John D. Mckean
July 10, 1927 — June 19, 2008
John Dwight McKean was born on July 10, 1927, to William and Florence (Petersen) McKean at his grandparents farm near Portsmouth, Iowa. He lived on that farm for one year before the family moved to a farm one mile north.
He graduated from Persia High School in 1945 and farmed until he was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1950. He completed basic training at Camp Cook, California, and was then sent to Japan for extensive occupation training. He served as a medic during the Korean War, earning several medals before his honorable discharge in 1952.
He purchased his grandparents� farm in 1953 and returned to farming with his father west of Portsmouth. In 1963, he met Dorothy Ratashack at the Music Box in Omaha, Nebraska, and on August 8, 1964, they were united in marriage at St. John�s Church of Christ in Council Bluffs, Iowa. One daughter, Marsha Lynn, was born to this union.
Dwight continued to farm until his retirement in 1996 but continued to live on the farm until June of 2002 when he and Dorothy moved to Harlan. He was a hard worker and kept at a job until it was done. He made do with what he had and went out of his way to help others.
His daughter was the apple of his eye and when his grandchildren came along, he went overboard buying toys and spoiling them. Dwight was as devoted to his family as he was to God and spent his life serving Him, even in little ways such as giving gasoline to stranded motorists on the highway. He was an honest man and never expected his kindness to be repaid. Dwight was also a member of the American Legion Post No 314 of Persia, and for over 30 years treasurer of the Persia Methodist Church.
Dwight died on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty years, eleven months, and nine days. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy McKean of Harlan, Iowa; his daughter, Marsha and her husband Tim Slobodnik of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his grandchildren: Jacob and Madison Slobodnik of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his brother; Dennis McKean and his wife Donna of LaVista, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Lavina Johnston of Audubon, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, June 23, 2008, with Rev. Orris Drake leading the 10:00 AM service held at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Mervin Johnston, Steven Johnston, Jaremy Johnston, David McKean, Adam Bruck, and Darren McKean. Military rites were held at the Valley View Cemetery in Persia, Iowa.
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He graduated from Persia High School in 1945 and farmed until he was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1950. He completed basic training at Camp Cook, California, and was then sent to Japan for extensive occupation training. He served as a medic during the Korean War, earning several medals before his honorable discharge in 1952.
He purchased his grandparents� farm in 1953 and returned to farming with his father west of Portsmouth. In 1963, he met Dorothy Ratashack at the Music Box in Omaha, Nebraska, and on August 8, 1964, they were united in marriage at St. John�s Church of Christ in Council Bluffs, Iowa. One daughter, Marsha Lynn, was born to this union.
Dwight continued to farm until his retirement in 1996 but continued to live on the farm until June of 2002 when he and Dorothy moved to Harlan. He was a hard worker and kept at a job until it was done. He made do with what he had and went out of his way to help others.
His daughter was the apple of his eye and when his grandchildren came along, he went overboard buying toys and spoiling them. Dwight was as devoted to his family as he was to God and spent his life serving Him, even in little ways such as giving gasoline to stranded motorists on the highway. He was an honest man and never expected his kindness to be repaid. Dwight was also a member of the American Legion Post No 314 of Persia, and for over 30 years treasurer of the Persia Methodist Church.
Dwight died on Thursday, June 19, 2008, at Creighton Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, having attained the age of eighty years, eleven months, and nine days. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy McKean of Harlan, Iowa; his daughter, Marsha and her husband Tim Slobodnik of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his grandchildren: Jacob and Madison Slobodnik of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his brother; Dennis McKean and his wife Donna of LaVista, Nebraska; sister-in-law, Lavina Johnston of Audubon, Iowa; nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.
A funeral service was held on Monday, June 23, 2008, with Rev. Orris Drake leading the 10:00 AM service held at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan, Iowa. Casket bearers were Mervin Johnston, Steven Johnston, Jaremy Johnston, David McKean, Adam Bruck, and Darren McKean. Military rites were held at the Valley View Cemetery in Persia, Iowa.
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