John W. Masters 1902 - 1989

MASTERS BAKER

Posted By: Connie Swearingen-Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/25/2014 at 17:39:56

MAPLETON, Iowa — John W. Masters, 87, of Mapleton died Monday, Aug. 21, 1989, in Maple Heights Nursing Home in Mapleton.

Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in St. John's United Methodist Church in Mapleton with the Rev. Stephen Root officiating. Burial will be in Center Cemetery, near Castana. Visitation will be after 2 p.m. today with a prayer service at 7 p.m., followed by a Masonic service at the Walter Funeral Home in Mapleton.

Mr. Masters was born March 21, 1902, on the family farm in Center Township. He graduated from Mapleton High School in 1920 and Iowa State College in 1926 with a BS Degree in Animal Husbandry in Agriculture. On July 21, 1926, he married Emma Baker, rural Castana. He operated the home farm with his father until his death in 1931. In 1933 he was appointed Township Agriculture Adjustment Association Committeman to work on President Roosevelt's Farm Program. In 1953 he was appointed Monona County's first office manager. Mrs. Masters died Nov. 25, 1968.

In 1975 he retired after serving 40 years in the agricultural field.

Mr. Masters was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church for more than 50 years where he served on several boards, was lay leader and taught adult classes for many years. He was a charter member and active in Mapleton Rotary Club; charter member of Loess Hills Historical Society of Monona County, having served as president and on the board several times.

In 1967 he helped establish Mapleton's first public library and was elected member at large of the County Board of Education for a period of six years. He was instrumental in securing the Mapleton Senior Citizens Center and was a member of the Mapleton Civic Club, Masonic Lodge and Order of Eastern Star. From its beginning in 1969 he was an active member of the County Health Board. In 1980 he retired, and due to failing health moved into town in 1985.

Survivors include a sister, Ervilla A. Masters of Mapleton, four nieces, four nephews and several cousins.