Obituaries

Russell D. Werning, 88, of Newhall, passed away after a brief illness.  He died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, April 26, 2025.  Funeral services will be held at St. Johns Lutheran Church in Newhall at 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 1, 2025.  Friends and family may visit with the family before the service from 9:30-10:45 AM.

Robert Henry Ohlen, 88, a lifelong farmer of Blairstown, Iowa, passed away on April 20, 2025. Known affectionately as “Woodchopper” and “Bobby O,” Bob was a man whose life was defined by his love for family, his dedication to his community, his deep roots in the land, and his service to his country.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM, Friday, April 25, 2025 at St.

Jeremiah David Barber, age 42, passed away on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at his home in rural Atkins.A memorial visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 PM, Friday, April 25, 2025 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.Jeremiah was born on January 22, 1983 in Cedar Rapids, the son of Craig and Pamela (Folkers) Barber.

Barbara A. Close, 50, passed away from a brief illness, Friday, April 18, 2025, at Unity Point Health-Allen Hospital, Waterloo.  Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Bear Creek Cemetery, Vinton.  Celebration of Life will be 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Calvary Evangelistic Center, Fellowship Building, 700 13th St.

Mary Jane “Janie” Gibney, 90, of Norway, IA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on April 16, 2025 at Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House, Hiawatha, IA. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 21, 2025 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Norway. Visitation is 9-10:30 a.m. in the parish hall prior to the service. Burial will take place at St.

Family and friends and are invited to an informal Sweet Memories Celebration for Jimmy Kearns.  Please come to the Fellowship Hall of the First Christian Church at 2PM on April 26th. —-To read about Jimmy’s life, click here.

Marilyn J. Lee, 88, of La Porte City, died Saturday, April 12, 2025, at MercyOne Waterloo Medical Center. She was born July 20, 1936, in Clarksville, the daughter of Ewald and Minnie Lindeman Klunder. She attended Clarksville Community School.Marilyn married James R. Lee on April 22, 1955, at the United Church of Christ in Clarksville.She was a member of the American Lutheran Church in La Porte City, where she served on many committees and was an active volunteer; a past member of La Porte City American Legion Auxiliary Post #207; and a volunteer for the La Porte City Senior Center.

Rex D. Stephens, 70, of Brandon, IA, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025, at Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, IA.Rex was born on December 24, 1954, in Waterloo, IA, the son of Darrell “Buck” and Judy (Stainbrook) Stephens. He grew up in rural Brandon, IA, on the family farm, where he learned the value of hard work. He helped out on the farm while going to school.

Sheryl Cue Zinkula, 79, of Littleton, Colorado, previously of Cedar Rapids, IA, died peacefully on January 19, 2025.  Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 2 at Saint Jude’s Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. Burial;Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg at 1:00pm.Sheryl was born on August 22, 1945, in Urbana. Sheryl met Ray Zinkula at Armar Ballroom in Marion, and they married on August 27, 1976, at St.

Joseph Charles Fisher, 71, of Cedar Rapids, IA, formerly of Belle Plaine, IA, passed away April 11, 2025 at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.Joseph was born March 11, 1954 to Clifford and Blanche (Drahos) Fisher in Belle Plaine. He graduated from Belle Plaine High School, class of 1972. Joseph went to work for Amana Refrigeration, retiring at the age of 62.