Robert John 'Bob' Umbarger

John Robert “Bob” Umbarger, 80, of Mason City, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 27, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 5th St. S.E., with Rev. Craig Steimel and Rev. Kenneth Gehling officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday (January 26, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with a Scriptural Wake Service at 6:30 PM. Inurnment of cremains will be held at a later date.. Memorials may be directed to St Joseph Catholic Church or Newman Catholic High School in Bob’s name. Bob was born on November 7, 1931 near Alpena, South Dakota, the second of two sons of Frank Alonzo and Esther Lena (Levine) Umbarger. Bob grew up on 3 separate farms around Iowa; his earliest memories were of the Farm outside of Lake Park, IA. The family later moved to Mason City in 1942. Bob attended Mason City schools, while still a sophomore, Bob was already singing for weddings and many other events. He participated in chorus work, small group work, and soloing. This involved many high school contests ( local-District-State ), wherein He received many First Place judging’s, and one time a judge wrote that he compared Bob’s voice being much like Paul Warfield. Bob later graduated in 1949. He later graduated from Mason City Junior college in 1952. Bob’s first position after graduating was a job with Standard Oil Company in their district office here in Mason City. He worked in their Sales Promotion Department for four years, and when the District Office was moved to Des Moines, He transferred to their Warehouse Office in Mason City and worked there for an addition two years until that office was also closed. In May of 1958, Bob secured a position with the First National Bank of Mason City, and advanced from Bookkeeper , to Teller, to Head Teller, to Drive In Office Manager, to Auditor, and finally to the Bank’s Controller. Bob retired from the Bank 1987. Bob was an active member of the Elks Club for 50+ years and was the Exalted Ruler in 1965. Bob was an avid bowler and won the “All Events Championship Association Tournament in 1965 with an overall score of 1899. Bob also served several terms on the St Joseph Church Council. Bob had a fabulous voice and sang for many events, weddings & funerals over the years. When Bob and Donna were dating, he sang in the Dark Town Varity show here in Mason City. Bob enjoyed playing cards with family and friends. Crossword and SU DO KU puzzles were also his daily enjoyment always completed before breakfast. Left to carry on Bob’s memories are his loving wife Donna of 46 years, 4 children- Carey of Garner, IA, Raymond (Kellie) of Gilbert, AZ, Bobbi of West Des Moines, IA, and Eric of Grimes, IA; 10 grandchildren, Gabe, Grady, Sam, Lindsay, Taylor, Isaiah, Lindzie, Sydney, Grace and Jake and 1 great grandson, Brody; sister-in-Law, Ruth Umbarger and her daughters, Anne, Janet and Jean and many cousins. Bob was preceded into death by his parents, Frank and Esther; and brother, Duane.

Cemetery:
Inurnment will be at a later date.

Visitation:
Visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Thursday (January 26, 2012) at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue with a Scriptural Wake Service at 6:30 P.M.

Service:
A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, January 27, 2012, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 302 5th St. S.E., with Rev. Craig Steimel and Rev. Kenneth Gehling officiating.