VEASMAN, John F. (1943-2021)

VEASMAN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 12:22:25

John Fredrick Veasman
(May 9, 1943 - October 9, 2021)

Services for John F. Veasman, 78, who passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021, at home, will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, October 15, 2021 at the St. Marys Parish Hall, St. Marys, IA with burial following in the St. Marys Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 14, 2021 at Overton Funeral Home with family present from 5 to 8 p.m.
John was born in Churdan, Iowa, one of 19 children, to Paul and Lura Veasman. He moved with his family to a farm southwest of Indianola when he was 6 years old. John went to school at St. Marys for many years and graduated from Indianola High School in 1961. After high school, John joined the Air Force where he trained as a mechanic. In 1963, he was united in marriage to Judith Buttrey. They purchased the family farm and lived there until their three daughters were grown. He and Judy then moved to John’s farm south of Indianola.
John worked hard his entire life. He started working when he was very young. His father passed away when he was still in school and soon, he was helping run the farm that he lived on with his mother, sisters and brothers. John also worked at Delevan’s in West Des Moines at night while he farmed during the day. John started a business hauling grain and shelling corn and continued that business until he was 74 years old. He then continued working with neighboring farmers, running his grain vacuum, driving grain trucks and running his own farms. John loved being busy and always had work to do.
John loved his family and friends. He enjoyed attending his grandkids sporting events. He went to many baseball, softball and basketball games and could often be heard sharing his thoughts with the umpires and referees. He worked a lot but also took time to spend with his friends. John loved to tell stories and was pretty good at telling them. He had many friends and knew people everywhere he went. He cared very much for his long-time son-in-law, Bill Keller and his close friend Scott Messmaker who was almost like a son to him. Scott spent a lot of time with John and checked on him daily. John loved all his family and was very proud of his daughters and grandchildren, but he had an extra special relationship with his grandson Richie, who he and Judy raised. John and Richie continued to spend many days together on the farm until his passing.
John also loved to play and coach softball. He played fast pitch softball when he worked in West Des Moines and played and coached many years of slow pitch softball in Indianola and surrounding towns until he was 50 years old. John was competitive on the field and very active for much of his life. Playing softball introduced him many more lifelong friends.
John was very charitable and involved in the community. He was a member the American Legion and Knights of Columbus and held various officer positions over the years. He held several county and township positions, was active in the political community and always worked and donated to the church, fire department and other fundraising events. John’s love for community was very special and he will be greatly missed by his many, many friends and family.
John is survived by his daughters, Shelly Veasman, Vicki Veasman and Connie Keller; grandchildren, Richard Veasman, Kylie Keller and Cole Keller; siblings, Viola Heins, Maxine Edwards, Virginia Smith, Donna Rieck, Lawrence Veasman, Patricia Galbert and Michael Veasman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Lura Veasman; his wife, Judith Veasman and many sisters and brothers.
Memorials may be given in his name to the St. Marys American Legion Post #716. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/