John Boyles

JOHN BOYLES

Cedar Rapids

John Everett Boyles, 91, was born Aug. 23, 1922, near Viola, Iowa, to Frank and Mabel (Nash) Boyles. He died peacefully Feb. 27, 2014.

He has lived in Runnells for 11 years and enjoyed life shared with his friends at the Runnells Senior Center and Runnells Christian Church.

John was a farmer. His partnership with God included raising cattle, hogs, chickens, guinea hens and row crops. Initially he farmed with a team of horses in the Viola area and for a few years near Swisher. From 1954 on he farmed with John Deere tractors in Linn County, west of Hiawatha. For 26 years he worked for the Waconia Sorghum Co. in Cedar Rapids during the harvest/ sorghum-making season.

On May 12, 1947, John and Edith Reed were married at Ellis Park Church of God in Cedar Rapids. From their love were born Anne, Kathy, John, Brenda and Becky Jill.

Preceding John in death were his wife, Edith; son-in-law, Scott Sokol; sisters, Eloise Glew Collins, Laura Katherine Boyles and Ina Mae Byers; and his parents.

Surviving to treasure John's memory are his brother, Bill (Betty) Boyles of Hopkinton; children, Anne (Harv) Carter of Alburnett, Katie (Norm) Roberts of Greenfield, Ind., John (Diane) Boyles of Fairfield, Brenda (Mark) Major of Shavertown, Pa., and Becky Jill (the late Scott) Sokol of Prairie City; 17 amazing grandchildren; 23 precious great-grandchildren; and many other family members and friends.

A service to remember and celebrate John's life will be held 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 4, at Runnells Christian Church. Visitation with John's family is at 9:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will be at Hazel Knoll Cemetery, rural Viola, later that day.

Gifts in John's memory may be directed to Runnells Christian Church.

The family wishes to acknowledge, with gratitude, the good care of West Ridge Rehab and Care Center in Knoxville and HCI, Hospice of Central Iowa.

Mason Funeral Home of Pleasantville is handling arrangements and online condolences may be left at www.BertrandFuneral Homes.com.