Richard Voparil, 81 of rural Solon died Sunday, August 20 in his home after a brave fight with cancer.  Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Fr. Wilkening and Fr. Benda presiding.  Burial for Richard and Dorothy will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Bridget Cemetery in rural Solon.  Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, at Brosh Chapel in Solon.

Richard was born January 12, 1925 in Solon, the son of Frank and Bessie (Psota) Voparil.  His first ten years as a boy he enjoyed playing records.  Later, Richard's family moved to Iowa City where his parents owned a butcher shop on North Linn Street where he worked until it burned down in 1934.  Richard then farmed with his parents by the Iowa City airport.  When Richard was 18, his parents moved to Cedar County where he graduated from Tipton High School.  He married Dorothy Maher January 30, 1954 in Tipton.  They had four children together and farmed in Cedar and Johnson County.  In 1960, they moved to their farm in Johnson County where they lived out the rest of their lives.  Richard was a beloved father and husband.  He enjoyed flying his airplane and was fascinated with them.  He enjoyed farming, his children, grandchildren, and his many dogs.  He loved to tinker around fixing things and his hobbies were making airplanes for yard decorations and bird watching.  He also loved looking across at Father Benda's and watching the geese on the pond.  He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.  The family would again like to thank the Iowa City Hospice: Bruce, Cindy, Diane, Paula, and Lori, who if not for them, we could have never been able to keep dad home during his final few months.

Richard is survived by his son Kurtis J. (Sharon) Voparil of Solon; three daughters Susan (Randy) Hockom of Carroll, Debra (Joe) Ryan of Solon, and Lori (Joe) Sedlacek of Ely; seven grandchildren Annie, Chris, Chuck, Alex Tiffany, Jade, and Michael; and a      great-grandchild Alayna.  Richard is preceded into death by his parents; his wife Dorothy May 27, 2006; and a brother Robert in 1935.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be directed to the Iowa City Hospice per Richard's request.