Gary Hempel

 

Gary Hempel, 68, of Cherokee, Iowa died Sunday January 27, 2008 at his home following an apparent heart attack.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday January 30, 2008 at the Greenwood Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa.  Rev. Armand Bertrand will officiate.  Burial will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Cherokee, Iowa, at a later date.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Greenwood Funeral Home with the family present from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M.  Online condolences may be left at www.greenwoodfuneral.com.

 

Gary was born on June 10, 1939 in Cherokee, Iowa to Walter and Shirley (Wheelock) Hempel.   He attended school in Quimby, Iowa graduating in 1957.  Gary then went on to attend Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg, Missouri.  In 1962 he joined the United States Army and served until 1964.  On July 3, 1965 he married Juanita King in Quimby, Iowa.   For several years Gary drove a truck for Stevenson Trucking in Quimby, Iowa, and then All American Transport Services.  Gary worked at the Cherokee Mental Health Institution in the maintenance department for 28 years, while also farming with his brother Larry.  He retired from the Cherokee Mental Health Institute in 2000.  He loved to play golf and watch the Iowa Hawkeyes.  His greatest joy was his children and grandchildren.

 

He is survived by his wife, Juanita; a son, Chris Hempel and his wife, Jennifer, of Ankeny, Iowa; a daughter, Lauren Rohweder and her husband, Brett, of Ankeny, Iowa; grandchildren, Tanner, Carter, and Malerie Rohweder; Lucas and Carson Hempel; his mother, Shirley Fogleman of Cherokee, Iowa; two brothers, Larry Hempel and his wife, Sharon, of Quimby, Iowa and Dennis Hempel of Cherokee, Iowa.

 

He was preceded in death by his father Walter Hempel.