Lisa Lynn Christy, 51, of West Point, Iowa, passed away at 10:06 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at her parent’s home near Wever, Iowa.

She was born on September 21, 1973, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the daughter of Dean L. and Sue C. (Anderson) Mabeus. She was engaged to Michael Meierotto.

She is survived by her fiancé: Michael; parents: Dean and Sue; children: Ashley (Jayme) Gress, Adam (Julian) Christy; grandchildren: Sophia Gress, Kayce Christy; siblings: Mike Mabeus and Ann Klesner. Also surviving are several aunts, uncles, cousins and nephew.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents: Carl “Barney” and Lois Anderson and paternal grandparents: Richard and Orpha “Tish” Mabeus.

Lisa was a graduate of Fort Madison High School. She enjoyed working with her father on the family farm.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 2, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 3, 2025, at Schmitz Funeral Home in West Point with Pastor Chad Savage officiating.

Burial will be at Claypoole Cemetery, Wever, Iowa.

A memorial has been established in her memory.

Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.

James “Steve” Russell 

1960-2025 

 

     James “Steve” Russell, 65, of Fort Madison, formerly of Keokuk, Passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025 at Birkwood Village in Fort Madison.   

     He was born January 1, 1960 in Keokuk, the son of Harry and Elma Marmion Russell. He graduated from Keokuk High School with the class of 1979.   

     Steve had been employed by Biddy’s Conoco and as a mechanic for Vradenburg Trucking, but more recently for John Briscoe Construction.  He was a fixer upper and could fix just about anything.   

     Steve is survived by two sisters, Grace Russell and Rose Vradenburg of Keokuk and a brother, Everett Russell of Keokuk, his good friend, Mike Biddenstadt of Keokuk, several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.   

     He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, Bud Russell, Russell Jr., Charles Russell, and Bill Russell as well as two sisters, Joyce Jones and Mary Alice Russell. 

     A Gathering of Remembrance will be held Thursday, February 27, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Vigen Memorial Home with family meeting friends at that time.        

     Online condolences may be sent to the family atwww.vigenmemorialhome.com 

Joshua Lee Schulz, 48, of Des Moines, IA, formerly of Carthage, passed away on Thursday,
February 13, 2025, at Unity Point Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, IA.
Josh was born on June 26, 1976, at Memorial Hospital in Carthage. He was the son of Ron and
Susie (Dycus) Schulz. Josh graduated from Carthage High School in 1995. At 11 years old,
Josh started his paper route and continued to do so for seven more years. In 1994, Josh won
“carrier of the year” for the Quincy Herald Whig and received a trip to England. Josh loved
people and people loved Josh. From an early age he could be found uptown at a gas station or
whatever donut shop/cafe was on the square at the time visiting people. He was always on the
move, never sitting still for long. He never knew a stranger.
Josh collected ball cards when he was younger but as an adult, collecting Hot Wheels was his
hobby along with some occasional coins. He enjoyed thrift shopping and almost always picked
up a scratch off lottery ticket on any convenience station stop.
Josh worked many jobs throughout his life, He worked several years as a slot attendant in
LaGrange, Missouri, before moving to Des Moines, Iowa. In Des Moines, he held many security
guard positions.
Josh is survived by his mother, Susie Schulz of Carthage, IL, his siblings, Jeremy Schulz of Des
Moines, IA, and Jennifer (Cory) Clostermery of Carthage, IL, his nieces, Caitlin (Jordan Slater)
Clostermery of Macomb, IL, and Cara Clostermery of Carthage, IL, his nephew, Jacob
Clostermery of Carthage, IL, and a great niece, Kinley Slater.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ron Schulz.
A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, February 24, 2025, at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Carthage. A visitation will be held from 5 – 7 pm on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at
Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. Memorials may be made out to the family for funeral
expenses. Printy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Robbie Nel Lloyd, 95, of Hamilton, passed away surrounded by her family,
at Memorial Hospital in Carthage on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.
Nel was born March 1, 1929, the daughter of Otha and Lena (Orton)
Johnson in Russell County, Kentucky. She worked for many years at
Shellor-Globe in Keokuk. Nel enjoyed walking the bridge, watching the
eagles, mushroom hunting, hitting all the garage sales, and going to the
casino. She loved spending time with her grandkids, turquoise jewelry, and
her home state of Kentucky where she will be interred.
Nel is survived by her brother Jerry Johnson (Carmen) of Copperopolis, CA
and her daughter, Vickey (Harold) Henson, of Hamilton; granddaughters,
Tina Bell and Tammy (Rick) Conn; step grandchildren, Bradley (Jackie)
Henson, Col. Brett (Deana) Henson, Amy Enke, and Jennifer (Justin) Giles;
great grandchildren, Reagan, Madison and Zachary; twelve step great
grandchildren; seven step great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Lloyd; her parents; her
daughter, Karin Griswold; two brothers, Van Johnson and Welby Johnson,
one sister Julie Johnson, and one half brother Perry (Butch) Smith.
A visitation will be held at Printy Funeral Home in Hamilton starting at 1:00
pm Friday, February 28, 2025 with a memorial service starting at 2:00pm.
Memorials may be directed to Memorial Hospital Foundation (Maple
Grove). Printy Funeral Home of Hamilton is in charge of arrangements.

