All Obituaries

Desiree M. Vradenburg, 42, of Keokuk, passed away on November 30, 2023, at her home in Keokuk. Desiree was born on July 24, 1981, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of Patrick and Melodie (Rowlette) Vradenburg. She graduated from Keokuk High School in 1999 and was employed in home health care, mostly at Bridgeway in Keokuk. She enjoyed watching old movies and loved animals, especially her pets. Desiree was her mother’s caretaker and oversaw her care in their shared home. Desiree is...

E. Regina Rowe, 72, of Sandusky, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, at her home. Regina was born on August 6, 1951, in Carthage, Illinois, the daughter of Winfred Lee and and Edra (Coffman) Lee Cossey. She graduated from Hamilton High School in 1969, and on August 10, 1972, she was united in marriage to Robert Rowe in Hamilton. He survives. Regina was employed in area restaurants for many years and managed Family Discount Furniture. She was a member of the Keokuk Yacht Club, and...

Gary Dean Eilers, 81, of Keokuk, passed away on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.  Gary was born on August 7th, 1942, in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Arnold “Capp” and Darleen (Ehman) Eilers. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church on August 30, 1942, in Golden, Illinois, and was confirmed there on March 25, 1956. He attended grade school in La Prairie, Illinois, and graduated from Central High School in Camp Point, Illinois, on May 27,...

Richard Delbert McCarl, Sr., 89, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa. Richard was born on December 31, 1933, in Corydon, Iowa, the son of Ray and Iva Mae (Farr) McCarl. On June 22, 1952, he was united in marriage to Betty Bryant in Keokuk, Iowa. She survives. Richard began his working career at Steel Castings for fifteen years, before opening McCarl Auto Sales, operating his business until his retirement in...

Shirley Decker Schreck Kerr, formerly of Keokuk, Iowa, and Keosauqua, Iowa, passed away on Friday, November 24th, 2023, at the Heritage House in Carthage, Illinois, where she had been residing for the past year. Shirley was born on July 8th, 1937, to Edith J. Decker and Carl W. Decker. Shirley grew up in Keokuk and attended Keokuk Public Schools and First Christian Church of Keokuk. She was a member of the Keokuk High School Class of 1955. During her school years she was in the Pep Squad...

Marilyn Walte, 85, of Keokuk, passed away on Friday, November 24, 2023, at her home in Keokuk, Iowa. Marilyn was born on July 1, 1938, in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of John and Kathryn (Diamond) Landman. She graduated from Keokuk High School in 1956, and in November of 1958, she was united in marriage to Joseph “Milton” Walte. He preceded her in death on March 27, 2020. Marilyn was a bookkeeper for J.C. Penney for many years until they closed, then went to work for RW Cardella...

Gary L. Lovell, 80, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, November 19, 2023, at Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center in Fort Madison, Iowa. Gary was born on December 23, 1942, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Orvell C. and Marie (Haskins) Lovell. On November 10, 1962, he was united in marriage to Carol Winn in Keokuk. She survives. Gary lived in Keokuk all of his life and worked in maintenance at Metzler (Henniges) for forty-three and a half years until his retirement. After retirement, he...

William “Billy” Eugene Brown, 60, of Keokuk, passed away on Monday, November 13, 2023, at his home in Keokuk. Billy was born on December 19, 1962, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of Bill LaFever and Martha K. Brown. He held many jobs throughout the years, working in masonry, at factories and the sawmill, and driving trucks. Billy was a man that enjoyed a simple way of life. He loved fishing and his chevy short bed pickup trucks. Billy had the gift of gab and would talk to everyone....

Arthur L. “Beezer” Vaughan, 99, of Keokuk, passed away on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at Mississippi Valley Healthcare Facility in Keokuk. Arthur was born on August 22, 1924, in Keokuk, Iowa, the son of James Henry and Grace Martha (Washburn) Vaughan. He married Gladys L. Hopkins on February 16, 1946, in Kahoka, Missouri. He attended the Wells-Carey Elementary and Keokuk High School. At the age of seventeen, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served four years in the...

Eric Ray Younker, 44, passed away at his home in Aurora, Colorado, on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. He was born March 28, 1979, in Springfield, Missouri, the son of Gary Ray and Rozella Anise (Stott) Younker. Eric attended school in Springfield, Missouri. As a young boy, he had a huge Star Wars collection. He also collected old comic books and had most of the 1960 big G.I. Joe dolls. Eric enjoyed visiting his grandparents, Lloyd and Evelyn Stott on the farm east of Kahoka, Missouri. Later he...