Funerals and Funeral Planning
IF YOU WISH TO PRE-PLAN YOUR FUNERAL OR ARE IN NEED OF PLANNING A LOVED ONE'S FUNERAL, PLEASE CALL US AT 319-363-8269 OR EMAIL US AT: contactus@stmatthewcr.org TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Jim Molitor, who went to be with Jesus on Thursday, March 27.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Jim Molitor Obituary
James “Jim” Francis Molitor, 73, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Thursday, March 27, 2025, at Northbrook Care Center. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be an hour prior to Mass. Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Church Cemetery, Hanover, Iowa.
Jim is survived by his brother, Joe (Rita) Molitor; brother-in-law, Bill Friedrichsen; and numerous nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy and Geraldine Molitor; and two sisters, Annie Molitor and Connie Friedrichsen.
Jim was born October 26, 1951, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Regis High School in 1970. His employment included the City of Cedar Rapids, Souvenir Pen and Pencil, and options of Linn County.
James had a very strong and unbending catholic faith. He was also a member of The Knights of Columbus. He and his faith were an inspiration to so many.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Richard "Dick" Coates who went to be with Jesus on Saturday March 29th.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Memorial
With sadness, we announce the peaceful passing of Richard “Dick” Coates, 85, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Saturday March 29, 2025, at West Ridge Care Center. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and friend.
Visitation will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Rosary will begin at 4:00 PM, followed by the Vigil service. A memorial mass will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, April 5, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Church. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military honors.
Dick was born November 07, 1939, in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Raymond and Wilma (Birdsall) Coates. He served honorably in the United States Air Force from 1958 until 1962. After the service, Dick worked as a Police Officer for the Cedar Rapids Police Department. Upon relocating to Scottsdale, Arizona he was employed as a Police Officer and Detective. He returned to Cedar Rapids and retired from Mercy Medical Center as the Director of Security.
Dick’s endless compassion drove him to help others unconditionally. Most importantly, nothing compared to the love Dick had for his family, his faith in God, and living life to its fullest. He will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Denise of Cedar Rapids, IA; three daughters, Lynnette of Cedar Rapids, IA; Paula of Maricopa, Arizona; and Dena (Keith) of Bloomington, Indiana; a son, Rich (Rita) of Cedar Rapids, IA; 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild; two sisters, Barb and Belinda (Tom); and many loving extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Wilma, a sister Annette, his first wife Karen, and two grandchildren.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the West Ridge Care Center and the Hospice of Mercy staff, for their love, strength and assistance during Dicks’s final days.
Memorials donations in Dick’s name may be directed to Hospice of Mercy.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Margaret Louise Flynn, who was called home to be with Jesus on March 18th.
Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Memorial
Margaret Louise Flynn, 82, died peacefully at home on March 18, 2025, after a long illness. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday March 24, 2025, at St. Matthew Catholic Church with burial to follow at Cedar Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, 2025, preceded by a Rosary at 3:30 p.m.
Margaret was born at Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Marjorie L. Flynn and James R. Flynn II, M.D. She attended St. Matthew Grade School, Mount Mercy Academy and Regis High School. She went on to study at Marquette University, Milwaukee and graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Home Economics.
Her interest in world travel led her to the travel business. She began her career with the Jean Ashby Travel agency which became American Travel and Tour, located in the Roosevelt Hotel, under her ownership and management. She wanted her clients to have great travel experiences, and her service didn’t end with their departure. She would track weather and political conditions in the countries of travel and if trouble developed would make alternate arrangements.
Margaret was a lifelong member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and was an active member there. Among her activities were: serving on the St. Vincent de Paul Committee, coordinating the St. Matthew Prayer Chain, cleaning the Holy Water fonts weekly, attending Eucharistic Adoration and participating in Small Faith Sharing Groups for 30 years.
In her younger years Margaret (known as Weazy or Weaz to her family and school friends) was quite athletic and would try almost anything: diving, dancing, golf, bowling and tennis.
Margaret was a caring and compassionate person who had a genuine respect and concern for people. She was curious and interested in everything and had a great sense of humor. She always had determination and persistence coupled with a strong sense of right and wrong and the courage to make it known when something was not right.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters-in-law Sharlene (Jim) Flynn, and Jan (Don) Flynn and her niece Cari Flynn.
She is survived by her brothers James R. Flynn III, M.D. of Cedar Rapids, Donald E. Flynn Fort Myers, FL and William J. Flynn (Linda) of Littleton, CO and her sister Helen E. Flynn of Cedar Rapids. Nieces and nephews: James (Kyle) Flynn, Kelly Michael Flynn, Sean (Andrea) Flynn, Ann (Chuck) Hammond, Mike (Laura) Flynn, Patty (Mike) Noel, 19 great nieces and nephews and 6 great-great nieces and nephews (plus one on the way!).
Memorials may be directed to St. Vincent de Paul Cedar Rapids Council (Ozanan Fund), St. Matthew Church, Mercy Hospital, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Donald Wood, who was called home to be with Jesus on March 15th.
Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
~Amen~
Memorial
Donald E. Wood, 86, of Robins, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Visitation will be held on Wednesday March 26 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. The Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday March 27 at 10:30am at St. Matthews Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids. A viewing will be held at the church prior to the service starting at 9:30am. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
Don is survived by his wife, Connie of 65 years, his son Mark Wood and wife Devonna, daughter Mary Jo Plotz and husband Mike, daughter Amy Payne and husband Jon, daughter Shelly Roztocil and husband Chuck, and daughter Jennifer Roberts and husband Todd. He is survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. His surviving siblings are Dick Wood, Mike Wood, and Janet Fisher.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Leroy and Mary, brother Jerome, and grandson Joshua.
Don was a successful business owner, builder and developer. He started Wood Construction Inc. in 1968 and along with his brother and son, built quality and custom homes in the Cedar Rapids/Robins area. He added four beautiful neighborhoods in Robins. He was a member of the local Home Builders Association since 1979. Don and his wife have been members of St. Matthews Catholic Church for over 60 years.
When Don wasn’t working, he enjoyed fishing and hunting trips, camping and skiing with family, and farming and gardening. Having a dog by his side,a Black Velvet and water, and mowing the lawn relaxed him after a long day at work. He liked cruising in his red thunderbird and would never turn down a good back scratch. He never missed a dessert, and his favorite was his mother’s chocolate cake.
Don’s ultimate pride and joy was ‘The Pond’, where he built his dream home. His vision of the pond started long before it was dug in 1989 and soon became the center of all family and friends gatherings, reunions, celebrations, bonfires and a wedding. The Pond’s captivating beauty helped create lasting memories for all who experienced it.. We know he will be relaxing by his own pond for eternity.
A loving thank you to all the staff at Emery Place, Hiawatha Care Center and Hallmar Village for caring for a well-loved man and putting up with his spirited attitude.