Sword, John M. 'Grumpy'

John M. “Grumpy” Sword, 91, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Sunday, April 1, 2012, in his home following a lingering illness. A memorial service celebrating John's life will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 4, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories with the Rev. James Goodrich officiating. Inurnment will be in Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery with military rites. A visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday at the Chapel of Memories.

Survivors include his nephew, Don (Cathy) Mahuran of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and nieces, Paula Sexton of Cedar Falls, Deni (Joe) von Merveldt of Cappell, Texas, and Sheri Gardner of Grand Prairie, Texas.

Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Nita Sword of Irving, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Ina Mahuran and Iva Weatherwax; brothers, Irvin “Wormy” Sword and Paul Sword; and nephew, Scott Sword.

John Monroe Sword was born Nov. 8, 1920, in Western, Iowa, the son of Irvin and Alma Sword. John completed one year at Coe College. In 1940 he went to work in the Engineering Department of Iowa Manufacturing. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Army with the 79th Infantry Division which was in active fighting from June 19, 1944 through April 14, 1945, in Europe. After being discharged, he returned to Iowa Manufacturing, until he retired at age 61.

He was a member of the Church of the Brethren where he played on the softball and volleyball teams. Other hobbies included gardening, bowling and writing his memoir's of the war, “Grumpy's Trials.”

Memorials may be given in his name to the Alzheimer's Association, 317 Seventh Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Online condolences may be left at under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette May 2, 2012