Obituary of Harry A. Eister

Harry A. Eister, age 82 of rural Tiffin, died peacefully Friday, August 19, 2005, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am., Monday, August 22, 2005, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford with the Reverend Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial with Military Honors will be held at the Oak Hill Cemetery near Tiffin. Visitation will be from 2 to 6pm Sunday at the church where a parish vigil service will be held at 6pm. Monday morning at 9am a parish rosary will be shared prior to the funeral mass. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Harry’s name. Online condolences may be sent for Harry’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. Harry was born September 28, 1922, in rural Johnson County, Iowa, the son of Alfred and Gertrude (Novak) Eister. He graduated from Tiffin High School in 1940. In 1942 Harry enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War II in the 509th. Parachute Battalion. This battalion was recognized as the most decorated parachute battalion during WWII. During the war Harry was wounded in action in Italy, receiving the Purple Heart and Silver Battle Star. Following his discharge from service in 1947, he married Marie A. Greazel on April 24, 1948, in Iowa City. He farmed for more than fifty years in the Tiffin area. For many years he also drove the school bus for students attending Clear Creek Schools. Marie died March 22, 1985. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oxford. In 1999 he was honored for his dedication and sacrifices during WWII by having his name added to the Veterans Memorial Trail at the Coralville Lake. He also was the recipient of the Citizen of the Year Award for the City of Oxford. Harry enjoyed playing cards, dancing, fishing vacations in Minnesota, socializing with family and friends, and in recent years sharing Sunday’s with his family in their homes. His family includes his six children, Rita Bigelow and her husband, Richard of Ankeny, Larry Eister and his wife, Sharon of Oxford, Susan Moore and her husband, Bob of North Liberty, Karin McAreavy and her husband, Michael of Paradise Valley, AZ, Terry Eister and his wife, Becky of Oxford, and Sherrie Wessling and her husband, Harold of Oxford; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer Bigelow, Shonda Eister, Megan Johnson and her husband, Trevor, Brady Moore, Emily Moore, Justin McAreavy, Tyler McAreavy, Jasmine McAreavy, Travis Eister, Jesse Eister, Nathan Wessling, and Jacob Wessling; sisters, Alyce Sullivan and her husband, John of Coralville, and Irene Oakes of Sedalia, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marie, a son, Ralph Eister in infancy, and a sister, Elizabeth. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Harry’s family and his services.