John E. 'Jack' Spoden

JOHN E. "JACK" SPODEN

Epworth

John E. "Jack" Spoden, 93, of Epworth, Iowa, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Shady Rest Care Center in Cascade, Iowa, surrounded by his family.

Friends and relatives of Jack may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, at the Reiff Funeral Home in Epworth, where

a prayer service will be held at 3:30 p.m. and the Farley American Legion services will be held at 7 p.m. Friends also may call after 9 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 28, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Epworth, with the Rev. Michael Schueller presiding. Burial will be held in St. Patrick's Cemetery, with full military honors afforded by the Farley American Legion-Post 656.

Jack was born Sept. 17, 1925, in Worthington, Iowa, son of John C. and Adeline (Lehnhoff) Spoden. He was a graduate of St. Paul's High School and also attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. On June 10, 1952, he was united in marriage to Jane E. Losey at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Worthington. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2001.

Jack was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II. He worked at the Credit Rating Bureau of Dubuque, operated the Farley Bowling Alley and was a butcher at Greenwood's Grocery. He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for 25 years until his retirement in 1984. Jack enjoyed hunting, fishing, baseball, softball, bowling and dancing.

He was a member of St. Patrick's parish in Epworth and served on the parish council. He also was a 60-year member of Farley American Legion Post 656.

He is survived by five children, Joan (Wayne) Marxen of Epworth, Iowa, James Spoden of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Joseph (Karen) Spoden of Robins, Iowa, Judy (Jerry) Connolly of Farley, Iowa, and Jerry (Margie) Spoden of Marion, Iowa; eight grandchildren, Adam (Kristy) Marxen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Justin (Laura) Marxen of Hiawatha, Iowa, Rachel (Terry) Kramer of Bernard, Iowa, Angela (Dan) Meyers of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Michelle (Will) Amerine and Jamie (Andy) Lollback, both of Lakewood, Colo., and Amber (Lori McDermott) Connolly and Christopher Spoden, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; 13 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Ann (John) Heiberger of Epworth, Iowa; and brother-in-law, Maurice Losey of Dubuque, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; a brother, Karl (Florence) Spoden; and a brother-in-law, Bill Beresford.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.reifffuneralhomeinc.com.