Michael, Herbert D.

Herbert D. Michael, 96, of Iowa City, died Friday, March 15, 2013, at Atrium Village in Hills. A Celebration of his Life will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Sharon Center United Methodist Church (2804 520th St. SW, Kalona). Pastor Doug Cue will officiate. The family will greet friends at Atrium Village, Hills, beginning at 1 p.m. Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Sharon Center United Methodist Church or On Earth Peace.

Arrangements are provided by Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service.

Herbert was a man of adventure and spirituality, serving on the Church of the Brethren mission field in Nigeria from 1948 to 1961. He set up the electrical system for the mission hospital, provided maintenance for all mission vehicles and installed and operated the two-way radio communication system.

Born Aug. 28, 1916, in Juniata, Neb., to Howard and Elsie (Aschenbrenner) Michael, his life and philosophy were defined by experiences growing up in Western Kansas during the Dust Bowl, being a conscientious objector during World War II, and serving in overseas missions.

At age 16 he hitchhiked from Kansas to the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago. He was a seaman in the Merchant Marine, sailing to the Far East - Shanghai and Yokohama. He “rode the rails” with the hobos, and floated a raft down the Iowa River to the Mississippi. As a pacifist in World War II he endured physical threats but served his country by fighting forest fires (and preparing for potential fire bombs) in Civilian Public Service at Cascade Locks, Ore. Throughout his life he continued his service to others and his witness for peace, including being assistant scout leader for Iowa City Troop 110, and protesting at Fort Benning against the School of the Americas.

He graduated from high school in Olympia, Wash., attended McPherson College, earned a degree in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and attended Bethany Bible School in Chicago. On May 28, 1944, he married Marianne Krueger in the Panora, Iowa, Church of the Brethren and they were married for 68 years.

Children are Jan of Stillwater, Okla. (Susan Garzon), Rosemary of Iowa City (Robert Wennerholm), Peter of Indianapolis, Ind. (Donna Barr), and Elizabeth of Iowa City. Grandchildren are James Prior (Courtney) of Kansas City, Mo., Skyler Michael of Iowa City and Kira Wennerholm of Iowa City. Great-granddaughters are Molly and Matilda of Kansas City, Mo.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lensingfuneral.com.

Published March 18, 2013 in The Gazette