116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
James Charles Toom Jr.
JAMES CHARLES TOOM JR.
Cedar Rapids
James Charles Toom Jr., 91, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018, after a brief illness. The family will greet friends from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 17, at New Covenant Bible Church, 3090 N. Center Point Rd. in Cedar Rapids. Funeral services will begin on Monday at 10:30 a.m. at the church with Pastor Bob Westfall officiating. Burial will follow at Dunkard Cemetery, rural Toddville.
James was born July 22, 1927, in rural Central City, Iowa, the son of James and Viola (Shaffer) Toom. He married Jane Leidigh on Dec. 20, 1952, at Robins Church of the Brethren. She preceded him in death on Dec. 31, 1994. James later married Janet Shafer on July 25, 1998, at New Covenant Bible Church, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 7, 2016. He was a longtime resident of Robins, Central City and Cedar Rapids. James was a farmer, auctioneer and feed and petroleum salesman for Farm Service. He retired from Lefebure in 1988, then worked for Bob Zimmerman Ford for 20 years and retired from Houdek Auto Sales in 2016. James was a member of Robins Church of the Bethren and the New Covenant Bible Church. He was always helping people.
James is survived by his son, David C. (Jeff Boatman) Toom; three grandchildren, Ryan (Tina) Toom, Carissa (Brian) Lala and Michael Toom; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Barb Shaffer of Central City; niece, Lea Ann Binder and family; Janet's family; his buddy, Rocky; and special friends, including the Rosenthal family and Chase family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Viola Toom; first wife, Jane (Leidigh) Toom; second wife, Janet (Shafer) Toom; and two brothers, Lee Ray Toom and Paul Shaffer.
Daily Newsletters