Wendling 'JD', John D.

John D. Wendling “JD,” 94, of Iowa City, formerly of Burlington, died Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, at Crestview Care Center in West Branch. Memorial services are being planned for the early part of December at the Newman Center in Iowa City (date and time to be announced).

At John's request, his body has been donated to the University of Iowa for medical research.

IJohn was born June 20, 1918, in Independence, Iowa, the son of George and Mae (Joyce) Wendling. He graduated from Conception Academy in Fairbank in 1936 and from Gates Business College in Waterloo and Iowa State University, where he was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Following college he enlisted in the United States Navy, serving during World War II. On July 30, 1947, John was united in marriage to Margaret “Mardy” Wengert in Independence.

For over 30 years, John worked as a cattle buyer for Rath Packing Co. in Waterloo and Muscatine. He then worked for Raid Quarries and Cessford Construction in Burlington, where he and Mardy lived until moving to Iowa City in 2008 to be nearer to family.

He was a member of the Southeast Iowa Builders Association, the Moose, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent DePaul Association, Catholic Order of the Foresters and the United Commercial Travelers. John was an avid Iowa Hawkeye fan, thoroughly enjoying traveling with Mardy to every home football game for over 30 years. He liked playing bridge, restoring antique toy tractors and pedal cars and woodworking.

His family includes his four children, Kathryn (Richard) McKinley M.D. of Beaufort, S.C., Michael Wendling of Honduras, James (Cris) Wendling of Bettendorf and Christine (Brent) DeNeice of Iowa City; 11 grandchildren, Ian McKinley, Seth McKinley, Joshua (Amy) McKinley, Lacey (Tony) Keener, Laurenzco (Noeli) Nicholson, Magdalena Wendling, Elizabeth Wendling, Margaret Wendling, Shelby DeNeice, Kiaya DeNeice and Olivia DeNeice; a great-granddaughter, Avery McKinley;  and his sister, Madeline Mock of West Union.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mardy; sister, Catherine Wendling; brother, Donald Wendling; and a great-grandchild, Ayden McKinley.

Instead of flowers, memorial donations can be made in John's memory to Crestview Care Center in West Branch or St. Vincent DePaul Association in Burlington.

Online condolences may be sent for his family through the Web at www.gayandciha.com.

Published Nov. 2, 2012 in The Gazette