Steven Babka (Courtesy NamUs)
Steven Babka, a 58-year-old homeless man who lived in a tent near the Iowa River on the outskirts of Marengo, Iowa, has not been seen since May 25, 2012. He was reported missing to the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office in Marengo on June 6, 2012.
He is described as a 5-foot-9 white male with brown hair turning gray, and his hair has varied between shorter to almost shoulder length with some typical male pattern baldness. He has blue eyes and weighs about 240 pounds, and has unknown tattoos on his head, right arm, and upper right arm. He also has a scar near his right eye and a scar on his right forearm, and has a crippled right hand.
Marengo in Iowa CountyHe typically wears a mustache and is usually not clean shaven. He seldom wore anything other than short pants and tie dye t-shirts.
Though Babka wears prescription glasses, they were found left behind along with his medications and all his worldly possessions. Babka had no car and usually traveled with a bicycle.
Babka was quite hard of hearing and usually spoke in a very loud, hoarse voice.
His is known to use the following nicknames or aliases: James Michael Gerlits; Jim Gerlits; James Michael Lewis; Jerry Worrel; Steven M. Osborne.
According to NamUS, an initial inquiry for DNA is underway.
Fingerprint information is available and entered.
If you have any information about Steven Babka’s suspicious disappearance, please contact Inv. Blake Heller at the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office at (319) 642-7307.
No Steve wasn’t a veteran.
Any updates? ,this is his 1st wife
I was wondering if he was a veteran. He would have been eligible for the draft in October 1971. I beat my draft notice by a week, by joining the Navy. My birthday was #2 in the draft pulled in 1970.
If he was a veteran, the VA, should be able to show if he visited any of their facilities.in the time he disappeared.
He was the Love of my sister Marie’s life at one time, many many many years ago.
Great man crazy funny but great man
Harmless and good hearted Steve