JAMES J. JOHNS 1930-2003

SPLINTER, JOHNS, BROTZMAN, HAMMEL, STEINHOFF

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 11/11/2003 at 14:44:09

James J. Johns

Telegraph Herald - Sunday, September 14, 2003

James J. "Jim" Johns, 73, of 17550 River Vista Drive, Dubuque, and Mission, Texas, died at 10:10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11, 2003, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque, after a short, but courageous, battle with cancer.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Holy Ghost Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa. Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where there will be a parish wake service at 4:30 p.m.

Mr. Johns worked as a truck route salesman for the former Dubuque Packing Co. for 28 years.

He was born on June 1, 1930, in Hazel Green, Wis., son of Herbert and Velda (Splinter) Johns.

He married Lois J. Brotzman on Nov. 19, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Dubuque. They owned and operated a campground, The Yellowstone Lake Chalet in Blanchardville, Wis. for nine years. After retiring, Jim and Lois enjoyed spending their winters with their friends at the Enchanted Valley Ranch in Mission.

He served in the Navy Reserve for 3½ years. He was a member of Holy Ghost Catholic Church, Dubuque, and Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Mission.

He enjoyed camping with his family and friends, boating and snowmobiling. He liked riding motorcycles and was a stock car driver until 1963. His favorite pastime was going to flea markets and garage sales looking for a "good deal."

Jim was a very loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.

Surviving are his wife, Lois J. Johns; a daughter, Lisa M. (Brian) Hammel, of Dubuque; four sons, James K. Johns, Jr., David A. (Joyce) Johns, Duane T. Johns, and Larry J. (Barbara) Johns, all of Dubuque; nine grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy (Cliff) Steinhoff, of Stoughton, Wis., and his twin sister, Mary June Johns, of Dubuque; and a brother, John (Rita) Johns, of Dubuque.

He was preceded in death by three sisters.

In lieu of flowers, a James J. Johns Memorial Fund has been established and will be sent to the American Cancer Research Society.

The family wishes to especially thank the doctors, nurses and staff of The Finley Hospital for their loving care and concern for Jim and Lois and the family.