John W. Holcomb, Jr., 83, of Humboldt, passed away August 21, 2012 at the Humboldt County Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Oak Hill Baptist Church in Humboldt with full military honors by the Adams American Legion Post 119 and Sathers-Odgaard Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5240. Interment will be in Arlington Township Cemetery, Moville, Iowa. Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Friday at the Mason-Lindhart Funeral Home in Humboldt.
John William Holcomb, Jr, the son of John and Ethel (Doud) Holcomb, was born October 31, 1928 at Spencer, Iowa. He received his education in the Spencer Community School System.
In 1951, John joined the U.S. Army, where he served for over 20 years. He was stationed in Korea, Vietnam, Germany, Hawaii, and at the Pentagon. John was very proud of his service to his country.
After retiring from the military, John worked for several companies including many years at Witco Mfg. Co. in Spencer. After his retirement he volunteered for D.H.S. and the Veterans Affairs as a driver. John loved to read and watch his grandchildren in a wide variety of sports, music, and other activities.
On September 1, 1984, John was united in marriage to Marilyn Grause at the Little Brown Church in the Vale at Nashua, Iowa. The couple made their home in Spencer until moving to Humboldt in 2004.
John put his faith in Christ as a teenager. While living in Spencer, he was active in the 1st Baptist Church where he sang in the choir, and served as the music librarian. John worked with the church youth in Awana and served as Co-Director and leader of Sparkies for 16 years.
John was a member of the Oak Hill Baptist Church, the V.F.W. Post 5240, and the American Legion.
John is survived by his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Mary Elizabeth “Becky” (Melvin) Kwiatkowski of Souderton, PA, Sue (Kurt) White of Gilmore City, Jane (Jeff) Astor of North Liberty, Julie (Gary) Hendricks of Humboldt, Jill (Randy) Jergens of Gilmore City; and 2 sons, Dan Grause and John Grause, both of Nevada, Iowa. He is also survived by his, sisters, Lila (Charlie) DiBernardino of Sebastian, FL, and Doris (Tom) Metheny of Columbia, MO. John has 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
John was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Kenneth, Ronald, and Herbert; sisters, Ione, Thelma, and Charlene; and his daughter-in-law, Cindy Grause.