Obituary of John C. Strabala

John “Jack” C. Strabala, age 71 of 320 E. Dubuque Street, Iowa City died at his home Wednesday, April 5, 2006. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 10, 2006, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Riverside with the Reverend Rich Adam officiating. Burial with military honors will be at the St. Vincent Cemetery near Riverside. Visitation will be from 3 to 7pm Sunday at Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, and after 8:30 a.m., Monday at the church in Riverside. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been established in Jack’s memory. Online condolences may be sent for Jack’s family through our website @www.gayandciha.com. John Charles “Jack” Strabala was born June 3, 1934, near Riverside, Iowa the son of John C. and Clementine (Scherrer) Strabala. Jack graduated from Iowa City City High School in 1952. Following high school he served in the United States Army for a couple of years. He then attended the University of Iowa. Jack was associated with the Iowa City Post Office for many years and later as a union painter in this area. In his youth he was involved with a number of local bands including the Mule Skinners and the Prairie Landers. His love for music has stayed with him his entire life, you could find him at area dances listening and sharing with others. His family includes his mother, Clementine Strabala of Hills; former wife, Phyllis Strabala of Riverside; their children, Cindy Michel and her husband, Brian of Riverside, John Strabala and his wife, Julie of Riverside, Richard Strabala of Coralville, Robert Strabala of Coralville, Russell Strabala and his wife, Tiffany of Andover, MN, Jean Showalter and her husband, Doug of Cedar Rapids, Colleen Strabala and her fiancée, Eric Hodgson of Salt Lake City, UT, Marvin Strabala and his fiancée, Kara Rector of Des Moines, Joanne Brennan and her husband, Mike of Charlotte, NC, Mark Strabala of Waterloo, Cecilia Strabala and Adrian Bowen of Gold Canyon, AZ, Michael Strabala and Mark Heller of Iowa City, and Matthew Strabala and Brett Thomas of Coralville and 14 grandchildren. Other family members include his sisters and brothers, Theresa Strabala of Iowa City, Marina Harbit and her husband, Daniel of Iowa City, William Strabala and his wife, Rosalyn of Arvada, CO, Melvin Strabala and Maxine Nigro of Kansas City, MO, Mary Myers and her husband, Terry of Oxford, James Strabala of Lockport, IL, Kathy Kempa and her husband, Ray of Casper, WY, Donald Strabala and his wife, Jackie of North Liberty, Jane Hoshi and her husband, Toshi of Bala Cynwyd, PA, and David Strabala and Holly Clark of Olathe, KS. Jack was preceded in death by his father, a brother Joseph Strabala; and sister Joan Barber. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Jack’s family and his services.