Frank JoKing Massa, 1913-2000

Daily Iowegian - 15 August 2000

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  Frank JoKing Massa, 87, of Centerville died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000, at Mercy Hospital in Des Moines.

  He was born June 19, 1913, in Mathi, Italy, the son of Domenico and Anna (Giacamelli) Massa.

  He married Jessie Clark Jan. 26, 1936, in Numa. She preceded him in death June 12, 1979.

  Survivors include special friend Dorothe Blair of Centerville; three daughters, Margaret Hagan and her husband, Kenneth, of Keller, Texas, Irene Main and her husband, Billy, of Albia and Helen Tharp and her husband, Paul, of Shawnee, Kan.; a sister, Frances Jacobs of East Moline, Ill.; 10 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

  He was also preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, Joe, Barney and Edward Massa.

  He received his education in Jerome schools. He worked for 42 years as a coal miner, the majority of the time at the New Gladstone Coal Company seven miles west of Centerville as one of the owner-operators until it closed in July 1971. He also worked at the Rathbun Fish Hatchery and city of Centerville, mowing the Centerville City Park. He was an active member of the 18-80 Club in Centerville.

  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Schmidt Family Funeral Home in Centerville with the Rev. Richard Grimes officiating. Burial will follow in Jerome Cemetery in Jerome. Visitation will be held from 1 to 8 p.m. Wednesday with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 p.m.

  Memorials may be given to the Jerome Cemetery, Jerome Methodist Church or the 18-80 Club and contributions may be left at the funeral home.