Bill Banzhaf

BillBanzhaf, 78, of Marshalltown, died at his residence on Tuesday, August 3, 2010, while in the loving care of his family and Iowa River Hospice. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM, on Saturday, August 7, 2010, at the St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Following services, interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown. Visitation for Bill will be held from 5:00 PM 7:00 PM on Friday, August 6, 2010, at the Mitchell Family Funeral Home where his family will be present to greet friends. Memorials may be directed in Bills name to his family. For further information or to send a condolence please visit www.mitchellfh.com or call (641) 844-1234. Bill was born October 18, 1931, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the son of Earl and Evelyn (Robinson) Banzhaf. He was raised and educated in Marshalltown and graduated from the St. Marys High School in 1949. Following graduation, Bill attended Marshalltown Community College for one year and Iowa State University for one year before entering the United States Naval Air Force on August 31, 1951. Bill honorably served his country as an Electronics Technician at the Hutchinson, Kansas Naval Air Station. Following his honorable discharge Bill joined the family business Banzhaf Roofing which was founded by his grandfather in 1910. On April 14, 1956, Bill was united in marriage to Lynn Noel at the St. Marys Catholic Church in Grinnell, Iowa. Bill and Lynn made their home in Marshalltown for their entire married lives where they raised their children. During the past two years Bill retired from his family roofing business and began working as a part-time greeter at Wal-Mart in Marshalltown. Bill was a very active man who enjoyed photography, astronomy, even building telescopes, making homemade wine and especially enjoyed spending time with his family and grandsons. Watching Graysen play baseball and Joshua racing go-karts. Above all Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and brother and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Bill is survived by his wife Lynn of Marshalltown, his son Scott William (Cheryl) Banzhaf of Marshalltown, his daughter Rebecca Marie (Jeffrey) Banzhaf Jennings of Ankeny, his son Kirk Noel Banzhaf of Marshalltown, his grandchildren Joshua William Banzhaf of Marshalltown, Graysen and Landen Jennings of Ankeny, his sister Geraldine Best of Marshalltown as well as several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Lynn Marie Niehaus and his brother-in-laws Theodore Watson and Bill Best.