Henry "Cakey" L. H. Choate

Henry “Cakey” Lyndell Hershel Choate, 2, of Marion, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, surrounded by his family at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 20, 2025, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Marion. Cremation rites will follow, and private committal services will take place at later date. 

Cakey was born on January 30, 2022, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Johnnie Lyndell Choate Jr. and Courtney Lynn Rankin. Cakey, was a very happy boy in the middle of two sisters, had a contagious funny giggle. He loved many things, including soft-textured objects like soft blankets, the color gray, and loved kitty cats, because of their soft hair. Cakey was not fond of dogs, actually, he disliked dogs; they weren’t his ‘thing’. Cakey enjoyed music and musical things, including the musical chair. Cakey loved food, especially his favorite, which was yogurt. He was quite the young ‘ladies’ man’ at such an early age. Cakey loved females; loved being held and snuggling, and also loved women’s pillows; it made him smile. He enjoyed pretending to ride a motorcycle with dramatic noises. Cakey loved being at home with his family, and spending time with Papa, one of his favorite persons. Most of all, Cakey loved picking fights at night with his sisters and getting them in trouble. He and his sisters would often compete and see who could be the loudest when it was time for bed, some of his happiest moments. Cakey will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived and lovingly remembered by his parents, Johnnie Choate Jr. and Courtney Rankin of Marion; two sisters, Paisley Rankin and Huntlee Choate both at home; maternal grandfather, Jimmy Rankin of Ponder, Texas; paternal grandfather, Mike “Papa” Jibben of Marion; paternal great-grandparents, Dale and Esther Lewis; Godparents, Dalton and Kaile Wyant; aunts and uncles, Haleigh Rankin, Anthony “T.J.” Meehan, Justin Rankin, Mason Yudizky, and Linda Jibben; great-aunt, Kimberly Rankin; great-cousin, Michael Hewett; and a host of extended family members including many cousins.

Cakey was preceded in death by his maternal great-grandparents, Hershel and Charlotte Nixon; paternal grandmother, Kimberly Jibben; and one great-cousin, Joshua Reyes.

Memorials in Cakey’s memory may be made to the family to be designated later.