Bernard C. “Barney” Cooney, 88, of Webster City, Iowa, formerly of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, January 1, 2010, in Southfield Wellness Community, following a brief illness.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, January 4, 2010, at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Burial will follow for immediate family at St. Michael’s Cemetery, Holbrook.
Survivors include his sons, John (Brenda) Cooney of Hopkins, Minnesota, and Phil (Julie) Cooney of Duncombe, Iowa; six grandchildren, John Jr., Julie, Jacklyn, Derek, Rhaea and Carter; one brother, Dean; one brother-in-law, Larry Clubb; three sisters-in-law, Peggy Derby, Joan Grimm and Doris Owing; and many nieces and nephews.
Barney was preceded in death by his wife, Lee, his parents; and his sister-in-law, Joann Cooney.
Barney was born July 17, 1921, the son of Robert and Carrie (Johnson) Cooney, in rural Oxford, Iowa. Barney was an Army Air Force pilot in WWII from 1942-45, during which time he flew 50 missions in B-24 Liberators stationed out of Northern Africa and Italy. On January 21, 1947, Barney and Allegra “Lee” Clubb were married in Richland, Iowa. Barney and Lee spent most of their married life in Cedar Rapids, where Barney was a printer and long-time member of the International Typographical Union at the Cedar Rapids Gazette. A loving and devoted husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and uncle, Barney touched the hearts and souls of family, friends and acquaintances throughout his life.
Instead of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Duncombe Volunteer Fire Department, Duncombe, Iowa or St. Michael’s Cemetery, Holbrook, Iowa, in memory of Barney.