Father John W. KARAL

KARAL, MRSTIK, FLYNN, HAMILTON, COLBERT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/12/2009 at 09:48:19

Father John W. Karal, 80, of 308 West Nevada St., Marshalltown, died Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006, in his home. Mass of Christian burial and a celebration of his life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Church of St. Henry, Marshalltown. A luncheon will be held in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the services. Burial will follow the reception in St. Patrick's Cemetery, Fairfax, at 2:30 p.m. A wake will be held from 3 to 8 p.m. today at the Church of St. Henry, with a public vigil service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family in his name for the Marshalltown Area Catholic Schools. The Pursel-Davis Funeral Home & Crematory is caring for Father John and his family.

John W. Karal was born Sept. 18, 1926, in Fairfax, the son of Wesley and Rose Mrstik Karal. He was raised and educated in Fairfax and graduated from the St. Patrick's High School in Fairfax. He attended Loras College in Dubuque and the St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind., and was later ordained into the priesthood on May 16, 1953, in Dubuque. He served in many communities during his career, including St. Mary Church in Marshalltown, St. Mary Church in Guttenberg, All Saints Church and Facility of Regis High School in Cedar Rapids, St. Columbkille Church in Dubuque, St. Joseph Church in Waterloo, Assumption Church in Little Turkey and Sacred Heart Church in Riley Ridge, Immaculate Conception in Lansing, St. James Church in Forest City and St. Patrick Church in Lake Mills, Sacred Heart Church in Rockwell, including Swaledale and Cartersville, Holy Trinity Church in Protivin, St. Jude Church in Cedar Rapids, Sacred Heart Church in Oxford Junction, St. Francis Xavier in Belmond, Sacred Heart Church in La Porte City, and St. Mary churches in Ackley and Eldora. Following his retirement on July 13, 1994, he continued to serve the St. Henry and Immaculate Conception Churches in Marshalltown and Haverhill.

Father John's caring ways made a difference in many people's lives. Known for his sense of humor and strong will, he loved getting together with family and friends to enjoy food and conversation. He pursued many interests throughout his life, including quilting, gardening, painting, sewing, cooking and golfing. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Father John is survived by a nephew, Mike (Dianne) Karal of Cedar Rapids; three nieces, Suellen (Jim) Flynn of Hiawatha, Karen (Jim) Colbert of Ames and Beth (Brad) Hamilton of Fairfax; and a brother, Franklin J. (Marie) Karal of Fairfax. He is also survived by six great-nephews and great-nieces, Jamie Colbert, Mikki Colbert, Kallie Hamilton, Chris Flynn, Joseph Hamilton and Danielle Hamilton. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Dorothy; and a brother, Stanley.

The Gazette, Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA
November 12, 2006