Obituaries

Fred Johnson, 83, of Shellsburg, died Monday, Aug. 9, 2021, at Hospice House, Hiawatha. Celebration of Life: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 13, at Knight's of Columbus 909, 1620 E Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402. Private burial: Parker's Grove Cemetery, Shellsburg. Arrangements by Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids.Survivors include his children, Tim (Jill) Johnson, Tina (Shawn) Lillie, Tammy Johnson and Trudy (Gerard) Wagner; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; brother, Harlan Johnson; and many extended family members.

Robert R. "Rob" Kibbie Jr., 56, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 8, 2021, at his home in Shellsburg. A celebration of Rob's life will be held at 10:30 AM Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton. Visitation will be held from 9:00 AM until service time. Interment will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Shellsburg.

Evelyn Asta (Sorensen) Petersen, age 93, passed away on Sunday, August 1st, 2021, at the Keystone Nursing Care Center.Memorial services will be held in September (date to be determined) at Blairstown Presbyterian Church in Blairstown. Private family graveside services will be held at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Blairstown. A memorial fund has been established.

Christina M. Mavricakis, 91, of Kailua-Kona, died July 12, 2021, at her residence. She was born in Vinton, Iowa.Private services. Donations suggested to Hospice of Kona.She is survived by four children; eight grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandson.Arrangements by Cremation Services of West Hawaii.

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.

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, 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, 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, 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, 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.