Noonan, Robert James 'RJ'

Robert James “RJ” Noonan, 80, of Marion formerly of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010, at Willow Gardens Care Center in Marion. Funeral service will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Harlan Gillespie officiating. The entombment will follow in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, and on Friday one hour before the service.

Survivors include his wife, Grace; children, Sandra (Gregory) Heuer of Lakeville, Minn., Kathy (Martin) Hohl of Westerville, Ohio, Mary (Kenneth) Rose of Third Lake, Ill., and Michael (Katherine) Noonan of Tucson, Ariz.; seven grandchildren; and a sister Suzanne (Sam) Trevino of Tucson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert R. and Mildred (Davidson) Noonan.

Robert was born Sept. 21, 1929, in Muscatine. He married Grace Ecklund on Dec. 26, 1954, in Brooklyn. Robert graduated from Washington High School in 1949, Iowa Wesleyan College in 1951, and from the University of Iowa with a Master's degree in Education. Robert taught for two years in Wellman, four years in Fort Madison, and three years at Cedar Rapids Wilson Jr. High. He retired from Jefferson High School in 1994 after teaching 33 years in the Science Department. At Jefferson, he also coached cross country, basketball and track, earning the Mississippi Valley Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1982 & 1986.

Bob was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve, St. Paul's United Methodist Church, New Horizons Band, NEA, Cedar Rapids Retired Teachers Assoc., and the Jefferson Booster Club becoming a Hall of Fame Member in 2001.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff of Willow Gardens and St. Luke's Hospice for the care and comfort Bob received in the final years and days of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to St. Paul's United Methodist Church.

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