All Obituaries

Thelma Lucille Jefferson, 64, of Keokuk, passed away on Friday, April 16, 2021, at Blessing Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa. Thelma was born on April 22, 1956, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Jesse J. and Twila Lucille (Perkins) Jefferson. Thelma graduated from Keokuk High School in 1975. She was a member of the Salvation Army Church in Keokuk and worked at the Convalescence Center in Keokuk as a nurse’s aide. She enjoyed spending her free time camping, driving and walking around town, or...

Glenna “Audrey” Ramaker, 89, of Keokuk, passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Audrey was born on November 8, 1931, in Cresco, Iowa, the daughter of Earl H. and Evelyn M. (Woodson) Miller. She was born on her brother Larry’s birthday, and she always told him she was the best birthday present he ever received. On December 30, 1950, she was united in marriage to Robert Charles Ramaker in LeRoy, Minnesota. He preceded...

Sherry Ann Barnes Rader, 73, of Keokuk, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, April 10, 2021, at Great River Hospice House in Burlington, Iowa. Sherry was born on August 17, 1947, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Dallas E. and Helen Earlene (Samuelson) Barnes. She graduated from Keokuk Senior High School in 1965 and was united in marriage to Edwin D. Rader on May 4, 1968, at the Second United Presbyterian Church in Keokuk. He survives. Sherry was employed as an insurance agent for forty-seven...

Elvin Edward Harker, 83, of Keokuk, passed away on Monday, April 5, 2021, in Rushville, Illinois. Elvin was born on October 31, 1937, at Graham Hospital in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Eddy Simon and Elizabeth (Hackard) Harker. In 1972, he was united in marriage to Keitha Cooper in Kahoka, Missouri. Elvin was a member of the First Baptist Church in Keokuk, Iowa. Elvin is survived by his wife, Keitha; two sisters, Glenda Madden of West Pont, Iowa and Virginia “Ginger” Malaney of...

Ralph W. Miller, 79, of Keokuk, passed away on Friday, April 2, 2021, surrounded by loved ones. Ralph was born on August 9, 1941, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Mylo and Emily (Wright) Miller. He graduated from Keokuk High School in 1959, and on July 13, 1979, he was united in marriage to Alene M. Jones at Rand Park in Keokuk. She preceded him in death on August 14, 2003. Ralph worked for many years as a parts manager for Carl Motors in Carthage, Illinois, and was a member of the VFW #3508,...

Patricia “Patty” Ann Beaird, 74, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, March 14, 2021, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois. Patty was born on September 4, 1946, in West Point, Iowa, the daughter of Harry and Louise (Buechel) Vorwaldt. She graduated from high school in 1964 and later earned her associate’s degree. Patty married David Patrick Beaird on August 26, 1967, in West Point.  She was a medical lab technician at Keokuk Area Hospital for 45 years and a member...

Marilyn Jean Spence, 83, of Quitman, Texas, formerly of Keokuk, Iowa, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021, at Whispering Pines. Jean was born on January 8, 1938, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of William Wayne and Mary Ellen (Mortimer) Bryant. She attended Keokuk High School and moved to Texas in 1992, where she was employed as a shipping coordinator and warehouse manager for SEI of Dallas until 2005. Jean enjoyed spending her free time cooking delicious food, especially her homemade...

Robert Lee Williams Sr. formerly of Keokuk, Iowa passed away in Ankeny Iowa on March 10, 2021 at the age of 87.  Born in 1933 the son of Virginia Bell and Theodore Williams, Bob was raised in Keokuk by his grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Edward Fields. He was often referred to as “Ratz” by his friends and teammates because of his love for cheese. He excelled in sports from an early age, especially track, baseball, and basketball. He was a starting guard on the Keokuk Chiefs...

Mark Lewis Peterson, 75, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2021, at the University of Iowa Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. Mark was born on June 15, 1945, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Frank L. and Mary M. (Colvin) Peterson and graduated from Keokuk High School in 1963. On July 13, 1968, he was united in marriage to Mary McKay in Keokuk. She survives.  Mark was a lifelong resident of Keokuk and a member of All Saints Catholic Church. He was employed as a foreman at Roquette...

Jerry Arnold, 83, of rural Kahoka, Missouri passed away on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the Clark County Nursing Home.  He was born in Alexandria, Missouri to the late Roscoe and Avice (Bryant) Arnold.  Jerry graduated from Kahoka High School and briefly attended the University of Missouri in Columbia.  Jerry married Carmen Calvin in 1962.  They would have been married 58 years December 28, 2020. Jerry was a lifelong member of the Alexandria Presbyterian Church....