Author: Theresa Rose

Marilyn Joyce Mathews was born on March 27, 1930, in Ottumwa, Iowa.  Her parents were Lester Gail Mathews and Ruth Corinne Bennett.  She passed away on Monday, April 20, 2020, at the Sunrise Terrace Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Winfield.  When Marilyn was 20 months the family moved to Winfield, Iowa where Gail had bought a business, Mathews Rexall Drug Store.

Virginia Warren, a local girl, was Marilyn’s music teacher when she entered Winfield School.  Virginia was the first to discover Marilyn’s gift of singing.  She coached her and accompanied her in many performances.  Marilyn graduated from Winfield High School in the class of 1948.  She attended Cornell College.

When Marilyn became an adult she discovered classical music and hymns.  She sang at many funerals, weddings and at church.

Marilyn married Marvin Ray Lambert, September 3, 1950, at the Winfield Methodist Church.  They farmed, until retiring in 1999.

They are the parents of two daughters, Lorrie Gail (Randy) Etheredge and Lise Rae (John) Nelson.

Marilyn was an elder of the Winfield First Presbyterian Church and a 60 year member there.  She taught the Lamplighters Sunday School Class for 30 years.  She was a 60 year member of the Chapter GT P.E.O. of Winfield.

In her later years, Marilyn started quilting, using her own designs, singing more and taught piano for 25 years.  She and her husband traveled extensively.

Marilyn will be deeply missed by her husband of 69 years; daughters Lise (John) Nelson of Moravia, Iowa and Lorrie (Randy) Etheredge of Dubuque, Iowa; five grandchildren, Adam Etheredge, Andrew (Taylor) Etheredge, Daniel Nelson, David Nelson and Elizabeth Nelson; god-daughter Jillian Sheridan, Wigan, England; and Ingrid Akesson, Solna, Sweden an exchange student 1975-1976.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Janeen (Norma) Pogemiller and two nephews John Bennett Pogemiller and Ronald Powdrill.

Due to the current State of Iowa restrictions on social gatherings, a private family graveside services will be held at the Winfield Scott Township Cemetery.  A memorial service will be held at later date at the Winfield First Presbyterian Church.  Memorials may be directed to the Winfield First Presbyterian Church in Marilyn’s name.  The Snyder & Hollenbaugh Funeral & Cremation Services, formerly the Honts Funeral Home of Winfield is caring for Marilyn’s arrangements and her family.  Sympathy notes may be left for the family at www.sandhfuneralservice.com.

George W. Prevett, Jr., 57, of Hillsboro, IA, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at his home.

According to his wishes, cremation has been accorded.  The family is anticipating a celebration of George’s life at the first-year anniversary of his death.  Memorials may be directed to his daughters and dropped off or mailed to Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel at P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641.  On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Born December 20, 1962, in Iowa City, IA, George William was the son of George William and Rosa Lee (Rupe) Prevett, Sr.  He attended Harmony School District.  After moving to live with an aunt, he graduated from Roland-Story High School.  George married Linda Detrick.  The couple later divorced.

As young man, George worked at Hawkeye Steel.  For many years he was a trucker and drove truck for two Mt. Pleasant companies, Double Circle Co-op and Agri Center.  Most recently George trucked for 321 Trucking in Wayland, IA.

Known to his friends as “Jorge” he attended bike rallies on his Harley, and was always the life of the party.  George shot pool in local leagues, golfed, and rode his side by side.  He was an outdoorsman who enjoyed mushroom hunting, fishing, camping, and hunting wildlife.  Most importantly, George loved spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include two daughters, Aimee Sanderson and Whitney (Jake) Falline, both of Mt. Pleasant, IA; his mother, Rosa Prevett of Mt. Pleasant, IA; a sister, Renee (Curt) Ridinger of Mt. Pleasant, IA; and two brothers, Greg Prevett of Hillsboro, IA, and Roger Prevett of Stockport, IA.  He is also survived by five grandchildren, Lukus Sanderson, Olivia Gordy, Landon Beckler, Lane Beckler, and Christian Falline; and numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his father and a sister-in-law, Nancy Prevett.

Merlin D. Donnolly, 86, of Mt. Pleasant, passed away Tuesday, April 21, 2020, at his home.

According to his wishes Merlin has been cremated.  A gathering of family and friends is being planned for a later date.  Inurnment, in an urn made by his son, Bob, will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.  Gifts of love and friendship may be given to Salvation Army or H2O (Help to Others) and dropped off or mailed to Olson~Powell Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641.  On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com.

Merlin was one of three baby boys born on Thanksgiving, November 30, 1933, to Raymond and Florence (Mason) Donnolly. One of the triplets, Melvin, passed away shortly after birth, so Merlin and Marlin were always known as twins.  They enjoyed singing together from an early age until they were into their eighties.  The twins attended school in Mt. Union and were 1951 graduates of Mt. Union High School.

Serving in the United States Army, Merlin spent 18 months in Southern France from 1953 until 1955 during the Korean Conflict.    On August 4, 1956, Merlin married Marilee J. Campbell in Burlington, IA.  He worked for McAllister Seed Farms, McLearan Appliance and retired from the Post Office after 30+ years working as a sub, city carrier, and rural carrier, retiring in 1988.  Following retirement from the postal service, he delivered flowers for Bud’s Flower Shop and drove cars for various car dealers.

Since retiring, Merlin enjoyed coffee time at various restaurants and visiting with some great friends.  He enjoyed the many friends he made while bowling.  Merlin was in their Hall of Fame, bowled in many local, state, and national tournaments.  He was proud of his 300 trophy and ring, his 299 ring and trophy was presented after 59 years of bowling.  Merlin drove his wife’s teams to many national tournaments.   He liked traveling to Silver Dollar City.

Merlin attended the various activities of his four children and many grandchildren.  For many years he was an active member at First Baptist Church, a member of NARF, and had a real passion for Bluegrass music.  He played his Martin guitar and sang with various groups, jams, and many festivals.  In later years, he appreciated rides with Max and Margaret Walker to jams.  Merlin spent many hours playing fast pitch softball and was a registered umpire for ten years.

Feeling that he had a blessed life, Merlin is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Marilee; four children, Barbara Donnolly, Michael (Gayle) Donnolly, and Robert (Marlene) Donnolly, all of Mt. Pleasant, IA, along with Steven (Bonnie) Donnolly of Washington, IA; two sisters-in-law, Ellen Donnolly of Mt. Pleasant, IA, and Raylene Donnolly of Adel, IA; and one brother-in-law, Roger Campbell of Dillon, CO.  He is also survived by ten grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Preceding Merlin in death were his parents; five brothers, Darrel, Maurice, Mervin, Melvin, and Richard (Sue) Donnolly; a niece, Joyce Erickson, and a granddaughter, Sarah Donnolly.