John Martinez

John Martinez, 87, of Johnston, passed away at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines on Saturday, December 9, 2023.

John was born in Des Moines, Iowa on August 7, 1936 to Joseph and Augustina (Bernal) Martinez. He attended Lincoln High School where he was active in football and Wrestling. A big accomplishment was that he made it to the state wrestling tournament all four years of high school. John was also the homecoming king his senior year.

John worked as a bricklayer for 50 years, retiring from Ross Masonry. John also volunteered three mornings a week for fifteen years at the VA for a total of 7500 hours.

John leaves behind his wife, Marilyn; daughters, Theresa (Paul) Drew, Carla (Terry) Garber, Gina (Chad) Paine, and Elizabeth (Douglas Isackson) Martinez; son, John Christopher Martinez; grandchildren, Erin, Amber, Amanda, Matthew, Maria, Danielle, Kristin, Natasha, Joseph, Julia, Tyler, Hannah, David Wyatt, and Alyssa; brothers, Arthur, Vincent, and Albert; and sisters, Dolores, Margaret, and Raquel. He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Anna Mitton, and Mary Ellen Chapman.

Visitation will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 17, 2023 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home and Crematory with a Rosary Service beginning at 5:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:30 a.m., Monday, December 18, 2023 at St. Pius X Catholic Church.Online condolences may be expressed at www.caldwellparrish.com.