Eric Bailey
BAILEY, FREITAG, WATKINSON, KINDL, SHIELDS
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/29/2024 at 09:59:54
Eric Bailey, 61, of West Branch passed away on January 11, 2024, with his family by his side following a stroke.
The loss of Eric has left us with extreme sadness but his life and all the good he brought to the world deserves to be recognized and celebrated. So, an informal gathering for family and friends will be Friday, January 19, 2024 from 2:00 - 6:00 PM at The Kirkwood Room, 515 Kirkwood Avenue, Iowa City.
Eric was born on August 7, 1962 in Wyandotte, Michigan to Larry and Peggy (Freitag) Bailey. He was raised in Iowa City before moving to West Branch in 1972. While in school, Eric played baseball and football. He participated in the Westspring 4H club and FFA exhibiting cattle and market pigs. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1980.
Throughout his life, Eric worked at Sheller-Globe, PURethane, Brown’s Chrysler, and Lazer Spot trucking company. Also owning Coyote Express, an interstate trucking company and Ver-Rest Manufacturing which focused on automotive plastics. He was also a Wagyu cattle and Swabian hog farmer.
He met the love of his life Machelle Watkinson, and the couple were married on the beach on December 8, 2022 in Grand Cayman. Their love, devotion and appreciation for each other was a gift that will forever be cherished.
Eric’s hobbies included welding, fishing, cooking, and attending his sons’ sporting events. He was a history buff and always ready to learn more about World War I and II. He also loved traveling with Machelle, going on two cruises already with more trips they had planned.
Eric was literally the jack of all trades and always put his all in everything he did. Helping others was just a part of who he was and had no boundaries. Eric lived his life with vision and purpose.
He is survived by his wife Machelle Bailey, two sons Tyler (Kassie) Bailey and Cole Bailey, parents Larry and Peg Bailey, sister Kari (Steve) Freitag, two grandchildren Micah and Luca, niece Heather, stepchildren Kristopher (Kelsey) Kindl, Miley Shields and Aiden Shields, sister-in-law Stephanie Watkinson, and several friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to West Branch First Responders.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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