Clear Lake Mirror Reporter

Remember that commercial that said, “Don’t mess with Mother Nature?”

Last week it seemed all but certain that a new record for a late “ice-in” date would be set.  After all, unseasonably warm weather had kept Clear Lake ice-free and there was no signs of it letting up.  The record late ice-in date of Dec. 24, 2001 was all but on the way out.

But Mother Nature had other plans.

Saturday, Dec. 19, temperatures dipped and the winds, which have seemed to gust endlessly throughout November and December, decided to take a rest.

One Clear Lake administrator and two longtime teachers have decided to accept the school district’s early retirement incentive package.

Clear Creek Elementary School Principal Mike Barkley, along with physical education instructor and coach Gary Weber and special education teacher Gerilynn Berding have announced their intention to retire at the end of the school year.

“Wayne” Dale Spilman, Jr., 69, of Mason City, died Saturday, Dec. 19, 2015, at the Veteran’s Hospital, in Des Moines, Iowa.

  A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. with a one hour prior visitation on Saturday, Dec. 26, 2015, at Fullerton Funeral Home, 123 2nd St. SE, Mason City.  Reverend Ron Stein will be officiating.  Interment will follow at Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery.

  Arrangements are with Fullerton Funeral Home, Mason City.

Barbara Thompson, 89, of 5636 S. Lakeview Dr., Clear Lake, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2015, at her home.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, 101 N. 4th St., Clear Lake.