John L. Batty (Jack)

John LeRoy Batty passed away on March 24, 2017 at Mitchellville Care Center after a four year courageous battle with cancer. John leaves behind a loving wife of 65 years, Emma; five children, Denise Gulling of Mitchellville, Cynthia (Richard) Heller of Hudson, Indiana, Lois (Brad) Bowman of Swisher, Iowa, Jacki (David Kretz-fiancé) Johnson of Mitchellville, and John Batty, Jr. of Mitchellville; brother, Robert Batty of Mitchellville; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

John was born on February 13, 1927, to LeRoy and Hazel Batty in Colfax, Iowa. He moved to Mitchellville in 1934, and had lived there for 83 years. John entered the Army Air Force upon graduation from Mitchellville High School in 1944. He received an honorable discharge as a Sergeant in 1948. John played AAU softball and basketball until he was in his 50’s. He also loved to fish both in Iowa and Florida where he had a winter home. John spent many days working in his flower beds and yard. He also enjoyed riding his bike and walking around town.

John worked for many years as a tool and die maker, mechanical engineer, and plant manager. He began his career at Solar Aircraft in 1952, and then moved to Pennsylvania for a few short years to manage the DICO plant. He returned to Iowa and managed the Williamsburg Manufacturing Company in Williamsburg, Iowa, where he worked for 14 years. He retired in 1995, but was called out of retirement several times to oversee plants in Kansas City, Detroit, and Victor, Iowa. He finally retired in 1998.

John will be missed by many friends in Williamsburg, Mitchellville, and Pine Grove Park in St. Cloud, Florida. John will be greeted in heaven by his father; mother; sister, Eleanor; son-in-law, Mike Gulling; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

John and his family are grateful for the kind and excellent care he received from Dr. Demming, his nurses, and the Mercy Hospice home nursing crew. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mercy Hospice Care in Johnston.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 6:00pm at Hamilton’s Mitchellville Funeral Home, 303 Center Ave S, Mitchellville, IA on Wednesday, March 29, 2017. The service will begin immediately following visitation. John has decided to be cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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