James Robert "Jim" Verhille
April 22, 1959 — March 3, 2013
After a long and courageous battle, Jim Verhille passed away from pneumonia on Sunday, March 3, 2013. Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, conducted by Father Tony Kruse, and assisted by Deacon LaVerne Flagel. The family will greet guests from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, 2013, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion; with a vigil service beginning at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will also take place one hour prior to the mass at the church on Wednesday. Interment will be at a later date at Oak Shade Cemetery, Marion.
Jim was born April 22, 1959, in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Linn-Mar Elementary and Junior High. Jim graduated from Regis High School in 1977, and Loras College in 1982. Following college, Jim worked as an Executive with the Boy Scouts in the Dellaykee District in Northeastern Iowa. He then was a Fuller Brush man in Cedar Rapids. Jim worked for both Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Home Health, sharing his enthusiasm for life and his cheerful disposition with co-workers and patients alike until a series of strokes disabled him.
Jim grew up in Marion, spending his summers at Indian Creek Country Club, either in the pool or on the course. He spent many summers at Camp Wakonda with the Boy Scouts. At the age of 12, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Jim successfully survived brain surgery and braved 6 months of radiation at the University of Iowa Hospital to prevent recurrence of the cancer. The treatments saved his life. Unfortunately, it also caused Jim to have strokes later in life.
During high school, Jim was a prodigious salesman. He loved Junior Achievement and achieved sales records in multiple years, mostly due to his personality and energy. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow.
Jim faced life with bright blue eyes and a smile every day. Never focusing on himself, he focused attention on others. Jim was always quick to laugh and offer help, and brave in the face of adversity. He was easy to love.
Jim is survived by his long-time significant other, Brenda Smith. He is survived by his father, Robert Verhille; his sister, Elisa Verhille; and brother, David Verhille, and Dave’s wife, Sue. He was Uncle Jimmer to his nephews, who brought great happiness to his life, Daniel, Benjamin, Andrew, and Robby Verhille. Betty Verhille, Jim’s mother, preceded him in death, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The family sends a special thank you to Bettye, Wilma, and the staff at Mercy Home Health for the daily care that allowed Jim to live at home; also to the Mercy Medical Center staff of nurses and doctors who were both co-workers and loving care providers for Jim.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials are directed to the Hawkeye Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America at: 660 32nd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404; The University of Iowa Foundation at: P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA, 52244; or Mercy Medical Foundation at: 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52403.
Jim was born April 22, 1959, in Iowa City, Iowa. He attended Linn-Mar Elementary and Junior High. Jim graduated from Regis High School in 1977, and Loras College in 1982. Following college, Jim worked as an Executive with the Boy Scouts in the Dellaykee District in Northeastern Iowa. He then was a Fuller Brush man in Cedar Rapids. Jim worked for both Mercy Medical Center and Mercy Home Health, sharing his enthusiasm for life and his cheerful disposition with co-workers and patients alike until a series of strokes disabled him.
Jim grew up in Marion, spending his summers at Indian Creek Country Club, either in the pool or on the course. He spent many summers at Camp Wakonda with the Boy Scouts. At the age of 12, he was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Jim successfully survived brain surgery and braved 6 months of radiation at the University of Iowa Hospital to prevent recurrence of the cancer. The treatments saved his life. Unfortunately, it also caused Jim to have strokes later in life.
During high school, Jim was a prodigious salesman. He loved Junior Achievement and achieved sales records in multiple years, mostly due to his personality and energy. He also earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow.
Jim faced life with bright blue eyes and a smile every day. Never focusing on himself, he focused attention on others. Jim was always quick to laugh and offer help, and brave in the face of adversity. He was easy to love.
Jim is survived by his long-time significant other, Brenda Smith. He is survived by his father, Robert Verhille; his sister, Elisa Verhille; and brother, David Verhille, and Dave’s wife, Sue. He was Uncle Jimmer to his nephews, who brought great happiness to his life, Daniel, Benjamin, Andrew, and Robby Verhille. Betty Verhille, Jim’s mother, preceded him in death, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.
The family sends a special thank you to Bettye, Wilma, and the staff at Mercy Home Health for the daily care that allowed Jim to live at home; also to the Mercy Medical Center staff of nurses and doctors who were both co-workers and loving care providers for Jim.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials are directed to the Hawkeye Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America at: 660 32nd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52404; The University of Iowa Foundation at: P.O. Box 4550, Iowa City, IA, 52244; or Mercy Medical Foundation at: 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA, 52403.
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