116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Obituaries
The Gazette publishes obituaries on a daily basis. Use the search field above to search for obituaries by name or keyword. Readers can submit an obituary or submit a milestone to The Gazette. The obituary must be submitted before 1 p.m. for publication on thegazette.com at 6 p.m. and in the daily edition the next day, with the exception of obituaries for Sunday publication, which must be submitted by 1 p.m. on Fridays.
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
                                        Monday, July 28, 2025                                    
                                    John Anthony Mellecker
Age: 85
City: Tipton
Funeral Home
                                            Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service
                                        Monday, July 28, 2025
                                    
                                    John Anthony Mellecker
John Anthony Mellecker
Tipton
John Anthony Mellecker, age 85, of Tipton, Iowa, passed away Saturday, July 26, 2025 surrounded by his loving family.
Mass of Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 31 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Tipton. Visitation will be Wednesday, July 30 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Lensing Funeral and Cremation Service in Iowa City, where the Rosary will be recited at 3:30 p.m. Burial will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetary in Iowa City.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of your choice.
John was born October 10, 1939 in Iowa City, to John "Jack" Mellecker and Mary Jenn Mellecker. He grew up on the family's farm south of Iowa City. In 1958, John graduated from St. Patrick's Catholic High School and a year later married classmate Marlene Kinney on October 31, 1959. John was hard-working and dedicated and had many professions throughout his life, most notably as co-owner (with his brother Ed) of J&E Repair in Tipton, IA. He then went on to work for Cedar County Secondary Roads and even in his retirement served as a bus driver for Tipton Schools.
In his free time, John enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing cards, watching NASCAR and was a loyal Hawkeye fan. Over the years, John loved supporting his children and grandchildren with all of their sports and activities. He also served in the National Guard and was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary's Catholic Church.
John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Marlene Kinney Mellecker; and his children, Michelle Earnest of North Liberty, IA, Mark (Jenni) Mellecker of Tomball, TX, Melissa (Jason) Becker of Ankeny, IA; his seven grandchildren, Mallory, Kameron, Ashley, Jordan, Easton, Ella, Emmarie; four great-grandsons, Evan, Landen, Kannin and Kieran; his siblings and their families Edward (Barbara) Mellecker and Mary Ann Kral.
John was preceded in death by his parents Jack and Mary Mellecker, granddaughter Kourtney Earnest, brother-in-law David Kral and sister-in-law Verla Whinery.
Online condolences may be sent to www.lensingfuneral.com.

 
                                    

 
  
  
                                         
                                         
                         
								        
									 
																			     
										
																		     Daily Newsletters
Daily Newsletters