Herbert Rich

Herbert John Rich, age 84, of Cedar Rapids formerly of Crawfordsville died Saturday December 5, 2009 at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids following a lengthy illness with Alzheimer's and a heart condition. Celebration of life services will be held 11:00 am Friday December 11, 2009 at the United Church of Crawfordsville, with Pastor Nancy Oehler Love, Pastor John Albertson and Larry Fletcher officiating. Interment will be at Crawfordsville Cemetery with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion and Crawfordsville American Legion. General calling hours will be from 12:00 pm until 5:00 pm Thursday at the Jones-Eden Funeral Home in Washington. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am to 11:00 am Friday at the church. Memorials may be directed to St. Luke's Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for Herb's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com. Herb was born on July 9, 1925 in Crawfordsville, Iowa the son of Joseph W. Rich and Anna Graber. He graduated from Crawfordsville High School. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a Military Police in the Philippines. Following the military he returned to Crawfordsville where he farmed for most of his life. Herb was united in marriage to Marian Stephens on June 12, 1948 in Ainsworth, Iowa. Marian preceded him in death in 1993. Herb was united in marriage to Eleanor "Ellie" Bullene on January 1, 1994 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He was a long time member of the United Church of Crawfordsville, and currently was attending Faith Lutheran Church of Marion. Herb was a member of the American Legion, Lions Club, and the Farm Bureau. He enjoyed woodworking, hunting, gardening, and playing Bridge. Herbert is survived by his wife, Ellie Rich of Cedar Rapids; children, John (Connie) Rich of Fairbury, Illinois; Millie (Bob) Rowe of McGregor; Maurine (Jon) Thieszen and of Lake City; Molly (Dwight) Alvine of Mount Pleasant; step children, Lori (Steve) Morini of Walford; Scott (Linda) Bullene of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; four step grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; one step great grandchild; and one sister, Ruth (Gene) Eash of Wellman. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, Marian in 1993; granddaughter, Josie in 2009; brother, Walter Rich; and sisters, Beulah Witmer and Edna Swartzendruber.

Herbert Rich

December 7, 2009