Kenneth Simmons

Kenneth Simmons Obituary

user

Age - 75

user

October 6, 2023

user

New London, IA

Kenneth Eugene Simmons, 75, of New London, died Wednesday, October 4, 2023. He was born May 23, 1948 to Virgil Berthel and Henrietta Lee Simmons Hennessee. He married Virginia Ronk Simmons and they later divorced. He was a graduate of New London High School and a member of New London Christian Church. He served in the United States Army, stationed in Panama. For thirty-five years he worked as a draftsman at CECO and retired from IAAP in Middletown. Kenny loved tinkering in his garage, woodworking, house remodeling, keeping his yard pristine, going to Hardee's for coffee with the gang, and visiting pawn shops; but mostly enjoyed raising his twin granddaughters and spending time with them and his great-granddaughters. Survivors include his granddaughters that he raised; Annie (Josh) Pence of Red Oak and Kaity Bench of Danville; great-granddaughters Kaidyn and Makenzie; his loving partner of nearly fifteen years, Linda Peterson of New London and her children and grandchildren; sister Connie Tarrence of New London; nieces and nephews, Mike Raines, Jodi Jackson, Jana Fallon, Ken Bunkley, and Mike Bunkley; and his beloved dog, Otis. He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters Joann and Carol. Visitation at Elliott Chapel, New London, will begin at noon on October 16, 2023 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. A memorial has been established for the New London High School Industrial Technology class. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.

Related Obituaries

Bertha Pickle

Bertha Pickle

Age - 92

November 30, 2023

Bertha Ann Yaley Pickle, 92, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, November 6, 2023 at Park Place in Mt. Pleasant. She was born May 13, 1931 in Lee County Pleasant Ridge Township to Eugene Hayes and Edith May Blint Yaley. On August 10, 1950 she married Richard Jack Pickle in New London; he died June 18, 1996. She was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and a member of New London United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker and worked at Deerwood Golf Club in New London and Buffs in Mt. Pleasant. She enjoyed gardening, tending her flowers, baking, sewing, doing needlework with her neighbors, and doing for others. Survivors include her daughters Diane Pickle of New London and Jacque (Richard) Dayton of Bentonville, Arkansas; son Bradley (Dr. Lora Larson) Pickle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandsons Christopher Cain of Ozawkie, Kansas and Aaron Cain of Edmond, Oklahoma; great-grandson Colson Cain; sisters Velna Smith of Salem, Carol (Dean) Anderson and Marlene (Dick) Lenz both of New London; brothers Merle Yaley of Mt. Pleasant and Marvin (Jan) Yaley of Mt. Pleasant; and sister-in-law Irma Yaley of Mt. Pleasant. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Randyl; daughter-in-law Mary Pickle; brother George Yaley; sister-in-law Hazel Yaley; and brother-in-law Ed Smith. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London. There will be no family visitation. The funeral service for Mrs. Pickle will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, November 10, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Gordon Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, after which friends and family are invited back to Elliott Chapel for light refreshments. A memorial has been established for EveryStep Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Bertha Pickle

Bertha Pickle

Age - 92

November 6, 2023

Bertha Ann Yaley Pickle, 92, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, November 6, 2023 at Park Place in Mt. Pleasant. She was born May 13, 1931 in Lee County Pleasant Ridge Township to Eugene Hayes and Edith Mae Blint Yaley. On August 10, 1950 she married Richard Jack Pickle in New London; he died June 18, 1996. She was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and a member of New London United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker and worked at Deerwood Golf Club in New London and Buffs in Mt. Pleasant. She enjoyed gardening, tending her flowers, baking, sewing, doing needlework with her neighbors, and doing for others. Survivors include her daughters Diane Pickle of New London and Jacque (Richard) Dayton of Bentonville, Arkansas; son Bradley (Dr. Lora Larson) Pickle of Tulsa, Oklahoma; grandsons Christopher Cain of Ozawkie, Kansas and Aaron Cain of Edmond, Oklahoma; great-grandson Colson Cain; sisters Velna Smith of Salem, Carol (Dean) Anderson and Marlene (Dick) Lenz both of New London; brothers Merle Yaley of Mt. Pleasant and Marvin (Jan) Yaley of Salem; and sister-in-law Irma Yaley of Mt. Pleasant. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son Randyl; daughter-in-law Mary Pickle; brother George Yaley; sister-in-law Hazel Yaley; and brother-in-law Ed Smith. Visitation will be from 12:00 pm until 6:00 pm Thursday, November 9, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London. There will be no family visitation. The funeral service for Mrs. Pickle will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, November 10, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, with Pastor Gordon Hawkins officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant, after which friends and family are invited back to Elliott Chapel for light refreshments. A memorial has been established for EveryStep Hospice. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Jean Tweed

