James Burton "Jim" Serbousek
November 28, 1926 — March 16, 2010
James Burton “Jim” Serbousek, 83, of Coggon and formerly of Swisher, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Mercy Hallmar, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Services: 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2010, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion by Rev. Jen Filter. The family will greet friends from 4 - 7 p.m., Friday, March 19, 2010, at the funeral home. Burial: Anderson Cemetery, Swisher, Iowa, with military honors by American Legion Post #671 of Swisher.
Survivors include his beloved wife and caregiver, Martha Ann Serbousek; his son, Larry (Sandra) Serbousek of Conroy; his daughter, Carol (Norm) Russell of Cedar Rapids; and 2 grandchildren, Mary Beth Russell and Nathan Russell (fiancé Lindsay Cirkl). Jim is also survived by his stepsons, Ron (Wendy) Light, and Larry Light; a step-daughter, Susan (Loren) Zumbach; his step-grandchildren, Ron (Kristina) Light, Jeff Light, Jennifer (Matt) Tyson, Brett Zumbach, Chad Schulte, and Brooke Schulte; his step great-grandchildren, Emily, Kayla, and Brielle Light, Luke Tyson, and Addison Zumbach; and his brother, Dick (Lil) Serbousek of Swisher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Rose Serbousek; his first wife, Mary Ann (Melenovsky) Serbousek; his step-son, Paul Light; his step-grandson, Cameron Schulte and his step-great-granddaughter, Olivia Tyson.
James was born November 28, 1926, the son of Wesley and Rose (Chytry) Serbousek, at home in Swisher, Iowa. He resided in Swisher for 54 years where he attended grade school and then later attended and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids in 1944. He was married to his beloved wife of 31 years, Mary Ann Melenovsky on April 28, 1949. Jim and Mary Ann made their home in Swisher, Iowa, and had two children, Larry and Carol. Mary Ann passed away on October 13, 1980. He then married his beloved wife of 28 years, Martha Ann (Pesek) Light on November 1, 1981, and moved to Coggon, Iowa.
During WWII, Jim was inducted into the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on March 19, 1945, and then was stationed as an Army Technical Sergeant in Japan. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim started his own automobile repair business, “Serbousek Garage” in Swisher. Later in 1956, he began to work at Square D and retired from Square D after 29 years in 1985. He worked as a Process Engineer when he retired.
Jim was a proud and active member of the American Legion Post #671 of Swisher, for 64 years, serving as Past Commander. He served as Mayor of Swisher from 1967 to 1972. During his term in office, the town park was purchased and started and the sewer plant was established. He also served as a member of the Swisher Town Council. Jim was a member of the Board of Directors of the Swisher Telephone Company and served as Treasurer of the Anderson Cemetery Board in Swisher for many years. He was a member of the Swisher Fire Department for most of his adult years when he resided in Swisher. Jim was a member of the National Czech Slovak Museum and Library and the Czech Heritage Foundation. He was a friend of the United Parish Church in Coggon.
Jim absolutely loved his Fords and Lincolns.
We would like to thank Heather, Lynn, Kramer, Jodie, Angie, Becky, Tammy, Brook, Pam and Kristine of Mercy Hospice, the very kind staff at Mercy Hallmar and Dr. Glanzer.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jim’s memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
Survivors include his beloved wife and caregiver, Martha Ann Serbousek; his son, Larry (Sandra) Serbousek of Conroy; his daughter, Carol (Norm) Russell of Cedar Rapids; and 2 grandchildren, Mary Beth Russell and Nathan Russell (fiancé Lindsay Cirkl). Jim is also survived by his stepsons, Ron (Wendy) Light, and Larry Light; a step-daughter, Susan (Loren) Zumbach; his step-grandchildren, Ron (Kristina) Light, Jeff Light, Jennifer (Matt) Tyson, Brett Zumbach, Chad Schulte, and Brooke Schulte; his step great-grandchildren, Emily, Kayla, and Brielle Light, Luke Tyson, and Addison Zumbach; and his brother, Dick (Lil) Serbousek of Swisher.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley and Rose Serbousek; his first wife, Mary Ann (Melenovsky) Serbousek; his step-son, Paul Light; his step-grandson, Cameron Schulte and his step-great-granddaughter, Olivia Tyson.
James was born November 28, 1926, the son of Wesley and Rose (Chytry) Serbousek, at home in Swisher, Iowa. He resided in Swisher for 54 years where he attended grade school and then later attended and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Cedar Rapids in 1944. He was married to his beloved wife of 31 years, Mary Ann Melenovsky on April 28, 1949. Jim and Mary Ann made their home in Swisher, Iowa, and had two children, Larry and Carol. Mary Ann passed away on October 13, 1980. He then married his beloved wife of 28 years, Martha Ann (Pesek) Light on November 1, 1981, and moved to Coggon, Iowa.
During WWII, Jim was inducted into the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, on March 19, 1945, and then was stationed as an Army Technical Sergeant in Japan. Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Jim started his own automobile repair business, “Serbousek Garage” in Swisher. Later in 1956, he began to work at Square D and retired from Square D after 29 years in 1985. He worked as a Process Engineer when he retired.
Jim was a proud and active member of the American Legion Post #671 of Swisher, for 64 years, serving as Past Commander. He served as Mayor of Swisher from 1967 to 1972. During his term in office, the town park was purchased and started and the sewer plant was established. He also served as a member of the Swisher Town Council. Jim was a member of the Board of Directors of the Swisher Telephone Company and served as Treasurer of the Anderson Cemetery Board in Swisher for many years. He was a member of the Swisher Fire Department for most of his adult years when he resided in Swisher. Jim was a member of the National Czech Slovak Museum and Library and the Czech Heritage Foundation. He was a friend of the United Parish Church in Coggon.
Jim absolutely loved his Fords and Lincolns.
We would like to thank Heather, Lynn, Kramer, Jodie, Angie, Becky, Tammy, Brook, Pam and Kristine of Mercy Hospice, the very kind staff at Mercy Hallmar and Dr. Glanzer.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Jim’s memory.
Please sign the online guest book for Jim at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.
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