John Cressey (1935-2019)

CRESSEY, BELL, DRUMM

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 5/5/2019 at 19:10:50

John E. Cressey, 83, of Maquoketa, Iowa, passed away on Saturday morning, May 4, 2019, at his home in Maquoketa, surrounded by his family.

A celebration of John's life will be held at 10:30 A.M., Friday, May 10, 2019 at First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 P.M., Thursday, May 9, 2019 at Carson Celebration of Life Center in Maquoketa, where a 6:45 P.M. Masonic Service will be held. Burial will be at the Union Cemetery, rural Maquoketa, Iowa.

John Edward Cressey was born on December 5, 1935 in Maquoketa, Iowa to Harry Milton and Lucille (Bell) Cressey. He was a 1953 graduate of Maquoketa High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1958. Upon receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home to Maquoketa and married Connie M. Drumm on May 31, 1959 in Maquoketa, Iowa.

John was a lifelong carpenter. He got his start with G.L. Stockham and Son as a Carpenter's Helper from 1953 to 1955, and from 1958 to 1970 as a Carpenter Superintendent. On February 13, 1970 until 1990, he operated John E. Cressey Construction in Maquoketa where he was the Owner, Estimator and Superintendent. On January 1, 1990 Cressey & Associates was formed and John served as President until retiring in 2009.

John was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church in Maquoketa where he had served on various committees including serving on the Building Committee for the church building on Wesley Drive, Chair of Trustees, and taught 8th grade Sunday School for many years. He also was a 55-year member of the Maquoketa Masonic Helion Lodge #36 AF & AM where he held roles of Warden, Secretary and past Worshipful Master.

John was always giving of his time, talent and resources. He had served on the Maquoketa Fire Department and Rescue Squad from 1979 to 1982 where he held the rank of Deputy Chief, served on the Maquoketa School Board from 1979 to 1991 where he was a past President, and was a former Maquoketa City Councilman serving from December 23, 1997 to December 30, 2005.

John enjoyed fishing, boating, horse care and riding, and tending their vineyard. He loved his dogs and had a special place in his heart for his Golden Retriever Lady!

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Connie M. Cressey of Maquoketa, IA; children, Brian (Andy) Cressey of Altoona, IA, and LuAnne (Tom) Yearwood of Maquoketa, IA; 6 grandchildren, Dr. Nicole (Lance) Cressey-Musselman of Gillette, WY, Ryann (Bradley) Cressey-Smith of Green Bay, WI, Shelby Yearwood of Maquoketa, IA, Christina (Todd) Isaacs of Pittsboro, IN, Amanda Kinzle of Greencastle, IN and Debra (Dean) Wyatte of Boulder, CO; 6 great-grandchildren, Ava and Granger Musselman, Jenna, Nathan and Hannah Isaacs, and Gregory Christopher; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Donald (Connie) Drumm of Coal Valley, IL; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Linda (Paul) Dupuis of Canada; and sister-in-law, Georgia Armstrong of Maquoketa, IA. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Roger Cressey, sister-in-law Barbara Cressey and a brother-in-law Robert Drumm.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, memorials may be made to Hospice of Jackson County, First United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor's choice.

Online Condolences may be left at www.carsonandson.com.