"John was a careing person. He was kind and respectfull to everyone. His smile was infectuous. I will miss seeing him. My deepest sympathy to Janna, his Children and Grandchildren. God Bless and be with you all."
In loving memory of
John Leo Phelan
June 3, 1938 - October 29, 2012
John L. Phelan, age 74 of Colfax, passed away on Monday, October 29, 2012, at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, November 2, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colfax. Burial will take place at Franklin Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Thursday, November 1, 2012, from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the church. There will be a vigil service beginning at 7:30 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family and condolences may be left at www.coburnfuneralhomes.com.
The son of Martin and Mary (Rooney) Phelan, John was born on June 3, 1938, in Des Moines. He graduated from Mingo High School and served in the United States Air Force. On November 14, 1964, he was united in marriage to Janna Crise at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. John worked at Maytag for thirty years until his retirement in 1999. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Pony Express, Iowa State Trail Riders, the Colfax Saddle Club and the UAW Local 994. He enjoyed riding horses and taking vacations with family. John especially enjoyed spending time with his five grandchildren and adored his great granddaughter and was anxiously awaiting the birth of his great grandson, Scottie, due November 13.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife Janna (Crise) Phelan at home; daughters, Angie Phelan-Couch and Johanna (Scott) Beason; son, Brian (Kathy) Phelan; grandsons, Nathan and Aaron Miller, Bobby (Alisha) Beason, Austin Beason; granddaughter, Nicole (Brad) Spivey and great grand daughter, AnnaBelle Spivey. Also surviving are his brothers Pat (Janet) Phelan, Mike Phelan, and Bill (Sara) Phelan, sisters, MaryAnn Phelan and Sue Phelan, sister-in-laws, MaryLee Phelan and Karda Crise; a brother-in-law, Charlie (Helen) Crise and many nieces and nephews. Preceding John in death were his parents, a brother, Marty and niece Jerrica Hillman-Ruden, brother-in-law, Gayle Crise and sister-in-law, Darla Crise.
Tributes
"Our sympathy to to all of the John Phelan family."
"Sorry to hear of John 's passing thoughts and Prayers to the familly. Saddle club and pony bring back a lot of memories. "
"John was a great.example of how a.man should treat his wife, kids, and grandkids. He was the strong-silent type. I remember him wearing his baseball.caps. He was fun to tease. He was thrilled to have a great grand daughter, Annabelle, and a great.grand son, Scottie on the way. May he alwaus live on in your hearts!!"
"The Phelan family were our closest neighbors when we lived near Mingo I especially remember John as a happy go lucky boy . We use to beg to go to the Phelan's to play ball with them . His older brother Pat was my classmate in Mingo. Dorothy Womeldorff "
"John was always our good-natured classmate at Mingo. I know he will be missed. My condolences to his wife and family."
"Uncle John was always so much fun. He was always there to try new things or do whatever we wanted him to do. He was always very calm and gentle with us kids. I have so many great memories of him. I'm glad I was able to see him one more time on my last trip out there. I really loved him and will miss him dearly. God has a great person coming his way."
"Always enjoyed talking with John during his haircut. He always made me smile! He will be greatly missed!"
"We went to Mingo High with John. He was always happy-go-lucky and great to be around. Our sympathy goes to the entire Phelan family, and especially to Janna and children. "
"John and I graduated from Mingo High School together. When you go to a small school, you become close to each other; especially those in your class. I send my sympathy to the family and friends. God Speed my friend."
"I loved the way that Uncle John would always great me with a smile and a "How's it going girl?" He was a good heart and a great Uncle. He lived his life as a loving, hardworking and family centered man. People talk of "live and let live" attitudes, and I believe that John was very much that way. He was a wonderful, peace-filled Uncle and I will miss him dearly. How lucky we were to call him ours!"
"John was a good husband, father and Grandfather. I will miss him very much and be waiting to meet him again. November 14th would have been our 48th anniversary."
"My dad was a very kind & patient man. He will be missed for the rest of my life."