Michael Lemberger 1941~2016

LEMBERGER

Posted By: IRISH EYES ARE SMILING (email)
Date: 6/3/2016 at 17:56:28

OTTUMWA-Michael Willam Lemberger, 74, of Ottumwa, died at 5:46 a.m. June 3, 2016 at Hospice House in Ottumwa.

He was born in Des Moines, IA on December 28, 1941, the son of Edwin Daniel and Jane Lewis Lemberger. He married LeAnn Thompson on June 28, 1975 at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Ottumwa.

He was an artist, photographer and historian. His pen and ink drawings were exhibited in a one-man show at Indian Hills Community College in 1995. As a historian, he established and maintained one of the world’s largest private collections of historic photographic negatives and prints.
A photographer from a very young age, Michael was the chief photographer of the Ottumwa Courier from 1967 to 1983. He worked at KTVO and freelanced for state and national publications including the Catholic Messenger. He wrote and illustrated books about Ottumwa history. His photographs were published in most of the major newspapers and magazines in the world, and he won more than 100 national and state awards for excellence in photography.

He was trained in aerial reconnaissance photography in the United Air Force, where he served for two years.

Michael was a member of St. Mary of the Visitation, a past officer of General Shields Council #888 Third Degree Knights of Columbus and McMullen Assembly Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a member of O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion, Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the National Press Photographers Association. He was a past president of Harold Hughes Hall Association.

Survivors include his wife, LeAnn; a daughter, Barbara Allman; a son, Timothy; and 3 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Adam Gates.

Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary of the Visitation with Father James Betzen CPPS, Father Patrick Hilgendorf, and Father Bernie Weir concelebrating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with military services conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post #775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and O.B. Nelson Post #3 American Legion.

Visitation begins at 10 a.m. Sunday at Reece Funeral Home with the family greeting friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. A Christian Wake will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday with Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus serving as honor guard.

Memorials may be made in Michael’s name to Hospice serving Davis & Wapello Counties, 927 Pennsylvania Ave., Ottumwa, IA 52501, St. Mary of the Visitation or St.

*Rest in peace Michael. You will be missed.