Obituaries
John Edward Wilder
John Edward Wilder, 68 of Shellsburg, died Saturday October 1, 2022 at his home. Services: 1p.m. Friday at Teahen Funeral Home in Cedeear Rapids by Pastor Matt Magee. Friends may visit with the family on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Teahen Funeral Home.John is survived by his children Jackie (Nate) Williams of Cedar Rapids, Julie (Jesse) Steffensen, and John (Amanda) Wilder both of Arlington, SD. Philip J. Lowder, Sr.
Philip J. Lowder, Sr., 83, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, September 29, 2022. A prayer service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at Teahen Funeral Home by Rev. Nick March. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Private burial at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Walker. Virginia Kline (Snyder) Bull
Virginia Kline (Snyder) Bull, age 97, passed away on Friday, September 30, 2022, at her home in Shellsburg.Graveside services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, October 7, 2022, at Evergreen Cemetery in Vinton.Virginia was born on January 10, 1925, in Vinton, the daughter of Ansel and Beulah (Kline) Snyder. She grew up in Vinton and graduated from Lincoln High School with the class of 1942, where she was a member of the National Honor Society. William D. Bullock
William D. Bullock, 87, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at Belle Plaine Specialty Care.Visitation will be held at 11:00 PM until 2:30 PM on Saturday, October 8, 2022 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton. Interment will follow at 3:00 PM at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton.William was born June 11, 1935 in El Dorado Springs, Missouri to Bill and Sylvia (Bright) Bullock. Merlin Lee Lassen
Merlin Lee Lassen was born on June 23, 1932, on the family farm near Dysart, the son of Severt and Margaret (Gill) Lassen. He graduated from Dysart High School and then served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict. On April 12, 1955, Merlin was united in marriage to Gerene Chizek at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Waterloo.
Gary Lee Kersten
Gary Lee Kersten was born on December 5, 1952, in Waterloo, the son of Glenn and Ann Kersten. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 1, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at Crosspoint Assembly of God in Dysart.He attended North Tama Community Schools and was involved with FFA, winning many ribbons. Gary lived on the family century farm and farmed with his brother for many years. Harold A. Gates
Harold A. Gates, 90, of La Porte City, died Monday, September 26, 2022, at UnityPoint Health Allen Hospital. He was born May 29, 1932, in Independence the son of Floyd and Anna Thedens Gates. Harold grew up in Brandon, Iowa, where he was a 1951 graduate of Brandon High School. He served in the U.S. Army.He married Shirley Sloan on August 26, 1955, in Phoenix, AZ. Colleen D. Ditolla
Colleen D. Ditolla passed away unexpectantly after a short battle with heart failure on Thursday, September 22, 2022, while surrounded by loved ones. Colleen was born on July 20, 1946 in Vinton, Iowa. From the time of her birth, until the time she went to the Lord, Colleen was full of energy and loved to be in the presence of friends and family. Alvin Beryl Close
Alvin Beryl Close, 68, of Conway, AR, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, September 25, 2022. He was born February 11, 1954, in Urbana, Iowa to the late Martin Miniffee Close and Lucy Georgiana (Sellers) Close. Alvin was also preceded in death by his wife, Denise Lori (Goodall) Close and sister, Ruth Elaine Close.Alvin is survived by his 6 brothers, Mike, Frank, Ben, Tony (Kathy), Chris (Amy), and Tim Close and 4 sisters, Pat Bumgarner, Diana Van Hagen (David), Sharon Kimmerle (Gary), and Rachel Webster (Kevin). Sally Ann Benson-Hackett
Sally Ann Benson-Hackett, age 62, passed away on Thursday, September 1, 2022, at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, October 1, 2022, at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton with Rev. Phil Borleske officiating. Interment will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Vinton.