Godar, John Alfred

John Alfred Godar, formerly of Marion, died at the Iowa Veterans Home on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009, at the age of 90. Funeral Mass: 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 14, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion, by Father John Gossman, with military rites provided by Marion American Legion Post 298. The family will greet friends from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday at the church, where a parish vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Private family burial to take place at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

John was born to John and Nellie (Devine) Godar in Hardin, Ill., on Nov. 5, 1919, joining siblings, Eloise and Ruth. Later, his brother, Fred was born. John was preceded in death by sisters, Agness Elizabeth, Mary Elizabeth, Kathleen Dolores and Naomi Lee, all who died before adulthood.

Growing up along the Illinois River, John had a love of nature and began learning the carpenter trade from his grandfather, Albro Devine. During World War II, John enlisted in the Army and served as a staff sergeant in England, North Africa and Italy. Returning to the states, John went to trade school in St. Louis, Mo. There he met his future wife, Mary Dorothy Pospishil, the daughter of Ed and Florence (Postel) Pospishil from Martelle, Iowa. On June 17, 1947, John and Mary were married and recently celebrated 62 years of marriage.

John and Mary moved to Cedar Rapids, where John was employed as a Master Carpenter, and eventually as a superintendent. In 1956, John and Mary moved to Marion and lived there for 54 years. They had 13 children, 27 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. They were longtime members of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Marion American Legion Post 298, and were active supporters of their children and grandchildren's activities. John and Mary lived at the Iowa Veterans Home since February 2007.

 John was preceded in death by his parents, and sister, Eloise.

Left to remember his gifts of life are his wife, Mary Dorothy; children, Terrance (Wanda) Godar of Pennsylvania, Catherine (Terry) Kauffman of Brattleboro, Vt., Maureen Godar of Hiawatha, Jane Godar (Mike) Kreiter of Overland Park, Kan., Ann (Joe) Nicholson of Cedar Rapids, Mark (Donna) Godar of Grinnell, Matthew (Margie) Godar of Houston, Texas, Theresa (Ken) Walton of Marshalltown, Luke Godar of Oskaloosa, Patrick (Cherie) Godar of Madison, Wis., Steve (Ann) Godar of Marion, Ed Godar of Marion and John (Colleen) Godar of Marion; brother, Fred (Betty) Godar of Florissant, Mo.; and sister, Ruth Schaberg of St. Charles, Mo.

Memorials may be directed to Iowa Veterans Home, 1301 Summit St., Marshalltown, IA 50158 in memory of John.

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