John Funk Dodge was born June 1894 to Henry Reuben and Galatea Jenkinson Dodge. He died May 12, 1960 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, IA.
Capt. Dodge served with the U.S. Army in World War I and World War II.
His Obituary:
John Dodge Dies Suddenly At Hospital
John F. Dodge, 65, prominent Webster City businessman, died suddenly at 7 o’clock last evening at the Hamilton county hospital, following a heart attack suffered at his home.
Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Foster funeral home with the Rev. R. D. Kitterman officiating and with burial in Graceland cemetery.
John Funk Dodge, son of Henry R. and Galatea Dodge, was born June 13, 1894, at Webster City. He was graduated from Webster City high school in 1912. He attended the University of Iowa for three years and was graduated in Law from the University of Michigan in 1923.
He served in World War I, attaining the rank of lieutenant with the U. S. balloon corps. He also served as a captain of the Iowa State Guard during World War II.
Following his graduation from law school, he was employed in the trust and escrow department of the Bank of America, Los Angeles. He returned to Webster City in 1926, and engaged in the monument business with his brother, the late Warren Dodge, and later with his brother, Byard Dodge, and his son, Dick.
He was united in marriage to Harriott Wheatley in 1924 and to this union one son and two daughters were born: Dick Dodge of Webster City, Mrs. Harold (Harriet) Stark, Webster City, and Mrs. Russell (Maryon) Hayes of Rosemount, Minn. In addition to his wife and three children he is survived by one brother, Byard Dodge, Webster City; six grandchildren, Ted, Holly and Emily Stark, Lori and Kristin Dodge and John Dodge Hayes.
He was preceded in death by his parents; by two sisters and four brothers.
Mr. Dodge was a member of the First Baptist church of Webster City. He was very active in Masonic lodge work, being a member of the Knights Templer and the Shrine. He was an active member of the Elks lodge and the American Legion.
Amblin’ Down Main Street with MAXI - - -
The sudden departure from our midst of John Dodge certainly leaves a void which will be hard to fill as the years go on.
We first became well acquainted with John when Company F of the Iowa State Guard was organized at the start of World War II. He served as a lieutenant for several years with the company, then took over as captain following the promotion of Capt. Bill Fastenow to a staff position.
A veteran of World War I, John had a good background in military training, and he readily shared it with the green youngsters who signed up in the “home guard” unit. The guardsmen knew him as a capable officer who was more like an enlisted man himself, for he enjoyed taking part in the guard “bull sessions” and extra-curricular activities which usually followed the Monday night drills.
One of those extra-curricular sessions included bowling on the Co. F squad, which usually served as a doormat for the other men’s teams participating in league play at the old Streamliner. One of the reasons that Co. F team usually occupied the basement was the fact that every week would find a different bowling combination present—one or two of the preceding week’s crew, having been taken by Uncle Sam into the service.
John was always on hand, though, and with his wise-cracks and easy-going style, it was just as much fun losing as it was winning. By the end of the second year, when the bowlers had to drive to Fort Dodge to finish up the season after the Streamliner burned down, John and his bowling crew had climbed from the basement up into higher society—winding up around fourth. Bowling was always one of his favorite sports, and in later years he continued to rank among the best and and consistent of the timber-toppers for the crews on which he was a favorite companion.
To return to the guards we’re certain that the reason so many of the Company F members did so well when they entered the regular service was the good fundamental training they received under John and his fellow officers. Many of these men went on to receive highly-rated commissions, and to this day like to reminisce about the start of their service careers. John Dodge has always been one of the most fondly-recalled names.
John was not only a skilled officer but was a skilled workman, too, and the work he has completed on thousands of monuments will stand for many years as a testimony to his artisanship.
Writing in stone is a fascinating work and one which requires both skill and patience. Yet John would never be too busy to break into his routine with a tour of the premises and explain just what had to be done to etch names and dates onto the many varied types of stones used in his trade.
John’s love of music was shown in many ways, through his enjoyment in joining with a bunch of the boys in a little close harmony, his work with choirs and in other choral combinations.
Many families, we’re certain, will always be indebted to John for his willingness to sing at services for their loved ones. His vocal messages undoubtedly helped as a consoling note in such times of deep family distress.
John Dodge, we’re certain all who knew him will agree, has carved as fine a mark on the life of this community as upon the granite and marble works of art he produced.
~Daily Freeman Journal, Webster City, IA - May. 13, 1960
Source: ancestry.com
