Michael Southwood

MICHAEL SOUTHWOOD

Cedar Rapids

On Sept. 29, 2015, I, Michael Southwood, of Cedar Rapids, passed from this life to the next, with family and friends at my side. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Sacred Heart Church, Rock Island, Ill., with a rosary recited at 9:30 a.m. and visitation until time of service. Burial will be at National Cemetery, Rock Island, with military honors from Moline American Legion Post 246. Instead of flowers, please deposit silver and gold coins into my coffin. A receipt will be printed. (I'll be watching, so don't be cheap!) On Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 2 p.m., there will be a memorial service held at Immaculate Conception Church, Cedar Rapids.

I was born in Moline, Ill., in 1949, and matriculated from Alleman Catholic High School in 1967. I attended and graduated from Kirkwood Community College, Black Hawk College and Northern Illinois University. I also served in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. I had two employers during my working life: Merchant National Bank in Cedar Rapids and Ciba-Geigy/Novartis Pharmaceuticals, until my retirement in 2011.

I am survived by my mother, Eileen Southwood of Rock Island; sister, Diana and husband Ralph McGrath of Anchorage, Alaska; sister, Nancy and husband Michael Lavery of Moline, Ill.; sister, Mary and husband Steve Mangan of DeWitt; brother, Timothy Southwood of Rock Island; sister, Theresa and Dennis Majetic of East Moline, Ill.; sister, Barbara and James Chance of Holland, Mich.; John Southwood of Champaign, Ill.; sister, Sister Cathy Southwood of Milan, Italy; sister, Roseanne and Mark Hepworth of Waterloo; brother, Father Joseph Southwood of Mexico City; and brother, Thomas and Julie Southwood of Springfield, Ill. Also, A TON of nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

I am also survived by close friends, Dewayne Michael and the Anna Mae Michael family of Cedar Rapids; Sue Pemp of Rock Island; Brian Masterton of Arlington Heights, Ill.; Dan Limbert of Cedar Rapids; Mark Franklin of Cedar Falls; Melissa of North Liberty; Tom Grant of St. Paul, Minn.; Kathy Goetz of North Polk; Steve Rivard of Minnesota; Patrick Casey of Marion; Paul Robertson of Swisher; and Ileana Reinekainan of Plantation, Fla.

I was preceded in death by my father, Duane Southwood.

Finally, I was greatly blessed to be a member of LOVE HOLY TRINITY BLESSED MISSION which taught me about my Catholic faith by reading and studying the Holy Scripture and then putting it into practice. Believing in the liberal (false) version of God, who is not found in the Bible, will never get you to heaven. Bless all the members who helped change my life and may God always Bless this Mission.

I will miss all of you, and, God willing, will be there to greet you into the heavenly kingdom when your time comes. Remember, be doers of The Word!

Online condolences can be sent at www.Rafferty

funerals.com.