Jon R. Moeller
December 04, 2013
Jon Moeller, 62, passed away December 4, 2013 after developing a dissected aorta. Jon was born April 7, 1951 to Lyle and Emma Moeller of Gladbrook, Iowa. He was raised on the family farm with his brother and two sisters and graduated from Gladbrook High School in 1969. Jon’s passion was wrestling, and he won the state championship as a senior at 112 pounds, capping an undefeated season of 29-0.
He went on to wrestle at the University of Northern Iowa under Chuck Patten. He was a North Central Conference Champion, earning All-American honors in 1971. After graduation, Jon taught and coached wrestling at West Marshall High School. In 1974, he went to Saydel High School, where he coached wrestling, taught drivers’ education, was the activities director and assistant vice principal. He got his Master’s degree in 1980 at Northeast Missouri State, now Truman State University. Jon married his wife Joanne in 1987. In 1989, Jon left education and started his own sales business.
Jon stayed active in wrestling most of his life, either coaching, refereeing, or volunteering at high school and wrestling events. Most recently Jon was an enthusiastic member of the UNI Panther Wrestling Club, where he was a board member and vice president.
While at Saydel, Jon became a member of the Moingona Hunt Club and spent many Sundays riding his great mare CC with the hunt on a fruitless quest for fox. Besides wrestling, Jon’s other great passion was polo. He had been a member of the Des Moines Polo Club for nearly 30 years, and was always on the lookout for a new polo pony to add to his string. He loved horses and spent many hours working with them (and cleaning tack).
Wherever he went, Jon made many friends, whether it was through horses, wrestling, school or otherwise. He never missed an opportunity to help others; Jon’s last selfless act was to be a tissue donor. He was patient, kind, and never complained about all the animals his wife brought home. Missing him very much are his wife, Joanne; son, Ben; mother, Emma; brother, Jay (Debbie Anne); and sisters, Jess (Mike) Putnam and Jo Arbuckle. He was preceded in death by his father, Lyle.
Many thanks to the dedicated physicians and nurses at Iowa Methodist who went to extraordinary lengths to care for Jon and his family. Visitation will be at Hamilton’s Altoona Funeral Home, 105 4th Street SW, from 5 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 9, 2013. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at Lutheran Church of the Cross, 1701 8th St. SW in Altoona, followed by burial at Canfield Cemetery.
Memorials are suggested to the UNI Panthers Wrestling Club, P.O. Box 1131, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614 or Friends of Iowa Public Television.
Online condolences may be expressed at
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.
John and Nancy (Isaac) Scroggs
12/08/2013
Joanne and Ben, Please accept our deepest condolences. You both and all your family are in our prayers. Hopefully good memories will see you through this sad time. With love.
Rod and Terri Landt
12/08/2013
Jess, Jay and Jo,
We cannot say more than what others have said here already about Jon and, how he touched everyone who knew him. May you seek comfort at this time through family and friends, and knowing someday we all will be reunited with Jon. With love and heartfelt sympathy to each one of you. God Bless!!!
Rhonda (Bricker) Gammell
12/07/2013
Coach Moeller was well-liked and respected at Saydel High School in '74 and '75 when we knew and loved him as Wrestling Cheerleaders. He was so handsome and sweet, and I think every girl in the school had a crush on him. My sympathy to his family.
Michael Bauer
12/07/2013
He was a great coach & teacher ! May he rest in peace !! See you again coach !! & you will be able to teach me again some day !! So glad you was on my side !!
John Hooper
12/07/2013
Jon was a great wrestler and a fine human being. He was an inspiration to the rest of us on the squad even before he became GHS's first state champ.
Condolences to Jon's family.
Joyce (Ehrig) Rowley
12/07/2013
I was saddened to hear about Jon. He was a sweet kind friend from the Gladbrook High School class of 1969. He always had a smile and a kind word. May God help Jon's family and close friends during this time and for the years to come.
Steve Hanson
12/07/2013
I have known John for 40 years. I will always remember his mannerisms, smile and quiet laugh. He was always a stand-up guy: true to his word, true to our friendship, true to do the right thing. Because he was so unassuming, it is only now that we realize how many lives he positively impacted, and the deep loss felt by so many at his passing. This still doesn't seem like it's possible.
Jan Hakanson
12/07/2013
I worked with Jon at Saydel. He was always smiling and had an upbeat attitude. So sad to hear of his passing...too young. I send my thoughts and prayers to the family.
sharon dey
12/07/2013
sorry to hear about your loss
Eldon Duneman
12/07/2013
Sad to hear of passing of Jon. I knew Jon & Jay at UNI & working at Latta's part-time during college. We had a wrestling bond. One of the 'good' guys. My condolences to the family.
Bob and Jody Boldt
12/07/2013
We were so saddened to hear of Jon's sudden passing. Always a ready smile and a quick friend. He will definitely be missed.
Our condolences and prayers to all.
Ann Hoeppner
12/07/2013
Dear Jo and all of Jon's family: So sorry to learn of your loss. Sending sympathy and condolences. Ann
Lynne Sienknechts Caltrider
12/07/2013
So sorry to hear about Jon's passing. I became acquainted with Jon and Jo at UNI as well as at the '69 reunions with my deceased husband, Kim. I imagine they are reminescing right now! My deepest condolences.
McCleary Family (Saydel)
12/07/2013
Coach Moeller, was an AWESOME person. He made all the different walks of life at Saydel feel special no matter who you was. He has always remained a friend to all.... through out the years way past graduation. It is amazing how all of us have made phone calls etc. over the past few weeks, to make sure the word got spread to hear about his sudden illness. He has played a BIG role... in how our Saydel pride, still remains to stay so STRONG today.
Coach Moeller, THANKS... for being you!!
Dan, Tom & Marilyn
Steve & Nancy Evans
12/07/2013
We're so sorry for your loss ! He will be missed by all in the horse community - he was so positive & friendly to everyone.