MCCALLEY, John A. 1920-2011

MCCALLEY, HARTZEL, MEISTER, STRAUSER, GROSS, WARDELL, LUKENSMEYER, HOHENBERGER, SMITH, HEMMER, DUWA, RECHENBERGER

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 9/1/2011 at 11:54:30

[Waterloo Courier, Tuesday, June 21]

John A. "Jack" McCalley died peacefully Sunday, June 19, at Warsaw Health & Rehab surrounded by his family and caring staff. John was born May 10, 1920, near Manchester, to Harry Hartzel and Eva Martha Meister McCalley, one of six siblings. He was born again in 1936.

Jack grew up as a farmer until taking work at Construction Machinery, Inc., Waterloo, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army on Oct. 9, 1941. He was discharged Nov. 11, 1945, as a sergeant. In 1942 he married Alice Ruth Strauser in Waterloo and was blessed with seven children who survive him: Ruth Gross (John), Mary Wardell, Anne Lukensmeyer (Jerald), Lois Hohenberger, Phillip (Louise), Timothy (Eunice) and Stephen (Deb). To them, Jack's 21 grandchildren were born, and them, his 26 great-grandchildren. He is survived by his brother Clyde and sister Hazel Hemmer.

In 1976 he married Velva Smith, now deceased. In 1986 he married June Creager, also deceased. He is also preceded by sisters, Erma Duwa and Betty Rechenberger; a brother, Donald; a special friend, Eunice Hill; and a grandson, Timmy, who waits with others to meet Grandpa.

He belonged to the Plumbers and Fitters Local #125 travelling the country constructing schools, commercial buildings schools and universities and ultimately Nuclear Energy Plants. In the '50s and '60s he spent many weeks months and years working on multiple inventions that were made useful by others. His pneumatic hospital bed patents were eventually sold to a company that still makes hospital equipment. Jack enjoyed his work and his woodshop, but fishing was always his favorite way to pass time.

In later years, John became a member of Masonic Lodge 624 in Waterloo, a 32nd degree member of the Scottish Rite of Cedar Rapids, then was inducted into the Shrine of Ararat of Kansas City.

Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, at Reser Funeral Home, Warsaw, with burial at the Shawnee Cemetery. Friends may call after 2 p.m. today at the funeral home, where family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. when Masonic rites will be held.

Memorial contributions can be directed to the Shriners Childrens Hospital or Seedsowers International USA, a Mission/Gospel Outreach, P.O. Box 10834, Cedar Rapids, IA 52410-0834.

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen