John W. STECHER

STECHER, KOTTLER, KUHN, SMART, MCKELVIE

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/5/2016 at 18:28:09

November 10, 1929 ----- May 30, 2016

Johnston, IA -- John W. Stecher, 86, passed from this life Monday, May 30, 2016, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston. The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm on Friday, June 3, 2016, at Iles Westover Funeral Chapel where a vigil service will be held at 7 pm. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday June 4, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. Cremation will follow services and a memorial graveside service will be held Monday June 6 at Resthaven Cemetery.

John was born November 10, 1929, in Clarion, Iowa, to Louis E. and Acelia M. (Kottler) Stecher. Graduated from Clarion High School in 1947. John married Evelyn J. Kuhn on February 18, 1950, in Clarion, Iowa. He drove trucks over the road for Hove Truck Line out of Stanhope, Iowa for several years. Subsequently attending Allied Institute of Technology in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation they made their home in Des Moines in 1963 where they raised their three children. He worked at John Deere as a tool designer for 25 years retiring in 1987.

John did volunteer work with the Blood Center of Iowa, Mercy Hospital, and Amanda the Panda. He enjoyed cycling, R.A.G.B.R.A.I., hiking with Volksport, wood carving, cribbage, and coffee with friends.

John is survived by his children; Becky (Hugh) Smart of Chicago, IL, Linda (David) McKelvie of Littleton, CO, and David (Kelly) Stecher of Des Moines, IA; five grandchildren, Daniel and Matthew Smart, Shannon McKelvie, and Riley and Kelsey Stecher. John was preceded in death by his parents, brother, and wife, Evelyn. Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Hospice.

Des Moines Register -- Iowa
June 2, 2016