Harold Howard Hirstein, 97, of Waterloo, was called to his Heavenly Father on Feb. 24, 2024, after a short illness in St. Louis.

He was born Oct. 3, 1926, to Samuel A. Hirstein and Alvina M. Hirstein (nee Harpstrite) in Trenton on the family farm. He graduated from Lebanon High School, Lebanon. He attended junior college with an interest in accounting. 

Harold served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1944-1946 and was stationed in the Pacific Theater. After an honorable discharge from military service, he was employed by G.S. Suppiger, Belleville, and took a supervisory position in Waterloo, where he met Beverly A. Amrine on a blind date. They were married in 1951 at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ church in Waterloo. They had four children together. 

After Suppiger, he worked 17 years for the Standard Oil Company, delivering fuel to homes and farms in Monroe County. At this time he was also an insurance agent for Kemper Insurance and served as the Justice of the Peace, performing many weddings in the family home. 

He was elected alderman for the City of Waterloo, serving from 1962-1970, and eventually elected City Clerk. He later became the budget officer for the City of Waterloo and semi-retired from this position in 1989. He then worked part time as the zoning officer until he fully retired in 1993. 

He was a member of the American Legion Post 747, VFW Post 6504 and  Waterloo Masonic Lodge 787, as well as a charter member of the Waterloo Optimist Club. 

In 2011, he was chosen to go to Washington, D.C., as part of the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight program, for which he was very grateful. 

In later years, Harold met Dorothy B. Miller at a singles dance and found out they had both attended Lebanon High School. They were together for many years. They enjoyed family, traveling and wintering in Florida. 

Harold’s greatest joy came from all his children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren along with his deep faith in God. He also loved fishing and playing cards of all kinds – especially poker and bridge – and telling a joke or two. Harold was a blessing to all he encountered, serving God, his country and his beloved City of Waterloo, and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his children Gary (Mary) Hirstein, Katha (Mark) Cranage, John (Cheri) Hirstein and Sharon (Ken Weiler) Hirstein; grandchildren Eric Hirstein, Nicholas (Tracy) Hirstein, Nicholas McClane, Carrie (Mike) Love, Amy (Raub) Olsen, Holly (Adam) Radford, Scott Hirstein and Matthew (Michelle) Jaenke; great-grandchildren Claire Hirstein, Molly McClane, Sam McClane, Elliott Love, Callum Love, Oliver Olsen, Emerson Olsen, Miles Olsen, Wesley Olsen, Reese Radford and Arthur Radford; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by Dorothy’s family, daughters Barbara (Jim) Stewart, Mary (Chuck) Carnahan, grandson Jon Michael (Selene) Fitzsimmons, great grandson Killian Fitzsimmons, and granddaughter Catherine (Jason) Williams. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Leslie Dale Hirstein; wife Beverly A. Hirstein; and Dorothy B. Miller. 

Visitation is 4-8 p.m. Feb. 29 and 9 a.m. until time of service March 1 at Quernheim Funeral Home in Waterloo

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. March 1 at the funeral home with Pastor Matt Friz officiating.

Interment will be at Trenton City Cemetery in Trenton.

As an expression of sympathy the family prefers memorial contributions to: Helping Strays; and Veterans Honor Flight.