Richard Olney

RICHARD JAMES OLNEY

Mount Vernon

Richard James Olney, 77,

of Mount Vernon, died Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, at

The Meth-Wick Community, Cedar Rapids, surrounded by his family and close friends Bob and Judy Tosh, who introduced Richard and Irene over 48 years ago.

Celebration of Life gathering will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling St. SW. A private family inurnment will be held in Campbell Cemetery, Bertram, where he will be laid to rest next to his son.

Richard was born Aug. 3, 1940, in Cedar Rapids, the son of James O. and Mae S. (Longueville) Olney. He graduated from Cedar Rapids Washington High School in 1958. He attended the University of Iowa and Coe College before working as a telephone technician for over 43 years. Richard served in the U.S. National Guard. He was united in marriage to Irene Lebeda on Oct. 19, 1968, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids.

Richard enjoyed building and flying RC model airplanes with his son.

Following retirement, he became involved with ham radios and the weekly coffee sessions.

Richard is survived by his wife, Irene; daughter, Annette (Mitch) Sherman of Cedar Rapids; grandchildren, Alexander, Abigail and Ayden Stegen and Gabriel and Lola Sherman; and a brother-in-law, Francis (Judy) Lebeda of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, James R. Olney, M.D.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to either the Alzheimer's Association in his name or to a charity of choice.

The family would like to extend a special thank-you to the Arbors and Woodlands during his journey with Alzheimer's disease.

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