Obituary

Bernard T. Meiners, 95 of Coon Rapids, died Monday, September 1, 2025 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids surrounded by his family.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Dedham. The Celebrant will be Fr. Patrick Behm, assisted by Deacon Louis Meiners. Music will be by Jane Heithoff and the St. Joseph’s Choir. Lector for the Funeral Mass will be Jill Klein. Gift Bearers will be Talina Haskins, Caitlin ThongVahn, and Amanda Meiners. Casket Bearers will be Brian Meiners, Ben Meiners, Aaron Meiners, Lucas Meiners, Jason Nees, Mike Nees, Ryan Schultes, Tyler Schultes, Jordan Schultes, Justin Meiners, and Trenton Meiners. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Dedham with military honors conducted by the Dedham American Legion.

A visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll with a rosary at 7 p.m. The casket will be moved to St. Joseph’s Church on Friday morning where additional visitation will be from 9:30-10:15 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left at the funeral home or the church for a later designation.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Bernard’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

John A. Light, age 47, of Carroll, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 12, 2020 at Faith Baptist Church in Carroll, with Pastor Jay Chapman presiding. Pianist for the service will be Shelly Brant. Casket Bearers will be Trever Schnuckel, J.T. Nieland, Zach Nieland, Cody Nieland, Branden Light, and Lance Housego. Burial will be in the Carroll City Cemetery with Military Honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll. The casket will be moved to Faith Baptist Church on Thursday morning, where visitation will resume from 9-945 a.m.

Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, and online condolences may be left for John’s family at www.sharpfuneral.com.

Jonathan Andrew was born March 27, 1972 in Middletown, Ohio; the son of Pastor David C. and Jolynn (Scarlett) Light. Growing up John traveled with his family as his father pastored churches in New Jersey, Georgia, Iowa, and Arkansas.

John traveled all around the world on Naval Vessels serving the United States as a Naval Crypto Analyst during the Gulf War, Desert Storm. After serving in the Navy, John moved back to Iowa where he met his wife Stephanie before moving to Alabama.

John became a truck driver and trainer. He became a member of Calera Baptist Church. John became an instructor, teaching, training and certifying new truck drivers through KLLM Training School in Mississippi. After leaving the school John became an owner-operator truck driver establishing Light Express Trucking.

In 2018, John and family moved back to Carroll, Iowa. John dissolved his trucking company, beginning a new career at American Home Shield as an Authorizer. In less than two years John quickly moved up to ASL Lead Resolutions Authorizer.

John enjoyed traveling, shooting guns at the range, watching wrestling and football, gaming with his kids and friends, boating, fishing, karaoke, cooking, riding roller coasters, and spending time “spoiling” family.

John was a bright light in every room just living the dream. He is a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend mentor, Hawkeye Fan, Dolphin Fan, and Navy Veteran.

Left to cherish John’s memory is his wife Stephanie Light of Carroll; his children: Tiffany Housego and her husband Lance of Florida, Tyler Light of Maine, Branden Alex Light of Carroll, Zoey Light of Iowa, and Emma Light of Carroll; his mother Jolynn Light of Georgia; his siblings: Scarlett Stone and her husband Dwayne of Georgia, Joanna Meyers and her husband Matt of Illinois, Sharon Foody of Illinois, and David Light and his wife Lisa of Arkansas. Also surviving is his mother-in-law: Lillian Nieland of Carroll; sister-in-law: Cindy Schnuckel and her husband Rod of Odebolt; brother-in-law: Mike Nieland and his wife Cheryl of Des Moines; as well as nieces, nephews, and other extended relatives and friends.

John was preceded in death by a son, Alex Light; a granddaughter Paisleigh Kate; his father Pastor David C. Light; his father-in-law Julius Nieland, Jr.; a nephew: Andrew Stone; and a niece Paige Meyers.

Church Service

Friday, September 5, 2025 10:30 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Burial

Sharp Funeral Home ~ Carroll, Iowa

226 W. 8th St., Carroll, IA, 51401

712-792-4301

[email protected]

https://www.sharpfuneral.com

Church Service

Thursday, September 4, 2025
5:00 – 7:00 p.m. – Rosary at 7:00 p.m.
Sharp Funeral Home – Carroll
226 W. 8th St, Carroll, IA 50401

Friday, September 5, 2025
9:30 – 10:15 a.m.
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church
420 3rd Ave, Dedham, IA 51440

Obituary

Born March 31, 1930, he was the son of Bernard and Catherine (Rotert) Meiners. He grew up in the Dedham-Willey area and graduated from St. Mary’s School in Willey in 1943. He entered the U.S. Army July 8, 1953 and was stationed at Wurzburg, Germany. He was discharged on May 20, 1955.

