John E. Feller, Jr.

John E. Feller, Jr., 85, passed away from a 6-month battle with prostate cancer on Friday, December 21, 2012 at home with his family by his side. John was born on June 3, 1927 to Mathilda (Brichler) and John E. Feller, Sr. in New Alsace, Indiana. He attended St. Paul's Catholic Grade School and Guildford High School. John briefly considered entering the priesthood and studied at St. Meinrad Seminary in Indiana for 6 months.

After graduation from high school, John joined the Merchant Marines in 1945 to proudly serve his country and set off to see the world. He was with the Merchant Marines from 1945 - 1950 and joined the Navy out of Lake Forest, IL from 1951 - 1954. John served during both the World War II and Koren War eras. Interestingly, with all of that water service, John never learned how to swim.

After completing his military service, John had a long and storied career as salesman extraordinaire and business owner. He worked for Remington Rand in Chicago, transferred to Milwaukee and finally settled with Remington as a branch manager in Des Moines in 1962. In 1976, John bought the branch office and Feller Office Machines was born. He ran the company successfully for another 15 years and was greatly admired by customers and employees alike.

Since retirement 20 years ago, John has been very active in the Beaverdale V.F.W. Post 9127. He has served as Commander of the Post and has held the Membership recruitment position for many years. John was instrumental in increasing the Post's membership to over 500 and was recognized as the top recruiter for the state of Iowa in 2011.

John had an amazing singing voice. He started singing in the choir at age 8 at St. Paul's Church, he sang in the Blue Jackets Choir in the Navy and sang Barbershop as a tenor in Cincinnati, Milwaukee and Des Moines. Until a few years ago, John sang with Christ the King's Men's Choir and as a soloist.

John also liked to have a good time and spent many years after retirement in a variety of activities to keep himself amused and serve his community. He worked as a seasonal worker at the post office sorting packages and mail for Christmas, he served as the doorman at the State of Iowa House of Representatives and with his amazing voice, had a lead in the play "I Shall Not Be Moved" at the Ingersoll Dinner Theater in 1998. He continued his singing career by making tapes and CDs of his spiritual music and sold copies over the last 15 years. An avid crossword puzzle afficionado, John loved to do the puzzles from the newspaper every day of the week.

Developing a keen interest in politics during his retirement years, John supported John Kerry in his presidential campaign across Iowa in 2004 and was seen numerous times on television, in Newsweek Magazine and the Washington Post. He even "opened" for Jon Bon Jovi at a campaign rally in Des Moines. Definitely a Forest Gump sort of guy, John kept popping up everywhere in the media, something he greatly enjoyed. Most recently, John was giving back to the community in a most clever and unique way. Dressed in full Abe Lincoln regalia, John traveled to various grade schools and retirement communities reciting the Gettysburg Address to children and elders alike. He particularly loved interacting with the children and answering their endless questions about dear old Abe.

John is survived by his wife, Jean, his daughters Carol (Peter) Sandman of Los Gatos, CA and Diana (Dan Gomis) Feller of Grimes, IA, his step-children Melanie Vivone of Van Meter, Barb (Greg) Moeller and Kevin (Jan) Cooper both of Des Moines. A loving and fun grandfather, John is survived by 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, sisters Irene Hicks of Aurora, IN, Dorothy Stephenson of Cincinnati, OH, brother Donald (Hazel) Feller of Harrison, OH and many neices and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two infant brothers, his sister Frances Peters and his brother Clarence (Lefty) Feller.

A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, December 28, 2012 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 5711 SW 9th Street. Burial will follow the service at Iowa Veteran Cemetery in Van Meter. Family will greet friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27 at the church with a Rosary to begin at 7:00 p.m. and a Vigil Service to begin at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's name may be made to the Beaverdale V.F.W., Post #9127, 4029 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50310.

On-line condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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