Murdered I.C. Man Mourned
Family and friends recall Hebert's humor, generosity
IOWA CITY -- Don Hebert loved the simple things in life -- tinkering in the basement, reading history books, meeting friends for a beer, said Bill Hebert at his father's funeral Wednesday.
"He enjoyed life and had faith in other people and respect for their feelings," Hebert told about 175 friends and family gathered at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church.
Hebert, 76, of 419 Terrace Rd., died Friday in his River Realty office, at 2747 Second St., Apt. 2, in Coralville. Police are treating Hebert's death as a homicide and charged Bradley J. Hylton of Coralville with the crime.
"Why should such a man be taken by such a despicable deed in the middle of the afternoon?" said the Rev. Michael Phillips, who gave the homily.
Phillips said Hebert's sense of humor, community spirit and generosity were God's gifts. Recognizing the divine imprint in a good life shifts power from the evil forces in the world, Phillips said.
Bill Hebert told several stories about his father, including one Hebert used to tell his kids about how he convinced the priest of his Catholic high school to dismiss class so students could attend the championship football game.
When Bill's sister, Laura, asked if Don Hebert ended up going to the game, Hebert said "Hell, no! We went fishing."
Bill got the crowd laughing when he talked about a woman who was a regular customer of St. Clair Johnson Clothing Store, which Don Hebert managed for 30 years.
"The woman would only let Dad wait on her," Bill Hebert said.
So when Don Hebert saw the woman coming, he knew he would spend several hours helping her choose the right ties and dress shirts for her loved ones. As Hebert helped her shop, the woman would call him Mr. Johnson, because of the name of the store, Bill Hebert said.
"He thought it didn't matter who you are, but how you treat people," Bill Hebert said.
Bill Hebert ended his remarks by talking about his dad's early love of small airplanes and his desire to build one.
"Maybe now he has the time and space to build his dream airplane. He's waiting to pick up his favorite passenger, Virginia," Bill Hebert said, his voice breaking.
Don Hebert, who was born Oct. 28, 1924 in Chippewa Falls, Wis., is survived by his wife, Virginia Hebert of Iowa City; daughter, Laura, of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; two sons, Charles, of Solon, and Bill, of Oakland, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
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