BOONE, Iowa—John passed away at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines on Sunday, July 6, 2025 from complications from a car accident.
John is survived by his sister, Jacque – brother-in-law, Steve; his brother, Jim (Carol); his brother, Joe (Donna); his daughter, Tasha (Gabe) Lanz; nephews, Chad Thompson – Kristi Post and Chris “Bones” Jones; nieces, Casey, Lynn, Jenna; grandchildren, Dane, Mable, Royce, and Griffin; other numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces and great-great-nephews; and a large amount of family, friends, and fellow veterans.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Steinick; his father, Jack Jones; Papa Frank; and niece, Christine Bruns.
John knew everybody and everybody knew John. There wasn’t a grocery store trip or card game that wasn’t filled with conversations.
John’s grandchildren brought so much joy to his life. He would light up when he talked about them, and his refrigerator was filled with their pictures and schedules. He truly loved watching them grow.
John was a proud veteran. He served just over eleven months in Vietnam during his three-year dedication to the Army. He played an active part in the veteran community up until his accident.
He was an iron worker and quickly made strong connections in Alaska, teaching his co-workers how to play poker at night and building structures during the day. They built the structures for the Army, then took them apart, and shipped them off. John was on an island in Alaska for one year, and could not leave the island. John found a great love for fishing and living in Alaska while he lived in Soldotna for a long time.
When John came back from Alaska, he moved in with his mom, Mildred, because she didn’t want to live alone. After her diagnosis of dementia, John promised her that she would never “go in a home” and kept his word. He took care of Mildred until her passing in 2022.
John loved to fish and he loved to play cards. He always had a smile on his face and a Diet Pepsi in his hand. He truly enjoyed connections with people.
Every Wednesday and Saturday night, he played poker at the Moose with his brother, Jim and other players. In the past, he also played poker at the casino.
Quilts of Valor make quilts of red, white, and blue for all veterans and service men. The Ogden Organization made John an Honorary Member, because he was delivering quilts for them. Thanks to the Ogden Quilts of Valor.
A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Sunday, June 13, 2025, at the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, 1006 6th Street, Boone. Military honors will be held at 3:00 P.M. Sunday in front of the funeral home, by the Boone Veterans Council.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to John’s family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com.
John Jones, 78, Boone, Iowa
About the Author
