Roger Formanek

Roger Nathaniel Formanek, Sr., died on April 27, 2017 at the University of Iowa Hospital following a long illness.  

A Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 3 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John XXIII Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids with Father Dustin Vu officiating. 

Visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 – 10:30 a.m.  

Roger was born May 25, 1940 in Chelsea, IA, the son of Frank and Libbie (Kaufman) Formanek.  

He attended St. Wenceslas School and graduated in 1958 from Immaculate Conception. 

Following graduation he served in the U.S. Navy.

On June 15, 1963, he was united in marriage to Mary Etta Courtney and together they were blessed with four sons. 

Lois Blackford

Lois Mary (Iliff) Blackford, 78, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Friday, April 21, 2017, at Heritage Nursing Home, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

Burial will be in West Union City Cemetery in West Union, Iowa, next to her parents. 

A private memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

Lois was born July 1, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of the late Eugene and Mary (Patterson) Iliff.

She graduated from Central High School, Sioux City, Iowa, and Jr. Central College in McPherson, Kan. 

Lois was a devout Christian woman who loved reading her Bible daily and singing Christian songs. She loved cats and enjoyed traveling when she was young.

On July 3, 1969, Lois married Darwin Blackford in Sioux City, Iowa, who preceded her in death in 1987.

Mark Stewart

Mark Stewart, 63, of Elgin, Iowa passed away Thursday, April 20, 2017 at his home in rural Elgin.  

Mark Edward, the son of Delmar R. and Naomi (Christensen) Stewart, was born Nov. 13, 1953 in Oelwein, Iowa.  

He was baptized and confirmed at Bethel Presbyterian Church in West Union, Iowa.  

Mark graduated from North High School in 1970.

Mark farmed with his family south of Elgin for many years, and he worked as a job coach for RISE in Elkader, helping disabled people work and live in society.

Mark had a passion for farming, animals, air shows, and spending time with his family. He had a joyous spirit and enjoyed life. He knew no stranger, encouraged exploring, and had a love for the outdoors that lives on in his children and grandchildren.  Mark left us too soon; we wish we had more time to make additional memories.  He will be forever in our hearts.  

Frances Graham

Frances Ruth (Hill) Graham, age 95, of Johnston, formerly of West Union and Hawkeye, passed away on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Bishop Drumm Care Center.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 10, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Fayette County Historical Center in West Union. 

The memorial service will be held at Hawkeye United Methodist Church on Thursday, May 11 at 10 a.m. 

Frances was born to Lacy D. and Ruth J. (Henderson) Hill on Dec. 14, 1921 at their home in rural Coggon, IA.

She was a graduate of Coggon High School, then Iowa State College (Ames, IA) in 1943 with a degree in Homemaking. 

Frances taught at Kalona High School, Kalona, IA for two years, then at West Union High School in West Union, IA for three years.

Leona Bullerman

     Leona Bullerman, age 90, of Calmar, Iowa, died peacefully, with her family by her side on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at the Ossian Senior Hospice.

Paul Baas

Paul Douglas Bass, 48, formerly of Mt Pleasant, Iowa, died on Sunday April 9, 2017.  Born on September 8, 1968 to Robert and Nancy (Voshell) Bass in West Union, Iowa. Graduate of Waterloo West High School and attended Hawkeye Tech Community College in Waterloo, Iowa.  He loved photography, enjoyed creative drawing and leatherworking.  Paul was always willing to help others when asked.

Paul was preceded in death by his father and great-nephew, Robert John Paul O’Dell.  He is survived by his mother, 3 sisters and a brother: Becky O’Dell (Darryl Woltzen) of West Union, IA; Deb (Scott) Schlatter of Lincoln, NE; Chris (Matt) White of Pella, IA, and Doug (Kristi) Bass of Sumner, IA. Paul is also survived by 3 nephews and 5 nieces: Cory (Becca) O’Dell Rozline and Ronnie O’Dell; Stephanie and Jacob Schlatter; Logan, Madeline and Olivia White; and Melissa Bass.

Cora Koons

Cora Lou Koons, 85, of Elkader, died Wednesday, April 12, 2017, at Stoney Brook Village, West Union, Iowa. She was born May 7, 1931, at Fayette, to Dale and Willa (Sperry) Owen.  Cora Lou was united in marriage to Julian A. Koons on July 29, 1951. Three children were born to this union.

Following their marriage, she worked at Binks Grocery Store for two and a half years. When the family started, she stayed home and babysat, took in washings and ironing, and even took in roomers for a while. Once the children were all in school, Cora Lou started working in the kitchen at Central Community School, where she stayed for 24 years, retiring in 1991. Julian and Cora Lou enjoyed camping with friends and were able to go more following their retirement.

Lawrence Hurd

Lawrence Hurd, 87, of Westgate, Iowa died at his home on Wednesday morning, April 12, 2017 with his family at his side.

Funeral Service: 10:30 A.M. Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate with Rev. Herbert C. Mueller, III officiating.

Visitation:  4:00 to 7:00 P.M. on Monday at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home in Maynard and for one hour before the service at the church on Tuesday.

Interment: Long Grove Cemetery, Maynard, Iowa.

A Memorial Fund has been established for St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate Fire Department and the Westgate Public Library.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com

Ernest "Junior" Pfister

ervices held for father of Brian Pfister

Ernest “Junior” Pfister, 91, of Oelwein, Iowa died on Tuesday afternoon, April 11, 2017 at Cedar Valley Hospice Home in Waterloo.

Funeral Service:  10:00 A.M. Saturday, April 15, 2017 at the Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, with Pastor Duane Olsen officiating.

Interment: Floral Hills Memorial Gardens, rural Oelwein, Iowa with military graveside honors by the Ross Reid American Legion Post #9 Honor Guard and V.F.W. Post 1725 both of Oelwein.

A Memorial Fund has been established for the Oelwein Health Care Center and Oelwein American Legion Ross Reid Post #9.

Online obituary at www.jamisonschmitzfuneralhome.com.

Ernest Junior Pfister was born on Nov. 24, 1925 in rural Elgin, Iowa, the son of Ernest and Martha (Scheel) Pfister, Sr.