Gilbert Junior Duffy, 90, of Ferris, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday,
February 14, 2025, at 7:20 AM.
Junior was born on May 31, 1934, at the family home in Carthage, IL, to Gilbert B.
and Bertha (Carroll) Duffy.
He attended Carthage High School, where he excelled in athletics including
football, basketball, softball and track. After graduating in 1954, Junior served in the
U.S. Army from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1963, spending part of his
service stationed in Germany.
In 1957, he married Lois Seigfreid, and they later divorced in 1970. In 1973, Junior
married the love of his life, Marcia Dighton. After their marriage, he adopted
Marcia’s son, Nicholas J. Duffy. Following Nicholas’ untimely passing, Junior and
Marcia lovingly raised his daughters, Jaclyn (Jackie) and Taylor, as their own,
devoting the next two decades to their upbringing.
Junior spent 19 years working at Tuffy’s Auto Body before joining the Hancock
County Highway Department, where he worked for 22 years until his retirement at
age 62. In his retirement, he enjoyed antiquing with family and friends and was an
avid collector. He had a deep love for animals, especially his beloved Rosie Marie
and Hazel Mae.  Hunting and fishing were also pastimes he enjoyed with his family.
He was able to attend many class reunions over the years, including his 70th.
A dedicated member of his community, Junior served for over 50 years on the
Village of Ferris Board, always committed to doing things right the first time and
striving to improve his town. He was an active member of several organizations,
including the Burlington Antique Car Club, Thunderbird Car Club, Road Motorcycle
Club, Keokuk Coin Club, and the local Masonic Lodge. Later in life, he became a
member of the Faith Assembly of God Church in Hamilton.  Family was able to help
him celebrate his 90th birthday with an Elvis Presley themed party, which he
helped plan. 
Junior will be remembered for his kindness, dedication, and unwavering love for his
family and community.

Junior is survived by his granddaughters, Jackie (Ryan) Burns of Brookfield, Missouri
and Taylor (Evan) Rowland of Rogersville, Missouri; great grandchildren, Emmett
Nicholas Burns and Jentry Rae Burns and Eleanor Diane Rowland due in April;
siblings, Barbara L. Duffy of Ferris, Roger Duffy of Carthage, Robert (Gail) Duffy of
Ferris, Richard (Stacy) Duffy of Carthage, Lisa Duffy of Colchester and Peggy Sue
Duffy of Ft. Madison; special great niece, Bernadette Duffy; and many nieces and
nephews. Junior was blessed to have his sister, Barbara L., live with and take care of
him for the last five years making many memories.
He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Violet Duffy; wife, Marcia;
son, Nicholas; a brother, Gib; and his grandparent, Jim and Hazel Downing and Bob
and Gladys Duffy.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Printy
Funeral Home in Carthage with burial to follow in Moss Ridge Cemetery.  Visitation
will be held from 9:00 AM until time of services at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. 
Memorials may be directed to the Faith Assembly of God Church in Hamilton or St.
Jude’s Hospital.  Printy Funeral Home of Carthage is in charge of arrangements.

