John F. Gimbel

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Family Visitation was held 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at Behner Funeral Home in Fairfield, Iowa.

FUNERAL SERVICES WERE HELD 10:00 AM, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2005 AT THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH IN FAIRFIELD WITH REV. MARVIN ROBECK OFFICIATING. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery,

Memorial may be made to the First Lutheran Church or the donor's choice.

Cards and memorials may be sent c/o:
505 S. Main St.
Fairfield, IA 52556

John Frederick Gimbel was born October 8, 1916 in Mendota, Illinois, the son of Reinhard and Clara (Etzbach) Gimbel. He graduated from Mendota High School and attended the University of Alaska. John graduated from Elgin Watchmakers College in Elgin, IL and he was employed as a watchmaker in the Etzbach Jewelry Store in Mendota until 1941.

John served in the United States Air Force during WWII, from 1941 to 1945. He married Margretta Root on September 8, 1946 at Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown, South Dakota. They were the parents of one daughter, Christine.

John came to Fairfield in 1946 where he was employed as a watchmaker and jeweler until 1949 for McLean Jewelry Store here in Fairfield. In 1949, he took over ownership and thereafter the shop was known as Gimbel's Jewelers. John retired in 1986, but continued to work part-time for several years as a jeweler in the same store, which today is owned by his son-in-law, Rick Small.

John was Midwest sales representative for A&Z Hayward Company of Providence, RI for 20 years. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church of Fairfield, the Fairfield Elks Lodge #1192, Clinton Masonic AF&AM #15 and KAABA Shrine Temple of Davenport, IA.

John is survived by his wife, Margretta,and their daughter Christine and her husband, Rick. John was grandfather to Tom Small of W. Des Moines, IA and Carrie Roach and her husband, Ben, also of W. Des Moines. John was great-grandfather to Jacob Roach.

Predeceasing John are his parents and two sisters, Josephine Benedict and Dorothy Olson.