John W. Swartzendruver

John Swartzendruver passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the age of 99. Services will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Motor Friends Church in Milo. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the church. Interment will follow the service at Motor Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Motor Friends Church or Pulaski Mennonite Church in Pulaski, Iowa.

John William Swartzendruver was born on November 30, 1923, in Chariton, Iowa to Victor and Edna (Baughman) Swartzendruver. He graduated from Pulaski High School and then went to Iowa State for a couple of winter sessions.

John was married to Wilma Hedges and the couple was blessed with a daughter, Kathryn. After Wilma’s passing, John met Irene Rigler on a blind date at a party, and the couple married on August 12, 1961. John took Rebecca, Irene’s daughter, in as his own.

The family made their home on a farm near Pulaski, Iowa where they had crops and livestock. They were active members of Farm Bureau and Gideons. John was an Archer Oil salesman as well. They were very active in the Pulaski Church. In 1993/1994, they moved to Milo and became very active in the Motor Friends Church. John became a Walmart Greeter in Indianola after retiring and selling the farm.

John was not a shy person and was often a bit rigid. He adored his grandchildren, and it was they who nicknamed him “Grump” and that nickname stuck for the great grandchildren. The little ones always loved helping him.

John was never a coffee drinker, but instead, he enjoyed some hot tea after meals. However, once he added the cream and sugar to his liking, the tea would always run over. He occasionally would drink coffee if there was no tea, but only if there was an adequate amount of cream and sugar. He also enjoyed his butterscotch malts.

John is survived by daughter, Rebecca Reeves Gentry Powell; son-in-law, Gary Powell; 5 grandchildren: Kathryn (Terry) Hudson, Tony (Heather) Gentry, Dan (Sarah) Gentry, Tim (Angie) Gentry, and Dustin Gentry; and 10 great grandchildren: Seth, Elizabeth, Jacob, Jackson, Cassandra, MyKaylah, MyKole, MaeLee, William, and Laynie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Victor and Edna; first wife, Wilma; daughter, Kathryn; wife, Irene; and great granddaughter, Nicole Cramer.

The livestream can be viewed through the following link: https://my.gather.app/remember/john-swartzendruver