John Clary

JOHN R. CLARY

Springville

John R. Clary, 77, passed away Feb. 17, 2016, at Bright Cavanaugh Hospice in Des Moines. The family will greet friends from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Funeral services will take place 10:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22, at Springville United Methodist Church. There will be a visitation one hour before the service at the church. Graveside services will follow the church service at Springville Cemetery. A luncheon will follow at the church.

John is survived by his daughter, Inez Rammelsberg; granddaughters, Brandi and Calise; brother, Daniel Townsend; sisters, Jean Dunham, Mabel Caspers and Ruth Ann King; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, his wife, Betty; two brothers, Ray and Robert; his sister, Opal; and his son-in-law, Albert.

John was born to Ruth (Ralston) and Raymond Clary on Sept. 24, 1938, in Iowa City. He graduated from Central City High School, Class of 1959. As a young man, John worked as a farm hand for many local farmers. On Nov. 1, 1965, John married Betty Joslin in Anamosa.

He was a painter for Iowa Steel and Iron Works for many years. Every summer he would take his vacation time from the plant to teach Bible School in Whittier. After Iowa Steel closed, he and his family opened Clary's Cozy Cafe in Springville. Later he was a dietary aide at Hallmark Care Center in Mount Vernon. While there he would brighten the residents' days with his beautiful singing.

He was a kind and caring man, helping loved ones and strangers alike. Friends and family will fondly remember all of the wonderful and happy times.

Memorials may be directed to the family in John's honor.

Please share a memory of John at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.