Bernard married Dolores S. Halbur on January 24, 1956 at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Halbur. After being married Bernard and Dolores lived 3 miles north of Dedham for two years. In 1958, they moved to the farm they purchased four miles east of Dedham. They were the parents of six children: Daniel, Dale, David, Cathleen, Christine, and Gary. Dolores passed away January 21, 1978.

On August 9, 1980, Bernard married Marita Eickman at Annunciation Catholic Church in Coon Rapids. In May 2011, Bernard and Marita moved off the farm into the town of Coon Rapids, Iowa. They made their home there for 14 years. In April 2025, they moved to Parkview Assisted Living in Coon Rapids, Iowa.

During Bernard’s lifetime, he farmed, had a dairy operation, had a cow/calf operation, and raised hogs. He retired in 1992. He is a current member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Dedham, a member of the Dedham American Legion Post #20, and a member of the Manning VFW. In July 2001 Bernard, being a Korean Veteran, had the privilege to go on the Military Honor Flight to Washington DC. Just recently he was presented with a Quilt of Valor at Thomas Rest Haven, and at the age of 95 he still enjoyed attending the Legion meetings.

Bernard loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Holiday gatherings were a treat for him to get to see most of them at one time. In his spare time Bernard enjoyed gathering black walnuts in the fall and kept busy shelling the walnuts during the winter. Family and friends benefited from the fruits of his labor.

Bernard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Marita Meiners; his children, Dale (Mary) Meiners of Carroll, David (Jane) Meiners of Varna, IL, Cathleen (Larry) Nees of Coon Rapids, Christine (Mark) Schultes of Dedham, and Gary (Barb) Meiners of Manson; 19 grandchildren; 32 great grandchildren with 2 more coming in October; a brother Anthony (Colleen) Meiners of Carroll; 2 sisters, Catherine Wittrock of Carroll and Marcella Naberhaus of Carroll; his sisters-in-laws, Margaret (Tom) Denker of Manning, and Pat (Joe) Goblirsch of Jesup. He is also survived by Marita’s children, Richard (Sandy) Eickman of Omaha, NE, James (Joni) Eickman of Dyer, TN, Dave (Joan) Eickman of Macungie, PA, Randy (Rose) Eickman of Coon Rapids, Nancy Eickman and Jim Springer of Warren, NJ, and Karen Heck of Delano, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Bernard was preceded in death by his first wife Dolores S. Meiners; a son Daniel J. Meiners; Marita’s son Bill Eickman; his parents Bernard and Catherine Meiners; his brothers John (Margaret) Meiners, Albert (Frances) Meiners; his brothers-in-law Clarence Wittrock, Norbert Naberhaus, Cletus (Emaline) Halbur, Norman (Inez) Halbur, Larry (JoAnn) Halbur; his brother-in-law, William (Marie) Halbur; Dolores’ parents, William and Frances Halbur, and stepmother-in-law, Josephine Halbur.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Bernard T. Meiners, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Tribute Wall

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Always just living the dream! John will be truly missed by everyone at AHS!! Thoughts and prayers with the family.

Troyd and Amanda Dreessen – March 06 2020 at 4:53 PM

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It has been more than a year and i still miss my father rest in peace dad and tell grandma i said hi. love you to the moon and back.

______________________ – November 07 2021 at 1:43 AM

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John was an amazing colleague. Even on my toughest days and at times when I had no idea where to even begin, he always had this awesome ability to make us feel so much better and like we could tackle anything. He was always so friendly and he had such an amazing heart. We miss him so much already. I hope John is resting well in paradise, and I hope he knows how much we owe to him for always being such an uplifting person to be around.

Alex G from Phoenix – March 27 2020 at 4:57 PM

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Whenever I would call his department for assistance he would always call me, "Carnethia". Him and I would spend an extra 5 minutes on the phone of me correcting him on how to pronounce my name and laughing about how he like "Carnethia" better than Canitha (Ka-Knee-Tha). I enjoyed speaking to John whenever I needed assistance. He will TRULY be missed :-)

Canitha Sanders – March 10 2020 at 7:41 PM

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Super nice guy & always great having small talk with him! Never got to know him all that well being in sales but he always had a smile on his face!! RIP

Jenny Reicks – March 09 2020 at 7:48 PM

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