Alvin E. Nockels

Mason City Alvin E. Nockels, age 85, of Mason City, died Tuesday, November 24, 2009, at Mercy Medical Center North Iowa. Funeral Masses will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, November 30, 2009, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 North Adams. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 29, from 4 6 PM with a Scriptural Wake service at 5:30 P.M. at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Interment will take place at the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery in Spillville, IA. Memorials may be directed to the Alvin E. Nockels Memorial Fund in care of the family.
Alvin was born November 28, 1923, in Protivin, IA the son of Edward J. and Zaphie (Zahasky) Nockels. He graduated from Rudolphinum High School and attended the University of North Carolina. He enlisted into the Navy Air Force in 1941 at Great Lakes, Illinois and received flight training at Pensacola, FL. After graduating and receiving his wings he joined Fleet Operations in the South Pacific. Alvin was honorably discharged in Great Lakes, Illinois after the Armistice. He was a member of the American Legion and the V.F.W.
Alvin and Grace (Shevik) Nockels were married on December 5, 1945 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Spillville, IA. They moved to Mason City in 1946 and were life time members of the Holy Family Catholic Church.
He was in Wholesale Automotive and Industrial business for 43 years until his retirement in 1988. He enjoyed automobiles, airplanes, outdoor activities, and spending time with his family and friends.
Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Grace of 64 years; son, Keith Nockels and wife Nurhalimah and grandchildren, Jacqueline, Jennifer, David; daughter, Dr. Karen (Nockels) Hart and husband Cooper and grandchildren Abby, and Madeline; brother-in-law, Stanley Shevik and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Della and husband Raymond Shevik