John Birnbaum

JOHN BIRNBAUM

Cedar Rapids

John D. Birnbaum, 87, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, April 15, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Zion Lutheran Church in Hiawatha, with the Rev. Daniel Krueger officiating. Visitation will be Friday, April 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home and 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday at the church. Burial will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

John was born Aug. 7, 1926, in Rockford, Ill. His family – father and mother, John and Christina, soon moved to Chicago, with his sister, Ellen, and brother, Hans.

Upon graduating from high school, he joined the United States Air Force as a cadet. He then attended the University of Michigan, where he met his future wife, Ruth. They married Feb. 4, 1950, and were blessed with three children, John (Terri), Tina (David) and Kay. He had four grandchildren, John (Jodi), Andrea (Phil) Stankard, Janet Styf and Dan (Alisha) Styf. He was very proud of his two great-grandsons, John and Jaxsen.

He worked at Phillips Radio, Sylvania Radio, Mueller Brass and was employed at Rockwell Collins for 30 years.

He enjoyed being a part of the UNI "chain gang" and was inducted in the Kennedy High School Booster Club Hall of Fame. He was also an avid bicyclist and jewelry maker.

He always took care of "us" who knew and loved him.

Special thanks to Dr. Campbell, Dr. Celis, the Rev. Krueger, Chaplain Eccles and Mercy ICU nurse Amy.

Memorial funds may be directed to Concordia Seminary Student Aid Fund, 801 Seminary Pl., St. Louis, MO 63105; or Zion Lutheran Church, 201 First Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233.

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