Chesmore, John 'Jack' R.

John “Jack” R. Chesmore, 80, formerly of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, at Tuscany Hospice House, Summerfield, Fla. Services: 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Family will greet friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Chesmore of Ocala, Fla.; three children, Anne Chesmore of Cedar Rapids, John E. Chemore of St. Louis, Mo. and Joe Chesmore of Cedar Rapids; six stepchildren, David Ellickson, Denise (Doug) Palumbo, Donald (Shelley) Ellickson, Joel (Jennifer) Ellickson, Judy Ellickson and Lori Ellickson, all of Cedar Rapids; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Buffy.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and first wife, MaryAnn Chesmore.

Jack was born Oct. 1, 1932, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, son of Willard and Gertrude (Thomas) Chesmore. He graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951. Jack worked for Linkbelt/FMC until they closed. He then worked at Iowa Manufacturing until he retired in 1991. He married MaryAnn Suits in 1956. she passed Feb. 14, 1990. Jack then married Donna Rae Ellickson on Oct. 3, 1993, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. The couple then moved to Florida. He was a member of the Ascension Lutheran Church in Ocala. Jack participated in the Cedar Rapids Civil Defense Program and was a Master Gardener in Florida. The couple was a member of the Ocala Dance club. Jack enjoyed fishing, camping and socializing and loved Fords and Harley Davidsons.

Memorials may be directed to the Hospice of Marion County Florida or Alzheimer's Association.

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

Published in The Gazette Aug. 27, 2013.