Obituaries

VINTON:      Leroy James Stewart, 78, died peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning, January 31, 2012.      He is survived by his wife, Linda of Vinton; two daughters, Mandi (Mike) Techau of Stanwood, and Myndie (Larry) Talbott of Vinton and one brother, David Stewart of Vinton.  He also has six grandchildren, Chase, Tiffanie, Colton, Shayla, Shayanna and Shayne.

Larry Michel died Friday, Jan. 27, 2012 from injuries sustained from a car accident. A memorial service will be held at a later date.      Larry, better known as Poke to his family and friends, was born August 16, 1977 to Larry Michel, Sr. and Susan Michel. Larry attended Vinton Schools and Latter Urbana.  Poke searched several jobs but his favorite job was his first as a chef at CR Restaurant (Poke was a good cook).

Dale Frederick Birch, 81, of 3608 Stone View Circle SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, formerly of Blairstown, died Jan. 27, 2012., at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids, due to complications from an illness.  Memorial services: 2 p.m. Tuesday at Central Church of Christ, Cedar Rapids, with Norman Bales officiating. Arrangements by Phillips Funeral Home, Blairstown.

VINTON - Roy J. Henry, 91 of Vinton, passed away on Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids following a brief illness. He was born July 4, 1920, in Bovina, Colorado, to Fred & Luetta Henry. Roy moved to Iowa at the age of 18. He was united in marriage to Margaret Burroughs in Vinton on November 22, 1941. Roy worked for several companies but spent the majority of his career with the City of Vinton’s Water Dept.

VINTON – David R. Cashman, 62, of Vinton, died Monday, January 23, 2012, at his home following a brave battle with cancer. A memorial visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2012, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Private family graveside services in Big Grove Cemetery, rural Garrison, will be held at a later date.

Joyce Ann Ritscher, 68, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Keystone, died of cancer on Jan. 18, 2012, at the home of her daughter in Chicago. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, at St. John Lutheran Church in Keystone, with Pastor Richard Osslund officiating. Committal services will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery near Keystone.

VINTON:   Lois Schermerhorn,83, formerly of West Liberty, died Monday, January 9, 2012 at St. Lukes Hospital in Cedar Rapids from complications of heart surgery.      Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Phillips Family Center in Vinton. A Scripture Service will be held at 7:45 p.m.       Visitation will also be from 4 to 8 p.

SHELLSBURG: Scott James Hill, 49, Shellsburg, IA, passed away January 6, 2012, after a courageous five-year battle with cancer, in his home, with the presence of his family.      Public Visitation will be held from 2 to 6 p.m., Sunday, January 8, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Vinton where a Scripture Service will begin at 6 p.

Atkins:Lucille B. Long Karr, 95, of Atkins, died peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 1, 2012.Services:10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 5th, 2012, Phillips Family Center, 605 Second Avenue, Vinton with Pastor Mike Andrew officiating.Interment:Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.Visitation:4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Wednesday also at the Family Center.A Memorial Fund has been established.

  Marcia Thudium, 77, formerly of Vinton, passed away December 30 after a long illness in Kansas. She is survived by her best friend and husband, Gary; her sister, Sonya (Tom) Davis and her children and grandchildren: Kimberly (Ed) of Wichita; Sylvan (Erin), Connor and Graham of Chicago; Andrew Shank of Lawrence, Kansas; Shawn (Dwyn) Thudium of Wichita; Valerie Thudium, of Kansas City, Kansas; Stephanie (Jeff) Basham and Tate of Wichita; Renee (T) Sweetwood and Grant of Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Megan Sweetwood of Wichita; Andrea (Don) Dettke; and Lauren, Kimberly, Evan and Drew of Denver, Colorado.