Michael “Mike” J. Courtney

Michael “Mike” J. Courtney

Cedar Rapids

Michael “Mike” J. Courtney, 82, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2022, following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa. In agreement with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion, Iowa, conducted by Deacon Jeff Volker. Family will greet friends and family following, from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 17, 2022, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion, officiated by the Rev. David O’Connor. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, with full military rites by the Marion American Legion Post #298 and the United States Navy. A livestream of the service may be accessed on the church’s website at https://youtu.be/ui3MHAJji_8.

Mike was born on Nov. 20, 1939, in Cresco, Iowa, the son of Joseph “Joe” and Bernadine (Carolan) Courtney. He was a 1957 graduate of Immaculate Conception High School in Cedar Rapids. He enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 17, and served from 1957 to 1960. Mike served on the USS Forrestal for two years in the Mediterranean as a Radio Tech and on the flight deck with the Heavy Attack Squadron Five, VAH-5. He went on to serve honorably in the United States Navy Reserve, through 1963. On Feb. 24, 1962, Mike was united in marriage to Phyllis Kennedy in Cedar Rapids. He worked as the Director of Graphic Services for Rockwell Collins, retiring in 1997. Mike was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marion.

Mike loved to golf and fish, and was great at storytelling. He enjoyed spending summers in Minnesota. Mike and Phyllis enjoyed riding bikes and going on walks together. He enjoyed the last 13 years volunteering at Mercy Medical Center at the Lundy Center and loved his time there. Mike especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mike is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 60 years, Phyllis Courtney of Cedar Rapids; three children, Kelly (Mike) Zimmerman of Marion, Robert (Kim) Courtney of Fishers, Ind., and Mary (Ed) Simpson of Rogers, Ark.; five grandchildren, Michael Zimmerman of Des Moines, Iowa, Sean Zimmerman of Scottsdale, Ariz., and Conner, Kate, and Jack Courtney, all of Fishers, Ind.; seven siblings, Helen (Jim) Stobaugh of Lake Placid, Fla., Tom (Judy) Courtney of McKinney, Texas, Lucy Miller of Cedar Rapids, Mary Formanek of Cedar Rapids, Frank (Mary Jean) Courtney of San Clemente, Calif., Danny Courtney of Phoenix, Ariz., and Theresa (Gary) Jensen of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Patrick; and two brothers-in-law, Rocky Miller and Roger Formanek.

A memorial fund has been established in Mike’s memory.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the nurses, staff and aides at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, for the care given to Mike.

Please share a memory of Michael at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.