Obituaries : Junior Ray Phelps

Junior Ray Phelps, 85, died peacefully Friday, September 24, 2021, at the Sunnycrest Nursing Center in Dysart, Iowa.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 1, 2021, at Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home in Vinton with Rev. Matt Hantz officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow at the Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Mt. Auburn.

Junior was born January 13, 1936, in Iowa City, IA, the son of Merle and Pearl Phelps Troxel. He attended school in Walker and Center Point, IA. On December 11, 1954, Junior was united in marriage to Earlene Rundel. Together, Junior and Earlene started a lifetime career in farming. Earlene preceded Junior in death on December 9, 2015.

Throughout the years, Junior enjoyed fishing, playing the harmonica, CB radios, listening to country western music, people watching and making cookies.

Junior is survived by three daughters: Glenna (Darryl) McNeal, Connie Gilbert and Patty (David) Linsley, all of Vinton; ten grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren.

Junior was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Earlene; two sons in infancy; brother, Raymond Troxel; and sister, Lois Fuss.

Van Steenhuyse-Teahen Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Junior and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.