Ambrose Harney

AMBROSE HARNEY

Iowa City

Ambrose Joseph "Joe" Harney, 78, of San Rafael, Calif., formerly of Iowa City, died Sunday, June 22, 2014, at Marin General Hospital in San Rafael due to injuries from a job site fall. A memorial Mass will be 10 a.m. Friday, July 18, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Iowa City. Father John Spiegel will officiate. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Cemetery. A Celebration of Life luncheon will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, July 18, at the Knights of Columbus Family Center, 4776 American Legion Rd., Iowa City, IA 52240.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer memorials be made to the Ambrose Joseph "Joe" Harney Memorial Fund.

Joe was born Jan. 25, 1936, in Iowa City, the son of Ambrose and Rose Roit Harney. He was a graduate of St. Mary's High School. Joe lived in Iowa City for many years where he owned Joe's Deep Rock Service Station, had been employed at Shay Electric and was a deputy sheriff with the Johnson County Sheriff's Office from 1967 to 1972. In the early 1970s, Joe moved to San Rafael, Calif., where he owned Harney Electric and worked on many projects, including the Charles Schulz museum, George Lucas ("Star Wars") production offices and the San Francisco airport.

Joe was a hard worker and loved to fish and watch wildlife. He had a kind heart and always sported a great smile. Joe would do anything he could to assist anyone, without expecting anything in return. He also enjoyed traveling home to visit family and friends.

Survivors include his four daughters, Cynthia (Lew) Converse of Solon, Cheryl (Gary) Nielsen of Coralville, Carolyn (Max) Dains of Ottumwa and JoAnne (Jim) Hudachek of North Liberty; four grandsons, Nicholas (Cassandra) Ryan of Lynchburg, Va., Brandon Ryan of North Liberty and Parker Dains and Griffin Dains, both of Ottumwa; his longtime companion, Linda Danielson of San Rafael, Calif.; nine siblings, Mary Ellen Dlouhy of Hills, Paul (Betty) Harney of Forney, Texas, Edmund (Joyce) Harney of Iowa City, David (Marianne) Harney of Solon, Patrick (Jean) Harney of Iowa City, James Harney of Nichols, Virginia (Dan) Ockenfels of Fairfax and Therese Harney and Rose (Gene) Langenberg, both of Iowa City; his former spouse and mother of their four daughters, Harriett (Cole) Mowery of Coralville; his sisters- and brother-in-law, Leona Harney of Wichita Falls, Texas, Marguerite Harney of Iowa City, Emeline Harney of Iowa City and Jim Clemen of Cascade; former spouse, Judith Hughey of Salem, Ore.; stepson, David Crowell of Rosewell, Calif., and his daughters, Megan and Sara; and many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents; four siblings, Francis, Vincent and Thomas Harney and Vivian Clemen; his brother- and sister-in-law, Milo Dlouhy and Sandy Harney; nieces, Kristen Clemen, Mary Ann Clemen and Debbie (Harney) Kleiboer; nephew, Timothy Harney; and great-niece, Bailey Parker.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lensing funeral.com.