VINTON - Ervin H. Happel, age 91, died Friday, March 5, 2004 at the Virginia Gay Annex following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, March 8, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick and Vicar Keith Knea officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 3 to 6 P.M., on Sunday. He is survived by his son Jim Happel, and wife Paula of Vinton; three grandsons, Mike Happel of Phoenix, AZ, Adam Happel of Mt. Auburn and Brian Happel of Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in April of 1983; his son John Happel; two brothers, Alfred and George Happel; and three sisters, Jeanette Widmann, Gertrude Grovert, and Loreen Driscol. Ervin was born to Adam and Katherine (Rinderknecht) Happel on February 9, 1913 at rural Vinton. He attended school in Vinton and worked for area farmers until entering the service during World War II. He served in the Army in the European Theatre. On November 17, 1946, he married Dorothy Boeyink at Vinton. Erv and Dorothy farmed in the Vinton area until his retirement, and he continued to help Jim with farming as his health allowed. He loved his daily sightseeing tours of the farm, and will always be remembered for his hearty laugh. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church and the Fireside Club. A memorial fund has been established

VINTON - Margaret L. Happel, age 93, died Monday, January 4, 2004 at Virginia Gay Annex following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Thursday, January 8, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick and Vicar Keith Knea officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 5 to 7 P.M., on Wednesday. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established. Margaret was born to David A. and Carrie (Tranter) Edwards on September 10, 1910 in Brooklyn, Iowa. Her family later moved to Iowa City where she graduated from City High School. After graduating from Iowa State Teachers College she taught in the Kelley, Hudson, Brooklyn, Toledo and Vinton schools. On June 30, 1936, she married Alfred A. Happel in Ute, Iowa. He preceded her in death on April 24, 1994. As a young bride she moved to Vinton in 1936, and enjoyed serving as a substitute teacher for several years and loved being a homemaker. A member of Trinity Lutheran Church she belonged to Trinity Lutheran Mission Circle. Margaret was also a member of the Izaak Walton League and in her leisure enjoyed traveling and playing cards. Her son, David E. Happel, her brother-in-law, Ervin Happel both of Vinton, and several nieces and nephews survive her.

CEDAR RAPIDS - Dean E. Hartkemeyer, age 51, died Wednesday, July 16, 2003 at University Of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 21, 2003 at Concordia Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids with Rev. Paul Scheidt officiating. Interment will be held at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. The visitation will also be held at the church in Cedar Rapids from 3 to 7 P.M., on Sunday. A Memorial Fund has been established for Concordia Lutheran Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. Dean was born February 19, 1952 at Vinton to Elmer and Frances (Schadle) Hartkemeyer and graduated from Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School in 1970. He was a truck driver for J.P. Gasway Co in Cedar Rapids and enjoyed bowling and metal detecting. He is survived by his father, Elmer Hartkemeyer and his sister, Nadine Hartkemeyer, both of Cedar Rapids; nephews, Robert Stull and wife, Rachael of Roanoke, VA, Jeff Stull and wife, Tiffany of Solon, and Ken Orr of Coralville; great nephews, Zachary and Austin Stull of Solon; and his aunt, Arlene Fisher of Van Horne. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1967 and his sister, Sharon Stull in 1984.

CEDAR RAPIDS - Elmer Hartkemeyer, age 93, of 1517 9th Ave. SW, died Sunday, May 16, 2004 at Manor Care of heart failure: Services: 11 A.M., Wednesday, Concordia Lutheran Church, 4210 Johnson Ave, N.W., with Rev. Jerry Doellinger officiating. Burial: St. John Cemetery, Newhall. Visitation: 4:30 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at the church in Cedar Rapids. Elmer was born July 1, 1910 at Luzerne to William and Jennie (Stammer) Hartkemeyer. On February 8, 1939 he married Frances Schadle at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Parsonage in Van Horne. He farmed in the Van Horne area until 1967 and moved to Cedar Rapids. Until retiring in 1976 he was employed at Sieg Auto Parts in Cedar Rapids. He was a member of Concordia Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids and enjoyed playing cards and bowling. He is survived by his daughter Nadine Hartkemeyer of Cedar Rapids; grandsons, Robert Stull (Rachael) of Roanoke, VA, Jeff Stull (Tiffany) of Solon, and Ken Orr of Coralville; great grandsons, Zachary and Austin Stull of Solon; sister-in-law, Arlene Fisher of Van Horne; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Frances in 1967; daughter Sharon Stull Brown in 1984, and son Dean in 2003. A Memorial Fund has been established for Concordia Lutheran Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

