Obituary of Earl B. Horras

Earl Bernard Horras died Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at St Luke's Hospice Center in Cedar Rapids, IA. He was born at home on May 29, 1935 in rural Keokuk County to Walter & Edna (Sieren) Horras. He lived in Keokuk, Washington and Jefferson Counties growing up. He graduated from Fairfield Community High School in 1953 and drove the school bus from age 16 until graduation. Earl enlisted in the Iowa National Guard on December 23, 1957. He was a member of Company C, 224th Engineering Battalion out of Fairfield, IA. He was Honorably Discharged on December 22, 1963 as a Staff Sergeant. Earl married Mary Jo Moeller on November 22, 1958, at St James Catholic Church in St. Paul, IA. The couple made their home in Richland, IA, until his death. Earl was an active member of SS Joseph and Cabrini Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain, IA. He served previously as the Parrish Council President and was a past member of the Finance Council. He was an active member of the Richland Lions Club for 54 years, serving as the President three times and was a member on the Executive Board. He was a current member of the Richland Community Club. Other past organizations included the Richland Town Council, Richland Cub Scouts (served as Cub Scout Master for 3 years) and the Fairfield Elks Lodge for 25 years. He also enjoyed being part of the football chain gang for Pekin Community High School for 18 years while his sons played and after they graduated. He was an avid sports fan and enjoyed watching the Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. Earl's job was one of his greatest pleasures in life. He worked for Case IH for almost 60 years. He started as a parts man at the age of 18 for Hendrickson Implement in Richland. The business expanded over the years to include Fairfield Equipment and Keokuk Co. Implement where he was the Parts Manager for all three locations. He remained at the Keokuk Co. Implement location after the other locations closed. He was still working as the Equipment Sales Manager at Keokuk Co. Implement until his death. Earl is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jo; daughter: Kathryn (Doug) Ogden of Coralville, IA; sons: Doug (Julie) of Iowa City, IA, Scott of York, NE, and Steve (Jackie) of San Antonia, TX; 6 grandchildren: Logan & Lindsay Ogden, Kylie & Mitchell Horras, Katlyn & Lauren Horras; brothers: Vernon (Jan) of Centerville, IA, Jerry (Penny) of Fairfield, IA, Chuck (Betty) of Ames, IA, and Don (Marguerite) of Ft Lauderdale, FL. Also surviving are brothers-in-law: Jerome Sheets & Bob Kelly; sisters-in-law: Ardy Schnittjer, Mary Horras and Theresa Horras. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; brothers: Dennis, Wayne, Herbert (Dutch) and Walter (Junior); sisters: Betty, Donna and Marge. Earl has donated his body to the University of Iowa for research. There will be a celebration honoring his life after a short pause to mourn and reflect. A Memorial Mass is scheduled for 12:00 Noon on Saturday, July 6th, 2013, at Mother Cabrini Church in Richland, IA, with a meal afterwards. Earl's body will be cremated and the ashes interred at the Memorial Lawn Cemetery in Fairfield, IA. The date is yet to be determined. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Jo Horras, 306 N. Oak St., Richland, IA, 52585 and left to the discretion of the family to distribute. Earl's special request was for the Lion's Leader Dog Program. Online condolences can be sent to his family through the web at www.gayandciha.com.