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.
Friday, February 24, 2023
Alva Eugene “Gene” Van Alst
Age: 85
City: Central City
Funeral Home
Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service
Friday, February 24, 2023
Alva Eugene “Gene” Van Alst
Alva Eugene “Gene” Van Alst
Central City
Alva Eugene “Gene” Van Alst, 85, of Central City, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, at Radiant Church, located at 3233 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, with Pastor Rick Gail officiating. The family will greet friends and family from 9 a.m. until the service time on Tuesday at the church. In agreement with his wishes, cremation will take place after the service. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion is assisting the family.
Gene was born on Oct. 2, 1937, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Alva Martin and Velma (Goyer) Van Alst. On Jan. 18, 1992, Gene was united in marriage to Erma Jean Meakins. He worked as a laborer for the Local 43 Labor Union. Gene had a close relationship with his son, Marcus and his family, wife, Celia and their children, Ashton, Austin (Morgan) and Braxton. He was his grandsons’ biggest fan, attending as many events as he could. Gene enjoyed attending church services and functions. He loved family get togethers with home cooked meals. He was an avid Hawkeyes fan and enjoyed watching the games with Marcus. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gene is survived and lovingly remembered by his four children, and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and wife.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gene’s memory may be made to the family to be designated at a later date.
Please share a memory of Gene at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.