Jean Tweed

Age - 76

September 30, 2023

Jean Percilla Tweed, 76, of New London, formerly of Mt. Pleasant and North Liberty, died Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Henry County Health Center Emergency Department. She was born November 24, 1946 in Middletown, Connecticut to Russell and Elinor Baker Capen. On May 28, 1967 she married Charles Ullum Tweed in Middletown. He died November 5, 2021. She was a member of the Congregational Universalist Church in Mt. Pleasant where her husband served as Minister. Jean was a 1964 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and received her BA from Grinnell College. She worked as a caregiver, was a homemaker, and also loved working at the Harlan House in Mt. Pleasant. She enjoyed reading and writing poetry, all genres of music especially classical, loved to paint, enjoyed the outdoors, whether camping or in the mountains, most especially the Grand Tetons. She loved time spent with her daughters and grandchildren. Survivors include her daughter Heather (Bill) Schlarbaum of New London; four grandchildren, Hunter, Angelica, Joshua, and Caleb; one sister Marion Engstrom of Delaware; and her niece Laura and nephew Eric. She was preceded in death by her husband, and her daughter Ellise Capen Tweed on July 19, 2022. According to her wishes, her body has been cremated and a private graveside service will be held at a later date where she will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband and daughter. Cards and memorials may be sent to Heather Schlarbaum at 104 E. Madison, New London, Iowa, 52645. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Larry Edgington

Larry Edgington

Age - 73

September 19, 2023

Larry Edsel Edgington, 73, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Thursday, September 14, 2023 at The University of Iowa Hospitals, Iowa City. He was born in Burlington on September 30, 1949 to Edsel Burl and Carla Jean Kinsinger Edgington. He was a 1967 graduate of New London High School and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College. On September 21, 2022, he married Tina June Jenkins at East Lake Park, Mt. Pleasant. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, and attended New London Christian Church. Larry was a farmer, worked as a Transportation Dispatcher, and drove a school bus for Mt. Pleasant School District. He enjoyed gardening, hunting, mushroom hunting and walking in the forest. He loved spending time with family and was an avid Chicago Bears fan. Survivors include his wife of Mt. Pleasant; stepdaughter Amber Jenkins of Mt. Pleasant; sons Shane of Windsor, Colorado, Christopher of Burlington, Brandon of Iowa City, Jacob (Katie) of Manchester, John of Mt. Pleasant, and Jediah of Mt. Pleasant; eight grandchildren, Patrick, Olivia, Madison, Miles, Jonah, Maren, Isla and Finnegan; one great-grandson Kaden; two sisters, Roma Edgington and Pam Wick, both of New London; two brothers, Wendell of Ft. Madison and Ferlin of New London; aunts; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Gary. A graveside memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, September 30, 2023 at Jaggar Cemetery, Danville. Visitation will begin at noon at Elliott Chapel, New London, on September 29, 2023, with the family greeting friends from 5:00 - 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established for Mt. Pleasant High School FFA. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Rodney Linkin