NEWHALL - Darlene Rose Robinson Heinrich, age 78, died Saturday, January 31, 2004 at her home in Newhall, following an extended illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Wednesday, February 4, 2004, at Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall with Rev. David Snyder officiating. Interment will be held at Cedar Memorial Cemeteryin Cedar Rapids. Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the church in Newhall. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements. She is survived by her two sons; Russ Robinson (Cindy Dunlap) of Cedar Rapids, and Kevin Robinson (Barb) of Blairstown; her daughter-in-law, Eileen Robinson of Marion; five grandchildren; five great grandchildren and one sister, Virginia McCloskey of Des Moines. She was preceded in death by her parents; husbands Gene Robinson and Wallace Heinrich; and one son Ray Robinson. Darlene was born on June 24, 1925, in Marengo, Iowa, the daughter of Frank and Alma (Bennington) Redman. She was united in marriage to Gene Robinson. Following Gene’s death, she married Wallace Heinrich. Darlene was a homemaker and “professional grandma”. She was a member of Central Presbyterian Church in Newhall and the Newhall and Norway American Legion Auxiliaries. In her spare time, Darlene loved to travel and spend time with her family. A memorial fund has been established.

KEYSTONE - Meta Frieda Heitmann, age 83, died Friday, January 30, 2004 at the Clarinda Treatment Center in Clarinda, Iowa following an extended illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone with Rev. Bruce Kaltwasser officiating. Interment will be held at the Keystone Cemetery. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 3 to 6 P.M., Monday Meta was born March 7, 1920 in Wentorf, Germany to Franz and Elise (Barg) Heitmann. A member of St. John Lutheran Church, Meta was employed at the Amana Woolen Mills for several years. She is survived by her sister, Helene Danker of Marengo and ten nieces and nephews. Her parents and two sisters, Elizabeth Hansen and Martha Fitzsimmons preceded her in death. A memorial fund has been established for Colonial Manor of Amana.

VAN HORNE - Vera Heitman, 82, died Thursday, January 16, 2003 at Marengo Memorial Hospital following an extended illness She was born October 26, 1920 in Van Horne, the daughter of Jesse and Mabel (Marvin) Kerkman. She graduated from Van Horne High School. On February 16, 1941, Vera married Wilbert John Heitman. The couple farmed near Keystone and north of Van Horne. “Bill” preceded his wife in death on January 20, 1984. Vera later worked at Collins Radio Company, retiring after 20 years of service. She was a longtime member of Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne. She is survived by a son-in-law, Ken Southorn of Eagan, MN, daughters, Marla McBride of San Diego, CA, Joyce Smith and husband, Rob of Marengo, Donna Kennedy and husband, Bob of Houston, TX, Rhonda Holmquist and husband, David of Houston, TX, and Valerie Ortberg and husband, Kelly of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Craig Southorn, Todd Southorn, Kara Kennedy Uptegraph, Jason Kennedy, Jeff Smith, Megan Smith Martin, Kendra Holmquist Milan, Amber Holmquist, Michael Holmquist, Kaitlyn Ortberg and Abigail Ortberg; great grandchildren, David Southorn, Patrick Southorn, Sarah Southorn, Tony Southorn, Kimberly Southorn, Kennedy Uptegraph, Tripp Uptegraph, Colin Kennedy, Caleigh Smith and Taylor Smith. She is also survived by nieces Shirley Birch, Carolyn Geater, JoAnn Schallau, Noreen Folkerts and Tami Fisher and nephews, John Heitman, Don Heitman and Terry Siemens. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Janet Southorn on November 27, 2001 and her sister, Lucille Nelson on June 2, 2002. Funeral Services were held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, January 20, 2003 at Salem United Methodist Church with Rev. Cheri and Rev. Steve Whisler officiating. Interment was held at the Keystone Cemeteryin Keystone. Visitation was held at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Keystone from 3 to 7 P.M., on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Salem United Methodist Church in Van Horne.

