Obituaries
Berniece May Sokol
Berniece May Sokol, 84, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away February 4, 2022 at her home. Berniece was born August 16, 1937 to Richard and Laura Byers in Topeka, KS. Upon graduation from Lane High School, Lane, KS. Berniece worked for the state in Topeka, Kansas. On August 4, 1956 Berniece married Lester Sokol and later divorced. They were blessed with 3 children. Robert ('Bob') E. Rickels
Robert ('Bob') E. Rickels died at home on Jan. 23, 2022, just a few months shy of the grand age of 99, constantly surrounded by devoted family. His daughter, Kris, was deeply honored to care for him at home - with the unflagging support and partnership of her husband, Scott - in his final years.Teacher, artist, musician, traveler, outdoorsman, devout Lutheran, unequaled father, husband, and friend, Bob Rickels was a very special, inspiring man. Donna Alice (Rich) Pickering
Donna Alice (Rich) Pickering, 82, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at the Lutheran Home in Vinton, Iowa. Family will greet friends and family from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service located at 3855 Katz Dr., Marion, Iowa. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gerald A. “Butch” Schmuecker
Gerald A. “Butch” Schmuecker, age 82, passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Butch’s life will be held at a later date. Memorials or cards of condolence may be directed to the family at 103 2nd Ave., P.O. Box 397 Newhall, Iowa 52315.Butch was born, on August 27, 1939, on the family farm near Watkins, the son of Leo and Blanche (Rotter) Schmuecker, and graduated from Norway High School. Jon William Lash
Mr. Jon William Lash, 79, of Lake City, Fla., formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at the Lake City Medical Center following a brief illness. A native of Danville, Ill., he was the son of the late Frederick and Willa Myer Lash. Mr. Lash had lived in Jessup, Ga., for many years prior to moving to Lake City in 2001 and retired as an executive in the cable TV industry. Debra Ann (Kimm) Schutterle
Debra Ann (Kimm) Schutterle, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt and grandmother, died Thursday, February 3, 2022, after a brief but fierce battle with cancer.Born on December 5, 1955 in Cedar Rapids, Deb resided in Watkins with her husband of 37 years, Paul Schutterle. To describe Deb in one sentence would be to say that she was a lover of the simple, but truly important, things. James “Jim” Arthur Morrison
James “Jim” Arthur Morrison, 69, of Vinton, died Thursday, February 3, 2022 at the Vinton Lutheran Home.Private family services will be held at Jim’s hometown in Indiana.Jim was born June 21, 1953 in Oaktown, IN, the son of James Robert and Doris (Douthitt) Morrison. Jim was baptized at the Oaktown Christian Church giving him the foundation for a strong and deep faith. Roger Hadley
Roger Hadley, 73, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Friday, Jan. 21, 2022. Services will be held at a later date. Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family. Roger was born March 18, 1948, in Eldora, Iowa, the son of Robert and Ethel (Whitmore) Hadley. He graduated from LaPorte City High School, Class of 1966. Benjamin "Ben" Charles Bradshaw
Benjamin "Ben" Charles Bradshaw, 78, of Marion, Iowa, passed away with family by his side on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A private family celebration of his life is being planned for a later date.Ben was born on Dec. 28, 1943, to Carl and Helen (Ream) Bradshaw. He honorably served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Avis J. Fraker
Avis J. Fraker, 87, Victor, passed away Friday, January 28, 2022 at the Keystone Care Center.At Avis’s direction, there will be no memorial service.Avis Jean Rinehart was born April 23, 1934 in Hartford Twp., Iowa Co., Iowa to Clarence William and Merle Frances (Shedenhelm) Rinehart. Her siblings were Inez Ruth Rinehart, Ireta (John) Daniels, Mervaille W.