In Memoriam ~ James Seigel ’49

James Leo Seigel, 86, of Marion, died Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Visitation will be Sunday, Sept. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial, with a vigil service at 6:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 4, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, with the Rev. Tim Seigel presiding, with visitation at 9:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Jim was born in Sheldon, Iowa, on July 19, 1931, to Leo and Evelyn Willner Seigel. He grew up in Minneapolis and attended St. John’s Preparatory School in Collegeville, Minn. After graduating, Jim enlisted in the Army in 1949, served in the Korean conflict, 1st Cavalry Division, and was honorably discharged in 1953. He married Sheila Murray on April 26, 1958. He had a 40-year career as a machinist at Collins Radio, later Rockwell Collins. His retirement in 1993 led to a second, 17-year job at Vernon Village True Value. He also worked for PerMar Security at Iowa Hawkeye athletic events and volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital. He enjoyed bowling, singing with Harmony Hawks, doing crossword puzzles, reading and playing cribbage.

He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, serving as a lector, choir member and parish council member.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sheila; six children, Suzanne (Tom) Renner, the Rev. Timothy Seigel, Laura (Mike) Lynch, Jeannine (Pete) Grady, Monica (Gordon) Fischer and David (Ann) Seigel; 17 grandchildren, Bridget (Pete) Servatius, Daniel Trainor, Martin (Caitlyn) Trainor, Damon Trainor, Megan Vesely (Brian Babcock), Michael Lynch, Erin Lynch, Emily Lynch, E.J. Lynch, Caiden Lynch, Kevin Grady, Molly Grady, Colleen Grady, Theresa Grady, Mary Seigel, Matthew Seigel and Lily Seigel; one great-grandson, Benjamin Leo Servatius; three sisters-in-law, Diana Murray, Sally Murray and Barbara Jones; three cousins, who
were like siblings, Jack (Irene) Bethke, Joyce Murphy and Buddy Willner; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Carolyn; his parents, Leo and Evelyn Seigel; his mother- and father-in-law, Mary Grace and James Murray; a sister-in-law, Jeannine Jones, brothers-in-law, Jim Murray, Jerry Murray and Bob Jones; goddaughter and niece, Denise Jones Neumann; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Memorial contributions may be made to Prairiewoods, 120 Boyson Rd., Hiawatha, IA 52233.