Obituaries

Frances W. McAvoy, 90, of Washington, died Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009, in the United Presbyterian Home in Washington, following a two-week decline in health.    Celebration of life services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the United Presbyterian Church in Washington with the Rev. Bob Wollenberg officiating.  Burial will be at Elm Grove Cemetery.  Visitation will begin at noon Thursday at the Jones-Eden Funeral

BRIGHTON ? Margaret Ann Kuenster, 60, of Brighton, died Friday, Oct. 23, 2009, in her home, due to failing health.    Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Iowa City with the Rev. Judy Juarez officiating.  The body has been cremated.  Burial will be at Hillcrest Cemetery in Brighton at a later date.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church,

Paul Steven Baker, 42, of Kalona, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, in an automobile accident near Garrison.    According to Mr. Baker?s wishes, the body has been cremated, and cremation services were conducted.  Private family services will be held in March 2010 at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington.  A general memorial fund has been established.    Mr. Baker was born March 31, 1967, in Althimer, Ark., the son

KALONA ? Esther Miller, 96, of Kalona, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in her home, after a lingering illness.    Celebration of life services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, at Sharon Bethel Church in Kalona.  Burial will be at Sharon Bethel Cemetery in Kalona.  Visitation began Sunday evening and will also be held from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at the church.  A memorial fund has been established for

Donald C. Simmering, 90, of Washington, formerly of Ainsworth, died Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009, in the Washington County Hospital in Washington following a short illness.    Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington with the Rev. Bob Wollenberg officiating.  Burial will be at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington.  Visitation will begin at 9 a.m. Wednesday at the

COLUMBUS JUNCTION ? Howard Kramer  ?Griff? Griffith, 93, of Letts, died Friday, Oct. 16, 2009, in the Colonial Manor Nursing Home in Columbus Junction.    Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Letts Cemetery with the Rev. Mike Townsley officiating.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction.  A general

KALONA ? Donald C. Leinen, 87, of Kalona, formerly of Iowa City and Harper, died Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009, in Mercy Hospital in Iowa City after a lingering illness.    Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Richmond with the Rev. Rich Adam officiating.  Following the service, the body will be cremated.  Burial will be at a later date at St. Elizabeth Cemetery in

Wilma Mae Steele Beauregard, 92, of Washington, died Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009, in Washington County Hospital in Washington, following a decline in health.    Celebration of life services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington with the Rev. Sue Meade officiating.  Burial will be at the Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington.  Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. Sunday at the

James ?Jim? William Blosser, 65, of Washington, died Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009, in his home, from cancer.    Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant with the Rev. Jerry Van Hooser officiating.  Burial will at 8:30 a.m. Friday at the English River Church of the Brethren Cemetery in South English.  Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Beatty

MOUNT PLEASANT ? James Robert Distelhorst, 79, of Salem, died Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in the Pleasant Manor Care Center.    A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the First Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant.  Inurnment will be in the Aspen Grove Cemetery in Burlington.  Visitation will be from 1 to 7 p.m. today at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel in Mount Pleasant.  Memorials may be directed