James Dale Cirese, 68 of Solon, died Monday, March 16, 2015 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Celebration of Life gathering will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Brosh Chapel in Solon, located at 100 S. Cedar Street. Memorial Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 26, 2015 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Solon. Military rites will be conducted following the Mass. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. James was born July 1, 1946 in Oelwein, the son of Dominic and Mary (Pitts) Cirese. He graduated from Sacred Heart School - Oelwein in 1963. James served in the United States Marine Corps from 1964-1969 during the Vietnam Conflict. He was united in marriage to Barbara Armstrong on June 5, 1965 in Oelwein. James was employed at Farmstead in Cedar Rapids, and later at the University of Iowa until his retirement in 2010. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, working in the yard, gardening, mowing, washing his cars, and most of all the time spent with his family, especially the grandchildren. James will be most remembered for his stories and sense of humor. James is survived by his wife, Barb; four grandchildren Stephanie Kocher, Miranda Davis, Katlyn Davis, Faleisha Elston; five great-grandchildren Jeremiah, Dominic, Vivian, Braylee, and Benjamin; his two sisters Frances Hartke of Waterloo and Jo Ann Gibilisco of Lemon Grove, California. He was preceded in death by his parents. Memorials may be directed to the family.