Jesse R. "Jay" Angel

MASON CITY - Jesse R. "Jay" Angel, 81, of 522 10th St. N.E. in Mason City, died early Monday morning (Sept. 12, 2005) at his residence with several of his family members at his side.

Jesse's funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Family Catholic Church, 714 N. Adams Ave. in Mason City, with the Rev. Jon M. Seda officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, Mason City.

The family will greet relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. today at the Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 Second St. S.E. in Mason City, with a vigil service scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Those wishing to extend memorials or expressions of sympathy may direct them to the Jesse R. "Jay" Angel Memorial Fund. Thoughts, condolences and stories may be e-mailed to the family on the www.fullertonfh.com Web site.

Jesse Ronald Angel was born on June 25, 1924, in Halisco, Mexico to his parents, Joe and Lupe (Herrea) Angel. He was the first-born of seven children, and at an early age, he moved to Iowa with his family. Jesse attended Mason City Community Schools and has remained a resident of Mason City since.

"Jay," as he was fondly known by his family and friends, was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church, the V.F.W. Post 733 and the Spanish-American Club, all in Mason City.

On Feb. 18, 1943, Jesse was inducted into the United States Army from Camp Dodge, Iowa, and served his country during World War II with the 149th Combat Engineer Battalion. Jesse's battalion was physically involved in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, landing on Omaha Beach.

Jesse's military honors include four Battle Stars earned in France, Belgium, Holland and Germany, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Service Arrowhead Award, Purple Heart and numerous other medals, certificates, bars and awards. After honorably and faithfully completing his designated time in the service, Jesse was formally discharged from his military duties on Nov. 27, 1945, from Fort Sheridan, Ill.

Jesse was united in marriage to the love of his life, Verna Lucille Lowe, in Mason City on March 22, 1947. Jesse and Verna shared 58 years of marriage and became the proud parents of two daughters and three sons. They treasured dancing together, especially jitterbugging, family meals, gardening, camping and the busy life of raising their family, which was of greatest priority. Jesse's and Verna's children were always included in their daily lives and Jesse was known to sacrifice much in regards to the welfare of his family.

Jesse was employed as a laborer (crusher man) with Lehigh Cement Co. in Mason City for 31 years, retiring in 1978.

Some of Jesse's favorite leisure activities and interests included hunting and fishing, big band music, especially music by Glenn Miller, and cheering for his favorite football teams, the Raiders, the Vikings and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He was an avid #24 Jeff Gordon NASCAR race fan and loved going to parades. His wife and children describe Jesse as a handsome man with a natural, beautiful tan, and a wonderful father. He was considerate, caring, well-organized and was particularly fond of eating mild, homemade Mexican foods.

Jesse will be cherished in the hearts of all his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife, Verna Angel, of Mason City; his children, Ronald (Vicki) Angel of Traer; Patricia (Bruce) Smith; Roger Angel; Rick (Sheila) Angel; and Jayna (Kenneth) True, all of Mason City; his two sisters, Lilly (Phil) Morgan of Kingsland, Fla., and Josephine Angel of Mason City; his three brothers, Esquiel Angel of Council Bluffs; Joe Angel Jr. of Cherokee and David Angel of Sebring, Fla.

Jesse will also be sadly missed by his 12 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and numerous other relatives and friends.

Preceding Jesse in death are his two daughters, Jody and Valerina Angel; his son, Kenneth Angel; his parents, Joe and Lupe Angel; and his brother, Frank Angel.

Fullerton Funeral Home and Cremation Services, (641) 423-8676.

www.fullertonfh.com