Rodney Linkin

Age - 79

September 8, 2023

Rodney "Rod" Dean Linkin, 79, of New London, Iowa entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, Iowa. Rod was born on December 29, 1943, in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, he was the son of Virgil Hanks and Wilma Kathleen (Williamson) Linkin. Rod was united in marriage to Carol Anne Blow on June 13, 1965 at Danville First Baptist Church. Rod graduated from New London High School, attended the University of Iowa for two years and graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mt. Pleasant. He worked for J. I. Case Company in Burlington and Rock Island and retired from I. A. A. P. in 2001 as a Contract Administrator. Rod was a member of Danville First Baptist Church. He served on the New London Utilities Board and the New London Board of Adjustments. Rod enjoyed being called on by his children and grandchildren to fix whatever was needed and spending his leisure time surrounded by nature and his black labs, Buddy and Apollo. He especially loved the time spent with his family in their cabin at Linkin Northwoods during Christmas and other family gatherings. Survivors include his wife Carol of 58 years; daughter, Brigette Linkin of New London; two sons, Travis (Jena) Linkin of Mt. Union and Trent (Karin) Linkin of Oakville; seven grandchildren, Blade (Rebbecca) McQuiggin, Mariah DeWitt, Branson DeWitt, Camden Linkin, Kyra Linkin, Brianne (Trevor) Snaadt and Trever Linkin; three great-grandchildren, Lara, Emmett, and Carlee due in November; one Step granddaughter and five step great-grandchildren. Rod was preceded in death by his parents and one grandson Brock McQuiggin. According to his wishes cremation has been entrusted to Lunning Chapel and private family services are being held. Memorials have been established to Pheasants Forever and St. Jude Children's Hospital in memory of Rod and may be mailed in care of Lunning Chapel, 2620 Mt. Pleasant Street, Burlington, Iowa. Rod's final resting place will be at his beloved Linkin Northwoods.Show more

Norma Helphrey

Norma Helphrey

Age - 86

August 29, 2023

Norma Lea Wollam Helphrey, 85, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly of Mt. Union died August 22, 2023 at Henry County Health Center, Mt. Pleasant. Norma was born August 23, 1937 in Linby, Iowa, the daughter of Russell Earl and Vera Grace Knox Wollam. She graduated from Mt. Union Consolidated Schools and attended Burlington Business School in a secretarial course. On July 20, 1958 she married Don Lauer Helphrey at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church. He died August 24, 2021. During her life, Norma worked for the Iowa-Illinois Telephone Company as a secretary in the Engineering Department at the main office in New London; she was secretary for the Mt. Union United Methodist Church; and was Administrative Assistant to the President of Iowa Wesleyan College for 16 1/2 years. She was a member of Chapter U of T. T. T. in Mt. Union since November of 1960 and the VFW Auxiliary. She had volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers through the Mt. Union Booster Club since 1964. Norma enjoyed dancing, attending local sporting events - especially basketball and softball - and spending precious time with her family. Norma is survived by her children, Steve Helphrey of Appleton, WI, Joni Helphrey Lewis of Windsor, WI, and Terry (Lisa) Helphrey of LaVista, NE; grandchildren Brittany, Dante, Ashley, Anna and Reid; brother Robert "Bud" Wollam (Betty) of Burlington, and sister Sharon Helmerson (Jim) of New London; nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 AM, September 9, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London with inurnment of her cremains next to her beloved husband Don at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union immediately following. The family will then host a luncheon at the Mt. Union United Methodist Church. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM on September 9 at the Chapel with the family greeting friends from 10:00 until time of the service. A memorial has been established to the National T. T. T. Project Fund. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. comShow more

