EARL MAURICE ZIMMERMAN

GOLDFIELD - Earl Maurice Zimmerman, 74, of Goldfield, died Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) at the Community Memorial Hospital in Clarion.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Renwick. Burial will be in the Vernon Township Cemetery in Hardy, with Military graveside rites performed by the Harvey-McPeak Post #289 of Renwick.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Garry-Roberts-Murphy-Schaaf Funeral Home in Renwick.

HOMER HONSEY

EMMONS, Minn. - Homer Honsey, 80, of Emmons, died Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Emmons Lutheran Church, Emmons, Minn., with the Rev. Dennis Johnson, officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Cemetery, rural Emmons, Minn.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Emmons Lutheran Church Social Hall and one hour before services at the church.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, Lake Mills, is in charge of arrangements.

Mittelstadt Funeral Home, (515) 592-0221.

JESSIE MARIE HARRIS

OMAHA, Neb. - Jessie Marie Harris, 87, of Omaha, Neb. died on Friday (Dec. 17, 1999) in Omaha.

Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Hanscom Park United Methodist Church, 4th and Francis, in Omaha.

There is no visitation. The body was donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board.

Larkin Funeral Home, 24th and "J" Streets, Omaha, Neb. is in charge of arrangements.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jess and Virginia Harris, of Mason City; a daughter and son-in-law, Ruth and Paul Urban, of Council Bluffs; a sister, Juanita H. Ratliff, of Diamond, Mo.; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George.

Larkin Funeral Home, (402) 733-0493.

R.C. SKERIES

MASON CITY - Funeral services for R. C. Skeries, 86, of Mason City, formerly of Sheffield, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the First Baptist Church of Sheffield, with Pastor Jerry Newland and Pastor Tony Mennenga officiating. Interment will be held in the Hillside Cemetery, Sheffield.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. today at the Grarup Funeral Home, Sheffield.

R.C. Skeries was born on April 27, 1913 at Denver, Iowa, to Henry C. and Emma (Littauer) Skeries. R.C. attended school at Denver and later moved with his family to Waterloo.

He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps, then joined his father in the blacksmith business in 1936.

On April 21, 1936, R.C. was married to Norma H. Stange in Tripoli. R.C. was in business in Sheffield for over 40 years before retiring in the early 1980s. Norma died on Dec. 16, 1980 and R.C. moved to Mason City in October of 1983.

On Oct. 21, 1984, R.C. was married to Ellen Kughn Deam at the Faith Baptist Church in Hampton. R.C. had been a resident of the I.O.O.F. in Mason City for the last four years due to ill health.

While living in Sheffield, R.C. was active in the Lion's Club, the Community Club, was on the board of the Sunrise Apartments, the Blacksmith and Welders Association (both local and state), was state president of Mutual Aid for Blacksmiths and a member of the I.O.O.F.

R.C. had been a member of the First Baptist Church in Sheffield for 49 years.

R.C. died on Saturday (Dec. 18, 1999) at the Hospice of North Iowa in Mason City at the age of 86.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen, of Mason City; son, Garry and his wife, Ruth, of Windsor Heights; son, Larry and his wife, Marianne, of Waterloo; daughter, Debby Parks and her husband, Randy, of Albert Lea, Minn.; five grandchildren, Michael and his wife, Tina Skeries, Darren Skeries, Nathan Skeries, Ryan Parks and Dawn Parks; three great-grandchildren, Kayla, Kyle and Abbey; sister, Lydia Hankner, of Dubuque; two stepchildren, D.C. Deam and his wife, Laura, of Hampton; Carla Guldberg and her husband, Ross, of Winona, Minn.; four stepgrandchildren; and six stepgreat-grandchildren; his Aunt Dee, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

R.C. was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Norma; one brother, Ewald; three sisters, Alvina Kellner, Irma Fabian and Emma Skeries; and one niece Sharon Stange Tyler.

Grarup Funeral Home, (515) 892-4241.

R. DUANE UMBARGER

MASON CITY - R. Duane Umbarger, 71, of 211 S. Rhode Island Ave., died Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) at the Good Shepherd Health Care Center in Mason City.

