Goettsch Funeral Homes, Inc.

11/19/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/9495498?fh_id=16260

Geraldine Jackson, 62, died at her home on Tuesday November 4, 2025. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello has taken Geraldine and her family into their care.

11/18/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/angela-vargas?fh_id=16260

Angela Vargas, 33, died suddenly at her home on Sunday, November 16, 2025. Funeral services will be held 1100, Wednesday morning, November 26, 2025, at the Hillside Community Church, Cedar Rapids. Pastor David OVell will officiate at the services. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, has taken Angela....

11/17/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/george-smith?fh_id=16260

George Joe Joseph Smith, age 85, of Monticello, peacefully passed away at his home on Saturday, November 15, 2025, in the loving arms of his wife and surrounded by family. Born on September 20, 1940, at home north of Sand Springs, he was the eldest child of George and Lavina

11/11/2025

Roger N. Brighton, age 71, of Monticello, passed away November 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.

A Life Celebration service will be held 11:00 Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025, at the Peace United Church of Christ with interment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 7, Tuesday at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Roger is survived by his wife, Pat; his children Becky, Scott (Tara), Josh (Kerri), and Dustin (Dawn); and his sisters Karen and Linda, sister-in-law Alice Brighton He will be lovingly remembered by his grandchildren: Scot, Gavin, Emma, Rylan, Blaine, Marlee, Greta, and Paxtyn, as well as Dallas, Leah, Brendan, and Lacie, who were also special to him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas A. and Gladys (Tobias) Brighton. Brother Thomas Brighton, brothers-in-law Bob Rose, and Dave Wadlington

Roger was born on December 1, 1953, in Monticello, the son of Thomas and Gladys Tobias Brighton.
Roger was united in marriage to Deborah Williams in May 6,1972, and together they welcomed two children, Becky and Scott (Tara) Brighton. Though life later led them in different directions, Roger remained proud of the family they created and the memories they shared.
On April 20, 1991, Roger married Patricia (Pat) Chapman. They shared 37 years together, building a life of love, laughter, and partnership, and were married for 34 of those years. With Pat, Roger lovingly embraced her children, Josh (Kerri) Chapman and Dustin Chapman (Dawn), as his own.

Roger spent more than 40 years on the road as a dedicated truck driver, working for Cuckler’s, Hutchison’s, Franklin Equipment, and Custom Precast, before retiring from Lumber Specialties in January 2021. Retirement didn’t slow him down; he continued serving his community by driving school bus for Monticello and occasionally driving dump truck for Accent Construction.
Roger had a heart for service. He volunteered as an EMT with the Monticello Ambulance for 14 years and supported the Monticello Panther football program for 25+ years. For 40 years, he volunteered at the Monticello Car Show, an event he looked forward to every year. Roger was steady, dependable, and always willing to lend a hand.

Roger enjoyed football, NASCAR, gardening, and working on projects in his garage. He was an avid supporter of all Iowa sports teams and took great pride in cheering them on. He also loved creating, whether he was making wooden holiday decorations, restoring and collecting football helmets, or repurposing trucks and toys. Many of his projects became special keepsakes for his grandchildren and for children throughout the community. He especially cherished road trips and casino trips with Pat, sharing countless memories along the way.
Roger’s greatest joy was his family. He rarely missed sporting event, concert, or activity. If his grandchildren were involved, he was there in the stands proud, supportive, and cheering them on.

Roger will be remembered for his big heart, his quiet generosity, his hardworking spirit, and the way he showed his love through action.

11/11/2025

Alex Chase Jones, 73, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at University Hospitals in Iowa City, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Alex was born on December 14, 1951, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of H.M. “Johnny” and Evelyn (Moulton) Jones. She graduated from Monticello Community Schools with the Class of 1970. She was united in marriage with Paul Ponder on September 1, 1973. Even after their divorce, they remained friendly and connected through a shared love for their children and grandchildren.

Alex spent many years after high school working alongside her family at Publishers Idea Exchange/Monticello Express. Later in life, she returned to the University of Iowa, earning her degree in Psychology—a reflection of her lifelong curiosity and compassion for others. For the past thirty years, Alex poured her heart into her work as a family therapist, helping countless individuals and families through life’s hardest moments with empathy, honesty, and a touch of her trademark wit.

Alex was deeply thoughtful and had a rich inner life. She loved tracing her family’s roots through genealogy, tending her garden, and spending quiet moments reading or writing. Music filled her home, and her greatest joy came from time spent with her children, grandchildren, and dear friends.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Travis (Robyn) Ponder and Kinsey (P.J.) McInerney; her beloved grandchildren, Lydia McInerney, Dylan Ponder, Ethan Ponder, and Lucy McInerney; her siblings, Michael, Kim, and Beth Jones; her beloved dog Bodhi and cat Pixie; as well as many family and friends both here and abroad.

