Cecil James Carey, 90,of Rochester, formerly Lake City, passed away at his home, Saturday, May 18, 2013.

The funeral Mass will be held at 1:00PM Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester with Rev. Charlie Collins and Rev. Paul Nelson co-celebrating.   Burial will be in Grandview Memorial Gardens with full military honors provided by American Legion Post 92 immediately following.

Visitation will be from 6:00-9:00PM Tuesday, May 21, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and also from 11:30AM-1:00PM prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.

Cecil was born December 22, 1922 in Wabash, Indiana to Francis and Helen Shephard.  He graduated from Wabash High School in 1941.  He married Evalyne Ilo Brock on November 20, 1941 in Wabash.

He served in the United States Navy from July 1943 until his honorable discharge January 3, 1946 in the South Pacific on board an LCT.

He was a life member of VFW Post 8729, Lake City, life member of American Legion Post 92, Rochester, 2001 Charter Member National WWII Memorial, Washington, D.C. and Fraternal Order of Eagles, Rochester.

Cecil was a life member of Elks Lodge #1091 in Rochester for 44 years and served as Lodge Tiler for 42 of those years.  He was an Elks National Foundation Benefactor, Elks National Foundation Honorary Founder and Past Officer of the Year.

Cecil was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Pius X Council 14574.  He was initiated to the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus on April 20, 2013 and is a member of Bishop Edward A. Fitzgerald Assembly 548 in Rochester.

He enjoyed spending time with his family, traveling and roller skating in his younger days.  He also devoted much of his time and energies supporting various activities at Elks Lodge #1091, especially veterans programs through the Veterans Service Committee at Elks Lodge #1091.

Cecil was preceded in death by his wife, Evalyne, his parents and a step-brother, Victor Shephard.

He is survived by his children, Karen (Thomas) Sink of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Vicki (James) Sink of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Linda (David) Rodewald of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Tommy Carey of Rochester, and Patricia (Gary) Larson of Frisco, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; half–brother, Bob Shephard of Marion, Indiana, half-sister Virginia Steffenhagen of Red Wing, Minnesota, and Colleen Borgschatz of Red Wing.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Veterans Service Programs, or Elks Lodge #1091, 1652 Highway 52 North, Rochester, MN 55901.

Macken Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.  Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com