Richard Kearns, 71, died Friday, March 27, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids of a sudden illness.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton with Pastor Karen Larson officiating. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Wednesday. Private burial will take place at a later date.
Richard Dean Kearns was born September 5, 1937, in Brandon, Iowa, to Milo and Agnes Gunn Kearns. He grew up in Brandon and attended Brandon schools. Richard spent most of his life in the Vinton area. He worked for the railroad for a short time, at Perfex Manufacturing and at Tama Pack before retiring in 2000. On June 30, 1989, he married Carla Tharp in Vinton. Richard enjoyed gambling and playing cards but his favorite pastime was spending time with his family and his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Carla; children, Ron (Glynna) Kearns, Tony Yerkes, Dick Yerkes, Tina (Harold) Hatfield, Barb (Curtis) Roster, Bobbie Kaiser and Robbie Schmuecker all of Vinton; brothers, Lee (Evelyn) Kearns, La Porte City, IA, Kenny (Judy) Kearns, Phoenix, AZ, Clarence (Shirley) Kearns, Oskaloosa, IA; sisters, Norma (Wilbur) Young, Hains City, FL, Nadine (Mark) Hogan, Independence, IA, Beverly (Dick) Scott, Dysart, IA, Loretta (George) Mickens, Phoenix, AZ, and Diane Lambirth, Phoenix, AZ; 24 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Scott Yerkes; great grandson, Donnie; sister, Mildred Chapman and brothers, Howard, Ed, Russell and John.
A memorial has been established.