Area Obituaries

Beverly Sue Redlinger, 70, passed away peacefully on December 28th, 2024, at Iowa Methodist Medical Center. Beverly was born on July 24th, 1954, to Chester and Doris Wallace, in Mount Ayr, Iowa. She graduated from Mount Ayr High School in 1972. In the following years, she began a self-employed career in the cleaning business alongside…

Walter Joseph Sobotka, son of Andrew Joseph & Eva Marie (Driskell) Sobotka, was born April 8, 1929, at home south of Diagonal, Iowa. Joe grew up in the Diagonal community and he graduated from Diagonal High School in 1948. Joe began serving his country in the U.S. Army in 1951. He was an office worker…

Stephen Gail Fletcher, son of Everett Troy & Alice Alcista (Wimer) Fletcher, was born December 26, 1953, at Mount Ayr, Iowa. Steve, better known as Fluff, grew up in the Diagonal community. He graduated from Diagonal High School in 1972. Fluff moved to Colorado and worked out there before returning back to Iowa. While in…

Robert (Bob) Lewis Walker, husband, father, farmer, and steward of the land, was born February 26, 1934, and died December 25, 2024, surrounded by family. He is remembered by his wife of 67 years, Loy, (Alice Loy Buffington Walker), four children, 16 grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. Bob’s legacy is one of generosity, stewardship, an appreciation…

Penni Meline (Doolittle) Hewlett was born August 19, 1961, to Melvin Eugene and Judy Maxine (Reed) Doolittle in Leon, Iowa. Penni was welcomed by older sister, Debra Maxine and later joined by younger sister Teena Marie. Penni married Greg Hewlett with whom 2 sons were born: Benjamin LeeReese in 1982 and Aric Clifford in 1985.…

James Edwin Mahan, Jr., age 93, of Leon, Iowa, the son of James Edwin, Sr. and Ettie Katherine (Lucas) Mahan, was born August 5, 1931, at Mount Ayr, Iowa. He left this life on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the Decatur County Hospital in Leon, Iowa. Jim grew up in Mount Ayr and graduated from…

Earl Keith Whitson passed peacefully December 11, 2024, after 87 years. Born in Ringgold County, 3rd of 4 children, of LeRoy M. Whitson and Alice D. Scott Whitson. Keith grew up in a farm-focused family, playing basketball and baseball, graduating from Beaconsfield High School in 1955. Shortly after that, he married the love of his life…

Bart French, 92, of Wapello passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Sunrise Terrace Care Center.  Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, at Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services of Wapello. A time of remembrance with Military Honors will be held at 3 p.m. following…