Obituaries
William D. Bullock
William D. Bullock, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Belle Plaine Specialty Care.Visitation will be held at 11:00 PM until 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. Interment will follow at 3:00 PM at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton.William was born June 11, 1935 in El Dorado Springs, Missouri to Bill and Sylvia (Bright) Bullock. Merlin Lee Lassen
Merlin Lee Lassen was born on June 23, 1932, on the family farm near Dysart, the son of Severt and Margaret (Gill) Lassen. He graduated from Dysart High School and then served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 12, 1955, Merlin was united in marriage to Gerene Chizek at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo.
Gary Lee Kersten
Gary Lee Kersten was born on December 5, 1952, in Waterloo, the son of Glenn and Ann Kersten. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Crosspoint Assembly of God in Dysart.He attended North Tama Community Schools and was involved with FFA, winning many ribbons. Gary lived on the family century farm and farmed with his brother for many years. Harold A. Gates
Harold A. Gates, 90, of La Porte City, died Monday, September 26, 2022, at UnityPoint Health Allen Hospital. He was born May 29, 1932, in Independence the son of Floyd and Anna Thedens Gates. Harold grew up in Brandon, Iowa, where he was a 1951 graduate of Brandon High School. He served in the U.S. Army.He married Shirley Sloan on August 26, 1955, in Phoenix, AZ. Colleen D. Ditolla
Colleen D. Ditolla passed away unexpectantly after a short battle with heart failure on Thursday, September 22, 2022, while surrounded by loved ones. Colleen was born on July 20, 1946 in Vinton, Iowa. From the time of her birth, until the time she went to the Lord, Colleen was full of energy and loved to be in the presence of friends and family. Alvin Beryl Close
Alvin Beryl Close, 68, of Conway, AR, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 25, 2022. He was born February 11, 1954, in Urbana, Iowa to the late Martin Miniffee Close and Lucy Georgiana (Sellers) Close. Alvin was also preceded in death by his wife, Denise Lori (Goodall) Close and sister, Ruth Elaine Close.Alvin is survived by his 6 brothers, Mike, Frank, Ben, Tony (Kathy), Chris (Amy), and Tim Close and 4 sisters, Pat Bumgarner, Diana Van Hagen (David), Sharon Kimmerle (Gary), and Rachel Webster (Kevin). Sally Ann Benson-Hackett
Sally Ann Benson-Hackett, age 62, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton with Rev. Phil Borleske officiating. Interment will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton. Donald Fred Richard Andresen
Donald Fred Richard Andresen, 84, of Spirit Lake, IA, formerly of Keystone, IA, was called to heaven on Wednesday, September 7, 2022, from Keelson's Harbour Assisted Living where he and wife, Norma, reside. Memorial Services will be held at 2:30 pm, Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone with Rev. Merlin Lee Lassen
Merlin Lee Lassen was born on June 23, 1932, on the family farm near Dysart, the son of Severt and Margaret (Gill) Lassen. He graduated from Dysart High School and then served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 12, 1955, Merlin was united in marriage to Gerene Chizek at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo. John Henry Kotouc
John Henry Kotouc, 73 of Cedar Rapids died Sunday, September 25, 2022 at West Ridge Care Center. Services 10:30 a.m. Friday, September 30, 2022 at Faith Bible Church at 1800 46th St. NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Friends may visit with the family at the church on Friday after 9:30 a.m.John is survived by his wife Ida Kotouc of Cedar Rapids; daughter Jamie Robinson of Cedar Rapids; son George (Jen) Robinson Jr.