Cheryl “Sonny” Selby Holmes, 83, of Fort Madison, Iowa, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, November 14, 2022, at Klein Center, in West Burlington, Iowa surrounded by his children.
Sonny was born on July 8, 1939, in his childhood home outside of Augusta, Iowa, to Ivan and Dorothy Holmes. He married the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Judith Juel, on June 26, 1959. Sonny was a lifelong hard worker and dedicated his entire professional career serving the Fort Madison Community School District. He began his tenure with the district as a bus driver while he was still in high school, and eventually became head bus mechanic for the district. Following his retirement, he and Judith opened Kountry Klassics Bed and Breakfast in Fort Madison, which diligently served hundreds of guests from across the country for many years. In 2007, Sonny was awarded the Bed and Breakfast Innkeeper of the Year Award from the Iowa Lodging Association for his many years of professional service in the hospitality industry. Sonny and Judith also maintained a thriving chicken farm, which supplied many families and small businesses in the Fort Madison area with farm fresh eggs for many years.
Outside of his many career ventures, Sonny fervently dedicated much of his time to both the Denmark Congregational Church, in Denmark, and later Harmony Bible Church, in Danville. He enjoyed singing in the Harmony Bible Church choir and participating on various mission trips on behalf of the church. He also loved caring for his various pet dogs, gardening, listening to the Gaithers, vacationing during the winter months in Zephyrhills, Florida, camping and spending time with his family and friends. Sonny was, above all, a joyful and passionate follower of Jesus Christ. He maintained his trademark “sunny” and kind personality throughout his life, and even during his late battle with dementia.
Sonny’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thank you to the staff of both Sunnybrook Assisted Living of Fort Madison and Klein Center, in West Burlington, where Sonny spent his most recent years living. Their care and compassion to Sonny is much appreciated.
He is remembered lovingly by his son, Dean Holmes, of Fort Madison, Iowa; his daughter, Dana (Craig) Kelly, of Fort Madison, Iowa; his three grandchildren, Trail (Sarah) Kelly, of West Point, Iowa, Bryce (Brien) Jarvis, of Canton, Illinois, and Carlee Kelly, of New London, Iowa; and five great-grandchildren. Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Dorothy Holmes; wife, Judith “Judy” Holmes; his brother, Terry Holmes; sister, Joyce Anderson; and his daughter in-law, Ramona Holmes.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory in Fort Madison. A funeral service will follow at 10:30 a.m., at the funeral home with Dr. John Boal officiating. Burial will follow the service at Fairview Cemetery in Fort Madison. Following the burial, friends and family of Sonny are welcome to attend a luncheon at Augusta Community Hall, in Augusta, Iowa. Memorials in Sonny’s memory may be made to the Fort Madison Saddle Club or the Fairview Cemetery Association. King-Lynk Funeral Home & Crematory in Fort Madison is in charge of the arrangements.
