DeMeulenaere, Dr. John C.

Dr. John C. DeMeulenaere, 96, of Grinnell, died Dec. 21, 2011, at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Mass of the Resurrection has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell, with the Rev. Nick Adam officiating. Organist will be Marilyn Kreigel accompanied by the St. Mary's Choir. Pallbearers will be John Kelly and David DeMeulenaere, Scot, Andrew, Pat and John Rainbolt, David Cassorla, and William Smith. Honorary bearers will be Charles Bethel, Dr. Raymond Light, Merlin Manatt, Don Pederson, Paul Peiffer, Ned Postels, Robert Smith, Vic Verrette, Dr. Vic Wilson, and Wally Walker. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. A Scripture service will be held at 5 p.m. Monday at Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 Monday evening at the funeral home, with the family present from 5:30 to 7:30.

John was born Sept. 2, 1915, on a farm north of Brooklyn, the son of Clement and Mary Victoria (Van De Walle) DeMeulenaere. He attended rural school near his home and was a 1933 graduate of Brooklyn High School. He attended the University of Iowa and graduated from medical school there in 1939. He was a veteran of the United States Army during World War II, serving in the south pacific as a front line medic. Upon discharge from military duties in 1946, he lived in Detroit for a year serving his medical internship at St. Joseph's Hospital.

On July 2, 1947, he was united in marriage to Catherine Kelly in Fort Madison, Iowa, and the couple made their home in Grinnell. He practiced medicine in Grinnell for 40 years and retired in 1987.

John was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Grinnell. He was also a member of the AMA, a life member of the Iowa Medical Society, Grinnell Regional Medical Center staff, and served on the St. Francis Manor and Seeland Park board. He enjoyed reading, traveling, and playing bridge.

Survivors include his wife, Cathy of Grinnell; six children, Diane (Warren) Weber of Albuquerque, N.M., Katie (Scot) Rainboldt of Papillion, Neb., Ann Marie (David Cassorla) DeMeulenaere of Chicago, John Kelly DeMeulenaere of Grinnell, David DeMeulenaere of Aspen, Colo., and Joan (Doug) Stolberg of Pelham, N.Y.; one sister, Margaret (John) Stirniman of Marion; 10 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Carol DeMeulenaere; two sisters, Madeline White and Darlene DeMeulenaere; and one brother, Leonard DeMeulenaere.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Grinnell Regional Medical Center or St. Mary's Catholic Church.

Published Dec. 24, 2011, in The Gazette