Merlin Johnson Tobias, 90, of Carthage, IL, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the
Golden Good Shepherd Home in Golden, IL.
Merlin was born on February 1, 1935, at his home in rural Basco, IL. He was the son of Onno
and Matilda (Paben) Tobias. He graduated from Carthage High School and went on to get a
degree at Western Illinois University. On February 10, 1957, he was united in marriage to Anna
Ramah Evans at the Mendon Congregational Church in Mendon, IL. Merlin spent a combined
40 years teaching in the West Point, Sutter, and Warsaw school districts until he retired. Merlin
loved to read. You could often find him reading multiple books at the same time. He served on
the Farm Bureau Board for many years. He was a leader of the 4H Club, Gideons International,
and Worthen Earth Searchers. Merlin was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church and
served on the Basco fireworks committee. After retirement, Merlin worked for Bear Creek
Custom Mill Works.
Merlin is survived by his children; Becca Ruggiero, Keenan Tobias, Kent (Sandy) Tobias, Debra
(Mark) Twaddle, and Kory (Andrea Hapke) Tobias; his grandchildren, Roxanne Tobias, Orinda
(Jeff) Gillham, Spencer (Keely Walker) Twaddle, Ryan Twaddle, Katherine Twaddle, and Kari
Tobias; his great grandchildren, Lyle Gillham, Charlotte Gillham, Jake Tobias-Moore, and Evey
Tobias-Moore.
He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Anna Ramah Tobias, his son in law, Rick
Ruggiero, and his grandson, Justin Tobias.
A funeral service will be held at 10 am on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Immanuel Lutheran
Church with burial to follow at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in rural Carthage. A visitation will
be held on Friday, February 14, from 4 - 7 pm at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. Memorials
may be made out to the Golden Good Shepherd Home, Blessing Hospice, or Immanuel
Lutheran Church. Printy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Rylan James Spoores

2024-2025

 

     Rylan James Spoores of Keokuk, IA was born June 13, 2024 in Ft. Madison, IA the son of Steven Spoores and Jaley Bush.  He passed away Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, IA. 

    Rylan found comfort in the warmth of loving arms and the soothing sound of lullabies. He had the sweetest smile and giggle that would light up any room. He loved watching Bluey and Ms. Rachel, delighting in the colors, sounds, and playful songs. He also adored sitting in his bouncer, content and curious, taking in the world around him.  Most of all, Rylan loved his big sisters. 

     In his short life, Rylan gave a gift more precious than words can express. Through organ donation, he has saved the lives of three other children.

     In addition to his parents, he is also survived by two sisters, Emberley Spoores and Haylee Spoores paternal grandparents, Steven Spoores (Dawn) of Keokuk and maternal grandparents, Jamie Bush of Nauvoo, IL and Shelley Bush (Steve) of Alexandria, MO.  He is also survived by one aunt, Stephanie Adams (Justin) and four uncles, Samuel Spoores (Stephanie), Andrew Boyer (Kayla), Ian Mullens and Corby Bush (Emalie) and three great-grandmothers, Sonja Bush, Vickie Marshall and Lois Mlyniec and ten cousins, Wyatt, Atlas, Carter, Zeke, Alexa, Maci, Paisley, Kaedyn, Kynslee and Isla.

     He was preceded in death by one paternal great-grandfather, Charles Spoores, Sr. and maternal great-grandfathers, Charles Mullens, Donald Bush and Neil Marshall and one great-grandmother, Connie Garcia and one great-uncle, John Bush.

     A gathering of remembrance celebrating Rylan’s life will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Friday, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with family meeting with friends at that time.

     Memorials may be made to the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com 

William D. Valeu

1979-2025

 

     William D. Valeu, 45 of Macomb, IL passed away Monday, February 3, 2025 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, IL. 

     He was born November 28, 1979 in Iowa City, IA the son of Donald and Debra Yaley Starr.  William graduated from Warsaw High School with the class of 1997.

     William had been employed by Hy-Vee in Quincy, IL for nine years and at Bridgeway for the past five years and the Macomb Post Acute Care Center both in Macomb, IL.

     William was a proud participant in the Special Olympics, where he enjoyed the spirit of competition and teamwork.  He loved to play video games and spend time with his friends.  William’s biggest dream and achievement was to one day become independent. In keeping with his selfless spirit, he chose to give the gift of life through organ donation. His final act of kindness has given hope and life to others in need. 

     He is survived by his parents, Donald and Debra Starr of Warsaw, IL, two sisters, Jestine Bougher of Las Vegas, NV and DeEtta Starr of Keokuk, one nephew, Shawn Bougher, one niece, Hannah Bougher and his fiancé, Ashley Warner of Macomb, IL.  He is also survived by two aunts, Carol Heglin of Denver, CO and Linda Sattler of Burlington, IA, one uncle, Tony Starr of Macomb, IL and several cousins.    

     William was preceded in death by his grandparents, Norman and Carol Haendler, John and Judy Eckard, grandfather, Richard Starr and one uncle, Terry Starr.

