HUFFMAN, John William 1961-2016

HUFFMAN, LUCEY

Posted By: K.L. Kittleson
Date: 8/17/2016 at 10:31:08

Obituary for John Wm. Huffman

John Wm. Huffman, age 55, of New Hampton, Iowa, died Thursday, May 12, 2016, peacefully at his home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 18, 2016, at Holy Family Parish, New Hampton with Rev. Mark Osterhaus celebrating and Rev. Phil Recker con-celebrating the Mass. Lectors for the service will be Alex Huffman and Shawn Huffman. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Amanda Trask, Monica Recker and Jenny Voves.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Hampton with Nathan Schwickerath, Adam Schwickerath, Terri Josephson, Brian Hoffman, Dave Eschweiler and Brad Huffman. Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill Straw, Tom McDermott, Jim Klunder, Bill Brown, Joe Kalishek, Brian Laures and Derwin Robinson.

Friends may greet the family 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home in New Hampton where there will be a 6:30 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the Mass at the church on Wednesday.

John William Huffman was born March 16, 1961, in New Hampton, Iowa, the son of Ray and Rosemary (Lucey) Huffman. He received his education at St. Joseph Community School and worked as a custodial helper for two years while there. John graduated from the New Hampton High School in 1979. He also attended two years seminary education at Loras College in Dubuque. In 1974, John started washing dishes at Tom's Restaurant and it wasn't long before he began his journey as a cook.

After four years at Tom's he cooked at various places, such as Straw's Pizza Kitchen, Crystal Grill, Pinicon, Bread Basket and Poor Richards. In 1987, he moved to Georgia, where he cooked at a lodge in the North Georgia Mountains, even preparing several dinners for former President Carter and his wife. After the lodge was sold in 1994, John moved back to New Hampton. He continued to work in the culinary business at the Time Out Lounge and the Uptown Cafe in Charles City.

Later he moved to Horton and cooked at Tori's for five years. In 2001, John moved back to New Hampton and cooked for Bill Straw at Chaffs, now Big Ed's Firehouse.

John was a member of Holy Family Parish and a 3rd Degree Knight of Columbus. He was a huge Iowa Hawkeye Fan and loved all their sporting events. He enjoyed time with family, canvas painting, decorating his home, watching old western movies, and his puppy Red. He will always be remembered for his reserved demeanor and desire to please others, especially his great-nieces and nephews.

John left this message for all his friends and family, "Remember me with smiles and laughter, not with sorrow and tears. I'm in a better place now and having a few beers! I would always say, see ya later or see ya next time, so I will now bid you all a heartfelt good-bye."

Survivors include one sister, Pat (Dennis) Ruffridge of Cresco; two brothers, Mike (Donna) Huffman of Cedar Falls and Dan (Sue) Huffman of New Hampton; one brother-in-law, Richard Recker of New Hampton; one sister-in-law, Annie Huffman of Atlanta; 10 nieces and nephews and 15 great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Mark Huffman on July 15, 2011; one sister, Peg Recker on February 14, 1999; one brother-in-law, Dan Schwickerath on October 15, 1988.

Source: Hugeback-Johnson Funeral Home website