John Edward McDonough

John Edward McDonough

Cedar Rapids

John Edward McDonough, 87, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died Tuesday, June 7, 2022, at UnityPoint Health-St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 19, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, June 20, at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories. Burial to follow at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for John Edward McDonough, under the video tab starting at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 20.

John Edward McDonough was born on March 8, 1935, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Frank and Anna (Sulek) McDonough. He married Edna Bortner on March 9, 1956, in Blue Earth, Minna. After attending Iowa State University John was hired at Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he worked in various positions for over 39 years. One of the highlights of his time at Collins was working on the Space Shuttle program.

After retiring from Collins, John became intrigued by the prospect of volunteering when he heard a presentation by RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program). He thought it (volunteering) 'might give him something to do weekly.' As one of the founding fathers of two volunteer organizations in Cedar Rapids, John has made his mark on our community. First, RCRV Inc. is an organization of Rockwell Collins Retirees involved in a wide range of volunteer activities in the community. Second, in April 2005, a coalition of agencies and individuals came together to form WRAP, (Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program) to provide cost-effective support to the aging and disabled populations.

In November 1995, John applied to volunteer at St. Luke’s Hospital, where he became involved with the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP), a free service from the state of Iowa that helps people sort through confusing health insurance information. Counselors provide unbiased cost comparisons of Medicare supplements, Advantage and prescription drug plans. John received many awards while serving with SHIIP with the highlight being inducted into the Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame in 2019. John retired from volunteering in August 2020.

Other activities John enjoyed was bowling, fishing and hunting. He was in many bowling leagues over the years. Many family vacations were ‘built’ around fishing, and he made many trips to Canada and Minnesota to fish. In his later years he enjoyed taking his grandchildren bowling and fishing.

Survivors include his two daughters, Danele Stites of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Diane Stammeyer of Marion, Iowa; two sons, Douglas (Laura) of Fort Myers, Fla., and Daniel of Tallmadge, Ohio; a sister, Joyce (Clete) of Ames, Iowa; eight grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.

John was preceded in death by his parents and spouse, Edna, in 2021; a sister, Rosemary; and grandson, Aaron Carpenter.

John left behind a legacy in volunteer work and will forever be remembered as a loving and caring husband, father, uncle and grandfather whose memory will be cherished by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in John’s name to the St Luke’s Foundation: 855 Ave. NE, Suite 105, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402; or The WRAP Program Wheelchair Ramp Accessibility Program of Iowa - WRAP (wrapiowa.org).

Please leave message or tribute to the McDonough family on our web page, www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.