John Gass
John Gass
John Charles Gass, 80, of Clermont, Iowa died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017 at Strawberry Point Lutheran Home, Strawberry Point, Iowa.
John was born on Nov. 16, 1936 to Herbert Hugo Alphonso and Flossie (Fay) Gass in Postville, Iowa.
He graduated from Clermont High School in 1955.
John was united in marriage with Vivian Mae Easler on Feb. 2, 1958 at West Clermont Lutheran Church in Clermont, Iowa. Three children were born to this union.
In his younger years, John hauled milk and started what became an over 40 year career of driving a school bus. He later became head custodian at Valley Community Schools as well.
John joined the National Guard in 1956 and served until 1962.
He joined the Clermont Fire Department in 1970 and was fire chief for at least 18 years. He also became an EMT in 1977.
John was initiated into Freemasonry at Clermont Lodge #160 on Dec. 19, 1957. He obtained his second degree on March 13,1958 and then became a Master Mason on April 10, 1958. He obtained his 33rd Degree as a member of the York Rite and was a member of the Northeast Iowa Shrine from 1976-1995. He was also a Worshipful Master of the Clermont Lodge.
John was Mayor for the City of Clermont from 1972 until 1979, president of the God’s Acres Cemetery Board, and a lifetime member of West Clermont Lutheran Church.
In his spare time, John enjoyed golfing, tinkering in his garage, fishing, listening to old country music, and being very active in the community. But most of all John loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
John is survived by his three children, Kathy Lynn Havenstrite of Strawberry Point, David John (Dori) Gass of Nevada, Iowa and Melissa Fay Bushong Fiedler of Strawberry Point; four grandchildren, Mason Earl John (Ashley) Havenstrite, Jonathan David Gass, Olivia Maelynn Elise White and Evan Michael John Fiedler; two great-grandchildren, Aiden Dean Havenstrite and Bentley John Havenstrite; sister, Patricia (Don) Cowell of Spencer, and numerous nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Vivian; parents, Herbert and Flossie Gass; two siblings that died in infancy; and one son-in-law, Roger Havenstrite.
Funeral Services were at 2 pm on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 at West Clermont Lutheran Church, Clermont, with Rev. Phillip Olson and Rev. Susan Friedrich as the Officiants.
Inurnment at God’s Acres, Clermont, at a later date.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Clermont, helped the family with arrangements.
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