Merlin “Butch” Capesius Jr., 82, of Bettendorf, Iowa, formerly of La Motte, Iowa, passed away on January 27, 2025.

Friends and family may visit from 9:00 a.m. 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, Iowa. Leonard Funeral Home & Crematory, 2595 Rockdale Road, is assisting the family.

Merlin was born on October 3, 1942, in Dubuque, Iowa, son of Merlin and Rita (Weber) Capesius Sr. He attended and graduated from school in La Motte. Butch worked at International Harvester in Moline, Illinois 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, Iowa, daughters Cindy (Sam) Cerneka of Cary, North Carolina, and Christy Janeliunas of Moline, Illinois, grandchildren Olivia, Lucy, and Sophia Cerneka, all of Cary, North Carolina, and Abigail (special friend Kole Stach) of Kewanee, Illinois, step-grandchildren Lauren, Jeremy, and Natalie Baiocci of Chicago, Illinois, siblings Carol (Richard) Watters, Sharon (Steven) Schumacher, Susan (Tim) Flogel, Barb (Dan) Gleason, and sister-in-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, an organization Butch faithfully supported.