John Leonard Coon, age 70, of Carroll, Iowa, formerly of Early, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2007, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll.

Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 15th, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early with Father Larry Burns and Father Timothy Schott officiating. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery in Early under the direction of the Farber & Otteman Funeral Home.

Visitation is at the church from 2:00-5:00 p.m. and 6:30-8:00 p.m., on Tuesday, August 14th. There will be a vigil service at 7:00 p.m. and a Knights of Columbus Rosary at 8:00 p.m.

The son of Anton Leonard and Clara Genevieve (Drey) Coon, John was born on November 28, 1936, in Storm Lake, Iowa. His parents farmed in Early raising seven children. John was the oldest of seven brothers and sisters. He was baptized, made his First Communion and was Confirmed at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Early, where he later graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1955.

After high school, he worked for a year for Don Irwin in Masonry Construction, then attended Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa for one and half years where he studied engineering. Following the death of his father in 1958, John returned to the family farm to help his mother farm and care for his brothers and sisters. John loved farming with his family, teaching them hard work and family values.

On November 26, 1960, he was married to Janice Tentinger in Remsen, Iowa, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. They made their home near Early where John farmed. They were blessed with six sons (John, Jeffrey, Joseph, Jerret, James, Justin) and three daughters (Janell, Jodi, and Jennifer).

John was an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic church in Early, until his recent move to Carroll. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Mary’s Council #2326 and a member of the 4th Degree Rosatti Assembly.

His hobbies included playing cards, watching high school baseball, playing dominoes with the grandkids, making homemade ice cream, fishing and his trips to Branson, Missouri.

Survivors include his wife Janice (they celebrated their 46th wedding anniversary Nov. 26, 2006); his children: John of Carroll; Jeff and wife Shelly of Clive, IA; Janell Singer and husband Kurt of Ankeny, IA; Joseph and wife Jane of Waukee, IA; Jerret and wife Sara of Victoria, MN; Jodi Henkenius and husband Jim of Lake City, IA; James and wife Shelly of Avoca, IA; Jennifer Jorgensen and husband Chris of Ft. Dodge, IA; and Justin of Ft. Dodge, IA. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Coon and wife Vicki of Omaha, NE; Jim Coon and wife Bonnee of Early, IA; and Jay Coon and wife Anita of Storm Lake, IA; sisters, Jean Wolfe of Hampton, IA; Joleen Merten and husband Bill of Storm Lake, IA; and Julie Wadsley and husband Joe of Early, IA; and many extended family members.

John was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law William Wolfe.