Charles Joseph Gaffey, 14 Aug 1941 - 22 Feb 2017

GAFFEY, FAHNHOLZ, CLAUSEN, SWOIK, SUEPPEL, ROTH, STEVENS

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 3/2/2017 at 15:28:56

Memorial service for Charles J. “Chuck” Gaffey, 75, Lena, Ill., will be held at noon Saturday, March 4, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Lena. He died unexpectedly at his home on Feb 22, 2017.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of service, with a luncheon to follow.

The Rev. Rick Bader will officiate at the service.

Private inurnment will be at St. Michael’s Church Cemetery, Holbrook, at a date to be determined.

Memorials may be made to Friends of Old St Michael’s in Holbrook, and sent to Gerald Gaffey, #9 The Woods NE, Iowa City, Iowa 52240.

Arrangements by Leamon Funeral Home, Lena. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leamonfh.com.

Charles Joseph “Chuck” Gaffey was born Aug 14, 1941, in Iowa City, the third child of a family of seven born to Joe and Laura (Fahnholz) Gaffey. He grew up in Holbrook, attending the one-room country grade school, graduating as valedictorian from Parnell High School in 1959. While in high school, he helped in running their family-owned grocery store as well as working for several local farmers. He attended the University of Iowa before entering the U.S. Army. After serving in the military, he started a 50-plus year career in the world of finance and banking, retiring as president of Bank Plus in Estherville. He also was involved with the American Legion for 43 years. In his retirement years, he worked as a bank consultant in Iowa and Illinois.

He was a very active member in his church, St John’s Lutheran Church, acted as an elder, usher and consulted on several church endeavors. He also enjoyed assisting with the wheelchair ramp building team.

On July 18, 2009, he married Ann Clausen at St John’s Lutheran Church, Lena. Together, they enjoyed traveling to many places including Ireland, Alaska, Nova Scotia, Branson and driving historic Route 66. In his spare time, Chuck enjoyed reading and woodworking. He will be remembered as a caring, generous gentlemen’s gentleman.

Gaffey will be lovingly remembered by his wife Ann; son Larry (Melody) Gaffey, Elkhorn, Wis.; stepson, David Clausen, Mt. Pleasant, Wis., and step-daughter, Amanda (Brett) Swoik, Lincolnwood, Ill.; grandchildren, Max and Elizabeth Gaffey, Bradley and Gavin Swoik; many nieces and nephews; three brothers, Gerald (Marilyn) Gaffey, Iowa City; Harold (Cindi) Gaffey, Coralville, and Ed (Karen) Gaffey, Altoona, and three sisters, Laurine (Robert) Sueppel, Marion; Mary Kathryn Roth, West Branch, and Theresa (Jerry) Stevens, Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his son, Stephen Charles, 1981; his parents, Joe and Laura Gaffey; brother-in-law, John Roth, and nephew, Ronald Gaffey.

Williamsburg Journal Tribune, 01 Mar 2017, pg 5
The Gazette, 26 Feb 2017, 7c