John P. McKeone
MCKEONE, DOUGALL
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 2/13/2025 at 08:37:47
John P. McKeone, 72, of Iowa City, passed away with his wife Karin by his side, on Friday, February 7, 2025 at Prairie Hills Memory Care, Tipton, Iowa.
Born on January 4, 1953, John was the New Year’s baby of Washington, IA. Parents were Leonard McKeone and Mary (Dougall) McKeone. John grew up with admiration for his older brother, Joe McKeone. John was an alter boy at St. James Catholic Church and attended St. James Elementary School. He graduated from Washington High School and attended NE Missouri State University in Kirksville, MO. At the time of the Vietnam War John waited for his military draft number (#28) to be called up, when then President Nixon ended it. He went on to complete his degree, majoring in History, at the University of Iowa. John also developed his writing skills while completing his degree. He participated in writing groups, and wrote about his life experiences. John worked in sales and customer service positions and retired in May of 2019 from Beisser Lumber, Coralville, IA. It was while John was manager of the Camanche (IA) Lumberyard, that he met Karin Turner in the late ’70’s. They were married on April 11, 1981. This year would have marked their 44th Anniversary.
John had a love and interest of so much of this world: WWII history, British motorcycles, cars, airplanes, coins, and other collections. His purchase of a firetruck, using green stamps given to him by his mother, remains in a box, safely stored. No one was ever allowed to play with it. And so it was at that young age, when John began collecting a litany of items throughout his years. John had the Irish “gift of gab” and chatted with people wherever he went. His humor was never-ending and infectious. He loved sharing a laugh and to tease people in good fun. John was industrious and self-motivated, and jumped into into the rehabilitation of the couple’s first four houses without hesitation. He did get somewhat discouraged when a kitchen ceiling came down upon his head. John loved music, dancing with Karin, traveling together, visiting friends and family throughout the US, hiking and camping in our country’s beautiful National Parks and traveling to Europe and Australia. Trips together on motorcycles were plenty, and provided experiences such as seeing various displays of the Northern Lights as well as arrival to a destination covered in mud. Motorcycles gave way to bicycles, and John became a participant in fund-raising rides and other 100+ mile events and competitions. His favorite was the Horrible Hilly Hundreds, an event held at Blue Mounds State Park, Wisconsin with the motto: “Biking Like a Viking”. He found another challenge when he took on the mountains on the Montana RATPOD charity ride. Most recently, he found purpose in woodworking projects. With his friend Pete leading the way, they made 75 desks for the Iowa City Neighborhood Centers during the Pandemic. They went on to build 130 triangular flag frames for military families. Proceeds went to assist UI students who recently served in the military.
John is survived by his wife Karin, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws and dear friends. He was preceded in death by parents Leonard and Mary McKeone, and his brother Joe, who died when John was age 14. John was proud to be from the lineage of JJ McKeone, a bricklayer who left his plaque on many Washington, IA streets, and who constructed the fountain on the Washington town square.
John’s family wishes to thank Prairie Hills Tipton, Moments Hospice, Dr. Robert Beck (UIHC), and Caring Hands and More for giving John respect and dignity at the end of his life. Every step of the way, John appreciated the care you provided.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Iowa City Terry Trueblood Park Lodge on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2-4 pm. A time of sharing and prayer will begin at 2:30pm. Memorials may be directed to Amnesty International, CommUnity Crisis Services-Iowa City or Paws and More, Washington, Iowa.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen