John M. "Johnny" Maiers, 87, of Dyersville and formerly of Peosta and Holy Cross, Iowa, passed away, Thursday, May 25, 2017 at Oak Crest Manor in Dyersville, Iowa, surrounded by his family.
Friends and relatives of John may call from 2 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at the Reiff Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa, where a wake service will be held at 1:30 p.m., a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 7 p.m., and a VFW Service at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call after 9 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at St. John's the Baptist Catholic Church in Peosta, Iowa.
Services for John will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at St. John's the Baptist in Peosta, Iowa with Rev. Richard Kuhn Presiding. Burial will be held in St. John's Cemetery in Centralia, Iowa with full military honors afforded by the Iowa Army National Guard.
John was born January 3, 1930 in Luxemburg, Iowa, son of Matt G. and Bertha M. (Oberbroeckling) Maiers. He received his education in the Luxemburg area schools and was a graduate of the former New Vienna High School. On November 6, 1954 he was united in marriage to Mary Frances "Fran" Wilwert at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Rickardsville, Iowa. She preceded him in death on May 22, 2007.
The couple farmed in the Holy Cross area until retiring in 2005. John was an Army Veteran having served in the Korean War. He had a welcoming smile and loved to play tricks on everyone. He had a funny snicker that made us laugh. He loved listening to music, watching baseball and dancing. He loved fishing, hunting, playing cards and spending time with family and friends.
He was a member of St. John's the Baptist Parish in Peosta, he was on the Board of Directors for the Holy Cross Athletic Department for 9 years, he served on the Board of Directors for the Cattleman's Association, charter member of the Balltown Lion's Club, member of the Farley Knights of Columbus Council #930, Security seed District Representative, member of the Dubuque County Farm Bureau, President and member of the Dubuque County Pork Producer's, a lifetime member of the New Vienna VFW Post #7736.
He is survived by nine children, Connie Hamilton (special friend, Sam Raymond) of Manitou Springs, CO, Stan Maiers of Dubuque, IA, Larry (Bev) Maiers of Holy Cross, IA, Gary (Dee) Maiers of Wellington, CO, Lori (Tom) Ingles of Peosta, IA, Lonie (Steve) Moneypenny of Hiawatha, IA, Dave (Sherry) Maiers of New Vienna, IA, Kim Maiers (and special friend, Patrick Murphy) of Peosta, IA, Naomi (Steve) Hoeger of Dyersville, IA; 16 grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; four sisters, Eldora Pins of Manchester, IA, Verna Mae Lucas of Cedar Rapids, IA, Julie Ungs of Luxemberg, IA and Patricia Elliott of Madison, WI; one brother, Merlin (Verna) Maiers of Madison, WI; sisters-in-laws, Alice Wilwert-Oeth of Epworth, IA, Dorothy Link of Key West, IA, and Grace Maiers of Manchester, IA; a brother in-law, Paul Hoppmann of Dubuque, IA.
He is also preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Ralph Maiers, Jerome Maiers, and Gerald Maiers; ten brothers-in-law, Ray Lucas, Lavern Link, Ralph Wilwert, Paul Pins, Shim Elliott, Matthew Pfeiler, Gilbert Wilwert, Herman Wilwert, Fay Steger and Ed Ungs; sisters-in-law, Norma Maiers, Calista Hoppmann, Benny Maiers and Elaine Wilwert.
The family of John would like to thank the staff of Oakcrest Manor and the Ellen Kennedy Living Center and Hospice of Dubuque for all the kindness and care given to John.