John Joseph Szewc

John Joseph Szewc

Hiawatha

John Joseph Szewc, 78, of Hiawatha, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16, at the Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, at St Pius X Catholic Church. Interment at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

John was born on Sept. 25, 1944, in Peckville, Pa., to Walter Sr. and Anna (Sumra) Szewc. John married the love of his life, Margaret Michaely, on July 31, 1965. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1962 and served for 22 years in security and intelligence before retiring as a Master Gunnery Sgt. He and Margaret then moved to Iowa with their children where he began a 21 year career with Rockwell International before retiring in 2005. After retiring from Collins, John spent much of his free time entering sweepstakes and contests and relished in sharing his amazing prizes with his family.

John was a hard working family man who was known for being consistent and dependable and always put his loved ones first. He was a devout Catholic and a loving husband. He will always be remembered for playing small pranks, lotto tickets, loving a good deal - especially a buy one get one sale, his love-hate relationship with his beloved New York Yankees, Sunday morning polka songs, providing an endless supply of kielbasa for holidays and BBQing meat into near beef jerky.

Left to cherish John's memory is his wife of 57 years, Margaret; children, John Jr. (Sandy), Richard (Julie), Stephen (Tamara) and Laurie (Kane) Carlton; and grandchildren, Kyle, Jill, Jenna (Ray), Michael, Andrew, Alexandria, Madison, Megan, Chase, Kaden, Ashlee, Blake and Kaleb; and great-grandchild, Wesley.

John was preceded in death by his son, David; parents; and brother, Walter Szewc Jr.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in John's honor to the American Red Cross.

Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.