Edward Glen John

July 24, 1922 ~ January 29, 2017

VISITATION DETAILS

Thursday, February 2, 2017

2:00 – 8:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

Family will greet friends from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

SERVICE DETAILS

Friday, February 3, 2017

2:00 PM

Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home

Harlan, IA

(get directions)

Burial will be in the Harlan Cemetery, Harlan, IA

SURVIVORS

Wife – Donnabelle John of Harlan, IA

1 Daughter – Deborah John of Timnath, CO

1 Brother – Harold John of Council Bluffs, IA

3 Sisters – Phyllis Hardisty of Las Vegas, NV

Margaret Hough of Des Moines, IA

Marjorie Adair of Mondamin, IA

Other Relatives & Friends

Known to his family as Don, Edward Glen John was born July 24, 1922, in Modale, Iowa, the oldest boy of eleven children. He went to school in Modale as well as worked on the family farm. Later he attended aircraft school in Omaha, Nebraska. On January 21, 1943, he entered the Army Air Force and worked as a radio mechanic on several U.S. military bases until his honorable discharge in 1946.

Their wedding date initially postponed due to Mississippi River flooding and the need for army personnel to help sandbag, Donnabelle (Skinner) and Edward were married May 25, 1943, in the Methodist Church of Belleville, Illinois. After his military discharge, they made several moves. In 1951 they purchased an eighty acre farm northwest of Logan, Iowa; in 1952 they sold this farm and moved to Marshalltown, Iowa, where Edward was employed at Nichols and Green Shoe Store. That same year they moved to Chillicothe, Missouri, where Edward worked at the J.D. Engleman Shoe Store. Their daughter Deborah was born that year.

In 1953 Harlan, Iowa, became the family’s permanent home. Edward worked at Larson’s Shoe Store until 1963 when he and Moody Petersen purchased the store from Oliver Larson. Retaining the store’s name, they remained partners until Moody’s retirement in 1973. Respected for his strong work ethic and exceptional customer service, Edward owned and operated the store until his retirement August 1, 1987.

Well known in the Harlan community, he and his family were active members of the First United Methodist Church in Harlan. At home, Edward took pride in taking care of the house and the yard. He had a special skill for refinishing wood, turning old furniture into treasured heirlooms.

Edward G. John died on Sunday, January 29, 2017, at the Elm Crest Retirement Community, Harlan, Iowa. He had reached the age of 94 years, 6 months, and 5 days.

He is survived by his wife Donnabelle John of Harlan, Iowa, and his daughter Deborah John of Timnath, Colorado, as well as brother William Harold John of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and sisters Phyllis Hardisty of Las Vegas, Nevada, Margaret Hough of Des Moines, Iowa, and Marjorie Adair of Mondamin, Iowa. He is preceded in death by his parents Nicholas and Gladys John; brothers Lloyd Charles John, Robert John, and Jerald John; and sisters Lucille Brandriff, Helen House, and Alice Earwood.

The funeral service was held on Friday, February 3, 2017, at the Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home, Harlan, Iowa, with Rev. Darwin Moore officiating. Dianne Lawson served as the pianist, and Sharon Donlin was the soloist. Casket bearers were Larry John, Tony Hough, Larry White, Randy Feldman, Stan Knudsen, and Doug Burmeister. Burial was in the Harlan Cemetery in Harlan, Iowa. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, a contribution in Edward’s name be made to the First United Methodist Church, Harlan, Iowa. The Burmeister-Johannsen Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa, was in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.burmeisterjohannsen.com.