Dorance Sheely

DORANCE EUGENE SHEELY

Shueyville

Dorance Eugene Sheely, 88, of Shueyville, died peacefully in his home Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016. A funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, with Father Ivan Nienhaus officiating. Family will greet friends at a non-traditional Irish Wake from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, at St. Patrick's Church Parish Hall in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will continue at the church one hour before the service. Burial will be in Shueyville Cemetery, Shueyville.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa City Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hrabakfuneral

home.com.

Dorance was born Oct. 7, 1927, in Coggon, Iowa, the son of John and Agnes (Woods) Sheely. He worked on the family farm until he was drafted in 1945 into the U.S. Army, where he served in Germany during World War II. He met the love of his life, Vivian Miller, at a dance, and they were united in marriage on Jan. 16, 1951, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Stone City.

Dorance loved his family and would do anything for them, even if it meant working long hours into the evening, on weekends, or holidays. He worked hard, played hard and enjoyed life no matter how "shy" he was.

He worked most of his adult life operating large construction equipment. His final place of employment was with Coonrod Crane and Wrecker Service, where he operated a crane for many years, working well into his 70s.

Even after retiring he continued to volunteer a few hours at Coonrod's and would help a fellow neighbor on his farm.

Dorance wore his heart on his sleeve and was willing to help anyone in need, whether it was to work on a car, help out at church, combining, making hay or volunteering to hang Christmas lights for the Ely Fire Department. He was a hard worker and helped many people throughout his life.

Dorance was a great role model and was loved and respected by many people. He will be missed here on earth, but will be a great asset in heaven.

Survivors include his children, Julie Ringler of Cedar Rapids, Mark Sheely of Amana, Rebecca (Rodger) Neuhaus of Shueyville, Susan (Paul) Ebel and Dawn Baldwin, both of Swisher, and David Sheely and Colleen (Tony) Galvin, both of Shueyville; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Ann (Jim) Benedict of Cedar Rapids and Bernadine Smith of Arizona; sister-in-law, Mavis Sheely of Cedar Rapids; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his lovely wife, Vivian; brother, Francis Sheely; sister, Genevieve Sheely; son-in-law, Dennis Baldwin; and great-grandson, Timothy Hahn.

The family would like to extend their thanks to his caring nurse, Diane, and Iowa City Hospice for their help in making Dad's journey home a peaceful and loving one.