Irving "Rocky" Rockafellow
ROCKAFELLOW, SPRINGER, BOYLE, APEL, ECKERMANN, JONES, LINK, ZOLL
Posted By: Karrie Craig (email)
Date: 7/19/2019 at 10:32:58
Irving “Rocky” Delos Rockafellow, 93, died peacefully July 4, 2019 surrounded by family.
Celebrating Rockys life, the family will greet friends from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Friday July 12, 2019 at 2:30 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, 605 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City. Father Dennis Martin will officiate a prayer service at 2:30 pm at the funeral home. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery in Iowa City with military honors performed by the West Branch American Legion.
Irving Rockafellow was born on June 15, 1926 in Toeterville, Iowa to Lawrence and Mary Lou (Springer) Rockafellow. He grew up farming with his family and was a 1944 graduate of St. Ansgar High School.
During World War II, Rocky served in the US Army from August 1944 to February 1946 and was a Pfc. Rifleman in the Rhineland Campaign. Rocky was wounded in Luxemburg, Germany on February 19, 1945. There were 50 casualties that day. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service.
On August 19, 1948 Rocky married Rose Marie Boyle in Mason City and raised 13 children together. He graduated from Hamilton School of Commerce and worked for Enbusk & Company before continuing his education, receiving his CPA license in 1958. Later, he worked as an accountant for Woods Auto in Sheffield, Iowa and an associate for Enbusk & International Mineral in Mason City.
Rocky moved his family to Iowa City in 1967, where he became Comptroller at Mercy Hospital. After retiring in 1990, he worked taxed season for Clifton Gunderson and kept the books for Par-Tee Zone from 2006 - 2012.
His pastimes included hunting, fishing, ham radio, wood carving, woodwork, and leather work. Rocky moved to a condo in West Branch after his wife passed. He was a member of the West Branch American Legion. He enjoyed getting around West Branch on his scooter, keeping up with city council minutes, and watching the development of the park near his home. He read hundreds of books on his Kindle and enjoyed texting to keep up with family and friends. “Papa Rocky” always had snickers and cookies when his many great grands came to visit.
Survivors include five sons, Pat (Novelette) Rockafellow, Mike Rockafellow, Tim (Kim) Rockafellow, Tom and Jack Rockafellow; five daughters, Lynn Apel, Mona (Chuck) Eckermann, Paulette (Terry) Jones, Kathleen (Dave) Link, and Mary Rockafellow; daughter-in-law, Amie Rockafellow; sisters-in-law, Marilyn and Joan Rockafellow and Susie (Ed) Boyle; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren and numerous cousins and extended family members.
Rocky was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rose; two sons, Bill (Amie) and Todd; one daughter, Suzette (Joe Zoll) and three siblings Dean, Dale, and Mary Lou.
Rocky and his family would like to thank the VA - Primary Home-Based Care for their devoted care over the past 5 years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Veteran Volunteer Services (VVA)- directed to Primary Home-Based Care, Iowa City Hospice, or Mercy Hospital Foundation.
Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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