Roberta Ball

Roberta Ball

Age - 88

August 16, 2023

Roberta Louise Ball, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of New London, died Monday, August 14, 2023 at Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House, West Burlington. She was born in Mt. Pleasant July 20, 1935 to Wilbur and Harriett Elizabeth Waddle Hillard. On June 26, 1955, she married Dwight L. Ball in New London. He died December 8, 2005. She was a 1953 graduate of New London High School. Roberta was a homemaker and was a member of New London United Methodist Church. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals fan; loved visiting with family, friends and neighbors; and enjoyed walking her dog, Scooter. Survivors include three daughters, Deb (Jim) Shull and Sherri Ball of New London and Cindy Culbertson of Ankeny; one son Ron (Dorrie) Ball of Bethalto, Illinois; two grandchildren, Josh (Jenni) Thomas and Ali (Pookie) Johnson; eight great-grandchildren, Reagan, Kellen, Laikyn, Aubrey, Keagann, Kaiden, Skye and Isaiah; five step-grandchildren, Brenda Pointer, Curt (Linda) Shull, Chad (Susan) Shull, Kelly Culbertson, and Donnie Lawrence; step-great grandchildren Dillon Lawrence, Mason Steele, Brandon, Breanna and Brenton Kehler, Boris Pointer, Brittany and Jimmy Shull, Kelcey Williams, Spencer Shull, Courtney Kephart, Sebastian Luttenegger, Justin Allen, Kevin Schlenker, Ryan Schlenker, Alena Weiss; step-great-great-grandchildren, Gabriel Vass, Ariana and Jaquan Oxley, Titus Kehler, River and Asher Kephart, Kinsley Williams, Jimmy Shull Jr. , Jordan and Josh Caneles, Bellamy and Athena Brown-Shull; one step-great-great-great-grandchild, Tavion Poole; two brothers, Ben Hillard of Seattle, Washington and Marvin (Cecilia) Hillard of Phoenix, Arizona; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson Kaleb Ball, and two sisters, Shirley Benge and Mary Feeney. The funeral service for Mrs. Ball will be at 2:00 PM, Friday, August 18, 2023 at Elliott Chapel, New London, with Pastor Kathleen Moore officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the family receiving friends from 1:00 until the time of the service. Roberta will be buried next to her beloved husband, Dwight, at Burge Cemetery following the service. Memorials have been established for New London United Methodist Church and the Kaleb Ball Children's Trust. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Robert Carleton

Robert Carleton

Age - 83

July 21, 2023

Dr. Robert Ingalls (Bob, "Doc") Carleton went to be with his Savior July 20, 2023. He passed at the Morning Sun Care Center in his hometown after a long illness stemming from a serious stroke in 2012 and most recently, convalescence due to a broken ankle in late 2022. He was born on January 10, 1940, in Rockford, IL, to Robey I. and Helen C. (Brogunier) Carleton. He grew up on a small family dairy farm west of Rockton, IL, where he realized that if he wanted something fixed, he would need to do it himself. He was a member of 4-H and FFA raising sheep on the farm. Due to shifting districts, he went to five different grade schools (two of them one room) and never moved. He was a member of the Hononegah H. S. class of 1958 and married his high school sweetheart who became a nurse, Gayle Ruth McDaniel, in 1963. His Mom suffered from back pain for many years and chiropractors were unable to help her. When she was greatly helped by an osteopath after only one or two treatments, Bob had found his calling. He did his pre-med work at Rockford College (now Rockford University) and earned his medical degree from the Kirksville College of Osteopathy in Kirksville, MO. Upon graduation and after finishing his residences, Bob set up a family clinic in the town of Morning Sun in southeast Iowa. Anytime you went somewhere with him, someone was bound to come up and say that he had helped them or delivered a relative. When the clinics in southeast Iowa were bought out by the hospitals, he spent the rest of his career practicing emergency medicine in various ER rooms in the greater southeast Iowa area. He was a master restorer of many Ford Motor Company vehicles from Model T's to Edsel's and during Ford's 100th anniversary celebration in 2002, the company sought him out and asked him to display his restored 1949 coupe in Dearborn, MI, to represent that model year. He was a member of several antique auto clubs and also restored John Deere tractors. He enjoyed participating in related events such as the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, IA. As a child his father instilled in him a love of trains and he enjoyed various train excursions; his home office was ringed with shelves of his childhood Lionel trains and model cars. As a youth he was involved in Youth for Christ and his faith was always foremost in his life wherever he was located. That faith continues on in his family with his oldest son being a pastor; his children and grandchildren are involved in ministry as well. He is survived by his wife, Gayle, brother Dr. John C. (Sandy) Carleton, children; Rebecca (Dean) Bell, Robert F (Lora) Carleton, Amy (Aric) Sharp, and Daniel (Crystal) Carleton, fourteen grandchildren; Stephanie (Justin), Jessica (Nathan), Amanda (Mike), McKaylla (Micah), Alyssa (Adam), Cameron, Lauren (Wyatt), Seth (Sarah), Robey, Anna, Olivia, Isabel, Ellie and Sam; eight great-grandchildren; Titus, Sterling, Ayden, Esme, Iyla, Reuben, Eden and Everly; and one nephew Jeff. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, July 25th at The Way Church, Morning Sun, Iowa. His son, Pastor Rob Carleton will officiate. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 until the time of the service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Rockford, IL at the Carleton Family plot on Wednesday, July 26th. A memorial has been established, in lieu of flowers, to The Way Church. Elliott Chapel, New London, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

