Robert E. Church

MASON CITY: Robert E. Church, 83, of Mason City, died Thursday, August 28, 2008, at the IOOF Home. Memorial services will be held at 3 PM on Saturday September 20, 2008 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave, with Pastor Tom Healey, Chaplain Hospice of North Iowa Officiating. There will be a gathering of friends and family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to the NIACC Athletic Department.

Robert E. Church was born April 4, 1925, in Mason City, the youngest of nine children born to Albert and Grace (Thorne) Church. He graduated from Mason City High School, attended Mason City Junior College (NIACC), and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Iowa. He enlisted in the Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the invasions of Saipan and Okinawa.

He married Colleen A. Phalen on July 23, 1951 at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Mason City. Robert was a certified public accountant. He taught school for seven years, worked for Frank J. Enboah, CPAs , for eight years and then in 1967 became NIACCs first business manager. While at NIACC he served as NIACCs board secretary, secretary-treasurer of NIACC foundation and retired in 1993 as Vice President of Administrative Services.

He enjoyed sports and played on the 1943 Mason City High School state basketball championship team. He was an avid swimmer and golfer and enjoyed the outdoors. Robert was a member of the Noon Lions.

Survivors include his son Adam Church of Sherman Oaks, CA and daughter Jennifer OBrien (Deb Quitney) of Rockford, IA; 3 grandchildren: Jake, Jefferson, and Patrick. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.



He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of 40 years: Colleen Phalen; two brothers: Albert and Nathan Church; six sisters: Alice Overturf, Esther Paone, Lael D. Miller, Marion Tutton, Elizabeth (Betty) Block and Jessie Huey.

Memorials:
Memorials may be directed to the NIACC Athletic Department.

Visitation:
There will be a gathering of friends and family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Service:
3 PM on Saturday September 20, 2008 at Major Erickson Funeral Home