William J. BIRTWISTLE

BIRTWISTLE, PROUDFIT, THORSON, STRICKLER, BURR, HONIGSBLUM, CARTER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 10/5/2011 at 09:34:11

Obituary - William J. Birtwistle

Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Tuesday, December 16, 2008

MASON CITY — William "Bill" J. BIRTWISTLE, 87, of Mason City, died Thursday (Dec. 11, 2008) at Hospice of North Iowa.

A memorial service and inurnment will be held at a later date in St. Charles, Ill.

Bill was born on Feb. 21, 1921, in Wilmington, Ill., to Dr. John E. BIRTWISTLE and Leona (PROUDFIT) BIRTWISTLE. He graduated from Wilmington High School and joined the Navy, where he served as a radar technician on an aircraft carrier in the Pacific from 1942-1945.

He married Loretta THORSON on Feb. 17, 1945.

After his discharge from the Navy, Bill worked at the Tucker Car Company and National Cash Register and held various positions in banking. He was vice-president and trust officer of the St. Charles National Bank in St. Charles, Ill., from 1970-1979.

Bill and Loretta moved to Lake Tomahawk, Wis., in 1979 where he was vice-president of First National Bank of Minocqua and Woodruff.

Bill loved his vacation time at Lake Tomahawk, Wis., and was glad to be able to share his lake experiences with family and friends. He was active in the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in St Charles, Ill., including the Bereans, a Christian mission group of hospitality and fellowship.

He shall be remembered for his love of family and his positive spirit.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Dr. Bonnie BIRTWISTLE, of Galena, Ill., a son, John (DeaEllen) BIRTWISTLE, of Mason City; four grandchildren, Heather (Jeff STRICKLER) BURR, of Poulsbo, Wash., Erin (Randy) BUFF (BURR?) of Cedar Rapids, Alex HONIGSBLUM of Galena, Ill., and Anne BIRTWISTLE, of Mason City; a sister, Mary Jane (Gene) CARTER, of Crest Hill, Ill.; and two great-grandchildren, Ella and Quinn STRICKLER, of Poulsbo, Wash.; and a son-in-law, Chris BURR, of Cedar Rapids.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife Loretta, in July 2000; a daughter, Beth BURR, in 2007; and a granddaughter, Hillary BURR in 1982.

Memorials may be directed to the Northern Lights Homeless Shelter of Mason City, Hospice of North Iowa, or the Autism Society of America.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2011