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.

Bill Gehling, age 77, of Williamsburg and formerly of Carroll died Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Highland Ridge Care Center in Williamsburg, Iowa.

Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The celebrant will be Fr. Kevin Richter. Music will be by Kathy Halbur. Gift Bearers will be Madalyn and Zakk Deweese. Lector will be Bailey St. Peter. Casket Bearers will be Daniel Gehling, Yaakov Gehling, Andrew Majerus, Matthew Best, Johnathan Moore, and Chris St. Peter. Burial will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Carroll with military honors conducted by the Carroll American Legion.
A Rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll, visitation will then continue until 7 p.m. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral mass at the church.

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

William, the son of William Sr. and Agnes (Staiert) Gehling was born on December 24, 1944 at Carroll, Iowa. He grew up in Carroll and graduated from Kuemper Catholic High School. After his formal education he served his country proudly in the United States Army stationed in Germany as mechanic. Upon his honorable discharge he returned to the area to help his family with their farming operation.

On February 8, 1969, Bill was united in marriage to Janet Danner at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Carroll. The couple made their home in Carroll. Bill was employed as a mechanic at Crouse Cartage, J.I. Case, and Haley Implement in Carroll. He will be remembered for his creative engineering, making multiple special tools, toys, and modifying everyday items to make them better. He would always be willing to assist others before helping himself.

Left to celebrate his life are his children: Paul (Tracy) Gehling of Scranton, Deb (Jeff) St. Peter of Carroll, Carolyn Gehling of Sioux City, and Katie (Heath) Deweese of Williamsburg; 16 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren; siblings: Larry (Mary Lou) Gehling of Westside, Marceal (John) Wittry of Breda, Phil (Jayne) Gehling of Westside; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Eileen Gehling of Wall Lake, Denny (Laura) Danner of Carroll, Jenny (Mike) Peterson of Ankeny, and Richard Sibenaller of Glidden as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Janet in 2011; two children at birth Christine and Joan; siblings: Ray (Lenore) Gehling, Dorothy (Louis) Hoffman, Dave Gehling, Alitta (Harold) Lansink, Arthur Gehling, parents-in-law: Paul and Anna Mae Danner; sister-In-law Joyce Sibenaller.

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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Our sympathy to Uncle Bill’s family. I remember his smiles and walking from Grandpa’s house to Swan Lake to go fishing with him. Hugs and prayers. Mark and Barb

Barbara Hoffman – February 07 2022 at 4:31 PM

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Thinking of Uncle Bill and his family. May you find peace and joy in beautiful memories. Kris Eastman

Kris Eastman – February 07 2022 at 9:40 PM

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My sympathy to the Gehling family! Bill always had a smile on his face when I would either take him to mass or give him Communion at Saint Anthony Nursing Home! May he Rest In Peace🙏

Pat Sanders – February 08 2022 at 10:00 AM

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So sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace with aunt Janet in heaven . prayers to your family. Angie and Bryon Okones and family

Angie Danner-Okones – February 09 2022 at 10:16 AM

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We are very sorry for your loss and you will have our prayers during this difficult time. Doug and Angie Danner and family.

Doug Danner – February 07 2022 at 3:53 PM

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