Ferrel Dean Brandt, 77, of Marion, died at 9:07 AM Sunday, February 26, 2017, at the Linn Manor Care in Marion.
Born November 9, 1939, in Peoria, IL, she was the daughter of Charles Homer and Donna Mohler Byrd. On March 22, 1961, she married Donald Lee Brandt in East Peoria, IL. They were married for 48 years before Don’s passing in 2009.
She graduated from East Peoria Community High School in 1957. She then attended and graduated from cosmetology school.
Ferrel worked many different jobs during her life, but most of them involved being a seamstress. She worked sewing draperies at Bennett’s Furniture store for a number of years, worked many years at Burlington Sporting Goods, and then later sewed draperies out of her home.
She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Burlington before moving to Marion, Iowa in 2013. She was a member of the Southeastern Community College Booster Club and donated her time by sewing many banners on display in the gymnasium. She loved attending Blackhawk basketball games. In her spare time Ferrel enjoyed sewing, knitting, and doing other crafts as home.
Survivors include her son, Blake (Julie) Brandt of Marion; three grandchildren, Molly Brandt of Marion, Cale and Dylan Brandt of Colorado Springs, CO.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Homer and Donna Byrd and one son, Jay Brandt.
Cremation has been entrusted to the care of Prugh~Thielen Crematory.
Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM, Saturday, March 11, 2017 where the family will receive friends at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The memorial service for Mrs. Brandt will be 1:00 PM Sat urday, March 11, 2017, at Bethany Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Hermansen officiating. A time of food and fellowship will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Ferrel’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Mrs. Norma Jean Lair, 78, of Burlington died at 3:07 p.m. Friday, February 24, 2017, at Great River Hospice House in West Burlington.
Born July 15, 1938 in Galesburg, IL, she was the daughter of Paul and Ilene Seyb Dredge. On August 29, 1954 she married Max Leroy Lair in Dallas City, Illinois. He preceded her in death on January 14, 2001.
Mrs. Lair was a production worker for Winegard Company and Conifer Company. She also was a homemaker.
Mrs. Lair attended First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was a member of the Eagles and Moose Lodges. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, puzzles, reading, and card games with her grandchildren, board games, traveling, gambling, sending cards, journaling, and spending time on the river.
Survivors include one daughter, Cathy Jean (Eric) Palmer of LaHarpe, IL; two sons, Randy Charles (Dee Dee ) Lair of Carman, IL and Michael Paul Lair of Kansas City, MO; seven grandchildren, Brad (Jeni) Richardson, Amy (Brian) Brown, Darcie Palmer, Kate (Andrew) Brender, Charles (Dawn) Lair, April McCartney, Ian Beard; nine great grandchildren, Carissa, Brock, and Max Richardson, Bailey and Laney Brown, Alanna and Wesley Lair, Eli Leak and Kendal Nollen; brother-in-law, Ray James; and step sister, Debbie (Joe) Sutcliffe both of Ft. Madison.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and one sister Judy.
Friends may call from noon until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 28th, at Lunning Chapel where the family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The funeral service for Mrs. Lair will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 1st at Lunning Chapel with the Rev. Dean Graber officiating. Interment will be in Crane Cemetery, rural Lomax, IL.
A memorial has been established for Great River Hospice House.
Jim “Franco” Franciskovich, 52, of West Burlington, died Friday, February 24, 2017, in Mahaska County from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born May 4, 1964, in Canton, IL , he was the son of Pete and Mary Louise Westphall Franciskovich. On August 28, 2004, he married Cindee Shofe in Burlington.
Jim worked in the maintenance department for Great River Medical Center. He was also a volunteer firefighter for the West Burlington Fire Department for 15 years.
He served 20 years in the U.S. Army.
Jim grew up in the Catholic faith. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs, Minnesota Vikings, Boston Bruins and Miami Hurricanes. Jim loved motorcycles, enjoyed being outdoors and working out; but what he loved most of all was spending time with his grandkids.
Survivors include his wife, Cindee of West Burlington; two daughters, Haley (Brandon) Mosley of Mediapolis and Stephanie (Kristopher Stevenson) Franciskovich of Burlington, one step-son, Anthony Bellegante of Burlington; one step-daughter, Emilee Bellegante of West Burlington; four grandchildren, Branson Mosley, Sofia Mosley, Archer James Stevenson, and Tanner Kristopher Stevenson; two brothers, John J. (Linda) Franciskovich of Bay City, TX and Peter (Sallie) Franciskovich of Canton, IL; two sisters, Mary L. Franciskovich-Yerbic of East Peoria, IL and Marianne Nichol of Norris, IL; one sister-in-law, Wendy Riherd of Burlington; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Pete Franciskovich Jr. of Canton, IL.
