Edward M. Chuck

Edward M. Chuck, 89, of Mason City, was called to eternal rest on July 28, 2009. A memorial service will be held 4:00 PM Saturday, August 1, 2009 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 PM Saturday at the funeral home. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM Monday at St. Josephs Catholic Church, East Pleasant Plain, Iowa with Rev. Robert Striegel, celebrant. Interment will be in St. Josephs Cemetery, East Pleasant Plain. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Ed Chuck Memorial Fund for Opportunity Village or Hospice of North Iowa.

Ed was born to Frank and Nettie (Mosinski) Chuck on October 10, 1919. He married Hazel Louise Supalla on August 6, 1941, and they enjoyed three daughters: Cherrelyn, Gwendolyn, and Marcellyn Chuck. Ed served in the Army Air Corps during World War II as a bombardier/navigator. After the war, he completed his BS and Masters Degrees and started his teaching and coaching career in 1947 in Grand Junction, IA. In 1952, he taught and coached in Creston, IA. Then, in 1956, he became a teacher and coach in Mason City and continued until he and Hazel both retired in 1984. Ed has always been busy. He has loved golf and got his hole-in-one after he reached 70. He served as a member of the Mason City Council in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hazel joined Ed in many of his endeavors. Enjoying athletic contests was always a priority, and gardening took much of his summer time until 1998. They enjoyed playing cards with friends and dancing at the Surf. However, much of their time was spent volunteering together. Since retirement, Ed has been a very active volunteer with associations that work to enhance the quality of life for his fellow citizens. The evening Lions Club was a special place to enjoy friends and contribute to the needs of local residents. Much time was given to Opportunity Village, AARP, Elderbridge Agency on Aging, and RSVP. He served as Co-President of Mercy Medical Center/North Iowas Ambassadors, State President of the Iowa ARC, and Co-President of Iowa Retired School Personnel. Serving as a delegate with OIL (Older Iowans Legislature) was especially rewarding. His volunteerism was recognized statewide when he was inducted into the Governors Volunteer Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel; 2 daughters, Cherrelyn Chuck Casey of Longmont, CO, Gwendolyn Chuck Williams of Des Moines, IA, and their spouses, Robert Williams and Gary Rehder; 3 grandsons, Major Michael Casey (USAF), Brian Williams and Bradley Williams. He will also be missed by his sisters, Kathryn Dickinson and her husband, Ralph, and Teresa Mottet and her husband, Francis, and his in-laws, Cecil and Geneva Chuck, Maxine Peck, and Phil Messer and their families.

His parents, daughter (Marcellyn) and three brothers (Norbert, John, and Frank) preceded him in death.

He and Hazel have many wonderful friendships throughout the community. Each friendship is valued and cherished beyond words. The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, love, and support. They would also like to thank the staffs at Good Shepherd Care Center and North Iowa Hospice for the care they provided these last months.