Zirbel, John Bernard 1876-1931

ZIRBEL, MCCLURE

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 5/3/2012 at 09:54:26

The Grinnell (IA) Herald; May 19, 1931

FUNERAL FOR JOHN ZIRBEL THURSDAY

Funeral services for John Bernard Zirbel were held Thursday afternoon from the Presbyterian church at Malcom. Rev. R.W. Peyton, now of Chicago, but pastor at Malcom last year, was in charge of the services. The pallbearers were Grover Eisele, George Eichhorn, Hiriam Eichhorn, William Molison, Charles Goodrich and Chris Schilder. Interment was in the Malcom cemetery. Those attending the funeral from out of town were Will Zirbel of Huntington Park, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. James Duffus of Ames, Robert Duffus of Oskaloosa, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Zirbel and two children, Lillian and Don, of Newton, F.C. Ludeman of Chicago, Rev. R.W. Peyton of Chicago, and Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Eichhorn of Des Moines and Harry Zirbel of Des Moines.

The following obituary was read:

John Bernard Zirbel, son of Albert and Sophia Zirbel, was born in LaSalle county, Illinois, February 5, 1876, and passed away at his home May 11, 1931. He came to Iowa in 1884, where his parents settled on a farm five miles northeast of Montezuma. Here he finished the rural schools, later attending business college at Highland Park, Des Moines.

He took up the occupation of farming, and was a very successful farmer and stock raiser.

On March 6, 1900, he was married to Lizzie C. McClure. They lived on the McClure farm, now the home of Hugh McClure, for two years, then purchased the farm land where they built the beautiful home where they have made their home ever since. John with the help of his brother, Charles, built the barn and other farm buildings.

He joined the Presbyterian church when a young man, has been a trustee of the church for a number of years, and has been a faithful Christian and supporter of the church.

All through his life he was rugged and sturdy in body, never having had any serious sickness.

He was a very kind and loving husband, always willing and so cheerful to make the supreme sacrifice both of time, strength and means to make life more pleasant for his wife, who does not possess the rugged health of others. She and her welfare have always been first in his thoughts and his patience and loving care will always be one of the sweetest memories cherished by her.

John was a great lover of children; while that was one blessing that was denied his home, he was always a favorite with his nieces and nephews and was always the center of a group of children, entering into their childish fun with the same fervor and enthusiasm.