Visitation will be from 12:00 PM until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Franciskovich will be 10:00 AM Friday, March 3, 2017, at the West Burlington Loren Walker Arena/Gym (Southeastern Community College) with Chaplain Randy Gearhart officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard and the Southeastern Iowa Regional Fire Honor Guard will perform the Fireman’s Bell Ceremony. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established for the West Burlington Fire Department.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Franco’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Lyle Dewey Graham, 89, of Marshalltown, formerly of Burlington, died at 4:00 PM Wednesday, February 22, 2017, at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.
Born June 14, 1927, in Burlington, he was the son of Lyle Dewey and Myrtle Edythe Cockrell Graham.
Lyle worked at Grahams Cafe for 68 years.
He attended Burlington Business School.
Lyle was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean War from March 21, 1951 until February 12, 1961.
Survivors include one son, Robert Lyle Graham of New English, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The funeral service for Mr. Graham will be 10:00 AM Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Rev. Michael Sutton officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Aspen Grove
Daniel Lloyd Bell Sr., 80, of Burlington, died at 10:45 PM Friday, February 24, 2017, at his home.
He was born February 8, 1937, in Fort Madison, to Dan Sherwood and Millie (Hart) Bell. He was raised by his mom and dad, James and Millie Bell of Burlington and grew up with his eight other siblings. In February of 1960, he married Marilyn Messer; they later divorced in March of 1975. He later married Kathryn Phillips in February of 1980; they divorced in June of 1996.
Dan graduated Burlington High School in 1955. He later attended Burlington Jr. College.
He served his country in the U.S. National Guard and Naval Reserves for 23 years.
Most people recognize Dan through his multitude of careers in the sales field from Ward’s, Fox Appliance and Combined Insurance. He also ran Big Dan’s Karaoke and loved sharing his voice with the community.
Dan was a member of First Baptist Church. He also formed many friendships (and rivalries!) over the years with many residents through a long time love of baseball and being a life-long St. Louis Cardinals supporter. Dan was a local umpire in Burlington, a hobby which was passed along to his sons and grandsons. He enjoyed re-lacing old gloves and collecting various memorabilia. He also enjoyed garage sales, karaoke singing, piano playing, and running Big Dan’s Karaoke.
Survivors include his two daughters, Tiffany (Lewy Leasure) Bell of Burlington and Crystal (Brent) Gibbs of Ft. Madison; two sons Dan (Linda) Bell, Jr. of Round Rock, TX and Kenny Bell of West Burlington, who was named after Dan’s late brother; 10 grandchildren; his mother of Burlington; three brothers, James (Cheryl) Bell, Jr. of Danville, Wayne Bell of Burlington, and Darrell (Rose) Bell of Lomax, IL; and two sisters, Jean (Gary) Reeves of Burlington and Sandra (Tom) Albert of West Concord, MN.
He was preceded in death by his father; two brothers, Kenneth Bell and Ernest Bell; and one sister, Janice Schneider.
Visitation will be from noon until 7:00 PM with the family to receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Wednesday, March 1, 2017 at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home.
The funeral service for Mr. Bell will be 10:00 AM Thursday, March 2, 2017, at Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home with Reverend Marshall Jackman officiating. Full military honors will be rendered by the Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard. Burial will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery.
A memorial has been established.
Prugh~Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements.
A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Daniel’s obituary at www.prughthielencares.com.
Raymond Duane Cromer, age 70, of Grandview, died Saturday morning, February 25, 2017, at the Trinity Unity Point Hospital in Muscatine. The son of Raymond Edwin and Anna Madeline Welch Cromer, he was born on December 5, 1946 in Iowa City. Raymond married Cherry Lynn Peterson on June 3, 1972 in Nichols.
He graduated from Muscatine High School and Muscatine Community College with an AA degree. Raymond served in the US Army Air Force during the Vietnam War and with the Iowa National Guard for many years. He had worked at various factories and retired from Tyson Foods.
Raymond was a Life Member of the Wapello VFW Glenn Allen Post 5166 and the Grandview Community Bible Church. He had played in several bands over the years and enjoyed fishing, his yard work, and especially his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Cherry; son, Jamie & Shelly Cromer of Wapello; and six grandchildren, Dylan, Dalton, Drake, Brandon, Samantha, and Brodie. He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, ‘Cody’; and recently his son, Eric.
The funeral ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at the Grandview Community Bible Church. Pastors Rich Kolmus and Darryl Erickson will officiate. The family will meet friends prior to the funeral from 1:00 to 2:00 PM at the church. Burial will follow at the Grandview Cemetery with military rites. A lunch gathering will follow at the Fellowship Hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and the L & M FFA.
Condolences may be given and viewed at www.dudgeonmcculley.com.
