Obituaries
Joseph "Papi Joe" Edward Blaha
Joseph "Papi Joe" Edward Blaha, Jr., born September 23, 1957, died November 9, 2024, at 67 years old from a short battle with cancer. Joe is survived by his daughter Deidra McVay, granddaughter Shyanne Wiegel, and great-grandchildren Sutton and Frederick Wiegel. He is also survived by 3 brothers and 4 sisters: Jerry Day, Ellen Day, John "Tim" Blaha, Terri Taylor, Grant Blaha, Lolita "Linn" Blaha, and Connie Raines; as well as many nieces and nephews. Cathy J. Becker
Cathy J. Becker, 67, died Friday, November 8, 2024, at the Hiawatha Care Center, following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at the St. Stephens Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall in Atkins. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, also at the church in Atkins, with Rev. Helen Marie Schirm
Helen Marie Schirm, 91, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2024, six weeks after the passing of her beloved husband of 74 years, Dean. Their bond was one of deep love and mutual respect, a partnership that weathered time and change with grace and warmth.Born on December 17, 1932, in the close-knit town of Shellsburg, Iowa, Helen grew up with a deep sense of family and community. Dale Speidel
Dale Speidel, 102, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at the Vinton Lutheran Home. Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home with Pastor Brian Channel officiating. Friends may visit with the family before the service from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home on Saturday. Rodney James Bergen
Rodney James Bergen, 83, passed away on November 3, 2024, following a sudden illness. Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street). Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 2:00 PM also at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. John Russell Betterton
John Russell Betterton, Age 81, of Jesup, IA passed away at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence, IA on Sunday, November 3, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. A service will be held at a later date.John was born on August 6, 1943, in Knoxville, IA. He was the son of the late Harold and Margaret (Clarke) Betterton. On May 3, 1964, John married the love of his life, Pat Neighbor, in Cedar Rapids, IA. Penny Lindsey
Penny Lindsey, 65, passed away at her residence on Monday, October 28, 2024. Memorial services will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2024, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home with Chaplain Brian Reeves officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., on Saturday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton. Alan Lee Buseman
Alan Lee Buseman, age 77, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at his home in Vinton. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November, 8th at the Presbyterian Church in Vinton. Alan was born on July 15, 1947, in Canistota, South Dakota, the son of John and Velma (Plucker) Buseman. He gave his life to Christ when he was 5 years old, and renewed that commitment when he was in college. Dennis Dayle VanDeVenter
Dennis Dayle VanDeVenter, age 78, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 11, 2024, at Harmony Cedar Rapids A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM on Thursday, November, 7, 2024 at Phillips Funeral Home Chapel in Vinton (212 E. 6th Street). Graveside services will be held at Maplewood Cemetery at 3:30 PM following the celebration of life with full military honors. Lynn A. Arthur
Lynn A. Arthur, 89, formerly of Mt. Auburn, passed away peacefully Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Vinton Lutheran Home. No services will be held at this time. Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home is caring for Lynn and his family.Lynn was born March 14, 1935, in La Porte City, the son of Russell and Lucille (Kohler) Arthur. He attended school in La Porte City, graduating in 1953.