Funeral services will held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Mason City, with the Rev. Terry Hamilton-Poore officiating. Burial will be in the Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and one hour prior to services on Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church.

Memorials may be designated for the First Presbyterian Church or Pioneer Museum and Historical Society of North Iowa.

R. Duane Umbarger was born Nov. 19, 1928, near Brookings, S.D., the eldest of two sons of Frank A. and Esther (Levine) Umbarger. He grew up in Lake Park, Iowa and had lived in Mason City since 1941.

He attended Mason City High School and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1946, graduating through the University of Hawaii while in the service.

On May 18, 1952, he was united in marriage at the First Presbyterian Church to Ruth M. Janssen. Three daughters were born to them.

He was appointed to the Mason City Police Department in 1950, then was recalled to active duty with the Marines serving until 1952, when he resumed police work. On foot patrol on the four to midnight shift, Duane got to know the people in the downtown businesses; later, when assigned to a patrol car, he enjoyed getting to know the neighborhoods, developing close relationships with the folks on his beat until retiring in 1994.

Duane was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Iowa State Police Association, the Pioneer Museum and Historical Society of North Iowa, the North Central Iowa Genealogy Society and the American Legion.

Duane's special interests were in local history, historical photographs, photography and genealogy. He researched the history of the Mason City Police Department, illustrating it with a photo collection.

He was an active supporter of the Pioneer Museum and Historical Society and donated an exhibit of historical photographs, including a panoramic view of early Mason City. He enjoyed being host in the archives section.

Duane and Ruth compiled the book, "Memories of Old Cerro Gordo 1850-1890" to benefit the museum. In retirement, Duane compiled an index to microfilmed newspapers published in Mason City from 1858-1919.

He was a hardworking, family-centered man, a loving husband and father.

He is survived by his father, Frank A. Umbarger, of Garner; his wife, Ruth, of Mason City; three daughters, Anne M. and her husband, David A. VerHelst, of Mason City, Janet L. and her husband, Paul M. Schaefer, of Mason City, and Jean M. and her husband, Michael D. Gettis, of Lakeville, Minn.; four grandchildren, Daniel Schaefer, Matther VerHelst, Andrew Gettis and Amy Leigh Gettis; and one brother, John Robert Umbarger, of Mason City.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Esther L. Umbarger in 1978; and Burdette E. Umbarger in 1996.

Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, (515) 423-0924.

CAROL J. (FRIEDRICHS HEARN) DAVIS

ROCKFORD - Carol J. (Friedrichs Hearn) Davis, 68, of 604 E. Main St., Rockford, died Saturday (Dec. 18, 1999) at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit, Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the First United Methodist Church, Rockford, with the Rev. Rosemary Rohde-Frank officiating. Burial will be in Dumont Cemetery, Dumont.

Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Fullerton Schumburg Funeral Home, 302 W. Main St., Rockford, where there was a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to direct memorials to the Carol Davis Memorial Fund.

Carol was born Jan. 29, 1931, in Marble Rock, the daughter of Carl and Hattie (Abben) Friedrichs. She was raised in the Marble Rock area and graduated from Marble Rock High School.

On June 18, 1948, she was united in marriage to Dallas "Tex" Hearn in Marble Rock. She was later united in marriage to Ron Davis on Oct. 24, 1987, in Dumont. Carol was very music oriented, which involved her in the Music City Sweet Adelines and the Canyon Chorus in Tucson, Ariz. She had also been the pianist for many years at First Baptist Church in Marble Rock. She was very talented in the arts, not only singing but painting as well.

She was known to her family as being a master homemaker who could sew, garden or bake up a storm. Her specialties included breads, and her famous fan coffee cake. She was very active in the church with Bible studies, women's groups and anything else that was going on. She was a very influential person to her grandchildren and those who came in contact with her. She had the ability to make people feel special. For the last 12 years Ron and Carol have enjoyed spending the winters in Tucson, Ariz. She was a member of First United Methodist Church, Rockford.

