Robert Cooney

ROBERT COONEY

Oskaloosa, IA

Robert" Dean" Cooney, 94, formerly of the Richland-Rubio area died Friday evening July 19, 2019, at the Serenity Hospice House in Oskaloosa due to natural causes surrounded by his children. Dean was born January 31, 1925, in Iowa County to Robert Michael and Carrie Elizabeth Johnson Cooney. He attended Cosgrove and Lone Tree schools. The family moved to the Richland area around 1940 and Dean graduated from Richland High School class of 1943 where he enjoyed playing football.

He enlisted in the US Marine Corp in 1944 and was part of the Third Division A-1-9 and served in the Pacific Theatre in WWII. Dean was wounded on Iwo Jima and received a purple heart. After being honorably discharged in 1946 he returned to the states and farmed with his parents.

On June 1, 1950, he married Joan Sheraden at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fairfield, IA and to this union four children were born. Dean & Joan farmed until 1962. He then worked for Zager Plumbing & Heating in Washington, IA until his retirement. He was a personal caregiver for his disabled wife for 20 years. Dean was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed traveling and arrowhead collecting and was a longtime member of Mother Cabrini Catholic Church in Richland.

He is survived by daughters, Nancy (Gale) Brown of Oskaloosa, IA, Sandy (Carl) Johnson of Metropolis, IL and son Patrick (Pamela) Cooney of Pittsfield, IL, 7 grandchildren: Jana Brown-Watts, Thomas Brown, Carl D Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Crystal Forthman, Ashley Goins and Ahron Cooney, 10 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Other survivors include two sisters-in-law, Evelyn Small of Ottumwa and Marilyn (Richard) Augustine of Washington, IL, many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and special companion Billie Jo Johnson. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Joan, his son Michael and his brother Bernard Claire Cooney.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday Evening July 23, 2019, at Mother Cabrini Church 5:30 P.M.-6:30 P.M. followed with a time to share memories of Dean. The Funeral Mass will be Wednesday July 24, 2019, at 10:30 A.M. at the church. Burial at the Clay cemetery with full Military Honors by Richland American Legion Post No. 504. Memorials may be made to the Clay Cemetery and mailed to the family at 908 15th Ave E, Oskaloosa, IA 52577. Gould Funeral Home of Richland is in charge of arrangements.