Obituaries : Richard C. 'Dick' Ender

Dick Ender

VINTON - Richard Charles "Dick" Ender, 94, died peacefully Saturday, February 8, 2014, at his residence in Vinton.
A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 15, 2014, at the Vinton Presbyterian Church with Pastor Jessica Crane-Munoz officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church. Military honors will be performed at the church by George G. Luckey American Legion Post 57 of Vinton and Iowa Military Funeral Honors. Inurnment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton, at a later date.
Dick was born August 31, 1919, in Burlington, Iowa, the son of William and Alberta B. Barnes Ender. He grew up in Burlington and attended Burlington High School. Following his graduation, he served 6 years in the United States Air Force during WWII.
He married Leona Hummel on February 1, 1953, at Pratt Creek Church in rural Vinton. Dick and Leona enjoyed gatherings of family and friends at their home or while camping, and he loved going for drives. His family was very important to him and he showed his love to each of them in a special way. His memory will be cherished always.
Dick was employed as a route salesman for 7-Up and Nesbitt Bottling Co. and Farner-Bocken for many years. After his retirement, he was employed part-time by Seifert’s Clothing Distribution in Cedar Rapids.
Dick was a member of the Vinton Presbyterian Church and the Friendship Class. He was a charter member of VFW Post 788 in Cedar Rapids. He was a member of Metro Kiwanis in Cedar Rapids, where he served several terms as club President. He served on the Board of Directors at Wildwood Acres Association in Monmouth, IA. He was also on the Board and past President of Bar Manor Condos. He was a partner member of Qwest Telephone Pioneers.
Dick is survived by his wife of 61 years, Leona Ender of Vinton; one daughter, Barbara Ender-Wright of Vinton; two sons: Richard J. Ender of Vinton and William P. (Debbie) Ender of Cedar Rapids; 8 grandchildren: Chad Kohl of Shellsburg; Andrew (Trish) Ender of Cedar Rapids; Nicholas (Janna) Ender of Cedar Rapids; Paisley Drury of Garrison; Sinclair (Emily) Ender of Cedar Rapids; Brittney (Josef) Hejda of Dyer, IN; and Jessica Ender of Independence; and Clayton Ender of Des Moines; 10 great-grandchildren: Chad Jr. and Morgan Kohl, Zach and Symon Ender, Ashlyn Ender, Gracie and Emah Drury, Elija Trudel, Danielle Ender and Jude Hejda; his in-laws: Betty (Raymond) Ferguson of Stone City; Kyle (Shirley) Hummel of Vinton; Joan (Joel) Miller of Bloomington, IN; Joe (Linda) Hummel of Mountain View, CA; and Lorna (Hummel) Arp of Vinton.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Vernon (Peggy), Clifton (Lee) and Clay Ender; brother-in-law Ralph Bell; two sisters Alice (Ralph) Bell and Doris Gill; and in-laws Perry and Mae Hummel; Georgiena (George) Schadle, Alice (Robb) Morrow; Jerry Hummel and Donna Hummel.
A memorial fund has been established.
Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Dick and his family. Condolences may be left at vsrfh.com.