Obituary of Gerald Costello
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West Liberty, Iowa
Gerald W. “Jerry” Costello, 82, died Tuesday March 29, 2011 at the Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty.
Funeral mass will be held 10:30 am Saturday, April 2, 2011 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in West Liberty. Visitation will be 5 to 7 P.M. on Friday, April 1, 2011 at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty with a Christian Wake Service being held at 7 pm. Burial with military honors will be in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, West Liberty. A memorial fund has been established.
Gerald William Costello was born August 22, 1928 in Mazeppa, Minnesota the son of William and Mary King Costello. He was a graduate of St. Felix High School, Wabasha, Minnesota. Following his graduation he enlisted in the Army and served for several years before attending St. Mary’s College in Winona, Minnesota. Upon the start of the Korean Conflict Jerry was called back to the Army and was commissioned while in Korea. The military took the Costello’s many places, in 1964 he moved to West Liberty where he was the military advisor to the National Guard in Iowa City. In 1969 after 22 years he retired from the military as a Lt. Colonel. He later was employed by the University of Iowa as Supervisor of Campus for 19 years retiring in 1986. He was united in marriage to the former Joan Cruse in Pontiac, Illinois.
He was a longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, West Liberty Golf and Country Club, Lions Club, was an avid gardener and volunteered as Santa for the community of West Liberty for many years. When his daughter was younger he would often chase her home with a stick.
Survivors include his wife Joan Costello of West Liberty. Two children: Quinn Costello of Chicago, Illinois and Mary (Curt) Heath of Iowa City. Two Grandchildren: Tim and Mikayla Heath. Brother: Tom Costello of Champlin, Minnesota. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Tim, Sister Dolores and Two Brothers Dick and Don.