Hugh Allen (Mike) Dunlap, 103, of West Branch, formerly of Iowa City, the last surviving son of The Kalona News founder Emma Allen Dunlap, died December 23, 1998 in Mercy Hospital of complications from a fractured hip.

Services were 3 p.m. Monday, December 29, in First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Deborah Kiesey officiating. Burial was in Sharon Hill Cemetery.

Born May 13, 1895 in Kalona, he was the son of Emma (Allen) and Oliver Dunlap, which made him a member of two of Kalona’s pioneer families. Before her marriage, his mother founded the local newspaper, selling it after her marriage to Oliver Dunlap, a contractor who literally built much of Kalona, including the new Kalona High School in 1914 that is now part of the Kalona Community Center.

Hugh Dunlap graduated from Kalona High School in 1912 which meant at the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Kalona High School Alumni Association. Because the Kalona school was not accredited at that time, Mr. Dunlap attended Iowa City High School, graduating from there a year later.

In an interview with The News several years ago, Mr. Dunlap recalled how his mother had worked for the Denver Post and The Dallas Herald “and decided Kalona needed a newspaper, so she started one.” During her ownership, The News also offered a scholarship to provide tuition for high school.

“My mother believed deeply in the importance of education,” he had said.

Mr. Dunlap attended Iowa State University in Ames, receiving his degree in 1917 as a member of the first graduating class in the architectural engineering program.

During World War I, he was a cadet in the U.S. Air Corps and in 1921, moved from Kalona to Iowa City to join his father as a general contractor.

He married Ruth Frederick in 1926, was widowed in 1953, and married Margaret Wallen in 1955. She died in 1989.

During World War II, Mr. Dunlap was a commander in the 43rd Seabee Construction Battalion with the U.S. Navy, and following his service operated the John Deere implement dealership in Iowa City.

In later years, he and his sons, Paul and James Dunlap operated a construction business in Iowa City.

Throughout his long lifetime, Mr., Dunlap was extremely active in civic affairs, and was a former president of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce and of the Iowa City Board of Education. He was a member of the Iowa City Rotary Club for 62 years, as well as of the Elks Lodge, the American Legion and Sigma Chi Fraternity. He also was a member of First United Methodist Church of Iowa City.

At the time of his death, Mr. Dunlap was the last surviving World War I veteran in Johnson County.

He is survived by two daughters, Mary Smith of Columbia, Missouri and Lois Beasley of West Branch; one son and one daughter-in-law, James and Vivian Dunlap of Pensacola, Florida; one daughter-in-law, Gloria Dunlap of Iowa City; 11 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Besides his parents and wives, Mr. Dunlap was preceded in death by one son, Paul Dunlap.

Memorial donations may be made to the Iowa City Rotary Club, c/o Karen Hughes, 9 Gilmore Court, Iowa City or to a charity of the donor’s selection.

George L. Gay Funeral Home, Iowa City, in charge of arrangements.