Harry A. Eister
NAME: Harry A. Eister
ASN: 37446901
PLACE OF BIRTH: Johnson County, Iowa
DATE OF BIRTH: 28 September 1922
DATES OF SERVICE: 1942 - 1947
UNIT ASSIGNED: HHC 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion
CAMPAIGNS:
AWARDS: Combat Infantry Badge, Parachutist Badge, Purple Heart, Silver Star
SUMMARY OF SERVICE:
Harry A. Eister, age 82 of rural Tiffin, died
peacefully Friday, August 19, 2005, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics in Iowa City.
Funeral services were held at 10:00 am., Monday, August 22, 2005, at St. Mary's
Catholic Church in Oxford with the Reverend Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial with
Military Honors will be held at the Oak Hill Cemetery near Tiffin. Visitation
was from 2 to 6pm Sunday at the church where a parish vigil service was held at
6pm. Monday morning at 9am a parish rosary was shared prior to the funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers a memorial fund was established in Harry's name.
Harry was born September 28, 1922, in rural Johnson County, Iowa, the son of
Alfred and Gertrude (Novak) Eister. He graduated from Tiffin High School in
1940. In 1942 Harry enlisted in the United States Army serving during World War
II in the 509th. Parachute Battalion. This battalion was recognized as the most
decorated parachute battalion during WWII. During the war Harry was wounded in
action in Italy, receiving the Purple Heart and Silver Battle Star. Following
his discharge from service in 1947, he married Marie A. Greazel on April 24,
1948, in Iowa City. He farmed for more than fifty years in the Tiffin area. For
many years he also drove the school bus for students attending Clear Creek
Schools. Marie died March 22, 1985.
He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Oxford. In 1999 he was honored
for his dedication and sacrifices during WWII by having his name added to the
Veterans Memorial Trail at the Coralville Lake. He also was the recipient of the
Citizen of the Year Award for the City of Oxford. Harry enjoyed playing cards,
dancing, fishing vacations in Minnesota, socializing with family and friends,
and in recent years sharing Sunday's with his family in their homes.
His family includes his six children, Rita Bigelow and her husband, Richard of
Ankeny, Larry Eister and his wife, Sharon of Oxford, Susan Moore and her
husband, Bob of North Liberty, Karin McAreavy and her husband, Michael of
Paradise Valley, AZ, Terry Eister and his wife, Becky of Oxford, and Sherrie
Wessling and her husband, Harold of Oxford; twelve grandchildren, Jennifer
Bigelow, Shonda Eister, Megan Johnson and her husband, Trevor, Brady Moore,
Emily Moore, Justin McAreavy, Tyler McAreavy, Jasmine McAreavy, Travis Eister,
Jesse Eister, Nathan Wessling, and Jacob Wessling; sisters, Alyce Sullivan and
her husband, John of Coralville, and Irene Oakes of Sedalia, MO.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Marie, a son, Ralph Eister in
infancy, and a sister, Elizabeth.
Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service of Iowa City is caring for Harry's
family and his services.
Source of info: http://www.gayandciha.com/obit-display.jhtml?DB=update/obits/dbase&DO=display&ID=1124498300_24607
10 April 1944 Pvt. Harry A. Eister, 37446901 Awarded the Combat Infantry Badge as published in General Order #5
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