John Ahart

John Ahart

Cedar Rapids

John Henry Ahart, 89, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away in his home on March 2, 2024. A private funeral mass was held at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids.

John was born on June 1, 1934 in Albia, Iowa to John and Geralda (Schleier) Ahart. After his mother passed away in 1944, the family relocated to Ames, Iowa where they resided in a large white home in the shadow of what is now Hilton Coliseum. John attended Ames High School, where he participated in basketball and football, earning all-conference football honors.

John earned a degree in journalism from Iowa State College (later named Iowa State University), where he was on the Iowa State Daily staff as a photographer and writer, as well as part of the Iowa State freshman football squad. John remained a fiercely proud ISU alum and fervent fan of Iowa State athletics, singing his team’s praises as a longtime football season-ticket holder and member of the Linn County Cyclone Club.

John was united in marriage to Claire Crowley in 1956 and together they had seven children. They later divorced. He married Patricia Smith in 1997.

After college, John began his career in Mansfield, Ohio as director of Junior Achievement. He later transferred to Cedar Rapids where he opened and directed the local JA office. He subsequently held positions as account executive with WMT-AM Radio, director of the Kidney Foundation and director of the MS Society.

John is survived by his wife Patricia, sister Mary Ann (Leonard) Valley, children Kathleen Ahart (Shawn Weldon), David Ahart, Michael (Echo) Ahart, Teresa (Rob) Yancey, Mary (Rob) Moller, Beth (Charlie) Wolf, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and his wife’s children Patty Smith and Sue Schneweis.

He was preceded in death by his son Mark Ahart and his brother Paul Ahart.

The family would like to thank Mercy Hospital and Mercy Hospice for John’s care. Memorials may be directed to the Mercy Foundation, 701 10th Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.