John Ivan Briegel

John Ivan Briegel, 96, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, formerly of Sergeant Bluff, passed away peacefully Friday, Feb. 1, 2008, at his daughter's residence surrounded by his beloved family.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Community United Methodist Church in Sergeant Bluff. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Sioux City, with military rites conducted by the American Legion Post 662 of Sergeant Bluff. Visitation will be 5 to 8 p.m. today at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel, 6200 Morningside Ave., Sioux City. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Ivan was born in Nokomis, Ill., on Jan. 1, 1912, to the late Jack and Bertha Briegel.

On Oct. 10, 1942, he married Doris M. Connell in Reno, Nev. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, with nine months in the South Pacific. Following his service to his country, he owned and operated Briegel's Garage in Sergeant Bluff from 1946 to 1975.

He was a member of the American Legion Post 622 for 57 years. He also was a 32nd Degree Mason. He was an avid golfer and fisherman.

Those left to honor his memory are his daughter, Mary Ellen O'Neill of Council Bluffs, Iowa; a son and his wife, Charles I. and Sherri Briegel of Davenport, Iowa; his beloved grandchildren, Molly, Shannon and Brianne O'Neill and Amy and Thomas I. Briegel; and special friends, Randy and Julie Rogers of Sergeant Bluff and Kris Jarecki of Council Bluffs.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years, Doris in 1998; a sister, Thelma Fugazi; and a brother, Roscoe.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of Southwest Iowa or Community United Methodist Church.

Although family and friends will forever grieve his passing, they will always treasure memories of his creativity, wisdom, work ethic, ability to build and repair anything, love and comfort.