Gary Snell

GARY SNELL

Cedar Rapids

Gary Dwayne Snell, 68, of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, July 17, 2015, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha. A celebration of life will be 1 p.m. Sunday, July 26, at Cedar Hills Community Church, located at 6455 E Ave. NW in Cedar Rapids. A private inurnment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedar memorial.com.

Gary was born Sept. 3, 1946, in Greenfield, Iowa, to Zara Elmer and Hazel (Kephart) Snell. After receiving his bachelor's degree, he served honorably in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War era from Oct. 16, 1967, to Sept. 13, 1974. Gary then served in the Reserves from July 12, 1975, to July 11, 1989. He was united in marriage to Jackie Heppner on June 7, 1986. She passed away in 2010. He was later married to Carole Sue Maher on May 7, 2011, at Pinicon Ridge Park in Central City.

Gary worked as a building inspector for the Linn County Building Department and retired after 36 years of service. Gary was a member of the International Association of Electrical Inspectors. He enjoyed reading westerns and science fiction books, blacksmithing, going to movies and traveling with his wife and stepgrandson, Jaxson. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed helping others.

He is survived by his wife, Carole, of Cedar Rapids; two stepsons, Vincent John Maher of Illinois and Jim Maher, and his son, Jaxson, of Cedar Rapids; five siblings, Shirley (Basil) Stafford of Clive, Mardelle Bohling and Steve (Pat) Snell, both of Greenfield, Karen Jerome of Des Moines and Linda (Michael) Friedel of Windsor Heights; stepchildren, Arlin Heppner, Joe (Margi) Heppner, Randy (Denise) Heppner, Sue (Gary) Schropp and Sally (Kerry) Bruckner; seven stepgrandchildren; and eight stepgreat-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Don Bohling; and nephew, Michael Bohling

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established.