Obituaries

Joyce Ann Mumby

Joyce Ann Mumby, 77, of Belle Plaine, IA passed away August 7, 2021 at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, IA.Joyce was born August 17, 1943 to Jerome and Rose (Dunnigan) Jansen on the family farm near Hartwick, IA. She attended country school near Hartwick and Belle Plaine High School. On December 15, 1961 Joyce married Garry W. Mumby on the family farm.

Edward J. Merchant

We lost our only brother, Eddie Merchant, 64, Monday, August 2, 2021 in Cedar Rapids.Born Edward J. Merchant on September 23, 1956, in La Porte City, IA, to Jerry and Arlene Kosnar Merchant. He grew up in Vinton, was a 1975 graduate of Washington High School, and a 1980 graduate of Parks College in Cahokia, IL. Eddie inherited his love of airplanes and flying from our Dad and spent his career as a pilot, aerobatic pilot and flight instructor.

Debra Kaye Hepker

Debra Kaye Hepker, age 60, passed away on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids.Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Urbana, with Rev. Jim Brokman as Celebrant. Interment will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, rural Urbana. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 8:00 PM, Monday at the church in Urbana.

Linda Kae Debus

Linda Kae Debus, 74, of Marion, Iowa passed away Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. The family will greet friends and family from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Rampton Cemetery in Dysart, Iowa.Linda was born June 23, 1947, in Vinton, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Beatrice (Obrosk) Losenicky.

Samuel L. "Sam" Mentzer

Samuel L. "Sam" Mentzer, 80, of Brandon, Iowa, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, at UnityPoint-Allen Memorial Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa.Sam was born Sept. 17, 1940, in Central City, Iowa, the son of Samuel and Grace (Ankney) Mentzer. He was a 1958 graduate of the Central City High School and shortly after graduating, started working at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Elma Lucille McLeod

Elma Lucille McLeod, 92 of Belle Paine, IA passed away July 30, 2021, at Compass Memorial Hospital, Marengo, IA.Elma was born January 10, 1929, to Merle and Maggie (Pickering) Chacey in Ollie, IA. She graduated from Ollie High School and attended Business College in Des Moines. On September 19, 1948, Elma married Howard Eugene McLeod at Christ United Methodist Church, Belle Plaine.

Mardene Schulke

Mardene Schulke went to be with her Lord and Savior on July 28, 2021. Mardene was born on November 2, 1942 in Macon Country, Missouri to Olin and Celia Baldwin. At an early age, she moved with her family to the farming community of Vinton, Iowa where she remained until graduating from Dysart High School.After high school, Mardene worked in and around the Vinton area.

James “Jim” Russell Block

James "Jim" Russell Block, 66, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 23, 2021, in Greenville, SC. He was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on February 2, 1955, but has lived in South Carolina since 1978. He has been employed by Bob Jones University and Bob Jones Academy as a photographer/teacher of photography since 1979.

Larry Robert Dietrich

Larry Robert Dietrich, 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House in Hiawatha, with his family by his side. Private family graveside services will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery in Cedar Rapids. A celebration of Larry's life will be held from 5:00 until 8:00 PM, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, at the Keystone Turner Hall.

Ronald Albert Baker

Ronald Albert Baker, 53, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 19, 2021, at his home in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be held from 4:00 until 7:00 PM, Friday, July 23, 2021 at Murdoch Linwood Funeral Home (520 Wilson Ave. SW) Cedar Rapids, IA. Private family graveside services will be held at St. John Cemetery in Newhall. A memorial fund has been established.