruth Kerr; son, Kevin Fletcher; brothers-in-law, Merwin (Donna) Kerr, Jack Samuels, Richard Soukop and Rich Bryant; and sisters, Iris Soukop and Karolyn Sanders.
On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Laura Lee Ward, 76, of New London, passed from this earthly life to her real and eternal home with the Lord. She was born January 14, 1949 in Sigourney, Iowa to Roy and Neta Sarver Snakenberg. On July 26, 1969 she married William Westfall Ward, Jr. in Deep River, Iowa.
She was a graduate of Tri-County High School, Thornburg, Iowa; attended Faith Bible College in Ankeny for two years; and took a short course in caring for baby pigs at the University of Missouri. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Laura was a homemaker and worked as a secretary at Iowa Wesleyan College and as the secretary for the Southeast Iowa Symphony. She taught children’s Sunday School for more than twenty years and was a member of Gideon’s Auxiliary.
She loved animals, especially horses; music; and going on mission trips; Laura enjoyed sewing clothes for her children and sewed many square dance dresses for Helen’s Variety. But most of all, she loved time with her family, her children and grandchildren. Laura had a very sweet and peaceful spirit and showed extreme grace and courage throughout her battle with Alzheimers.
Laura is survived by her husband; daughter Dr. Denise (Roy) Thagard of West Africa; sons William “Bill” (Mindy) W. Ward III of Huxley, Iowa and Steven (Tia) of Nocona, Texas; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; sisters Phyllis Peterson, Loretta (Steve) Pope, and Carol (Donald) Ensor; brothers Lyle (Rose) Snakenberg and Dick (Bev) Snakenberg; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Margaret George and Rosemary Stevens; and brother Max Snakenberg.
Visitation will begin at noon on Friday, October 24th at Elliott Chapel, New London, with the family receiving friends from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, with Pastor David Strope officiating. According to her wishes, her body will be cremated following the service and inurnment will be at a later date.
Memorials have been established for Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice and EveryStep Hospice. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.
Laura’s family would like to thank the many people who stayed with Laura Lee, the ones who provided food, those who visited, those who prayed; and thank you to the God who watches over us. Many thanks to the wonderful care received from Care at Home, EveryStep Hospice, Henry County Health, Des Moines County Health and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice.
William “Sam” Wellington, 77, of Williamsburg, Iowa, formerly of New London, died Tuesday, October 14, 2025, at Compass Memorial Healthcare in Marengo, Iowa. He was born January 5, 1948, in Burlington, Iowa, to Billy Gene and Linnea Marie Walker Wellington. Sam married Cathy Lovelock Wellington in Mt. Pleasant on September 15, 1973.
Sam graduated from New London High School in 1966, then Parsons College, Fairfield, in 1970. He was an engineer for Motorola, Mt. Pleasant, for 24 years, retiring in 2005, and a Special Education Associate for 5 years at Clark Elementary, New London. He was a member of the New London United Methodist Church and served on the City Council. Hobbies included fishing, antiquing, golfing, gun collecting, yard sales, and he especially loved time when his family was all together.
Sam is survived by his wife Cathy, and two sons; Skye (Tiffany) Wellington, and Jesse (Stephanie) Wellington, both of Williamsburg; and three grandchildren who he adored, Hayden, Esther, and Oliver. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will begin at noon on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Elliott Chapel, New London with the family greeting friends from 4:00-7:00 PM. According to his wishes, his body has been cremated and a private family burial will be held at Burge Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for the Salvation Army.
Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family and online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com
Rosemary Diane Luchner, age 89, passed away peacefully at home on October 5, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Visitation will be held at Prugh Funeral Service, 3940 Division St., Burlington, Iowa on Saturday, November 8, 2025, beginning at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Burial at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Burlington, Iowa will follow the service.
Rosemary was born Oct 10, 1935, in Burlington, Iowa to Frederick Emmert Rowe and Nellie Florence (Purcell) Rowe. She married Henry Stephen Luchner on December 27, 1954, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Burlington, Iowa. Throughout her marriage, she lived in many places to include Maryland, New Mexico, Germany, Massachusetts, Alabama, Iowa, Virginia, and Illinois.
Rosemary was a devoted wife and mother. She cherished her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was always involved in her children’s lives and was often ferrying them to scouting, sporting matches, and church events.
She worked as an office administrator for Dr. Rollin Perkins in Davenport, Iowa, and was a business partner in Green Care/Turf Tenders Lawn Care Services in Enterprise, Alabama.
Rosemary had many interests. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, she was an active member of the Army Officers Wives Club, she loved to play bridge and canasta, and to do puzzles. She and Henry loved to spend time traveling in their motor home, especially to follow genealogy leads all around the country, and she passed the time by knitting and crocheting.
Rosemary is survived by her children Rebecca (Mark) Dawson, Stephen (Janice) Luchner, Michael (Daynee) Luchner, Timothy (Lori) Luchner, Thomas (Suzy) Luchner, Mary (Blaine) Wagner, Matt (Annette) Luchner; her sister Sharon Green; twenty grandchildren and thirty-six great-grandchildren.
Preceding her in death was her husband Henry, her brother Keith Rowe, and her sister Glenna Mehaffy. May they Rest in Peace.
Memorials have been established for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
