Alton Ames

ALTON THOMAS AMES

Marion

Alton Thomas Ames, 81,

of Marion and Amana, died unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2016. Services will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 10, at First Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. There will be a luncheon following the service at the church.

Alton (Al) is survived by his wife, Mary Jane; his granddaughter, Amanda Hamilton Fennern (Ryan) and their three children, Joedan, Jaxton and Jerrin; and his grandson, Alexander Hamilton and his fiancee, Kenna Krambeer. He is also survived by brothers, Robert Ames and Vernon Ames (Lynn); and sisters, Jean Sindelar and Doris Egbert.

He was preceded in death by his son, Thomas Allen; his daughter, Anne Ames Hamilton; his adopted daughter, Sally Ames Gorman (Henry); and grandchildren, Jason Daniel, Ralph Thomas and Sarah Jane Hamilton. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Captain Ervin Ames; his sister, Arlene Wilson and her husband, Ben; his sister, Shirley Ames Kabela (Robert); his sister-in-law, Carol Ames (Robert); brothers-in-law, Fred Egbert (Doris), Jerry Sindelar (Jean); and his parents, Jacob and Ella Amanda Jarstad Ames.

Al was born in Decorah. He graduated from Clermont High School, Clermont, Iowa, where he, his seven siblings and their parents made their home. He honorably served in the U.S. Army, where he proudly participated in building the Redstone Rocket at White Sands, N.M. Following his military service, he was associated with both Collins Radio and Rockwell Avionics, retiring in 1995.

Al succeeded at many things. He was a good husband, good father, good friend, good neighbor, good employee, good Lutheran, good lawn keeper, good cook, good house keeper, good Army man and good money maker. You name it, he did it to perfection.

Al leaves great memories to his huge family of his wife, grandchildren, sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews and throngs of appreciative friends he met along the way.

We all shall miss you good friend. Happy travels until we meet again.

In lieu of flowers friends may, if they wish, contribute to the Marion Independent School District Foundation, Ames/Ratliff Scholarship Program or a memorial fund established to fund additional education for both Amanda and Alex or to a charity of their own choice.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under "Obituaries."