Obituaries

Jo Anne Lee Heckroth, 79, of La Porte City, passed away peacefully Thursday, January 11, 2024, at her home, surrounded by family. She was born July 7, 1944, in Charles City, the daughter of Glenn and Betty (Aschenbrenner) Lee. She married Donald Heckroth on February 7, 1964.Jo Anne worked as a hairstylist for thirty years, and at GMAC for ten years.

Marvin John Stallman passed away January 6, 2024 at the Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Marvin was born May 25, 1941, the 8th child of Louis and Elsie (Frimml) Stallman. Marvin was raised on the family farm. He attended school in Norway, Iowa where he played baseball and basketball.Marvin entered the Air Force on October, 1961 where he served four years.

UPDATED: Elizabeth Marie (Grunewald) Kimm, 76, of Blairstown died of dementia related complications, on December 14, 2023, surrounded by her children and under the care of Advanced Healthcare Hospice in Overland Park, Kansas. A memorial service will be held in June. The church. Arrangements are with Phillips Funeral Home in Blairstown. She is survived by her husband Don Kimm; daughters Cyrena Melich, Jennifer Whelchel, Lisa (Craig) Peterson and son Andrew (Natalie) Whelchel; grandchildren Nick and Sadie Peterson, Vivienne Krebs, Kyle Bos, Aurora and George Whelchel.

Joel A. Jeffries Joel A. Jeffries, 68, of Chicago, IL passed away on Dec 28, 2023 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Joel was born on Feb 12, 1955 to Jack and Ruth Jeffries in Carroll, IA.  They relocated in Vinton and Joel graduated from the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in 1973.  He then attended Coe College in Cedar Rapids graduating in 1977.

Gail Vititoe, 69, of Belle Plaine, Iowa, died Tuesday, January 9, 2024. Private services have been held. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, assisted the family.Gail was born May 11, 1954, in Indianapolis, Indiana, the daughter of Lonnie and Dorothy (Donahue) Temple. She was united in marriage to G.F. Spears, who became her longtime love, companion, and father to her children.

Updated: Joan Lindahl, 92, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Virginia Gay Hospital, Vinton. Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 10th, at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Vinton, with Pastor Anne Williams as officiant. Friends may visit with the family from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday at the church. A luncheon will follow in the church hall.

Randy P. Primmer-Farber, age 67, passed away on Friday, January 5, 2024, at University Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.A private family graveside service will be held at Bear Creek Cemetery near Vinton.Randy was born on September 2, 1956, in Vinton.  Randy and Robert Farber began their 41-year relationship in 1982.  Randy and Bob were united in marriage on February 14, 2013, in Waterloo.

William “Bill” D. Suchy, 73 of Belle Plaine, IA passed away January 4, 2024, at Compass Memorial Healthcare, Marengo, IA. Bill was born November 30, 1950, in Cedar Rapids, IA to Edwin and Ellen (Theissen) Suchy. Bill spent his life in Belle Plaine. Growing up with his dad a railroad worker, Bill developed a lifelong fascination for trains.

Becky Jo (Postel) Williams, 61, of Vinton, IA, found peace from her battle with cancer. She left us on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, surrounded by many loving family members.Becky was born on August 19, 1962, in Independence, IA, the daughter of Billy L. and Jean D. (Olsen) Postel. She was a 1981 graduate of Independence High School and went on to the Young’s College of Hair Design in Waterloo, IA.

Larry E. Fritch, age 87, of Ney, Ohio passed away Friday, January 5, 2024 at Glenn Park of Defiance with his family at his side.Larry was a mechanic by trade and owned Ney Auto Service for many years. He later worked as a journeyman mechanic at General Motors. Larry also farmed for 50 years.He was a volunteer firefighter for Washington Township and served as assistant chief for several years.