John Edward Woxell
October 08, 2021
John Edward Woxell
Of Des Moines, Iowa
John E. Woxell, age 86, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, October 8, 2021. John was born the son of Carl and Agnes Woxell on December 11, 1934 in Des Moines, Iowa, where he remained a lifelong resident.
John proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a proud local Teamsters Union member. He worked as a diesel mechanic for Crouse Cartage Company, until his retirement in 1995. Some of his hobbies and interests included his love for motorcycles, sprint cars and spending time with his family. More than his hobbies, John loved people and people loved him. Whether it be a family member, a close friend, colleague, or a stranger, John would give the shirt off his back for anyone in need. He was a man of strong character and known by many as the kindest man ever. John will be remembered most as a quiet man with deep convictions.
He is lovingly survived by his live in companion, Virginia Garland; children, John (Peggy) Woxell, Jr., Rebecca Cummings and Julie (Andy) Merritt; 8 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Donna; son, Leonard; brother, Hal; and sisters, Helen, Maxine “Mac”, Delores “Dee” and Ruby.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at St. Ambrose Cathedral, 607 High St., followed by burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends Monday, October 18th from 5 to 8 p.m. at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be directed to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or American Indian Foundation in John’s memory.
Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
Penny Hawk
10/14/2021
An earth angel was escorted from this world on October 8 his name was John Woxell. It was time for the man that had given his whole life in service of others to get his wings. I can honestly say this world would be a better place if we had more people like John. I
I keep thinking of that phrase Doers get more done and I'm certain that phrase was created with John Woxell in mind...along with the song, "You find out who your friends are."
I watched this man with pure admiration as he cared for his son Lenny suffering with kidney failure, his neighbors, animals, and his vegetable garden. He was a caretaker, he was a giver, he was a decent human being, he was a family man, he was so many things to so many. How do we let someone like that... leave this world? We celebrate all he has given and realize John will never truly be gone. His acts of kindness are seen and felt in his community, his family, and his friends. Years ago John told me he was having a little heart trouble. I did not know the medical problems within his heart all I knew was the man had a heart 10 times bigger than any normal person, he gave from that big old heart freely often to undeserving people, and a large portion of his heart was missing... it was with his loved ones that had passed. Again I asked ...how do we let him go? We let his physical presence leave, but never forget the lessons this angel gave to this old world. Spread the kindness, offer a hand to the undeserving, and be better people and only then will you realize... he's not gone his presence will live forever in your heart. As I sit here today...I know John's heart is finally healed, it is complete, it is beating stronger than ever before, because his purpose on earth is now complete his pain is gone, his suffering has ended...his final lesson on earth was to teach us all it is time to find our own rhythm.
Anyone fortunate enough to know John Woxell truly met a hero...he didn't wear a cape, or fly, but he possessed a superior vision of a better world and he did something many of us will never accomplish he gave his time, his energy to spread kindness, hope and a belief that angels truly do exist...and I was blessed to of actually truly met a angel.
Back in the day, John , Lenny and his brother Hal came to my house and picked me up to go mushroom hunting. Now some of you might say that was not a very ladylike arrangement a woman going off with three men...but these three men were more respectful than words can express. Now, we walked quite a distance to get in the timber and the ground was sort of squishy and so the journey back to the car on the gravel road was a collective event on our shoes. The conversation on this day was seriously better than any Grumpy Old Man movie. It was laughter at it's best. On that journey back to the car I collected something other than gravel on my shoes, but knowledge. I walked ahead with Hal and John stayed behind to support Lenny. Hal shared with me that he lost his wife and children in a car accident...I was speechless. For some reason,I felt he didn't want sympathy, but it was something he needed to talk about. My heart hugged this fellow...and as I glanced back to check on John and Lenny I saw something I was not expecting... I saw three men with a bond not just a family connection, but of pure love and devotion...together none of them were broken or felt loss they had a wholeness that very few people will ever know. When we made it to the car...John was teasing Lenny about his muddy shoes, and Hal was chiming in and Lenny was just chuckling. Lenny had his choice of the trunk or to clean those big , old shoes off. John cleaned Lenny's shoes. It was too funny, but these men took care of not only each other, but there belongings as well. I cherished that day then and now...time well spent.
John frequently said," You're kidding me," ...No today I have never been more serious when I say... the world lost a great deal October 8...a man that could hand feed squirrels, a former smoker that never tossed a cig on the ground, but put it out and stuck it in his pocket til he came to a trash can, a man that was a mechanic, a Veteran, the cleanest most organized housekeeper, a family man, a cook, a free taxi service driver, a loyal friend and yes a real life hero and earth angel. In closing, all I can say is... John was the one person that I tried to role model or duplicate...but no matter how hard I try I can't be as good as John Woxell. I was blessed to have met John the earth angel that now has his own, beautiful wings. Love and healing to his family
Linda Jacobs
10/13/2021
Sorry for your loss, John was a kind and caring man. Thoughts and prayers for your family.