West Branch, Iowa Earl Joseph Vikel Sr., 81, died Tuesday, September 28, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Funeral services will be 10:30AM on Friday, October 1, 2010 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Branch with Pastor Ruth Blayer officiating. Visitation will be 4:00-7:00PM on Thursday, September 30, 2010 at the funeral home. A memorial fund has been established. Earl was born on July 10, 1929 on the family farm south of West Branch, the son of Joe and Edna Lumpa Vikel. He graduated from West Branch High School in 1946. He was united in marriage to Janet Wilson on February 14, 1956 in Iowa City. Earl farmed in the West Branch area his entire life. Earl loved farming, taking care of animals and telling stories. He is survived by his wife Janet of West Branch, daughters Earlene Vikel of Glenwood Springs, CO, Sheila (Mark) O’Neil of West Branch, and Edna (Gary) Thompson of Libertyville, IL, son Earl (Jessica) Vikel Jr. of West Branch, grandchildren Adam and Jordan O’Neil, Kaitlin, Blake, Lucas, Kierstin and Sophia Thompson, and Victoria Vikel, sisters Evelyn (Charles) Benda of West Branch and Doris (George) Heick of West Branch. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Vera Wilson, brother-in-laws Lester, Dale, Kenny, Gary, and Steve Wilson and sister-in-law Connie Tisinger and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his special companions Korke, Sparky and Bailey. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Kayla, infant sister Dorothy and sister-in-law Judy Fleming.