Jesse Chavez

JESSE CHAVEZ

Hiawatha

Jesse Chavez, 84, of Hiawatha, went home to be with the Lord on Dec. 14, 2018, after a long-term battle with heart failure. He was born in Cedar Rapids, to Joseph and Lucille (Lopez) Chavez on Sept. 9, 1934.

Jesse began working for the railroad, until he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict. Upon his return from Korea, Jesse again worked for the Milwaukee Railroad, until its departure from the area, when he then began working for the city of Cedar Rapids Street Department. Jesse married the love of his life Diana Draper in 1963. Together they raised three children. He spent most of his time outdoors, feeding his friend Rocky the squirrel, gardening and enjoyed reading Westerns. Family was very important to Jesse, he enjoyed time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a proud grandpa!

Jesse is survived by his wife of 55 years Diana; children, stepson Bryan McConnell, Christal (Jeff) Henderson and Sonya (David) Payne; grandchildren, Kalissa (Adam) Krapfl, Brandon (Jena Anderson) Overman, Jesse (Madeline Lyons) Overman and Nicole Payne; great-grandchildren, Mason Kelm, Maddux Krapfl and Theodore Krapfl; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and two sisters.

A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2018, at Cedar Memorial Funeral Home, 4200 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 20, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, with burial to follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under Obituaries.