Those thankful for having shared in her life include her husband, Ron; two daughters, Ellen and her husband, Ron Demaray, of Indianola, and LouAnn and her husband, Roger Demaray, of Rockford; one son, Daniel Hearn and his special friend, Norlene Gegner, of Des Moines; one stepdaughter, Andrea Johnson of Apple Valley, Minn.; and one stepson, Ron Davis Jr. and his wife, Shirley, of Cottage Grove, Minn.; three sisters, Evelyn and her husband, Clarence Staudt, of Marble Rock, Mary and her husband, Stephen Koenigsfeld, of Marble Rock, and Wilma and her husband, Richard Bock, of Charles City; one brother, Robert, and his wife, Alva Friedrichs, of Mount Vernon; one sister-in-law, Marylou Friedrichs of Clear Lake; and one brother-in-law, Butch Garl of Mason City; 12 grandchildren, Dallas Hearn, Monica Hearn, Jason and his wife, Jennifer Demaray, Jess Demaray and his fiance, Kirstin Schroeder, Aaron and her husband, Graydon Marzen, Tiffany Demaray, Justyn Demaray, Marty Johnson, Melanie and her husband, Sam Kiage, Karina and her husband, Marc Hoffman, Tina and her husband, Jeremy Butterfield, and Jessica and her husband, Daniel Ward; and 11 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; first husband, Dallas "Tex" Hearn on Sept. 14, 1986; one sister, Edna Garl; and one brother, LeRoy Friedrichs.

Fullerton Schumburg Funeral home, (515) 765-3311 or (515) 423-8676.

MONTE BENEDICT HISCOCKS

BRITT - Monte Benedict Hiscocks, 64, of Britt, passed away Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Britt, with the Rev. Marvin Bries officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery at Britt.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ewing Funeral Chapel in Britt, with a 7:30 p.m. parish wake service. There will be additional visitation one hour prior to services on Thursday at the Church.

Monte was born Jan. 18, 1935 in Britt, the son of Robert H. and Mavis Rapp Hiscocks. He attended Britt Community Schools and graduated in 1954. He served in the U.S. Army from 1956 until 1958 when he was honorably discharged. He married Catherine Paca on April 22, 1958 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Duncan.

Monte loved to farm and did so south of Britt for most of his life. He enjoyed fishing and drinking coffee at the "Whippy Dips" with his friends, supporting his children's activities and spending time with his grandchildren.

Monte is survived by his wife, Catherine "Kay" of Britt; his children, Monte William, of Britt, Michael and his wife, Elisabeth "Lisa", of Carrollton, Texas, David, of Dallas, Texas, Lisa Loecher and her husband, Ron, of Cedar Falls and Carmen Jamtgaard and her husband, Mark, of Red Oak; six grandchildren, Corey, Zachary and Emma Hiscocks, Isaac and Luke Loecher and Katherine Jamtgaard; six brothers and sisters, Bonnie Doughan and her husband, Gene, of Pequot Lakes, Minn., William and his wife, Irene, of Garner, Donald and his wife, Gloria, of Britt, Dean and his wife, Marie, of Dexter, Minn., Jon, of Britt, and Judy Becker and her husband, Mike, of Forest City; two sisters-in-law, Lurene Pruitt and her husband, Ken, of Ankeny and Dorothy Hiscocks, of Britt; and two brothers-in-law, Dale Nielsen, of Britt and Steve Casperson, of Sioux Falls, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents; his parents; two brothers, Alan and Robert Jr.; two sisters, Jane and Nancy; and a sister-in-law, Beverly.

Ewing Funeral Chapel, (515) 843-3839.

MICHAEL DALE GOBELI

BELMOND - Funeral services for Michael Dale Gobeli, 25, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the United Methodist Church in Belmond, with the Rev. John Murray, of Calvary Baptist Church of Belmond, officiating. Interment will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Tenold Funeral Home in Belmond and will continue one hour prior to services on Thursday at the Church.

Michael Dale Gobeli, the son of James and Jody (Rheingans) Gobeli, was born March 14, 1974 at Mason City.. He was baptized at the Temple Baptist Church in Mason City, in 1982.

Michael attended and graduated from the Belmond High School in Belmond in 1992. During high school, Michael was very active in track. He was a member of two teams that still hold records at Belmond High School - one for the medley relay and one for the 4 x 400 relay. In 1992, Michael's medley relay team won the gold medal at the State Track Meet in Des Moines.

