1930 2020 (age 89)
Obituary William Topf, 89, long time resident of the city of Orange, died Friday (Feb. 21 2020) from congestive heart failure. Friends may join the Rosary Vigil at 6pm Saturday February 29 at Brown Colonial Mortuary, 204 W 17th St. Santa Ana. Funeral will be at 12:10 Monday March 2, at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange. Interment is at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. The former William Clement Topf was born to Omer and Florence Deegan Topf. He was raised on a farm outside Salix Iowa. He attended St. Joseph Catholic School, in Salix, through High School. After graduation, he joined the National Guard. On his Navy enlistment application he listed his skills: “Operated corn pickers, combine harvesters, tractors and trucks on a 220 acre farm. Assisted in the cultivation, planting and harvesting of general farm crops. Helped maintain farm machinery. Fed livestock and hogs, milked cows by hand and performed chores. After school 2/1949-2/1953” He served in the Navy on the USS Yorktown during Korean War in the China Service. After his discharge, he married Frances Schildmeyer, Dec. 30 1957, in Ossian, Iowa. The couple lived in Ames Iowa while William completed his Engineering Degree from Iowa St. After graduation he moved his young family to California to work in the Aerospace Industry. He was involved with many of the early rocket missions, including the missions to the moon. Next he worked on new plane designs that resulted on having his name on a US Patent. Mr. Topf was a member of Holy Family Church, the Knights of Columbus, St Vincent’s de Paul Society, and a Holy Family Fiesta chairman of foods in the 70s and 80s. He looked forward to cheering on his grandchildren or tagging along and experiencing their adventures. He enjoyed going to the beach and watching the sailboats. With his engineering mind, he loved tinkering, fixing things, and making/creating projects – DIY. Survivors are his brothers Phillip Topf, Rev. Thomas Topf, and Mark Topf of Iowa; his sister Marilyn Jonas of Seal Beach Ca; his wife Fran Topf of Orange Ca; children: Carolyn Campbell and husband Bill of Highlands Ranch, Co; John Topf and wife Sharon of Rancho Cucamonga Ca; Charles Topf and wife Carolyn of Orange Ca; Kathryn Peters and husband Jeff of St. College Pa, Sharon Carlson and husband Jonathan of Norco Ca; 20 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, Omer, and Robert Topf. To send flowers to William’s family, please visit our floral section.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William C Topf 1930 2020 (age 89).
Death notice for the town of: Santa Ana, state: California