Memorial
Ross Irwin Bleeker, age 61, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, May 25, 2023.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Friday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm at the funeral home. Internment will take place at the Palo Cemetery.
Ross was born December 24, 1961 in Clear Lake, SD to Edward and Audrey (Schiefelbein) Bleeker. After graduating from Shellsburg High School, he entered the Army in May of 1980, where he was a Mechanic for M1 Abrams tanks. While still serving, Ross was united in marriage to Shirley Kysely on December 30, 1983 at the Palo Methodist Church. He was a gifted mechanic and could frequently diagnose issues just by listening to them. Ross worked for 31+ years at Junge Motors in several different roles for service and warranty work.
Spending time with family and friends was of utmost importance to Ross. He was very proud of his 13 nieces and nephews, and his extended Winnebago family. He became an avid New York Yankees fan when his extended family nephew, started pitching for the team. He also enjoyed cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes, fishing, going to casinos, creating beaded crafts, and working on projects in his shop.
He is survived by his sister Beth (Terry) Wink of Wyoming IA, 5 brothers Todd (Linda) of Palm Harbor, FL; Joel (Lynn) of West Des Moines, IA; Glen (Lisa) of Frederick, CO; Paul (Dawn) of Newton, IA; and Reed (Angie) of Solon, IA sister-in-law Judy Dlouhy of Palo IA and his extended family of brothers and sisters: Kevin Chamberlain, Oddy Chamberlain, Harlan Chamberlain, Judi Bridge, Lisa Chamberlain, and Ravae Chamberlain.
He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Bleeker, his parents, brother-in-law Joe Dlouhy, and from his extended family of brothers and sisters: Keith Chamberlain, Jim Vileta and Annelle Vileta.
Memorials may be directed in Ross’s honor to Stand Up To Cancer: standuptocancer.org