Delbert "Tiny" Fish

Delbert "Tiny" Fish, age 75, of Waukon died Saturday, July 19, 2014 at home amidst family and friends from complications associated with ALS. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 23rd at 1:00 pm at the Waukon Banquet and Reception Center in Waukon with Rob Brede officiating. Friends may call from 11:00 am until the time of service Wednesday at the Reception Center. Martin Funeral Home in Waukon is handling the arrangements.

Delbert Eugene Fish was born September 15, 1938 in Waukon, the son of Fred and Doris (Decker) Fish. He was baptized at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Waukon. He attended school in Waukon. Following this he became an apprentice to his father Fred, owner of Fish Radio & TV Service in downtown Waukon. On September 6, 1961 Delbert was drafted into the United States Army. He served for two years, spending 18 months stationed in Germany. He was honorably discharged on August 21, 1963.

On December 20, 1959 Delbert married Joyce (Meier) Fish at Zalmona Presbyterian Church, rural Waukon. Their first child, Daniel Delbert, was born April 9, 1965. Their second child, Jesse John, was born October 26, 1970.

In 1965 the family moved to Waverly, where Delbert opened his own television repair business. In 1966, Delbert's brother Virgil joined him as business partner, and together they operated Fish Brothers TV. In 1973 Delbert sold his half of the business to Virgil, and the family returned to northeast Iowa. They eventually settled on Jeglum Road near Waterville, where they resided for 22 years. In 1997 they moved to Waukon to Delbert's childhood home to the present time.

From a young age "Tiny" showed a gift for all things electronic or mechanical, as well as a love for the outdoors. He spent thirty years in this area making a living logging, roofing and painting. He enjoyed trapping, which he learned from his father-in-law Rueben Meier of rural Waukon. Tiny trapped fox, mink, raccoon and coyote and sold the furs. He walked many miles in his life looking for ginseng to sell. He also joined friends to hunt deer over the years. Many years he looked for morel mushrooms in the spring. He liked working in the family garden. The family went fishing through the years too. Tiny really enjoyed canoeing, beginning in the early 70's by buying a canoe. Tiny loved music especially country music, having grown up listening to his father Fred's band, the Hillbilly Rhythm Boys.


Delbert is survived by his wife, Joyce of Waukon; his son Jesse and Tanya (O'Connor) Fish of Waukon; grandchildren Indigo and Isaac; sister Joyce Fish of Waukon; an aunt, Sylvia Marti of Marion; sister-in-laws Carole Fish of Waukon, Doris Fish of Athens, Ohio, Jan Fish of Waukon, and Jean Fish of Oconomowoc, Wis.; brother-in-law Duane (Marian) Meier of Lansing; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

He was preceded in death by his eldest son Daniel on September 1, 1979; his parents; his brothers Virgil, Harold, LeRoy and Ronald; and his father and mother-in-law, Rueben and Ella (Sanderson) Meier.

Honorary casket bearers are Dick Christianson, Dale Donahue, Wayne Fish, Verle Fish, Bob Ingles, Floyd Ingles, Don Kleinschmidt and Les Stahl.