ATKINS - Milda K. Heitshusen, age 80, of Vinton, formerly of Atkins, died Saturday at the Vinton Lutheran Home following a courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Milda was born on September 5, 1922 in rural Atkins, the daughter of Henry and Katie (Rinderknecht) Keiper. She was a 1940 graduate of Atkins High School. On September 17, 1946, she married Willard Heitshusen at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins. The couple farmed in the Van Horne area until Willard's death in 1976. Milda moved to Atkins following Willard's death and lived there until entering the Lutheran Home in 1993. She was a member of St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Atkins. With the help of many wonderful care givers, Milda was able to enjoy life in spite of her Parkinson's Disease. She is survived by two daughters, Kaye Less and husband Richard of Van Horne, Karen Wheeler and Bob Elias of Anamosa; five grandchildren, Rachel Blackford and husband Charles, Ryan Less, Chad Wheeler and wife Audrey, Tim Wheeler and wife Wendy and Scott Wheeler; five great grandchildren; one sister, Esto Jennings; three brothers, Fred Keiper and wife Ella, Irvin Keiper and wife Delores and Ray Keiper and wife Betty, all of Atkins. She was preceded in death by her husband Willard and her parents. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, 2003 at St. Stephen's Lutheran church in Atkins, with Rev. Douglas Woltemath officiating, with interment at St. John Cemeteryin Newhall. Visitation was held Monday at the church in Atkins. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established. Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton is in charge of arrangements.

VINTON — Clara “Ethel” Hensing, age 96, died Thursday, February 13, 2003 at the Vinton Lutheran Home, following an extended illness. She was born March 31, 1906 at Blairstown to George and Jenny (Greaser) King. On May 28, 1924 she married Fred Hensing at Grundy Center. Following their marriage, Ethel and Fred farmed east of Vinton. They retired and move to town in 1948. Fred preceded his wife in death in 1962. Ethel was an active member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church where she also taught Sunday School. She loved to fish and always had horses on the farm. She also enjoyed membership in the Taylor Friendship Club, the Stitch and Chatter Club, and the Izaac Walton League. She is survived by her daughters, Mary Ellen Besta of Vinton, and Esther “Corkey” Buelow and husband, Albert of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; many great and great great grandchildren; and one brother, Norman King and wife, Lillian of Cedar Rapids. In addition to her husband and her parents she was preceded in death by one grandson, Gary Besta; her son-in-law, Milo Besta; three brothers; and three sisters. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday, February 15 at the Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jim Blair officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-7 P.M., Friday at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be given to the Vinton Lutheran Home.

URBANA - Clifford Hepker, age 85, died Friday, April 23, 2004 at the Vinton Lutheran Home, following a short illness. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at the Urbana United Methodist Church with Rev. Leo Anderson officiating. Interment will be held at the Urbana Cemeterywith graveside military rites. Friends may call from 4:00 until 8:00 P.M., Monday at the Phillips Funeral Home in Vinton. He is survived by his wife Lela of the Lutheran Home; one son, Ronald Hepker and wife Mary, of Buffalo, WY; three daughters, Phyllis Noe and husband Lawrence of Independence, Pat Hopper and husband Jack of Vinton, Karen Moore and husband Richard of Sylvester, GA; 16 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and one brother, Merle Hepker and wife Eileen, of Cedar Rapids. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randy Hepker; one grandson; one granddaughter; one great grandson and his brother, George Hepker. Clifford was born August 19, 1918 at Urbana to George “Albert” and Mabel (Kisling) Hepker. On October 15, 1940, he was united in marriage to Lela Boyles in Urbana. Clifford served his country in the Army during World War II. After returning home, he farmed in the Rowley area for a number of years and operated Cook’s grocery for 28 years. He was a member of the Urbana Methodist Church and a member of the Walter J. Meyocks American Legion Post #264 in Urbana for over 50 years. Clifford also served on the Urbana Fire Department for over 25 years, and 10 years as fire chief. He loved to spend time in the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting and fishing.

