Ronald Craig Wirfs 1945-2007

WIRFS, NEFF, EWING, MEASE, MOELLER, EGOSCUE, JOHNSTON, ROWAN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 10/1/2015 at 21:53:11

Ronald Craig Wirfs, 62, of Mount Vernon, died in his home Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007, from prostate cancer. Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Morgan Funeral and Cremation Choices, Mount Vernon Chapel, where the family will greet friends after 1 p.m. Burial at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Martin Cemetery, Cascade, with military rites.

Ron is survived by his children, Julia Neff of North Liberty, Rich and Becky and their children, Mitchell and Kennedy of Mount Vernon, Sarah Wirfs and her children, Tristan and Kaylia of Mount Vernon, Jessica Wirfs of Cedar Rapids, and their mother Sylvia Wirfs of Mount Vernon; companion, Janet Volesky and her children Teresa, Tara and Travis of Fairfax; and siblings, Delores Ewing of Oxford Junction, Gary of Okinawa, Japan, Barbara Mease of Cambridge, Iowa, and Michelle Moeller of Cedar Rapids.

He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends of Bill W.

Preceding Ron in death were his parents, Richard Wirfs and Margaret Egoscue Johnston; brother, Patrick Rowan; nephew, John Mease; and his daughter, Hailey.

Ronald was born Nov. 25, 1945, in Forest Grove, Oregon. He graduated from Dugway, Utah, High School in 1964 and continued his education throughout his life. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1964. He was honorably discharged for a family hardship and returned to Iowa.

Among his many occupations were road construction and concrete finishing, welder and mechanic, logger and over the road truck driver. Ron owned and operated Wirfs Construction for 18 years, retiring due to ill health in October 2006.

A turning point in Ron's life was his introduction to Alcoholics Anonymous. The people and the principles of this program gave him back his life. Ron practiced the AA principle "You've got to give it away to keep it" through sponsorship, service work and "just showing up." Just prior to his death, he celebrated 18 years of sobriety.

Ron was an avid reader, ranging from authors Rumi, a Sufi poet, to Louis Lamour, to Stephen King. He had a keen interest in human rights, politics and history. Ron had been described as a "philosopher without credentials." He was both a student and teacher of Life. He had a profound influence on the lives of many. He will be greatly missed.

A memorial fund has been established.

Online condolences: www.morganfuneralchoices.com

Morgan Funeral Home is located on the corner of 10th Avenue SW and Highway 30, across from the car dealership in Mount Vernon.

Edition: F
Page: 9B
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