Bernard James Featherston (1946-2021)

FEATHERSTON, NEYENS, SHANAHAN

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 2/2/2021 at 12:56:40

Bernard James (B.J.) Featherston, 74, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 31, 2021 after a legendary life well-lived.

Visitation for B.J. will be held from 12 to 8 p.m., on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, IA, where a prayer service will be held at 12 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9 a.m. till the time of services on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the funeral home. Social distancing will be followed, as recommended by federal and state guidelines. Face masks are required to attend.

Services for B.J. will be held at 11 a.m., on Thursday, February 4, 2021 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, IA, with Deacon Dan O’Connell presiding and full military honors afforded by the Epworth American Legion John White Post #650. Burial will be held at a later date.

B.J. was born on November 18th, 1946 to Joseph and Bernadine (Neyens) Featherston in Cascade, Iowa. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in Monticello in 1964 where he was a stand-out member of the basketball team. Sacred Heart is no longer operating so we can’t confirm, but according to B.J. he still holds all the scoring records. After high school, B.J. attended Sheridan Community College in Sheridan, Wyoming. After college, B.J. was proud to serve his country in Vietnam and then returned to his native Iowa.

He married Jane Shanahan on June 5th, 1976. In 1978, B.J. took over operations of Murray’s Tap, renaming it Blue Jay’s Tap. Blue Jay’s Tap was a mainstay of the Epworth community and Featherston and Shanahan families for over 20 years – to ensure that “the walls didn’t talk”, the building was demolished in 1999, but the stories are recounted frequently by many and could fill encyclopedia volumes.

Jane and B.J. had two children, Bryan and Katie, who were the apple of his eye.

B.J. left a lasting impact on the Epworth community. He expanded the youth sports offerings to include tee ball and was instrumental in the building of Centennial Park as President of the Epworth Park Board in the mid-80s. He played for the Epworth Orioles semi-pro baseball team and spent 14 years as the team’s manager. After his playing and managing career was over, he joined the Dubuque County Baseball Hall of Fame, serving as its President. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

B.J. had a profound impact on all those who crossed his path. He was the life of the party, generous to a fault and considered everyone to be part of his family. All were welcome to come along for the ride – from the backroads of Dubuque County to baseball fields and stadiums around the country and many places in between - it was the ride of a lifetime! He played many roles in life, from loving husband, to doting dad and brother, and really shined as an uncle – he took great pride in all the accomplishments of his nieces and nephews, offering unsolicited advice at every turn and reminding them frequently to “shoot the damn ball”.

He was a member of the St. Patrick’s Parish in Epworth, IA and the Epworth American Legion John White Post #650 where he served as Past Commander.

B.J. is survived by his wife Jane; one son, Bryan (Sarah) of Urbandale, IA; one daughter, Katie (Shaun) of North Liberty, IA; two grandchildren, Paige and Drew; siblings, Greg (Gail) Featherson, Donna Bardon, and Rob (Laura) Hoener all of Epworth; two sisters-in-law, Barb Featherston, and Julie Shanahan both of Dubuque; and three brothers-in-law, Dave Wilson of Hopkinton, Bob (Becky) and Mike Shanahan both of Maquoketa, many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews and so many friends.

He was preceded in death by his mom and dad; step-father, Paul (Wink) Hoerner; three sisters, Mary Alice Wilson, Martha Maahs, Monica Featherston; one brother, Joe Featherston; his mother and father-in law Loretta and Francis Shanahan; three brothers-in-law, Dick Maahs, Jerry Bardon, and Jack Shanahan.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Epworth Orioles semi-pro baseball team in B.J.’s name – donations will be used toward improvements to the baseball field. Anyone wishing to send a memorial may send them to the Reiff Funeral Home Attn: B.J. Featherston Family, PO Box 99, Farley, Iowa, 52046.

The family would like to especially thank Tom Berger and the Epworth Fire Department, the Dubuque County Sherriff’s Department and his medical support team who kept him going these last couple of months.

A video tribute may be viewed and online condolence may be given to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com