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Fred Waddell
FRED "JINGLES" WADDELL
Marion
Fred Waddell, 76, of Marion, passed away Friday, Dec. 16, 2016, at Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A visitation will be Monday, Dec. 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home in Cedar Rapids. A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at El Kahir Shrine Temple in Hiawatha.
Fred was born Oct. 28, 1940, the son of Larry Alfred Waddell and Aldena (Hayne) Robison. Fred attended Roosevelt High School. He married Judy Pettit in 1958. They had four children together: Bret, Bart, Freddie and Aldena. Fred remarried Nickie Haynes in 1972. They raised three children: Soni, Shawn and Matt.
Fred was a devoted employee for the Union Pacific Railroad and retired after 33 years of service. Fred became a Mason and Shriner because of his desire to help children. He was a very active member of the El Kahir Jolly Jokers. He was adored by many as "Jingles" the clown. Jingles loved attending parades in his dune buggy and also the Shrine circus. After the birth of his granddaughter, Jazzlyn, Fred became a very active Hospital Dad, providing transportation to Shrine Hospitals on over 400 different occasions.
Once Fred was no longer able to make the long driving trips to Shrine Hospitals, he served as a maintenance worker at the Shrine Temple. Fred finished his working career as a bus driver for Cedar Rapids public schools.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant Waddell; sister-in-law, Phyllis Waddell; and brother, Larry Waddell.
Left to cherish Fred's memories are his wife of 44 years, Nickie Waddell; son, Bret Waddell of Aurora, Colo.; son, Bart (Julie) Waddell of Marion; son, Freddie Waddell of Florida; daughter, Aldena (Tim) Gerdes of Tucson, Ariz.; daughter, Soni Losch of Strawberry Point; son, Shawn (Dona) Losch of Marion; and son, Matt (Cadie) Waddell of Marion. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, Tim, Leslie and Anna Gerdes; Casey, Bart Jr., Alexis, Sydney and Jadyn Waddell; Chris Tipton; and Dakota and Jazzlyn Losch; nine great- grandchildren; a niece, Cherie Wheeler; and nephews, Larry and Terry Waddell.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the El Kahir Shrine Transportation Fund.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.
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