Gordon Joseph Wiebelhaus
DOTHAN, Ala.— Gary E. Manz, 84, Dothan, Ala., died March 31, 2020, at his home after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A private burial service will be held with a Celebration of Life service at a later date. Burial will be in Dothan.
Gary was born Jan. 1, 1936, the oldest son of Melvin and Iva (Stanley) Manz in Dixon. He graduated from Laurel High School in 1953. He attended Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa, after which he joined the United States Air Force. He married Betty Adams and they were blessed with two children, Ronald and Sandra. Gary and Betty later divorced. A very important part of his life was his daughter-in-law, Patricia Ball, and her children, Cameron and Brittany, who cared for Gary through his later years. He worked for many years for a paper mill in Cedar Springs, Ga.
He was a member of the Memphis Baptist Church in Dothan where he served faithfully in various capacities.
Gary was a warm and loving man with a big smile and good sense of humor. He was a dedicated Christian who loved the Lord and his family.
Gary is survived by daughter, Sandra (Freddie) Ingram, Northport, Ala., and children, Rase, Hunter and Erika (Spencer) Hill and children, Lauren and Riley; daughter-in-law, Patricia Ball (Ron Lambert), and children, Cameron and Brittany, Dothan, Ala.; brothers, Jon (Marie) Manz, Papillion, and David (Janet) Manz, Newcastle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn; brother, Richard; and his son, Ronald.
CROFTON — Gordon Joseph Wiebelhaus, Crofton, died April 3, 2020, at his residence, under Hospice care.
No Funeral services are being planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Crofton.
Gordon was born April 18, 1949, in Crofton, to Walter and Eva Betty (Jackson) Wiebelhaus. He grew up in Crofton and attended St. Rose Elementary School and graduated from Crofton High School in 1967. After high school, Gordon entered the Sioux City Barber College in August 1967, and graduated from the Omaha Barber College the following August. Gordon enlisted in the U.S. Army Sept. 13, 1968, and in February 1969 he was sent to Vietnam until February 1970. He then served in Korea from 1970 to Sept. 13, 1971. Gordon was on active reserve status for a few years after returning home. Gordon married Suzanne Wertz July 1, 1989, at the First Lutheran Church, South Sioux City. Gordon worked for several hog confinements in Geneva and Hartington, prior to him raising his own hogs, sheep, chickens and turkeys for a while in Crofton. He then began barbering in Niobrara, Wausa, Crofton and Yankton, S.D. In 1996, his son, Tom, joined him at the barbershop. Gordon retired from the barber shop in January 2011.
Gordon was an avid baseball fan – New York Yankees – and also played baseball and participated in the “Old Timers” games. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Crofton American Legion Post #128, and the Ernest Bowyer VFW Post #791 in Yankton.
He loved fishing and was a good golfer and bowler. Gordon loved “hanging out” at the “Donkey Stall” at Wiebelhaus Recreation in Crofton and was often referred to as “Doc” by many. He was the master of – one liners!
Gordon is survived by his wife, Suzanne, Crofton; two children, Tom (Tracie) Wiebelhaus, Crofton, and daughter, Kara Lee Kinney, Vermillion, S.D.; grandson, Jaxon Wiebelhaus, Crofton; two brothers, Gary (Gale) Wiebelhaus, Omaha, and Brian (Deb) Wiebelhaus, Crofton; sisters, Sandy (Rich) Genovese, Fairview, Texas, and Marianne (Dale) Merkel, Crofton; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walt and Eva Wiebelhaus; nephew, Troy Wiebelhaus, in infancy; and parents-in-law, Robert and Renee Wertz.