Moershel, William Jacob

William Jacob Moershel, 91, of Shell Point Retirement Community, Fort Myers, Fla., formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010. A family gathering will take place in Iowa in the spring.

Survivors include his children, Mary McGaughy of Marietta, Ga., Carolyn Moershel of Denver, Colo., David Moershel of Spokane, Wash., and Phillip Moershel of Norman, Okla.; sisters, Cornelia Zuber of Homestead, and Henrietta Hale of Nevada; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Also surviving are brothers-in-law, Joe Pearson of Ann Arbor, Mich., and Frank Pearson of Iowa City.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Pearson Moershel.

Dr. Moershel was born April 6, 1919, in Homestead, Iowa. He was the first Eagle Scout from the Amana Colonies. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from the University of Iowa Medical School in 1943, and was the third generation physician in his family. He married Phyllis Pearson of West Branch. Dr. Moershel served in the Army, treating returning shell shocked soldiers during World War II. After completing a psychiatric residency at the University of Iowa in 1948, he moved to Cedar Rapids and practiced psychiatry. He retired in 1984 to Sanibel, Fla., and later moved to Shell Point. He was know for his lapidary work and for his generosity with the jewelry he created. He was also a sculptor, painter and an avid fisherman.

Memorials may be made to a charity of your choice.