     A funeral service will be held at 8:00 pm Tuesday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk with Pastor Derek Olsen officiating. The family will meet with friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. just prior to the service.

     Memorials may be made to the Arthritis Foundation.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com

Don Thurman Obituary

Don Eugene Thurman, 72, of Bentley, IL, passed away on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at his home in Bentley.

Don was born on September 23, 1952, in Carthage, IL. He was the son of Lewis and Marjorie Thurman. He graduated from Carthage High School in 1970. Don started working at the radio station when he was in high school, and he never left. The radio station was his life. He loved to volunteer wherever he could, whether it was the hospital, the courthouse, or any event going on in the community, Don wanted to help. He was a radio broadcaster for WCAZ for most of his life until retirement. Don also enjoyed meeting up on Tuesdays and playing cards with friends.

Don is survived by his aunt, Carol Thurman of Warsaw, IL, his special friend, Roxanne Rankin, as well as many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Linda Thurman.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Printy Funeral Home in Carthage. A visitation will be held at 10 am until the time of service. Memorials may be made out to the Denver Christian Church. Printy Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Angel Sharon Ann McClain

1953-2025

 

     Angel Sharon Ann McClain, 71 of Keokuk, IA passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025 at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in West Burlington, IA.

     She was born September 16, 1953 in Carthage, IL the daughter of Donald and Norma Stark Hoppe.  She graduated from Hamilton High School in Hamilton, IL with the class of 1971.

     Angel was first married to David Shuman.  They later divorced.  On December 23, 1982 Angel was united in marriage to Marty McClain in Hamilton.  He preceded her in death.

     She had been employed by Henniges Automotive for thirty-six years, until her retirement.

     Angel was the heart of her family.  She enjoyed sewing and created beautiful clothes for her grandchildren.  She also enjoyed quilting, baking cookies and taking care of her chickens.   One of Angel’s favorite traditions was to go black Friday shopping with her daughter, Michelle.

     She is survived by three sons, Jeff Wayne McClain (Angie), James Martin McClain and Dan McClain all of Keokuk, one daughter, Michelle Houghton (Kurt) of Keokuk and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by one sister, Maureen Cameron of Texas and one niece.

     She was preceded in death by her husband, Marty McClain and two sons, Rusty McClain and Chisum Shuman. 

   A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Pastor Donnie Skinner officiating.  Burial will be in the Oakwood Cemetery in Hamilton, IL.

     Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Monday at the funeral home with family meeting with friends at that time.

     Memorials may be made to the family.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com 

James “Jim” Harold Daw, Sr.

1941-2025

 

     James “Jim” Harold Daw, 83 of Montrose passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025 at the Montrose Health Center in Montrose.

     He was born June 7, 1941 the son of John Sr. and Phoebe Lucille Cox Daw.  Jim graduated from Revere High School with the class of 1959.

     He had been employed by the Dial Corporation as an instrumentation electrician for forty years.

     Jim enjoyed traveling worldwide and touring in his Model-T.  He was a gifted musician and played the guitar and piano.  Jim was a passionate performer and played in several bands throughout his life.  He also enjoyed riding motorcycles, spending time on the water in his jet boat, woodworking and tinkering around in his garage.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. 

     On August 9, 1980, Jim was united in marriage to Leonida C. “Nida” Castro in Alexandria, MO. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2023.

     He is survived by two sons, Jim Daw, Jr. of Montrose, IA and Eric Daw (Kelly) of Madison, AL, two daughters, Kathy Ashworth (John) and Karen Colvin (Chuck) both of Keokuk, eleven grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren. He is also survived by three step-daughters, Lynn Corns (Chuck) of Waukee, IA, Melissa “Lisa” Harper (Jeff) of Edinburg, TX, Josefina Foreman (James) of Fairfield, IA, one step-son, Aries Daw (Aimee) of National City, CA, several step-grandchildren,  two brothers, John Daw, Jr. (Mary) and Colin “Spike” Daw (Mary), and two sisters, Jean Pezley (Roger) and Kay Williams (Ron) along with numerous nieces and nephews.

     Besides his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter-in-law, Meutiah “Tia” Daw and one son-in-law, Steve Dye.

     A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk, IA with Deb Marlin officiating.  Burial will be held in the Montrose Cemetery in Montrose, IA.

     Visitation will be held after 1 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home with family meeting with friends from 5-7 p.m.

     Memorials may be made to Every Step Hospice.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com