John V. Redlinger

John V. Redlinger
July 30, 1919 - July 20, 2013
Solon, formerly of Harper
Visitation: 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. July 23, 2013 at Powell Funeral Home - Keota
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. July 24, 2013 at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church
Interment: July 24, 2013 at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery
HARPER-John V. Redlinger, age 93, of Solon, formerly of Harper, died Saturday, July 20, 2013, at the Solon Care Center, where he had been a resident since 2009. John was born July 30, 1919, in Harper, one of eight children of John and Clara (Sondag) Redlinger and graduated from St. Elizabeth High School. On November 10, 1941, John was drafted by the Minnesota National Guard and served in the Army. He started his service in northern Africa, traveled through the countries of Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Ireland during WWII as a member of the 151st Field Artillery, 34th Division, Battalion B Red Bulls. John was honorably discharged on August 14, 1945 with the rank of Gunner Corporal. He had five months, 24 days of continental service and three years, three months and 11 days of foreign service. John met his wife to be, Marian Theresa Fritz, from Brighton, while working for Lester Merz before WWII. They were married on October 10, 1945 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church at East Pleasant Plain. They lived on a farm near Harper where John was a farmer along with working for the Harper and Keota Lumber Yards doing construction and for W.C. Gretter and Sons. John was a "jack of all trades." His son, Gary, says, "He always had a sense of humor and whenever you asked for help John would be there to help you." Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Marian, of Solon; six children: Gary (Donna) Redlinger of Solon, Donna (Gary) Scheetz of Oxford, Janet Schrock of Solon, Mary Ellen (Bill) Barry of Fairfax, Dennis (Joni) Redlinger and Dean (Jeanene) Redlinger, both of Keota; 19 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and sister: Virginia (Ginny) O'Donnell of Iowa City. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Leola Redlinger and Mary Greiner and brothers: Bernard, Alvin, James and Cletus Redlinger and a great grandson: Zachary Engrav. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013, at Holy Trinity Parish - St. Mary Catholic Church in Keota, with Revs. Jim Vrba and Charles Fladung officiating. Burial will be at Holy Trinity Cemeteries - St. Elizabeth Cemetery in Harper, with military rites by Keota V.F.W. Post #4716. Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, 2013, at Powell Funeral Home in Keota, where there will be a wake service at 4:00 p.m. A memorial fund has been established for Iowa City Hospice or the Solon Care Center Employee Fund. Powell Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Keota is caring for John and his family. Condolences may be e-mailed at www.powellfuneralhomes.com under obituaries.