Mason City in Cerro Gordo County
Charles LeRoy “Pat” Hines — a 45-year-old decorated Korean Conflict veteran and former Forest City resident — was found dead on a Mason City street early Saturday, August 2, 1975.
Mason City police said the victim was found outside the Delaware Tap at 11 S. Delaware Ave. in Mason City at 2:45 a.m., apparently the victim of an assault, and died after being struck on the head with a blunt instrument. Cause of death was listed as internal hemorrhaging.
Investigators were checking out a report of a fight involving Hines when they found his body.
Courtesy the Chop RestaurantThe Delaware Tap was later converted into the Chop Restaurant with an “Eleven Lounge.”
Charles LeRoy Hines was born March 27, 1930, in Thompson, Iowa, in Winnebago County, to William Hines and Genevieve Torkelson.
He received his education in Thompson, and at age 17 enlisted in the Marine Corps and served two enlistments over a period of six years. While in the service, he received the Presidential Unit Citation with one star, the Korean Service medal with three stars, the United Nations Service medal and a China service medal.
The decorated Korean Conflict veteran fought in some of its most horrific battles.
He married Eloise Steinfeldt.
In a comment to Iowa Cold Cases, his daughter, Kimberley Shanahan, said her father believed in education and his children, and that he struggled with the wounds of war.
He was survived by five children, all of Forest City — daughters Kimberley, 18, and Zoe, 12, and sons Patrick, 17, Michael, 16, and James, 14. He was also survived by sisters, Mrs. Milton (Arlene) Stout, Albert Lea; Mrs. Wayne (Rosemary) Gelner, Mason City; Mrs. Wilbur (Olive) Dalluce of Mason City, and Mrs. Curtis (Patricia) Andrepont of Eunice, Louisiana, and brothers William of Forest City and Donald and Robert of Mason City.
“Pat” Hines is buried in the Madison Township Cemetery in Forest City, Hancock County, Iowa.
Courtesy photo Merikey, findagrave.comAnyone with information regarding Hines’ unsolved murder is asked to contact the Mason City Police Department at (641) 494-3562.
If you have any photos of Charles you’d like to see included here, please email them to Iowa Cold Cases (credit will be provided).
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