William Neal "Billy" Block

BLOCK, MIDDLEKAUF, STEINBRONN, BRICKMAN, CANFIELD, REINKING

Posted By: Cindy (email)
Date: 11/4/2008 at 20:32:55

MAYNARD -- William Neal "Billy" Block, 80, of rural Maynard, died at home Tuesday, March 25, after a long illness.

He was born May 22, 1927, in rural Maynard, son of Richard Henry and Hazel Irene Middlekauf Block. He married Lucille Bertha Steinbronn on Jan. 23, 1949, at Grace Lutheran Church in Fayette.

Mr. Block attended Maynard High School, and after the death of his father in 1944, began his life of farming, retiring in 1993. While farming he also raised seed corn for Dekalb and worked as a hail adjuster. He served on the board of the Westgate Creamery and led various church offices at St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Survived by: his wife; two sons, Richard of St. Cloud, Fla., and Roger (Vicki) of Wilton; a daughter, Nina (Red) Brickman of Westgate; eight grandchildren, Kearston (Walter Jefferson) Block of Houston, Leah (Phil Harte) Block of Limerick, Ireland, Kyle (Katie Walsh) Block of West Des Moines, Eliza Block of Madison, Wis., Olivia Block of New Brighton, Minn., and Cody, Cheyanne and Cheridan Brickman, all of Westgate; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert (Mildred) Steinbronn of Fayette, Esther (Duane) Canfield of Denver, Wilbert (Marjorie) Steinbronn of Oran, Raymond (Carole) Steinbronn of Westgate, Irene Reinking of Cedar Rapids, Pauline (Keith) Snodgrass of Queen Creek, Ariz., George (Janice) Steinbronn of Maynard and John (Cisco) Steinbronn of Oelwein.

Preceded in death by: a sister , Burnita Knief; and a brother-in-law, Arlin Knief.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, with burial in the church cemetery. Public visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Maynard, and for an hour before services Friday at the church.

Memorial fund: has been established in his name.

Billy's zest for life and courageous outlook was inspiring to people around him. Throughout his blessed life he demonstrated a commitment to his wife, children, grandchildren and many friends and a solid belief in Christ while putting in a hard day's work. He enjoyed antique and toy tractors, playing cards, auctions and times with family and friends. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren.