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BORN
1942
DIED
2025
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Merlin Capesius Obituary
Merlin "Butch" Capesius, Jr., age 82, of Bettendorf, IA, formerly of La Motte, IA, passed away on January 27, 2025.
Friends and family may visit from 9 to 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Key West. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 a.m., on Saturday, at the church with Msgr. Toale officiating. The burial will follow at Holy Rosary Cemetery in La Motte. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.
Merlin was born on October 3, 1942, in Dubuque, IA, son of Merlin and Rita (Weber) Capesius, Sr. He attended and graduated from school in La Motte. Butch worked at International Harvester in Moline, IL, until its closure, and then for the Davenport School District until his retirement. Butch loved his family very much and loved spending as much time with them as possible. He enjoyed lots of years spending time golfing with his brother Jim and son Dean. He enjoyed going to Cindy and Christy's basketball games from grade school through college. He loved to share laughs and a good game of euchre. He had a generous spirit and would do anything to help others.
Butch is survived by his son, Dean (Bridget) Capesius of Dyersville, IA; daughters, Cindy (Sam) Cerneka of Cary, NC, and Christy Janeliunas of Moline; grandchildren, Olivia, Lucy, and Sophia Cerneka, all of Cary, and Abigail (special friend Kole Stach) of Kewanee, IL; step-grandchildren, Lauren, Jeremy, and Natalie Baiocci of Chicago, IL; siblings, Carol ( Richard) Watters, Sharon (Steven) Schumacher, Susan (Tim) Flogel, Barb (Dan) Gleason; and sisterin-law, Mary Capesius.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Sharon; his parents; brothers, James Capesius and Kenneth Capesius; sister, Mary Jo (Steve) Becker; and nephew, Robert Watters.
The family would like to give a special thanks to Christy and Abigail Janeliunas for their tireless and constant care for Butch. Also special thank you to Genesis Hospice of Moline for their outstanding love and care they gave our father. In lieu flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s, an organization Butch faithfully supported.
Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, LLC
2595 Rockdale Rd
Dubuque, Iowa 52003
563-556-6788
Memories and Condolences
for Merlin Capesius
Sponsored by Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory.
2 Entries
Mary Ann Hoglund
February 2, 2025
Carol and family,
So very sorry to read of Butch's passing. I enjoyed playing volleyball against him and his fellow JB Young players all those years ago. I know he's been in such pain and suffering. That is the only consolation of his passing. Rest in peace, Butch and have fun to Bobby!
Dallas Freeburg
February 1, 2025
I lived with Merlin in a rooming house in Davenport for a few years and you couldn't ask for a nicer person to share a house with than him. RIP my friend.
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