Richard John Norpel Sr.

Richard John Norpel Sr. 88, of Bellevue, passed away peacefully Thursday, May 24th, 2007 at his home surrounded by his family. Richard was born June 24th, 1918, in Bellevue, son of the late Charles and Laura (Meier) Noerpel. He married Janaan Lewis February 23rd, 1943, in New Albany, Indiana. She preceded him in death on January 12th, 2002. Richard was a graduate of St. Joseph High School of Bellevue. He was a World War II Veteran and served with the 124th Horse Cavalry in the India- Burma- China Theater. He owned and operated Norpels Market and the Bellevue Hotel Corp. He operated Norpels Insurance Company and was an agent with Hoff Auction / Real Estate Agency. He served as an Iowa State Representative and State Senator. He was issued the first Iowa drivers license with a photo on it. He was also instrumental in the appropriation of funds for the Dubuque-Wisconsin Bridge. He was a member of the Bellevue American Legion, Bellevue Knights of Columbus, Jackson County Conservation Board, Iowa Mississippi Parkway Commission, Jackson County Board of Supervisors, Seventh Judicial Correctional Agency, Sixth District Elected Officers Association, Jackson County Board of Health and the Bellevue City Council. He enjoyed his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a Chicago Cub and Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved fishing. Survivors include six children, Charles Norpel, Maquoketa, Mary Norpel, Dubuque, Richard (Diane) Norpel Jr., Stephen (Elizabeth) Norpel and Suzanne (Charles) Fondell, Bellevue and Laura Norpel of North Liberty; nine grandchildren, Robinn (Bryan) Jerutis, Troy (Sarah) Norpel, Heather (Todd) Merrick, Chloe Norpel, Hayley Norpel, Jamie (Anglea) Fondell, Jill (Dick) Majerus, Joshua (Ronda) Fondell, Jessalyn (Terry Putman Jr.) Fondell; 21 great-grandchildren; Addison, Ayden, Elliot and Duncan Jerutis, Aurora Norpel, Jada, Jenna, Cheyanne and Hunter Merrick, Cassie Jorgensen, Brianna and Dillon Uthe, Lexi, Alyssa and Jamie Fondell Jr., Hannah, Jackson, Claire Majerus, Logan and Sidney Fondell and Myles Putman; brother and sister-in-law, Norbert C. and Louise Norpel, Des Moines. Besides his loving wife, Janaan and his parents Charles and Laura Meier Norpel Pogeman, he preceded in death by Step father Herman Pogeman, sisters, Eileen Lewis, Carma Hoff, Mary Stuart and Jane Ann Burken. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Celebrated at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, May 30th, 2007 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bellevue. The Rev. Fr. Scott Bullock will preside. Burial will be in the parish cemetery where full military honors will be conducted by the Bellevue American Legion Post 273. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3-7 PM at the Kingery ~ Lemke Funeral Home in Bellevue and again from 9:30 10 AM all at the Funeral Home. Kingery~Lemke Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Bellevue is in charge of the arrangements. Online at www.kingeryfuneralhome.com