Richard M. "Rich" Cornelius

Richard M. “Rich” Cornelius, 65, of Monticello, died unexpectedly Wednesday morning, Feb. 13, 2013, at his home. A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 18, at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, where visitation will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa.

Richard Milo Cornelius was born April 17, 1947, in Clinton, Iowa, to Milo Fred and Flossie Louise (Peterson) Cornelius. He grew up in Andrew and was a 1965 graduate of Andrew High School. He then received his associate degree in drafting from Morrison Institute in Morrison, Ill., and later attended New Tribes Bible Institute in Waukesha, Wis. He married Sharon Kay Yappen on Sept. 3, 1966, in Andrew.

In 1966, Rich began a career in the grocery business. He first worked for Paetz Super Valu in Maquoketa, then Fareway Foods, Kohl’s II, Econo Foods and Hy-Vee. He was a produce manager for 47 years, retiring in 2011. As the grocery business called, Rich went, and through the years they had lived in many places in Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

In 1985, Rich became a missionary pastor for Bible Extension Ministries Association, starting churches in Eastern Iowa. For the past five years Rich had served as the Bible class leader of Living Hope Bible Church in Mechanicsville.

Rich was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and enjoyed model railroads. He especially enjoyed putting the railroad together with his youngest grandson, Nathaniel.

Those left to honor Richard’s memory include his wife, Sharon Cornelius of Monticello; children, Annette (Jason) Shearier of Lake Mills, Wis., and Jon Cornelius of Ely; three grandchildren, Jessica, Justin and Nathaniel; a sister, Judy (Carl) Ganzer of Maquoketa; brothers-in-law, David (Karen) Yappen of San Antonio, Texas and Patrick Yappen of Anamosa; and sisters-in-law, Linda (Randy) Cox of Marion and Carol (Joe) Engler of Monticello.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to missions.

Online condolences may be left at www.CarsonAndSon.com.

Published Feb. 15, 2013 in The Gazette