John Pickart

JOHN A. PICKART

Keystone

John A. Pickart, 81, died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017, at his home of an apparent heart attack.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, at Phillips Funeral Home in Keystone. To honor John's wishes, the casket will remain closed at all times. A Celebration of Life will be held at Keystone Turner Hall from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday with a time to share memories of John. Refreshments will be served. Private committal services will be held in Keystone Cemetery.

John was born Nov. 18, 1935, in Norway to Anton and Lena (Bigge) Pickart. He graduated from Keystone High School in 1953.

On June 22, 1954, he was united in marriage to Charlene Van Horbeck at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Belle Plaine.

John worked as a hired man and then went into farming on his own. He then was employed at Standard Oil of Keystone. Before his retirement, he worked at O'Grady Chemical Plant in Van Horne for 48 years.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Van Horne, Keystone Turners and a charter member of the Keystone Optimist Club. John was a devoted fan of NASCAR racing and also loved visiting with his brothers for coffee most mornings.

John is survived by his loving wife, Charlene; their five children, Larry (Lori) Pickart of Robins, Tim (Dorene) Pickart of Keystone, Darin Pickart of Keystone, Vicky (Rick) Myers of Palo and Cathy Becker of Atkins; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Ed (Carol) Pickart of Vinton and Richard (Dianne) Pickart of Van Horne; his sisters, Ilene Paulsen of Coralville, Mary Jane (David) Schallau of Lincoln, Neb., and Linda (Joe) Kaloupek of Elberon; his sister-in-law, Maureen (Ron) Kern of Cedar Rapids; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son-in-law, Roger Becker; his sister, Dorothy Gloede; his brothers-in-law, Verlus Gloede, Herb Paulsen and Richard Van Horbeck; and his niece, Patrice Pickart Strellner.

Condolences may be left at www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com.