She was preceded in death and welcomed on their next adventure by her dearest friend Francie Head.
Alex was a straight shooter with a big heart—never afraid to speak her mind, but always guided by love. She had a wonderful orneriness about her that made those around her laugh and think in equal measure. Her family and friends will miss her deep conversations, her wisdom, and her ability to tell the truth in the most caring way and will take comfort knowing that her wisdom, laughter, and love will continue to echo through their lives and stories for years to come.

A Celebration of Life will take place from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m., followed by an open house and time of fellowship until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at the Youth Development Center in Monticello, Iowa. Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello, has taken Alex and her family into their care.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, Alex’s wishes were to send “letters, memories, and testimonials (or even hate mail) from those who knew me.” Those messages can be sent to rememberalexjones@gmail.com.

11/11/2025

Obituary

Galen Kuper, age 85, died peacefully on November 10, 2025, on the land he loved, farmed, and lived in Scotch Grove, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 Tuesday morning November 25, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church rural Monticello with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7 Monday November 24, 2025, at the Goettsch Funeral Home, Monticello.

Galen was born December 31, 1939, in Stanley, Iowa, the son of August and Milly (Rickels) Kuper. He attended Monticello High School and graduated in 1957.

In December 1962, Galen was drafted into the Army where he served 2 years as Army Sargent E5 in the 7th Corp. He was stationed in Ft. Davis, California where he was a telephone operator and then later stationed in Stuttgart-Möhringen, Germany where he had Military Police duty until he was discharged in 1964.

Galen met and married Anna Avis on May 22, 1965. Ann was the black-haired beauty that stole his heart for many years. Galen and Ann bought a farm in Scotch Grove and started farming, which continued for 30 years. Galen then worked as a guard at the Anamosa State Penitentiary for 18 years from 1985 to 2003.

Galen's passion for sports was evident throughout his life, from playing football, basketball, and track in high school to proudly continuing his football career in the Army. He was a devoted fan of the Hawkeyes and Bears, an admirer of Caitlin Clark, and a proud spectator at all his family's sporting events. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, with memorable hunts in Canada where he took a moose and a black bear. Later in life he gained a passion for gardening and woodworking, where he created cedar furniture and walking sticks. Galen enjoyed his retirement winters in Arizona, surrounded by caring friends who gathered nightly around his firepit for social gatherings. His Lemon Meringue pie was a signature dessert, made with fresh lemons from the trees in Arizona. Galen was a member of St John’s Lutheran church in Monticello, Iowa.

Survivors include his two children: Lori (Jason) DeWald and Mike Kuper both of Scotch Grove, grandchildren: Tyler (Lauren) and Brayden Kuper, Sagan DeWald, sibling: Janet (Quintin) Davis of Scotch Grove, 20 nieces and nephews as well as many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ann, son Steve, brother Duwain, as well as other family members.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family are preferred.

11/11/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/galen-kuper?fh_id=16260

Galen Kuper, age 85, died peacefully on the land he loved, farmed, and lived in Scotch Grove, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 1100 Tuesday morning November 25, 2025, at St. John Lutheran Church rural Monticello with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 until 7

11/11/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/alex-jones?fh_id=16260

Alex Chase Jones, 73, of Monticello, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 7, 2025, at University Hospitals in Iowa City, after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. Alex was born on December 14, 1951, in Independence, Iowa, the daughter of H.M. Johnny and Evelyn Moulton Jones. She graduated...

11/11/2025

We are currently having technical issues with our website.

Roger Brighton's Visitation is today from 4 to 7 at Goettsch Funeral Home in Monticello.
His Funeral service is tomorrow Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at 11:00 at Peace United Church of Christ in Monticello.

11/08/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/roger-brighton?fh_id=16260

Roger N. Brighton, age 71, of Monticello, passed away November 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family. A Life Celebration service will be held 1100 Wednesday morning, November 12, 2025, at the Peace United Church of Christ with interment in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Friends may call from

11/06/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/paul-behrends?fh_id=16260

Paul Wilke Behrends, 102, died peacefully in his sleep at the Solon Retirement Village, November 5, 2025. Funeral services will be held at 1100 Monday morning, November 10, 2025, at Wayne Zion Lutheran Church, with a visitation at 1000, and a lunch to follow the service. There will be a

11/05/2025

https://www.goettschonline.com/obituary/cathy-arduser

Cathy Arduser, 72, died peacefully at her home early Tuesday morning, November 4, 2025. Funeral Services will be held 1100 Friday morning, November 7, 2025, at the Monticello Baptist Church with interment in the Oakwood Cemetery. Pastor Brett Denham will officiate at the services. Friends may call f...