Obituary of James E. Vermace

James E. Vermace, 74, of Shueyville died Saturday, December 3, 2005, in his home following a courageous battle with lung cancer. Memorial services will be held 4pm Wednesday, December 7, 2005 at the St. Mary’s Auditorium in Oxford. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. In leiu of flowers memorial donations can be made to Iowa City Hospice or Lives Under Construction, a boys ranch in the Shell Knob, Missouri area.. Online condolences may be sent for Jim’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Jim was born September 24, 1931, in Sturgis, South Dakota, the son of Cyril and Wilma Carney Vermace. He graduated from University High School in Iowa City in 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in July, 1950 and received his honorable discharge in July, 1954. He was a veteran of the Korean War. He resided in the Oxford area and was employed by Amana Refrigeration Engineering Department until May 1968 when he began work in Cedar Rapids for the U.S. Defense Department as an Industrial Specialist. He served as a town councilman in Oxford from 1968 through 1971 and served as mayor from January 1972 through December 1973. He was a member of the Oxford Fire Department, belonged to the Lions Club and was a scout master. Jim transferred to the U.S. Defense Department in Alexandria, Virginia, in June 1974 where he was employed as a Systems Analyst until his retirement in September 1991. Jim enjoyed reading, was an avid sports fan and was a fine woodworker, making fretwork clocks. Jim’s family includes his wife, Sandy, his daughter, Deborah Ockenfels and husband John of Shueyville; his grandchildren, Dan of Marion and Kristin of Cedar Falls. He is also survived by his sister, Martha “Toots” Parks and husband Forrest of Hiawatha; brothers Charles “Mort” Vermace of Oxford, Robert Vermace and wife, Shirley of Iowa City, brother-in-law, Dale Harker of Oxford and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Jeanne Bischof and Helen “DeDe” Harker. Gay and Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Jim’s family and his services.