Robert “Bob” Cerny Dec. 2, 1048 – Dec. 21, 2019

Robert “Bob” Cerny, age 71, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019 at Mercy Hospice House, Hiawatha, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday morning, Dec. 27, 2019 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Monticello with Military Honors by the United States Army. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Pastor Caleb Schewe will officiate at the services. Friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Friday at the church. Goettsch Funeral Home has taken Robert and his family into their care. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the family. 

Surviving is his wife, Diane, three sons, Brandon (Atom) of Idaho, Ben of Monticello, Brad (Molly) of Cedar Rapids, three grandchildren, Bailey, Rylie and Kaeli, a brother, Andy (Kris) of Washington, sisters, Carol in California, Janice in Illinois, three brothers-in-law, Robert ( Jan) Null, Richard (Sue) Null, Glen Null, all of Monticello, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father, John Drucker, a brother Steven and two sisters, Joan and Kathleen. 

Robert Anthony Cerny was born Dec. 2, 1948 in Adams Village, Minn. He was the son of Joseph and Jeanette Van De Brake, Cerny. The family operated a meat locker in Monticello and later in Langworthy where Bob started working at the age of 10. He graduated from the Monticello Community Schools in 1967. He was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Bob married Diane Null on May 1, 1975 at St. John Lutheran Church, Monticello. He made a career of the Army serving 21 years retiring in 1995. While in the Army Bob received many awards and commendations, a few being, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. The couple returned to Monticello in 1996 after living in South Korea, Georgia, Colorado, Germany, Virginia and Washington State. Bob started a carpentry and roofing business in Monticello and had his three sons working with him at various times. Bob had a good sense of humor and tall tales to tell. He tested his jokes on everyone that crossed his path. 

The family would like to thank Mercy Care Hospital and Mercy Hospice House for all their wonderful care during Bob’s illness.