John O. Sawyer, 06 Jun 1937 - 03 Apr 2020

SAWYER, BEHERENS, GOERING, CRIST, NYGAARD, UTLEY, MANGAN

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 4/15/2020 at 12:42:02

John O. Sawyer, 82, of Central City, Iowa, passed away Friday, April 3, 2020, at the Dennis & Donna Hospice House of Mercy in Hiawatha, Iowa, with his family present. A celebration of John’s life will be planned at a later date due to the COVID-19 virus. No funeral service will be held per his wishes. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family

John was born June 6, 1937, in Dakota City, Iowa, the son of Justin T. and Elsie (Beherens) Sawyer. He graduated from Fort Dodge High School and went on to attend Kirkwood Community College, receiving his Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. He worked as a laborer in the Local 89 Union. John was a member of Central Park Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids and later Prairie Chapel Church in rural Marion. He volunteered for many years, including 40+ years helping others with sobriety in the AA Program. John was also a hospice volunteer. He enjoyed auctions, collecting old toys, and was a Harley Davidson enthusiast. He loved watching old western shows. “He had a good life, he lived his life the way he wanted.”

John is survived and lovingly remembered by his daughters, Sheryl (David) Goering of Ottumwa, Iowa, Kathy (Grayland) Crist of Stanwood, Iowa, and step-daughter Kelly (Grant) Blaha of Marengo, Iowa; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Justin and Elsie Sawyer; three sisters, Elenora, Leota Nygaard, and Donna Utley; and one grandson, Kenneth Michael Mangan.

Memorial’s in John’s memory may be directed to the John Sawyer memorial fund and mailed to P.O. Box 175 in Central City, Iowa, 52214.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette on April 12, 2020