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Vernon Cerveny
VERNON F. CERVENY
Fairfax
Vernon F. Cerveny, 82, of Fairfax, died Friday, June 3, 2016, at the Dennis & Donna Oldorf Hospice House. A celebration of life gathering for Vern will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 17, at the Fairfax American Legion, where there will be a 3 p.m. service with food and fellowship to follow. Private family inurnment will be held in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery. A memorial Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 9, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Fairfax, where full military rites will be conducted by the Fairfax American Legion. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is assisting the family with Vernon's arrangements.
Vern was born May 7, 1934, in Fairfax, the son of Milo Joseph and Mildred Marie (Cole) Cerveny. Vernon attended and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids, class of 1952. He served in the U.S. Navy and was stationed on the BB64 Battleship Wisconsin. Vern worked at Quaker Oats as an accountant for over 37 years, retiring in 1996.
Vern was very active through the years in various religious and civic organizations. He served on the City Council, library board, FAT, Arbor Team and was the de facto town historian for the town of Fairfax. Vern volunteered for many years at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library as well as being a member of the American Guild of Organists, River Valley Chapter, and was a founding member of the Eastern Iowa Organ Historical Society. Being a devout Catholic and a musician led him to play the organ at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Fairfax for over 50 years until it was closed in 2011. He loved to cook, bake and share his creations with his many friends.
Vern is survived by his siblings, Milo (Jean) Cerveny of Cedar Rapids and Jim (Jan) Cerveny of Swisher; as well as his niece, Ann (Dan) Parsons of Wilton, and nephew, Darren (Kristy) Cerveny of Moscow.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister, Maxine Cerveny.
Memorials may be directed to the Fairfax American Legion in his name.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.broshchapel.com.
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