John Allen Stewart

OBITUARIES

John Allen Stewart

MARBLE ROCK — John Allen Stewart, 63, of Marble Rock, passed away Tuesday, July 26, 2016, at the Floyd County Memorial Hospital in Charles City.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 30, at St. Mary Church, Roseville, rural Greene, with Rev. Msgr.

Walter Brunkan presiding. Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery, Marble Rock. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m., Friday at the Roseville School with a public Scripture Wake Service at 7 p.m.

John was born on Nov. 16, 1952 in Waterloo, the son of Richard J. Stewart and Charlotte L. (Stowell) Stewart-Owen, and received his education at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Waterloo, later attending and graduating from East High School in Waterloo.

John was united with the love of his life Elizabeth (Betty) Murawski in 1978. This union was blessed with three children: Heather, Justin and Jesse.

John started playing music at a very young age. Over the course of his life, John played music in each of the lower 48 states and shared the stage with countless musicians throughout his lifetime. John had an immense passion for music, an integral part of his life.

He loved his family and friends, making his granddaughters laugh, music, playing golf, shooting pool and countless other wonderful things throughout his life.

John and Betty operated The Rock Tavern and Lounge in Marble Rock for 30 years. Over the last 16 years he worked for Coach America and PTI (Professional Transportation Incorporated).

Living family members include his loving wife of 37 years, Betty of Marble Rock; his three children: Heather (Chad) Hackman of Ionia; Justin (Andi) Stewart of Rockford; Jesse Stewart of Marble Rock; his two beloved granddaughters Hayden and Adeline Hackman, both of Ionia; one brother, Mike (Cindy) Stewart of Ark.; one sister, Joann Westemeier of Wildwood, Fla.; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Gary Prior and Joseph Stewart; and a nephew, David Stewart.

Memorials: may be directed to the John Stewart Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 54, Marble Rock, IA 50653.

“Without music,” a famous philosopher once wrote, “life would be a mistake.” The death of a great musician can create a collective sense of loss and nostalgia, the feeling that an era has passed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Retz Funeral Home, 423 Bradford Street, Marble Rock, IA, 641-823-4457, www.

retzfh.com.

Stewart