John William McCallister, 26 Apr 1923 - 14 Jan 2021

MCCALLISTER, MARTIN, JOHNSON, TOWNS, WENGER, THOMPSON, SCHWARTING, CONN, WAGNER, BUTLER

Posted By: Sarah Witte (email)
Date: 1/21/2021 at 11:12:30

John William McCallister was born April 26, 1923, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of John and Ocie (Martin) McCallister. John served in the United States Navy on the battleship New Jersey during WWII.

John was united in marriage to Donna Marie Johnson on June 30, 1951, at the Methodist parsonage in Ainsworth. The couple lived in Ainsworth for five years before moving to Iowa County to make their home.

He was a farmer and also worked at Amana Refrigeration. John enjoyed fishing, telling stories, playing cards and spending time with family.

John passed away on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, at the Rose Haven Nursing Home in Marengo at the age of 97.

He is survived by his wife, Donna; four children, Joan (Larry) Towns of What Cheer, John (Jill) McCallister and Kay (Monte) Wenger, all of Victor, and Karen Thompson of Marshalltown; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandson; and a brother, Daryle (Lila) McCallister of Williamsburg.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two grandsons, David and Brent; and eight siblings, Curtis McCallister, Wayne McCallister, George McCallister, Donnie McCallister, Ruby Schwarting, Opal Conn, Eileen Wagner and Rita Butler.

Celebration of Life Service will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2021, at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. The service will be live streamed on the Powell Funeral Home Facebook page. Burial will be at Pilot Grove Cemetery.

Visitation will be Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Powell Funeral Home in Williamsburg. Social distancing and face masks will be required. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com.

Published in The Gazette on January 16, 2021 and in The Hometown Current on January 20, 2021.