Saddler, John W.

John W. Saddler, 73, of 1009 Wright Brothers Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids, died Saturday, June 26, 2010, as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. Funeral Mass: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 30, at St. Jude's Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Mark Reasoner. Friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids, where a Scripture service will be held at 6 p.m. Burial: Union Cemetery, Sumner.

Survivors include his wife, Lillian; sons, Tim (Tana) Saddler of Glenwood, Iowa, Dan (Lisa) Saddler of Dubuque and Mike (Wendy) Saddler of Council Bluffs; nine grandchildren, Jonathan, Jacob, Joshua, Joseph, Evan, Elli, Emma, Logan and Maren; two brothers, Tom (Claudia) Saddler of Coal Valley, Ill., and Jim (Sherry) Saddler of Anamosa; and sister, Bernice (Don) Crisamore of San Antonio, Texas.

John was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Arlene; and a brother, Francis.

Born July 22, 1936, in Harpers Ferry, Iowa, John was the son of Michael and Adeline (McCormick) Saddler. He served in the U.S. Army. On April 27, 1962, he was united in marriage to Lillian Zell. John worked as the aviation director for the city of Cedar Rapids until retiring in 2000.

John was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, the Quiet Birdman and Airborne Law Enforcement Association. He enjoyed going on tractor rides, motorcycle rides and wintering in South Texas with his wife Lillian. He was also an airplane and helicopter instructor, having many students throughout the years. He taught his three sons to fly. He was most proud of his sons and grandchildren and enjoyed spending time with them.

A memorial fund has been established in John's memory.

Please sign the online guest book for John at  under obituaries.