Cleppe, August J. 'Gus'

August J. “Gus” Cleppe, 87, of Marion, died Monday, March 5, 2012, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 9, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion. The family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion, where a vigil service will be held at 6:30 p.m. The family also will greet friends one hour before the mass at the church on Friday. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his son, George (Kathie) Cleppe; grandchildren, Scott Cleppe, Tami Smith, Todd (Maria) Cleppe, Robin (Jeff) Blackford, Nathan Bast, David (Nicole) Bast, Cassandra Bast and Mitchell Mills; 14 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Mary Tomas and Teresa Rund.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary; a daughter, Milissa Watson; a great-grandson, Brock Smith; three brothers; and one sister.

Gus was born Dec. 12, 1924, in Brooklyn, Iowa, the son of Amiel and Della (Remery) Cleppe. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served as a gunner during World War II. Gus married Mary Corum on Feb. 19, 1944. He worked as a supervisor with Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids for over 40 years.

Gus was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, and Marion American Legion Post 298. He enjoyed his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233, in Gus' memory.

Please sign the online guest book for Gus at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published March 7, 2012 in The Gazette