Raymond Vecerka

RAYMOND VECERKA

Cedar Rapids

Raymond Joseph Vecerka, 80, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Tuesday, March 25, 2014, at his home. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at St. Ludmila's Catholic Church, with bur-ial to follow in the

Shueyville Cemetery, where full military rites will be conducted. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Brosh Cha-pel in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW.

Ray was born Feb. 20, 1934, in Cedar Rapids, the son of Roman and Lillian (Kilberger) Vecerka. He served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. Following his

military service he attended and received a degree from DeVry Institute in Chicago. He married Lois Koutny on May 2, 1954. They were later divorced. Ray married Susan (Wilson) Hageman on Sept. 28, 1996. He worked for Rockwell Collins for 32 years until his retirement in 1990.

Early on with his family they camped, fished and rebuilt automobiles. He enjoyed car racing and rebuilding antique tractors, going to garage and antique sales, and the refinishing of his antiques. He and his family participated in parades with his prized tractors and hayrack.

Ray is survived by his wife, Susan; his children,

Sue (Bruce) Voll of Buffalo, N.Y., Lori Bratton (James Pace) of Cincinnati, Ohio, James (Lisa) Vecerka of Cedar Rapids and Mary Dufner of Minneapolis; stepsons, Travis (Donna) Hageman of Oxford Junction and Trent Hageman of Cedar Rapids; nine grandchildren; one great-grandson; and special friends, Clair and Arnie.

He was preceded in death by parents and his sister, Linda Hoefer.

In lieu of flowers, me-morials may be directed to VFW Post 788 in his name.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.