Harden, John E.

John E. Harden, 90, died Friday, April 26, 2013 at Mercy Medical Center, Cedar Rapids.

A private burial will be held at a later date. A celebration of John's life will be held at the Tipton VFW at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Arrangements are with Fry Funeral Home, Tipton.

John was born April 30, 1922, in Gilbertville, Iowa, to Henry Clay and Clara (Schoening) Harden.

John served in World War II as part of the famous Darby's 1st Ranger Battalion until being captured and held prisoner of war. While serving his country, John earned the rank of Corporal and received the prestigious Purple Heart. After the war, he returned to his Iowa roots and married Ethel Van Velkinburg on June 1, 1947, at Little Bit of Heaven in Davenport. They remained in the Tipton-Lisbon-Mount Vernon area and spent most of their years farming in the Lisbon-Mount Vernon area before retiring to Tipton.

John enjoyed spending time outside fishing and gardening, and spent many evenings playing lively family card games.

John is survived by his wife, Ethel Harden; daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Rod Coiner of Tipton, and granddaughters, Kandy Tigerwright and Kathy Hankemeier; son, Ed Harden of Olin, and grandsons, Bill, Wes, and Scott Harden; numerous great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.

John was the last of the Hardens in his generation and is preceded in death by siblings Kenneth Harden, Murt Achey, Henry Harden II, Louis Harden, Lucille Dameron, Gene Harden, Bobby Harden, and Al and LeRoy Wehde.

Published April 28, 2013, in The Gazette