McCann, Vera I. Merritt Butler

Vera I. Merritt Butler McCann, of 2900 Iris Ave. NW, died at Bickford Cottage on Wednesday, June 23, 2010, after a short illness. Services: 10 a.m. Saturday at Teahen Funeral Home by Richard “Skip” Johnson. Burial: Wilcox Cemetery, Viola. Friends may visit after 9:30 a.m. until the start of the service at the funeral home.

Vera is survived by two children, Carlotta (Dave) Starn of Cedar Rapids and Doug (Peggy) Butler of Omaha, Neb.; four stepchildren, Dianna McCann of Hudson, Steven (Joyce) McCann of North Liberty, Janet (Jeff) Happel of Center Point and Ardis Busler of Vinton; sister, Irene Hartzler of Cedar Rapids; brother, Edward Merritt of Woodville, Ala.; 20 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Vera was preceded in death by her first husband, Kenneth D. Butler; second husband, Robert G. McCann; and brother, Lewis Merritt.

Vera was born Dec. 13, 1922, in Linn County, the daughter of Gerald and Martha Benton Merritt. She married Kenneth D. Butler on April 19, 1942, in Kahoka, Mo. He died in June 1983. She then married Robert G. McCann on June 17, 1985, in Nashua. He died in November 2007. Vera worked for Caffrey Sales for 17 years, retiring in 1985.

Vera enjoyed gardening, crocheting, knitting, doing crafts, looking for antiques and studying family genealogy.

She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Vera's family would like to thank the staff at Iowa Hospice and Bickford Cottage for their compassionate care.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa Hospice.

Online condolences may be left at