Obituaries

Nancy M. Richardson, 73, of Harpers Ferry departed our earthly realm in the early morning Thursday, August 28, 2025, at Thornton Manor in Lansing after a short battle with the final stages of liver disease. A celebration of life was held Saturday, September 6 at the Harpers Ferry Community Center. Thornburg-Grau Funeral Home in Lansing handled the arrangements.

Nancy Marie Richardson was born in Waukon May 27, 1952, to Paula Valley (nee Houlihan) and Cletus Valley. She was their fifth child after brothers Roger, Ronny and Ricky, and sister Vicki Ann, followed by their sixth and last child, Shirley. She graduated from St. George High School in Lansing in 1970, followed by Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids in 1976.

Paul (Manny or PJ) Campbell, 86, of Camdenton, MO passed away peacefully Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at his home with family by his side. Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 13 at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 109 2nd Street SW, Waukon, IA. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

Paul was born November 13, 1938, in Waukon, the son of Leonard Joseph and Hazel Elizabeth (Riley) Campbell. He attended St. Patrick’s High School and public schools in Waukon. Paul served in the Army from 1958 to 1961.

Paul was district manager for LM Barry Company and, later, owner of Sports Room Bar and Grill, then worked in property management. He loved to watch and talk sports. He never met a stranger and always told of good memories of his family.

William John Larkin, age 73, of Jacksonville, FL, died peacefully Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at University of Florida Health, surrounded by family. William had quietly battled liver cancer over the past year.

A Celebration of Life will take place September 28 at 1 p.m. at Last Call Neighborhood Tavern in Jacksonville, FL. A service and burial will be held at Saint Mary’s Hanover Catholic Church in rural Waukon at a later date. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Cedar Bay Funeral Home in Jacksonville, FL, www.cedarbayfuneralhome.com.

William (Bill) John Larkin was born September 26, 1951, in Dubuque, the eldest of nine children of John B. and Rose (Gullo) Larkin. He was baptized at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubuque and confirmed at Saint Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. Bill attended country school in Allamakee County and graduated from Saint Patrick’s Catholic High School in Waukon in 1969.

Michael “Swede” D. Johnson, 69, of Waukon entered his eternal rest May 25, 2025, at his home surrounded by family after a three-plus year battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Saturday, May 31 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Waukon with Father Paulraj Sellam officiating. Burial was in St. Mary’s Cemetery at Hanover. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Michael Dee Johnson was born January 2, 1956, the son of Leonard and Paulyne Johnson, in Waterloo. Michael and his family made their home on a farm near Shell Rock for five years. The family later moved to Lehigh, where Michael completed his high school education.

He then began a career with Granger Motors near Des Moines, where he built custom vans and worked alongside his brother, Mitch. Michael then worked at Osmundson Manufacturing for 26-plus years; from a coworker, “Michael was a jack of all trades. Anything you asked him to do, he would do it.

Robert “Bob” John Lier, 85, passed away Friday, August 15, 2025, at his home in Shelbyville, KY surrounded by the unconditional love of his beloved wife of 60 years, Jacquie Lier, and only child, Christy Lier. A “Celebration of Life” service and reception will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, September 6 at First Christian Church (1000 Eminence Pike, Shelbyville, KY).

Casual attire is welcome. Bob was a huge fan of #3 Dale Earnhardt Sr., John Force Racing, University of Iowa Hawkeyes, Green Bay Packers, Boston Celtics, and the Chicago Cubs. If you own any of this fan gear, or attire in the colors of his favorite teams, we’d love for you to wear it and help us honor Bob’s sporting spirit.

The family will be presiding over the Celebration Service and will open the microphone to invite guests to share stories/memories/thoughts about Bob with us! He had a big personality, a great sense of humor, and was a gifted storyteller!

Juliann “Julie” E. Halverson, 78, of rural Monona passed away peacefully Friday, August 15, 2025, at the home of family, with those she loved by her side. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 23, from 1-3 p.m. at the Zion United Church of Christ Fellowship Hall in Waukon. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon is handling arrangements.

Juliann Ella Halverson was born July 26, 1947, at the Hall House in Waukon, the daughter of Ervin and Mildred (Brandsmeier) Miene. She was baptized and confirmed at Zion United Church of Christ and graduated from Waukon High School in 1965.

Through 4-H, Julie met the love of her life, Jim (Gramps) Halverson. They were married June 11, 1966, at Zion United Church of Christ. The couple began their married life in Cedar Rapids before returning to their farming roots and building a home together on their farm near Monona; a place that became the heart of their family’s story.

Frances Jones, 81, of Dubuque, passed away August 16, 2025 at Stonehill Health Center. A funeral service was held Wednesday, August 20 at Summit Congregational United Church of Christ (UCC), Dubuque. Burial followed the service in Mt. Calvary Cemetery.

Fran was born September 30, 1943, in Chicago, IL, the daughter of Frank and Beatrice (Lovadiro) Doeppke. She attended The Little Red School House in Allamakee County for eight years. She went on to attend and graduate from Waukon High School.

She was united in marriage to Everett Jones February 23, 1962. They shared 63 wonderful years together. From their union, they were blessed with four children, Darwin, Brenda, Scott, and Brian, who passed away in infancy.

Fran worked with special needs students for many years in the Dubuque Community School District and at Area Residential Care. Later she worked in administration at Bethany Home, and Volunteered at Finley Hospital as a patient escort.

Sheila C. Link, age 86, of LaGrange Park, IL passed away peacefully August 12, 2025. A visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the 10 a.m. Funeral Mass Saturday, August 23 at the Alexine Chapel, 1515 West Ogden Avenue, LaGrange Park, IL. Interment to follow at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, IL.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Nazareth Academy or The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home, Countryside, IL.

Jean F. Kirby, age 86, of De Soto, WI passed away August 7, 2025. Funeral services will take place at 1 p.m. Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at the Vosseteig-Larson Funeral Home in Viroqua, WI. A visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until the time of service. Jean will be laid to rest in the De Soto Cemetery.

Online condolences may be offered at vossfh.com. Vosseteig Funeral Home & Crematory is serving Jean’s family.
 

Arlene Martin, 94, of Waukon died Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Good Samaritan Center in Waukon. Services were held Saturday, August 16 at 11 a.m. at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon with burial to follow in Oakland Cemetery. The service was also streamed on the funeral home’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/martinfunerals.

Arlene Inez Martin was born in Waukon December 29, 1930, the daughter of Ottenus and Clara Amanda (Knudtson) Bakke. She was raised on the family farm in the Elon area east of Waukon and was baptized and confirmed at the West Paint Creek Synod Lutheran Church. Her early schooling was at the rural Fan School not far from her farm and she liked to tell stories of cutting across the fields, climbing fences, trudging through snow, and avoiding a local bull to get there.