John Hurlo 1916 - 2003

HURLO GIBLER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/11/2010 at 16:54:18

Sioux City Journal
11 January 2003

John Hurlo, 86, of Whiting, Iowa, formerly of Sioux City, died Friday, Jan. 10, 2003, at Pleasant View Care Center in Whiting.

Graveside services will be 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Graceland Park Cemetery in Sioux City, with military honors conducted by American Legion Emery Johnson Post 481 of Whiting and the U.S. Air Force. Arrangements are under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa, Iowa.

John was born March 6, 1916, at Sioux City, the son of Mike and Alexandria Hurlo. He graduated from Central High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps on Dec. 19, 1941, and was an engineer and gunner on a B-17.

He flew 17 sorties and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which stated, "For extraordinary achievement on 15 bombardment missions over enemy-occupied Continental Europe. Displaying great courage and skill, Sgt. Hurlo, fighting from his gun position has destroyed two enemy airplanes, warded off many enemy attacks and has materially aided in the success of each of the 15 missions. The courage, coolness and skill displayed by Sgt. Hurlo on all of these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States." Other decorations include the ETO Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, three Oak Leaf Clusters, World War II Victory Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon. John's plane was shot down Aug. 17, 1943, and he was held as a German POW for 22 months. He retired from the U.S. Air Force on Dec. 31, 1961.

John married Gertrude (Seward) Gibler on April 13, 1991, at her residence in Whiting. The couple made their home in Whiting. Gertrude passed away Dec. 26, 2002.

He attended Whiting Christian Church and was a member of American Legion Emery Johnson Post 481 of Whiting. His special interests were fishing, reading and playing bridge.

Survivors include his stepchildren and their spouses, Stan and Jeanine Gibler of Onawa, Ray and Rhonda Gibler of Arvada, Colo., and Dee and Norm Claxton of Arvada, Colo.; a sister, Helen Schaefer of Lincoln, Neb.; stepgrandchildren; great-stepgrandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Mike Hurlo of Colorado Springs, Colo., and a sister, Anita Winslow of Omaha, Neb.

Memorials may be directed to the very fine Monona County Veterans Museum at Onawa which holds a plaque in John's name recognizing his serving in World War II and being a POW, or a charity of the donor's choice.