John Capper

A celebration of life for John H. Capper, 91 of Keota will be held Thursday, July 11, 2013 at 10:30 AM at the West Chester United Methodist Church with Pastor Marlene Janssen officiating. Following a luncheon at the church, burial will be held at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Joetown. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 10 from 5 – 8 PM at the Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Donna Bonwell. John Capper died Friday, July 5, 2013 at the Washington County Hospital following a lingering illness.

John Henry Capper was born January 24, 1922 in rural Washington County the son of Thomas and Margaret (Semler) Capper. He attended Brush #1 Rural School and enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corp 3 ^rd Division Pacific during World War II and the Marine Corp Reserve. On November 27, 1947 he was united in marriage to Elmarie Marner in Wellman, Iowa. John farmed all his life in the Keota and West Chester area. He was a member of the West Chester United Methodist Church where he served by operating the sound system for many years. John enjoyed farming, gardening, puzzles and collecting John Deere tractors.

Survivors include two children; Harold Capper of Keota, Iowa and Donna (Rodney) Bonwell of North Liberty, Iowa, four granchildren; Shawona Buck, Shannon Capper, Zach Capper and Amanda Anderson, seven great grandchildren; Alexis, Mason and Makayla Anderson, Kylie Keeler, Shane Capper, Riley Steele and Addysen Capper, and four sisters in law; Bessie Capper of Williamsburg, Iowa, Lois Capper of Davenport, Iowa, Lola Marner and Anna Mae (Jim Dawson) Marner of Wellman, Iowa, a half brother; George (Pauline) Brush of Fairfield, Iowa, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Preceding John in death were his parents, his wife Elmarie on June 26, 2013, and two brothers; Claude and Charles Capper and one sister, Dorthea Redlinger.