DARREL ARTHUR BUBLITZ

GRAFTON - Darrel Arthur Bublitz, 62, of rural Grafton, died Wednesday (Sept. 29, 1999) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton, with the Rev. Wayne Ellingson of Grafton and the Rev. Harold Usgaard of St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, Minn., officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Minn., with military honors provided by the Austin American legion Post No. 91.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Champion Funeral Home, Osage, and one hour prior to services at the church Saturday.

Darrel Arthur Bublitz was born Sept. 17, 1937, on the family farm in Mitchell County, near Grafton, the son of Harold and Lucille (Wahl) Bublitz. He was baptized and confirmed at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Grafton. Darrel graduated from Grafton High School in 1955.

After graduation, Darrel started to farm and work at Kuehn Bruesewitz Chevrolet in Grafton. He then worked for Usems Inc. in Austin, Minn., for 26 years. As a Certified Master GM Service Technician, he earned multiple top 10 national service awards.

Darrel served in the Army National Guard for 39 years. He retired with the rank of Sergeant Major. He was a recipient of multiple awards of the Meritorious Service Medal for his outstanding dedication to duty. He served on state active duty for numerous state disasters.

He was very active in his church, St. Olaf Lutheran Church, Austin, where he served on the church stewardship committee, the visitation committee and the Sunday school program. He also served as the president and vice president of the church's foundation board. He has continued his work at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Grafton. He was also active in such community organizations as the Austin Eagles and the Austin American Legion Post No. 91.

Darrel married his first wife, Lorraine, in September 1970. She passed away July 1, 1995. On May 10, 1997, Darrel married Laurie Jean (Knutson) Nack of Grafton.

Darrel enjoyed reading, music, car racing, traveling, auctions, camping and love for his family.

Blessed be his memory. He will be remembered as a kind and giving man, willing to help his family and friends. "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10

He is survived by his wife, Laurie, of Grafton; one daughter, Rhonda Williams and her husband, Richard, of Austin, Minn.; a stepson, David Janson and his wife, Sue, of Rochester, Minn.; a stepdaughter, Linda Watson and her husband, Robert, of Austin, Minn.; stepson James Janson, of Austin, Minn.; stepson James Duvall of Fargo, N. D.; stepdaughter Margie Hansen and her husband, Steve, of St. Ansgar; stepson John Duvall and his wife, Sandi, of Grafton; stepson Daniel Nack of Grafton; his mother, Lucille Bublitz, of St. Ansgar; sister Elaine Huebner and her husband, Kermit, of Grafton; brother Dale Bublitz and his wife, Dorothy, of St. Ansgar; brother Dean Bublitz and his wife, Marilyn, of Grafton; brother David Bublitz and his wife, Debbie, of Carpenter; 22 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

Darrel was preceded in death by his father and wife, Lorraine.

MARTHA M. DITTBERNER

SHEFFIELD - Martha M. Dittberner, 87, died Wednesday (Sept. 29, 1999) at Good Shepherd Home, Mason City.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Zion-St. John Lutheran Church, Sheffield, with the Rev. Kent A. Mechler officiating. Burial will be in Zion-St. John Lutheran Cemetery, rural Sheffield.

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

Martha M. Dittberner was born March 28, 1912, in Pomeroy, the daughter of Henry Walk and Louise (Junkermeier) Walk. Martha attended rural Bolan and Minneapolis schools.

Martha was united in marriage to Albert Dittberner on Feb. 11, 1942, in Mason City. After their marriage, they farmed east of Sheffield and moved into Sheffield Oct. 21, 1971.

She lived with her son, Leland, in Mason City for 11 years. On Aug. 13, 1999, she entered the Good Shepherd Home in Mason City.

She enjoyed sending cards to people and was very faithful in her Christian life. She was a member of Zion-St. John Lutheran Church in Sheffield.

Martha is survived by her sons, Leland Dittberner and his wife, Judy, of Mason City and Laverne Dittberner and his wife, Shirley, of Maple Grove, Minn.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Albert; and a great-granddaughter, Amanda.

HERBERT LESTER

CLARION - Herbert Lester, 76, died Thursday (Sept. 30, 1999) at USA Health Care, Clarion.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church, Clarion, with the Rev. Gary Boen officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Willim Funeral Home, Clarion.

VERGIE PARKER

MASON CITY - Vergie Parker, 70, of 115 Seventh St. S.W., died Thursday (Sept. 30, 1999) at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minn.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E., Mason City.

Fullerton Funeral Home, (515) 423-8676.

JOAN MILES WILD

CLEAR LAKE - Inurnment services for Joan Miles Wild, of San Francisco, Calif., who died May 9, 1999, will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4, at the Clear Lake Cemetery, with the Rev. Eldon Jandebeur officiating.

Friends are invited to join family for the service and a gathering following the service at the home of Bill and Dee Miles, 415 N. 16th St., Clear Lake.

EARL V. BLAKLEY JR.

MASON CITY - Earl V. Blakley Jr., 75, of 1621 Seventh Place S.W., died Tuesday (Sept. 28, 1999) at the Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa.

A celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. today at the St. James Lutheran Church, 1148 Fourth St. S.E., Mason City, with the Rev. David Anderson officiating.

Private family graveside services will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery with full rites by the Mason City Veteran's Memorial Association.

Visitation was held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday with the family greeting friends at the Major Erickson Funeral Home & Crematory, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. His body was cremated at his request.

Memorials may be given to Hospice of North Iowa or St. James Lutheran Church, in his memory.

Earl V. Blakley Jr. was born in rural Hancock County, Jan. 20, 1924, the son of Earl V. Sr. and Anna L. (Evans) Blakley. He attended and graduated from Titonka High School. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. After his service during World War II, he returned to Iowa and made his home in Clear Lake, where he worked as an electrician. On June 22, 1947, he married Eva Mae Gee in Corwith. She passed away in 1973.

Earl started farming with his father south of Clear Lake in 1951. On Nov. 22, 1974, he married Beatrice B. deBuhr at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City. They made their home in Mason City. Earl then returned to electrical work as the maintenance manager for Holiday Inn in Mason City for several years. He also worked as an electrician for other firms in Mason City, retiring in 1996.

Earl loved traveling, playing golf, fishing, hunting and woodworking. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and the V.F.W.

His family includes his wife, Bea of Mason City; daughters, Sharon Springer and husband, Dennis, of Clear Lake and Sheryl Pietsch and husband, Rory, of Rush City, Minn.; stepchildren, Julie Monday, of Mason City, Scott Marrs and wife, Janet, of Apple Valley, Minn. and Craig Marrs and wife, Beth, of Ames; grandchildren, Leslie Monday, Lindsey Monday, LaShea Springer, Jason, Ryan and Emily Marrs; sister, Pauline Walls, of Rockford, Ill.; and Mother-in-law, Marjorie deBuhr, of Charles City.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Lynn, in infancy; and first wife, Eva.

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

MARTIN D. JONES

DOWS - Martin D. Jones, 95, died Wednesday (Sept. 29, 1999) at Franklin General Hospital, Hampton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church, Dows, with the Rev. James Turner officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Dows.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Elledge Funeral Home, Dows.

BENJAMIN SCOTT MEINTS

BELMOND - Benjamin Scott Meints, six-month-old son of Rodney and Lisa (Brinton) Meints, died Thursday (Sept. 30, 1999) at Belmond Community Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Belmond, with the Rev. Jim Carpenter officiating. Burial will be in the Belmond Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 today at Tenold Funeral Home, Belmond, and will continue one hour prior to service time at the church Saturday.

Other arrangements are incomplete at the Tenold Funeral Home, Belmond