Louis Vernon Corey Jr.
COLUMBIA — If you were to ask him, Louis Corey would have told you he was cool because he had a hot wife and a cool car, his granddaughter Dani Dornath said.
He customized his 2007 burgundy Chevy Silverado with running boards, dual exhausts and new hubcaps to match the color, Dornath said.
"He always bragged that he liked to chase women, but he had pretty hot wife," Dani Dornath said.
Louis Vernon Corey Jr. died Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, at his home after a short battle with cancer. He was 72.
Mr. Corey was born June 2, 1937, in Dunlap, Iowa, to Vernon and Goldie (Tietsort) Corey. He grew up in Dunlap and later moved to Lake View, Iowa.
He married Shelia Chabal on Sept. 25, 1978, in Sac City, Iowa. They moved to Columbia in 1981.
He was in the oil business and later owned his own business, Corey Soft Water. He worked at a water company, and some other jobs including LaCrosse Lumber Company. After he retired, he worked as a contract painter.
His best buddy and constant companion was his namesake LJ (Lou Jr.), his Shih-Tzu-poodle mix.
"He picked LJ out when he was the size of your hand," Shelia Corey said. "He would feed him bread at the table."
Mr. Corey adored his kids and grandkids and he had a great love for people. He enjoyed going out to his favorite restaurants, George's and Midway, for coffee, and spending time with LJ.
Mr. Corey is survived by his wife; his children and step-children, Brenda Bach of Elgin, Ill., Becky Sulzman of Chicago, Beth Heubner-Starman of Carroll, Ill., Tammy Ryan of Omaha, Neb., Brian Brotherson of Lake View, Iowa, Michelle Dornath of Breda, Iowa, Tracey Madsen of Portland, Ore., Jeff Madsen and Amy Mattley, both of Columbia; sister Margaret Krohn of Dunlap, Iowa; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His brother Bill Corey and an infant son died earlier.
Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. on Thursday at Parker Funeral Service at 22 N. 10th St., followed by memorial services at 11 a.m.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.parkerfuneralservice.com.
