Hesseltine, Delbert 'Gumpy'

Delbert “Gumpy” Hesseltine, 88, of Cosgrove, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at Mercy Hospice Care following a brief illness. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at St. Peter's Catholic Church, Cosgrove, with Father Edmond Dunn officiating. Burial, with military honors by the Oxford American Legion, will be at St. Peter's Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, where a rosary and parish vigil service will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Friends may call after 9 a.m. Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Camp Courageous, St. Peter's Church, Mercy Hospice Care, or St. Jude's Medical Center.

Del was born Sept. 13, 1923, in Washington, Iowa, the son of Merlin and Charlotte (Owen) Hesseltine. He was raised near Coppock, Iowa, and graduated from Brighton High School in 1943. Del then attended Drake University, where he received Air Force training. In World War II, he was stationed in England and served as a bombardier in the Air Force 490th Bomb Group. After the war he often attended their reunions.

On Aug. 8, 1945, Del married Helen Marie Pacha at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in East Pleasant Plain, Iowa. They lived and farmed for 22 years near Brighton. In 1967, Del and his family moved to their farm near Cosgrove. He retired from farming a few years ago, but continued to live on the family farm.

Del was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church in Cosgrove, Knights of Columbus, Eagles Lodge and the Oxford American Legion, of which he was a proud member.

Del was a great story teller. He loved his family, and especially enjoyed his grandchildren and attending their school and sports events. He also enjoyed spending time in, and taking care of, their timber. He loved history and enjoyed traveling and sightseeing.

Survivors include his loving wife, Helen; their three children, James of Oxford, Mary (Paul) Peck of Greeley, Colo., and Joellen (Richard) Zimmerman of Parnell; 10 grandchildren, Michael, Erica, Tyler, Lindsey, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Joshua, Jessica, Clinton and Breanna; four great-grandchildren, Acadia, Lily, Gabriel and Olivia; and many nieces and nephews.

Del was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Clifford and Richard.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to doctors Larew, Garrett, Stern and Learing, the wonderful nurses and staff at Mercy Iowa City, Iowa City Hospice, and Mercy Hospice Care for the compassionate care and comfort they provided.

Online condolences may be directed to www.lensingfuneral.com

Published Feb. 13, 2012 in The Gazette