John W. Schwendinger

SCHWENDINGER

Posted By: Candace Hogan (email)
Date: 7/17/2004 at 06:35:26

Dubuque Telegraph Herald
Jul 15, 2004

John W. Schwendinger

EPWORTH, Iowa - John W. Schwendinger, 86, a lifelong resident of Epworth, began his eternal life in the Lord at 3 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, 2004, at The Finley Hospital, Dubuque.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Epworth, with the Rev. Raymond Burkle officiating and the Rev. Mike Hutchins, SVD, as homilist. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Cemetery, where military rites will be accorded by the American Legion, John White Post 650. Friends may call from 3 to 9 p.m. Friday at Reiff Funeral Home, Epworth, where there will be a wake service at 5 p.m.

He was born on Dec. 4, 1917, in Epworth, son of John F. and Clara (George Steckel) Schwendinger. He was a graduate of Epworth High School and attended business college.

He married Marian Bartels on May 14, 1949, in Ontario, Calif.; she preceded him into new life in 1971. John and Marian lovingly parented three children, Sr. Paula Schwendinger, a Sister of the Presentation, currently ministering at Guadalupe Catholic Mission in Wahneta, Fla., Carl (Becky) Schwendinger, of Dyersville, and Beth (Tom) Simpson, of Epworth. John was a model for his five grandchildren, Katherine and Jonathan Simpson and Sarah, Allyson and Lauren Schwendinger.

He was an Army veteran, having served in World War II in Panama and the European Theatre, after which time he returned to Epworth. He then was employed at the former Dubuque Packing Co. for 27 years, until his retirement in 1978.

Following retirement, John settled into his writing career, which included feature articles for the "Dyersville Commercial," "Julien's Journal," "The Witness," "Senior Circuit" and Epworth's "Voice of Progress." He is the author of several books including "If The Walls Could Talk," "The Big Clean UP," "The Schwendinger Family History," "Did Those Walls Ever Talk" and "Those Walls Are Still Talking" (yet to be published). He also co-authored "The History of Epworth, Iowa."

He and his daughter, Beth, collaborated on five musical plays, four of which have been produced. He was involved in many church, civic, community and historical organizations.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Parish, Epworth, and the Epworth American Legion, John White Post 650.

He will be missed by all of those whose lives he touched, as he was enriched by all those who shared themselves with him.

John was the last surviving member of the John F. and Clara George Steckel Schwendinger family. A grandson, Sam John Schwendinger, also preceded him into eternal life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given in John's name to Divine Word College and St. Patrick's Parish, both in Epworth; the Sisters of the Presentation, Dubuque; and Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Mission, Wahneta, Fla.

Copyright 2004 Telegraph Herald