James Vantiger

James Vantiger

Age - 88

July 6, 2023

James (Jim) John Anthony Joseph Vantiger, 88, of Mt. Union, passed away at his home on July 3, 2023 on the family farm. He entered this life as the first child of Ben and Angela Fedler Vantiger on June 29, 1935. Jim graduated from Yarmouth High School in 1953 and moved back to the West Point area. He met his future wife, Georgianna Dodge at a square dance. He was united in marriage on May 26, 1956, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in West Point. Jim moved back to the Mt. Union area in 1957 with his wife and started his family. He was a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. He was a farmer in Mt. Union, mostly in the Canaan Township, "The Single Richest Township of Land in the World" and grain merchandiser for Vantiger Farm Market. He grew many different brands of corn and soybeans over the last 60+ years. He was very particular about how the fields were planted and had the straightest rows. He also grew peaches and cream sweet corn and popcorn. He owned a corn sheller and shelled ear corn with the help of his family for many years. In 2007, he started Vantiger Equipment & Supply, supplying tile to the community and then became a FRATCO dealer for the past 10+ years. He also had a fleet of trucks to haul grain, with the help of his sons and grandsons. In his younger years, he was a member of a Barbershop Quartet, where he learned to play the harmonica. He taught himself how to play and enjoyed playing it for his family and friends and for funerals. He loved to go out to eat catfish plus watching NASCAR races in Las Vegas and Kansas City and car races in Newton. Survivors include his children, Bill (Pam) Vantiger of Yarmouth, Dave Vantiger of Mt. Union, Patty (Larry) Ford of Mt. Pleasant, Scott Vantiger of Mt. Union, and Karen (Kurt) Palar of Danville; daughter-in-law Marcy Vantiger of Mt. Union; sisters-in-law Anita Vantiger and Frieda Vantiger both of Mt. Union; brother-in-law Larry Anderson of Mediapolis; six grandchildren (Jenny, Luke, Traci, Adam, Megan and Brock); nine great-grandchildren (Grant, Gracie, Max, Brooks, Grayson, Boyd, Karsen, Nolan and Brynlee); and nieces and nephews. And his companion for many years, his dog, Max. He was preceded in death by his wife May 14, 2022; parents; son Joe Vantiger June 23, 2021; brothers Bob and Fred; sister Wilma Anderson; and bonus son, Rick Rodgers. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, July 10, 2023 at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, West Point, with Father Dan Dorau officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Cemetery, rural Mt. Union. Visitation at Elliott Chapel, New London, will begin at noon Sunday, July 9th, with the family receiving friends from 2:00 - 6:00 PM. Memorials have been established for EveryStep Hospice; HCHC Cardio Rehabilitaion Center; Future Farmer's of America; and Des Moines and Henry County 4-H Clubs. Online condolences may be left at www. elliottfuneralchapel. com.Show more

Find More Obituaries

right arrow