John Gwinner

John R. Gwinner, 96, of West Point, IA, formerly of Pawnee City, NE, died Tuesday, November 1, 2011, at the Ft. Madison Community Hospital, in Ft. Madison, IA. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m., on Saturday, November 5, 2011, in Moberly, MO, at Oakland Cemetery. A memorial has been established for PAWS Animal Shelter in Fort Madison, IA, and may be sent to Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 656, Mt. Pleasant, IA, 52641. On-line condolences may be directed to www.olsonpowell.com. The son of Fred E. and Maude J. Varnes Gwinner, John Richard, was born January 25, 1915, in rural Atlanta, MO. He attended rural school until 1925, when he moved with his parents to town. He completed his schooling in Atlanta and later attended Chillicothe Business College in Chillicothe, MO. In 1940, he married Oleta Carrell. She preceded him in death on October 18, 1999. For fifty years John worked in the retail lumber business. His career began as an assistant manager in Salisbury, MO. He managed lumber yards in Iowa, Kansas, and retired in 1986, from a lumber yard in Pawnee City, NE. Having a strong relationship with God, John always attended church in the town where he was living. While living in Pawnee City, he was a member of the First Christian Church. John spent many hours caring for his huge garden. He found a great deal of pleasure square dancing with his wife, which led to enjoyable evenings and many long-lasting friendships. John also enjoyed fishing and playing cards with his friends. Mr. Gwinner is survived by his caretakers, a niece, Bernise Wallace, of New London, IA and a great-niece, Tonya (Jeff) Rehm, of West Point, IA; a nephew, Bill Magruder of Sun City, CA; and a great-nephew, Jeff (Kelly) Wallace of Mt. Pleasant, IA. He also survived by a step-sister, Willette Parcell, along with numerous great-nephews and great-nieces. Along with his wife, Mr. Gwinner was preceded in death by his parents; a sister Ruby Pearl Miller; and two nieces, Bonnie Kipp and Barbara Lesage.