VINTON - Ruth Arlene Hepker, age 82, died January 7, 2003 at her residence following a brief illness. She was born November 12, 1920 at Belle Plaine to Preston O. and Josephine U. (Hauser) Koser and received her teaching certificate at Iowa State Teacher’s College in Cedar Falls. On May 22, 1952 she married Herman C. Hepker at her parent’s home near Vinton.. He preceded her in death on June 22, 1966. Ruth taught in the Urbana Schools for several years. After retiring from teaching, and moving to Vinton, she was employed for a number years at the former Me-Too Grocery Store. She loved watching sports events on television and especially enjoyed basketball games. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Merle W. and Zelda Koser of Coggon; three brothers-in-law, Ralph Hepker and wife, Ila Mae of Vinton, Lloyd Hepker and wife, Marilyn of Urbana, and Jim Hepker of Forsyth, MO; and three sisters-in-law, Maxine Relf of Vinton, Dolores Winn and husband, Burton of Quasqueton, and Mary Helen Zieser and husband, Bob of Urbana; and numerous cousins. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, Preston and Josephine Koser. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, January 11, 2003 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mark C. Urlaub of Bethlehem Lutheran Church officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery. The casket will remain closed at all times. Friends may call at the funeral home from 12:30 until service time on Saturday.

VINTON - Del Hessenius, age 80, died Friday, June 4, 2004 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer Funeral Services will be held at 1:30 P.M., Monday, June 7, 2004 at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Clarke E. Frederick officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Cemeterywith Graveside Military Rites conducted by Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton. Friends may call at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel from 4 to 7 P.M., Sunday. A Memorial Fund has been established. Del was born January 26, 1924 near Van Horne to Herman J. and Marie (Petersen) Hessenius and graduated from the Newhall High School. He served his nation in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard an LST and again during the Korean Conflict aboard a Destroyer. On September 3, 1950 he and Pat Messmore were married at her parent’s home in Vinton. Upon his discharge from the Navy, Del was employed by several plumbing and heating companies in northeast Iowa. In 1966 he joined the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Union No. 125 of Cedar Rapids and in 1984 he established Hessenius Plumbing & Heating Co. in Vinton. Del was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church; Geo. G. Luckey American Legion Post #57 of Vinton and the Iowa LST Association. In his leisure he enjoyed watching Softball Games and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat, of Vinton; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jim and Shareen of Shellsburg, Mike and Sally of Norway, and Ron and Julie of Vinton; his grandchildren Jennifer and Jim of Vinton, Dave of Cedar Rapids, Lisa, Jason and Dane of Norway, and Chelsea, Jacob and Colton of Vinton; great-grandchildren, Josh and Jace; his sister, Nadine Bracy of Cedar Rapids; sisters-in-law, Joann Hessenius of Vinton and Floy Messmore of Mason City; brother-in-law, Ted Berry of Illinois; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, John Hessenius; his sisters, Lorraine James, Katherine Berry and infant sister, Mardean.

VINTON - William H. Holst, age 99, died Monday evening, April 14, 2003 at Virginia Gay Annex following an extended illness. He was born February 16, 1904 at Sioux Falls, SD to Christian and Janey (Huxtable) Holst. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Vinton where he graduated from high school. On October 18, 1937 he married Helen Hilton at Vinton and she preceded him in death on November 4, 1979. William farmed south of Vinton working with horses until the early 50’s. He moved to town in 1977. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Vinton and in addition to his love of horses he enjoyed reading in his leisure. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, John W. and Kristin Holst of Vinton, and Warren L. and Doris Holst of Cedar Rapids; his daughter and son-in-law, Suzanne and Dennis Holliday of Wichita, KS; eight grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Ella Holst of Vinton; his niece, Shirley Spicher of Waterloo, and his nephew, Donald Holst, Jr. of Lake Zurich, IL. In addition to his parents and wife, Helen, he was preceded in death by his brother, Don Holst. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, April 17, 2003 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton with Rev. Greg Altizer of Twin Pines Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids officiating. Interment will be held at Maplewood Cemeteryin Vinton. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8 P.M., on Wednesday. A Memorial Fund has been established for the Vinton Public Library.

VINTON - George F. Holub, Jr., age 69, died Saturday, March 22, 2003 at his residence following a sudden illness. He was born April 17, 1933 at Vinton to George F. and Myrtle (Rogers) Holub, Sr. On July 8, 1978 he married Marian Jenks at Brandon. His wife preceded him in death on June 22, 1995. George had been employed at Hawkbilt in Vinton prior to his retirement. He is survived by two sisters, Mary Chapman of Tipton, and Grace Toland and husband, Bill of Texas. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his brother Robert and his sister, Barbara Bobzine. Private Committal Services will be held at Maplewood Cemetery. Phillips Funeral home is in charge of arrangements.