Jo Ann Edmonds, age 75, of Mediapolis, died Sunday morning, November 1, 2015, at the Great River Hospice House in West Burlington following complications of a massive stroke two weeks earlier. The daughter of Myron and Mildred Gerdom Quell, she was born on January 6, 1940 in Burlington. Jo Ann married Dale Edmonds on February 21, 1960 in Burlington at St. Luke United Church of Christ.
She graduated from Burlington High School in 1958. Jo Ann worked as a secretary at Iowa Industries, Inc. (Champion Spark Plug Co.) and as a Mediapolis Elementary School Librarian Associate for 29 years.
She enjoyed gardening, travelling with her husband, reading, and cooking for her sons requests.
Her family includes her husband, Dale; two sons, Patrick & Julie Edmonds of Mediapolis and Alan Edmonds of Mediapolis; a daughter, Lucinda ‘Cindy’ & Keith Milder of Columbus Junction; eleven grandchildren, Audrea Edmonds, Allison & Levi Ruth, Amanda McCuen, Abby Edmonds, Alex Edmonds, David & Vanessa Milder, Michael Milder, Christine Milder, Sarah Edmonds, Sawyer Edmonds, and Wyatt Edmonds; two great grandchildren, Caleb McCuen and Emersyn Ruth; a sister, Mary & Dick Cason of Boca Raton, Florida; and a nephew. She was preceded in death by her parents.
The funeral ceremony for Jo Ann Edmonds will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, November 5, 2015, at the First United Methodist Church in Mediapolis with Rev. Jeff Kodis officiating. Burial will follow at the Kossuth Cemetery, Mediapolis.
Friends may call from 2:00 to 8:00 PM on Wednesday at the Hagele and Honts Funeral Home in Mediapolis where the family will meet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM.
Memorial donations will benefit the Mediapolis Public Library, Mediapolis Community Theater, and Great River Hospice.
Kenneth Dean Newton, 90, of Burlington, died at 8:45 AM Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Burlington Care Center.
Born December 29, 1924, in Orchard, IA, he was the son of Gene and Mary Young Newton. On March 26, 1946, he married Winifred “Maggie” Sage in Nashua. She died June 19, 1991. He later married Martha Turnbull Whitmore in Albuquerque, NM. She died May 19, 2007.
Kenneth owned and operated Kenneth Newton Plastering for 28 years, retiring in 1990.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WW II in the Sea Bees with the rank of MM 3/c in the South Pacific for 22 months. Mr. Newton participated for many years in the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard activities here in Burlington.
He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon and usher. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 10102, American Legion Post 52, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles Burlington Aerie 150, the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge #579, Gems at the church, the Good Neighbor’s Club, YMCA Senior Fitness, Burlington Public Library Senior Programs, and the “ROMEOS” Supper Group. In the years he was physically able, he volunteered at Hope Haven and several other charities.
Survivors include his son, Ken Newton (Bonnie) of CA; daughter, Sherry Wittkamp (Joel) of GA; five grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; one brother, Duane Newton of Carson City, NV, numerous nieces and nephews; and Velora Coleman, special friend.
Besides both his wives, he was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, one sister, and one brother in infancy.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
The Graveside Committal Service for Mr. Newton will be At 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 7th, at Aspen Grove Cemetery with Rev. Debra Kinney officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Burlington, 321 N. 5th Street at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for the first Presbyterian Church and the VFW.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting Kenneth’s obituary at www.thielenfuneralhome.com.
Condolences may be given and viewed at www.hageleandhonts.com.
