John Anderson Jr.

JOHN W. ANDERSON JR.

Cedar Rapids

John William Anderson Jr., 83, moved on to his heavenly home Friday, March 3, 2017, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha, after losing his battle with cancer. Services: 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 8, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Pastor Tom Pietz will officiate. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, and one hour before the service on March 8 at the funeral home. Entombment: Linwood Mausoleum, Cedar Rapids.

John is survived by his wife, Delores (Dee); his children, John R. Anderson and Cynthia S. (Michael) Mahoney; his five grandchildren, Jessica Allie, Katie Miner, Christine (Blake) Anderson, John W. Anderson and Carrie (Chris) Kaegbein; his 13 great-grandchildren, Jade and Shane Allie, Ebony Watkins, Spencer Milling, Marissa and Maleah Miner, Aiden, Adrianna, Ava and Axton Anderson and Zoey, Lucy and Cameron Kaegbein; and his two great-great-granddaughters, Sarin and Ariya Gregson. John also is survived by his siblings, Audrey Post of Clayton, N.C., Gerald (Patricia) Anderson of Albia, Iowa, Richard (Sharon) Anderson of Altoona, Iowa, and Margret Darrah of Defiance, Ohio; brother-in-law, Payton Collins; sisters-in-law, Jan Anderson, Marie Van Benthuysen and Evelyn (Leland) Gray; 18 nieces; 21 nephews; many great- and great-great-nieces and nephews; cousins; and friends.

John was born Sept. 18, 1933, at home at Miller Ridge (Monroe County), Iowa. He was the seventh child of 13 children born to John W. Sr. and Helen (Carlton) Anderson. He spent his youth growing up in the Albia area and later spent time in California. He was joined in marriage to Delores (Dee) Van Benthuysen for over 60 years. John and Delores had been residents of Cedar Rapids for over 48 years after moving here from Des Moines. John retired from the transportation industry after over 50 years. He enjoyed conversations and playing different games with family and friends. He was always busy doing projects and working around the house.

Most of all, he enjoyed his family, and in his final years, he especially enjoyed his great- and great-great- grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr. and Helen (Carlton) Anderson; brothers, Mason, Lloyd, Harold, Donald and Ernest Anderson; sisters, Evelyn Barker, Virginia Sims and Ida Mae Collins; and father- and mother-in-law, James (Earl) and Annie (Lindly) Van Benthuysen.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, 315 18th Ave., Hiawatha, IA 52233, or to donor's choice.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.