Barber, Bernard C.

Bernard C. Barber, 77, of Iowa City, died Monday, July 12, 2010, at the Iowa City Care and Rehabilitation Center. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Iowa City, with the Rev. Michael Phillips officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service, Iowa City, with a parish rosary service at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Goodwill or the Regina Booster Club.

Online condolences may be sent to Bernard's family through the web at

Bernard was born Sept. 22, 1932, in Britt, Iowa, son of Harold and Kathryn (Kloster) Barber. Graduating from Britt High School in 1950, Bernard went on to graduate from Cornell College in 1954. Immediately after college, he was inducted into the U.S. Army serving in Korea. After the Army, he took a job for Job Service of Iowa, now known as Iowa Work Force Development. This job became a career, which eventually brought him to Iowa City, where he met and married Joan Strabala in 1960. Just 10 years later, in September, 1970, she passed away.

---- In 1972, Bernard married Lois Rourke of Iowa City. While in Iowa City, he spent over 20 years working for Job Service of Iowa, from which he retired in 1979. In 1980, he became a Realtor and worked for Means Realty until his stroke in 1987.

---- Bernard had a deep compassion for Goodwill Industries and was one of the founding board members. In 1987, he began work at Goodwill as their mail courier. Bernard was also very active with the Regina Booster Club working in the refreshment booth for many years, he was especially known for his popcorn, he was the man behind the machine. He also enjoyed time at the Elks Club golfing with friends and was an active league bowler.

His family includes his wife, Lois; daughter, Keri Barber of Cedar Rapids; son, Brice Barber (Sarah) of Iowa City; grandchildren, Rio Barber, Alondra Fox and Markez Fox; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Barber and M. Aileen Rourke; brother-in-law, Rollin Rourke (Carolyn); local cousin, Curtis Sheets (Shirley); as well as numerous other cousins.

Bernard was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joan E. Strabala; brother, Harold Barber and stepfather, James Mulligan.

Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City is caring for Bernard's family and his arrangements.