After high school, Michael went on to attend North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, where he graduated in 1995 with a degree as a Licensed Practical Nurse. He worked as an LPN in Cedar Rapids for two years and then returned to Belmond. Michael had worked as a production worker at Eaton Corporation in Belmond since 1994

He had a passion for many things in life, most important of which was his son, Tatin Jo. Michael was a new Dad, which he was good at, and he took a lot of pride in what he had accomplished.

He thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and canoeing with his Uncle Dale, brother, Lance, cousins and friends, especially Chris and Mike. Michael will always be known as "The Legend" to those who spent time with him in the outdoors. Michael was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan.

Michael died on Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) in rural Belmond, Iowa.

Those left to cherish his memory are his parents, James and Jody Gobeli, of Belmond; brother, Lance and sister, Jennifer, both at home in Belmond; son, Tatin Jo, of Belmond; grandparents, Leonard and Marlene Gobeli, of Mason City; grandmother, Alberta Rheingans, of Mason City; great-grandmother, Bessie Kaduce, of Belmond; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Preceding him in death were his grandfather, William Rheingans; and his great-grandfather, Joe Kaduce.

Tenold Funeral Home, (515) 444-4474.

JOHN SCHROEDER

GARNER - John Schroeder, 81, of Garner, died Sunday (Dec. 19, 1999) at Valley Lutheran Hospital in Mesa, Ariz.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, at the Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake, with the Rev. David Wiersbe officiating. Burial will be in the Concord Township Cemetery in Garner.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Cataldo Funeral Chapel in Garner and will continue one hour prior to services on Thursday at the Church.

John Schroeder, the son of Henry and Reka (Korte) Schroeder, was born March 11, 1918, at Buffalo Center. He attended the rural schools of Hancock County and graduated from Garner High School in 1937. He farmed in the Garner area for more than 40 years.

On Sept. 27, 1941, he married Jeanne Griffen at her parents farm southwest of Garner. In 1963, he started a grain bin business in Garner which he owned and operated until his retirement in 1983. He also founded Schroeder and TerHark Trailer Sales, C & L Electric and Minn-Iowa Electric Motors.

He enjoyed his family, grandchildren, traveling and his home in Arizona.

He was a member of the Evangelical Free Church in Clear Lake, Garner Lions Club and Production Credit Association where he served as president of the board for 10 years.

He is survived by his seven children, Edwin Schroeder and his wife, Kathy, of Garner, John Schroeder and his wife, Carol, of Klemme, Perry Schroeder and his wife, Sandra, of Garner, Laurel Lea Calvert and her husband, Dan, of Heppner, Ore., Carol Wigglesworth and her husband, Andrew, of Colorado Springs, Colo., Lyndon Schroeder and his wife, Elaine, of Urbandale and Tracy Schroeder and his wife, Connie, of Forest City; 17 grandchildren, Brent Schroeder, Bryan Schroeder, Tammy Schroeder, Scott Schroeder, Larry Schroeder, Jerry Schroeder, Jeff Schroeder, Kirstin Schroeder, Hanni Schroeder, Sally Calvert, Lilly Calvert, Kelly Mitchell, Jennifer Mitchell, Mason Schroeder, Reed Schroeder, Shelby Schroeder and Colton Schroeder; six great-grandchildren, Melanie, Braxton, Bryson, Zachary, Jordan and Amanda; eight brothers and one sister, Henry Schroeder and his wife, Marty, of Long Beach, Calif., Kathryn Wright, of Buffalo, Minn., Alvin Schroeder and his wife, Lula, of Garner, Alfred Schroeder, of Anaheim, Calif., Clarence Schroeder and his wife, Alice, of Klemme, Ray Schroeder and his wife, Betty, of Buena Park, Calif., Emery Schroeder and his wife, Rubee, of Britt, Edward Schroeder and his wife, Joyce, of Columbia, Ky. and Harlan Schroeder and his wife, Janet, of Britt; a sister-in-law, Grace Schroeder, of Hiawatha; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Ruby Walters, Oct. 20, 1973 and Arlene Schroeder, in infancy; and a brother, Francis Schroeder.

Cataldo Funeral Chapel, (515) 923-2841.