John Wall

JOHN P. WALL

Iowa City

John P. Wall, 87, peacefully entered his eternal home Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, after a long battle with escalating health issues. The family will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 8, at St. Bernadette's Catholic Church, West Branch. Co-celebrants will be Father Guillermo Trevino Jr. and Father Dennis Martin. Friends may view the Mass on the St. Bernadette's Facebook page. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7, at the church. All guests attending the visitation are required to wear a face mask and abide by social distancing guidelines. Committal services will be held at St. Bridget's Cemetery at noon Friday. In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations to the Johnson County 4-H Endowment Fund, Friends of St. Bridget's and the West Branch or Solon Fire Departments. Memorials may be sent to the family in care of P.O. Box 167, Iowa City, IA 52244.

John was born March 19, 1933, in Iowa City, Iowa, the youngest child of John and Mary Leonard Wall. He was a 1951 graduate of City High School. John was a lifelong farmer. John served in the U.S. Army from 1953-55. John enjoyed his entire life living on Morse Road on the family farm that he worked with his brother, Larry, and then son, Tom. The land was designated a Century Farm in 2016. John married the love of his life, Mary Ellen Martin, on Aug. 25, 1959, at St. Patrick's Church in Fairfax, Iowa.

Seasons and projects are never ending on a farm, but John carved out time to help the community, pork industry and farm business. He was involved in the Pork Producers at the county, state and national levels. John was part of the National Livestock and Meat board, serving as the Pork Industry Group chairman. A 4-H leader for the Graham Champions club, he and Mary Ellen were 2003 inductees into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame. John was part of the Johnson County Fair Association. He served on the US Bank board of directors from 1989-2005. John was recognized as an Iowa Master Farmer and an Iowa Master Pork Producer. He was active in establishing Friends of St. Bridget's to support the church site that his great-grandparents played a part in starting in 1859.

He was an avid sports fan and was a long time season ticket holder for Iowa Hawkeye football and basketball games. John enjoyed being a part of the Iowa Quarterback Club. Those eyes that watched many a Hawkeye victory were donated to Iowa Lions Eye Bank to hopefully help another person.

John is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen and their daughter, Mary (Steve) of Gainesville, Fla.; his daughter-in-law, Anita; and three grandchildren, Rachel (Jim) Sweeney of Alden, Greg Wall (Hayley) of Iowa City and Sarah (Brandon) Reinberg of Gladbrook; his beloved great-grandchildren, Charlee and Chance Wall and Ruby, Lane and Brooks Reinberg; cherished in-laws and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.

John was preceded in death by his son, Tom; and daughter, Margaret Ann; brother, Larry; sisters, Mary Sheda, Jean Howell and Laurena Lehman; and parents. John and Mary Wall.

Arrangements and online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.