Emmett James COONEY

COONEY, HOYLE, DOOLITTLE, JOHNSON, VENTLING, BIRD

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 9/23/2016 at 19:53:05

May 25, 1948 ---- September 21, 2016

Emmett James Cooney, the son of Joseph L. and Lois M. (Hoyle) Cooney, was born May 25, 1948, in Iowa City, Iowa. He was raised and educated in Marengo, graduating from Iowa Valley High School in 1966. Emmett then graduated from Webster City Junior College in 1968.

On October 5, 1968, Emmett was united in marriage with Kristin Doolittle in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Emmett entered the United States Air Force on October 9, 1968. He was a military policeman stationed at Ellsworth Air Force base in Rapid City, SD, Offutt Air Force base in Omaha, NE and the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO. He was honorably discharged on September 1, 1972.

The family returned to Iowa and Emmett received his Bachelor's Degree from UNI and later his Master's Degree from Drake University. He began his career in education starting in Dayton (1974) and it continued in Eddyville, Independence and Sioux City – where he served as a principal – retiring in 2003. Emmett also enjoyed his years of coaching basketball in Dayton, Ellsworth Community College and Webster City.

The light of Emmett's life was his wife, Kristin, his kids, Tom and Megen and his five grandkids. He also enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in the pool listening to Irish folk music and sharing stories. Emmett was a Nascar fan and collected racing memorabilia.

Emmett passed away on Wednesday, September 21, 2016, at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, at the age of 68 years. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Jimmy Doolittle. Survivors include his wife, Kristin Cooney of Duncombe; son, Tom Cooney and wife Nicky of Grimes; daughter, Megen Johnson and husband Craig of Bondurant; five grandchildren: Amber, Aaron and Brandon Johnson and Tyler and Molly Cooney; five brothers: Gary Cooney and wife Elaine of Hudson, Mike Cooney and wife Jade of Patriot, IN, Frank Cooney and wife Debbie of Solon, Tim Cooney and wife Janine of Ottumwa and Garth Cooney and wife Della of Marengo; sister, Jeanette Cooney of Johnston; father and mother-in-law, Don and Shirley Doolittle of Duncombe; sisters-in-law, Polly Doolittle (Ladd Ventling) of Webster City and Tricia Bird and husband Bill of Webster City; brother-in-law, Dan Doolittle and wife Vicki of Webster City and many other family and friends.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 25, 2016, from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Boman Funeral Home in Webster City with a Memorial Service at 5:00 p.m. with Pastor Jon Rollefson, officiating. Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.