Jr Kahler

JR Kahler age 46, of Victor, formerly of Marengo passed away Friday, April 14, 2023, at Mercy Hospital, Iowa City, of complications after a short battle with B-cell non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at Kloster Funeral Home, Marengo. No services, a private family inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established.

JR is survived by his mother Irene Matthess, a son Rayce Kahler, brother Chris Rider and Chris’s son Owen Rider; sister Jaime Kahler and Jaime’s children Blayze and Brynnlee Cronbaugh; and his best friend Forrest Wandling and his family. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and paternal grandparents and his father Joe “Smuggy” Matthess.

JR Kahler was born May 2, 1976, in Iowa City, Iowa the son of Joe “Smuggy” and Irene Rider Matthess. He graduated from Iowa Valley High School with the class of 1994. JR worked at Williamsburg Manufacturing and Kinze Manufacturing as a welder and leadman. He was an electrician for the Iowa Interstate Railroad, and most recently was an environmental health and safety supervisor for Wabtec Corporation in Cedar Rapids. JR raced for many years, driving a sport modified and hobby stock car. He loved spending time with his son Rayce, trying different places to eat and going to antique stores. JR was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan and loved to grill. He was a kind man and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone that needed it. JR helped out at many charity events and homeless shelters. He will be missed by many.